Michael Styczen P.Eng.

Counsel

Emailmichael.styczen@ca.dlapiper.com

Call+1 403 698 8703

Calgary

About

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

Bar admissionsAlbertaManitoba

EXPERIENCE

Led the team acting for a U.S. investor in the purchase of Alaska North Slope crude oil working interests
Part of the team acting for a Canadian gas producer entering into gas supply and siting agreements with data centre owners
Led the team acting for a Canadian investor in a California pumped storage project
Acted for a number of issuers in connection with Manitoba aspects of securities offerings
Led the team acting for Steelhaus group of companies in negotiating and documenting a syndicated loan facility, and negotiating and documenting amendments to the facility and several amendments and restatements of the facility
Led the team acting for an Alberta electricity collective in negotiating and structuring electricity and green attribute purchases and related derivatives transactions
Led the team representing the owners of Phi Medical Aesthetics in the sale of their business
Led the team representing a Canadian private corporation structuring its investment in a home builder
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 an Alberta conventional oil and gas producer in the sale of a carbon sequestration project
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
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 Canadian battery storage developer in the purchase and sale of several development portfolios and related financings
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 Canadian private investors in connection with the sale of an oil pipeline construction and testing business to Canadian private equity
Acted for a number of small businesses to implement tax-driven corporate restructurings, including freezes, rollovers, trusts and similar transactions
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
Represented numerous small and mid-size producers in the acquisition and sale of oil and gas leases
Led the team acting for a consortium led by INPEX Corporation in connection with all aspects of its participation in the Aurora LNG project (cancelled)
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

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)

Education

J.D., University of Manitoba, 1997

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

Publications

Horizon – News and Trends in Sustainability Law, February 2026

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

Prior Experience

Prior to his legal career, Michael practised for a number of years 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
Volunteer (ID Clinic / Notary), Skipping Stone Foundation - assisting LGBTQ+ youth to change their gender markers and names on passports, birth certificates and other documentation
Pro bono counsel to several non-profits and charities in animal welfare and youth sports

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)