Michael Styczen P.Eng.

Counsel

Emailmichael.styczen@ca.dlapiper.com

About

Michael Styczen is a counsel in the firm's Calgary office, practising corporate and commercial law in the energy and renewables sector.

Michael specializes in commercial transactions in the energy and renewables sector, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A), project development, technology transfer, lending and commodities transactions related to renewables, conventional electricity, oil and gas, and midstream.

Areas of FocusEnergy and Natural Resources Corporate Oil and Gas Construction and Engineering Renewables

Bar admissionsAlbertaManitoba

EXPERIENCE

Led the team acting for the owners of H2Safety Services in the sale of their business to United States private equity
Led the team acting for the owners of a private building manufacturer in the sale of their business
Led the team acting for the owners of a traffic data collection company in the sale of their business
Acted for a European fund manager structuring an investment in a Canadian biomethane producer
Acted for a Canadian industrial power consumer in obtaining an Industrial System Designation from the Alberta Utilities Commission
Acted for a number of downhole service companies in reviewing and negotiating contracts for oilfield services
Advised a number of producers and marketers on Clean Fuel Regulations
Led the team acting for Steelhaus Technologies in negotiating and documenting a syndicated loan facility, and negotiating and documenting amendments to the facility and the amendment and restatement of the facility
Led the team acting for High Arctic Energy Services in the sale of assets to Precision Drilling
Led the team acting for a Canadian downhole tool designer and manufacturer in the acquisition of a number of designers and manufacturers of specialty downhole tools in Canada and the United States
Led the team acting for a British Columbia oil refinery in connection with an inventory buy-sell arrangement
A member of the team acting for Tidewater Midstream in connection with the US$150 million initial public offering of Tidewater Renewables and the conversion of refinery assets to produce biodiesel, hydrogen and renewable natural gas (RNG)
Led the team acting for a Canadian battery storage developer in the purchase and sale of several development portfolios and related financings
Led the team acting for a power generation developer commercializing standalone generation solutions for standalone data centers and server farms
Led the team acting for an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor installing solar generation in Alberta
Led the team acting for Tidewater Midstream in connection with the sale of the Pioneer Pipeline
Led the team acting for Ensign Energy Services in its purchase of all of the Canadian assets of Nabors Industries
A member of the team acting for the purchaser of an interest in a 900 MW gas-fired generation facility in Alberta
Led the team acting for Tidewater Midstream in connection with the disposition of its interest in a natural gas pipeline in Alberta
Led the team acting for Canadian private investors in connection with the sale of an oil pipeline construction and testing business to Canadian private equity
A member of the team acting for ONEX in connection with its purchase of WestJet
Acted for a number of small businesses to implement tax-driven corporate restructurings
Led the team acting for Tidewater Midstream in connection with the development and financing of a natural gas pipeline and a gas storage facility in Alberta
Led the team acting for Tidewater Midstream in connection with the sale of a cogeneration facility in Alberta
Led the team acting for a consortium of First Nations purchasing a 49% interest in a Suncor tank farm
Led the Canadian team acting for the target in connection with the public markets purchase of Calpine Corporation
Led the Canadian team acting for INPEX Corporation in connection with the sale of its Canadian oil sands business
Led the team advising an international engineering firm on the regulatory and commercial requirements for developing an upgrader in Alberta
Represented numerous small and mid-size producers in the acquisition and sale of oil and gas leases
Led the team acting for Predator Midstream in connection with the sale of its crude oil transloading business to Secure Energy Services Inc.
Led the team acting for a consortium led by INPEX Corporation in connection with the purchase of a 40% interest in Nexen Corporation's shale gas assets in northeastern British Columbia

Languages

Education

J.D., University of Manitoba, 1997

B.Sc., Queen's University, 1989
Honours in Chemical Engineering

Awards and Recognitions

The Legal 500 Canada

Recommended, Energy and Natural Resources: Oil and Gas, (2016 – 2017)

Additional Recognitions

Recognized, Corporate Law, Best Lawyers in Canada, (2023)

Seminars

Chair and Course Leader, "M&A Transactions," Legal Education Society Alberta, Fall 2024
Guest Speaker, Queen's University Global Energy Conference, January 2022
Facilitator and Course Leader, "Joint Ventures," Legal Education Society Alberta, Fall 2021
Speaker, "Technology Transfer: Tips, Traps and Best Practices," CanGEA Technology Transfer Conference, June 23, 2016

Prior Experience

Prior to his legal career, Michael practised as a professional engineer working as an environmental and operations supervisor in the electricity industry and as an environmental engineer in petroleum refining.

Community Involvement

Director, Legal Education Society of Alberta
Director and Secretary, Cochrane and Area Humane Society

Additionally, Michael has instructed and facilitated a number of continuing education seminars, primarily related to oil and gas transactions and commercial contract drafting.

Memberships And Affiliations

Law Society of Alberta
Law Society of Manitoba
Alberta Bar Association
Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (non-practicing)