News Release

For more information contact: Linda Berry, (785) 271-3269

August 8, 2018

KCC Partners with Washburn University Law School to Offer Oil and Gas Law Training


Wichita, KS - Washburn University Law students will have the opportunity to learn first-hand about the rapidly changing technologies and economics of the state's oil and gas industry. The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC), the agency that regulates oil and natural gas production in the state, is hosting a three-day educational event in conjunction with Washburn University.

The event will be held Saturday, August 11, Sunday, August 12, and Monday, August 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the KCC’s Conservation Division office located at 266 N. Main, Suite 202 in Wichita. KCC Commissioners will preside over a mock hearing on the final day of the event. Students may earn credit hours for their participation.

“The Commission is pleased to partner with Washburn Law School to provide a unique learning opportunity on the regulation of oil and gas," stated Chair Shari Feist Albrecht. “Oil and gas is one of the leading industries in the Kansas economy and it is important that we provide educational opportunities to ensure that our regulatory structure continues to protect correlative rights and prevents waste of our oil and gas resources."

The training will examine the statutes and regulations administered by the KCC Conservation Division, and demonstrate its litigation procedures.

"This marks the fourth time this very popular course has been offered in partnership with the Kansas Corporation Commission. In no other setting can students meet, learn from, and interact with the legal, technical, and administrative personnel charged with administering the major energy industries within a state," said Washburn Law School Professor David Pierce. "We are thankful for the support and active participation of the men and women of the Kansas Corporation Commission who make this sort of unique learning experience possible for our students."

The mission of the KCC Conservation Division is to protect correlative rights and prevent waste of natural resources through effective regulatory oversight of oil and natural gas exploration and production activities, and intrastate gas storage.

Every oil and gas producing state has a regulatory agency charged with that oversight. These state agencies regulate all aspects of oil and gas development from drilling to abandoning wells and have extensive authority over environmental matters associated with oil and gas development, including protecting the correlative rights of resource owners and fresh and usable waters.