FCPA Enforcement and Compliance in the Energy Sector: Trends and Updates
Overview:
Although foreign corruption and bribery activities run rampant in every industry, the energy sector exposes itself to a higher risk compared to other businesses, as it often operates on larger scales and deals involving countries with different corruption and bribery laws and regulatory requirements.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has been swarmed with lawsuits and alleged Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations by companies in the energy sector. The heightened enforcement of the FCPA, along with the government’s collaboration with other countries, has intensified the crackdown of violators who are now faced with higher penalties and irreparable reputational damages.
The stakes are high. Companies in the energy industry must keep themselves abreast of the recent developments and trends in complying with the aforementioned act. They must also come up with effective strategies and techniques to mitigate the risks of exposure to potential FCPA violations.
In this LIVE Webcast, a panel of distinguished professionals and thought leaders will help companies in the energy sector and their counsel, understand the important aspects of this significant topic. They will provide an in-depth discussion of recent FCPA trends and developments. Speakers will also offer best practices in developing and implementing effective strategies and techniques in ensuring maximum compliance with the FCPA.
Key topics include:
- FCPA Enforcement in the Energy Sector: Statistics
- Recent Trends and Developments
- Notable Cases
- Compliance Issues and Solutions
- Mitigating Risks
- Best Practices and Practical Tips
- The Future of FCPA and the Energy Industry
Agenda:
Joseph A. Spinelli, Senior Managing Director
Ankura
- Enhanced Due Diligence- A must for the Oil & Gas Industry
- Proactive Compliance Steps for Energy Companies Doing Business Internationally & Compliance Guidance
- Identifying the Risks Associated with Energy Companies Doing Business Internationally
- Trends and Patterns of FCPA Enforcement – 2018
Anne Hukkelaas Gaustad, Partner
Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP
- Statistics: 2010 to 2015 extractive sector accounted for 40% of enforcement actions, and in the last five years we observe that the energy sector continues to be an area of focus for international regulators
- Continued focus on energy sector, but private companies not the only ones that are subject to inquiries:
- The energy and mining sectors continue to attract significant attention from international enforcement authorities (including DOJ/SEC, SFO, Dutch, Italian and Nigerian regulators to mention a few))
- These cases appear to have a broader focus than before, notably through focus on the activities of state-owned companies (with Brazil’s Petrobras and Venezuela’s PDVSA being the most obvious examples of this trend.
- Focus on prosecution of individuals and government officials (see in particular the PDVSA-related cases), the latter on the basis of AML-statutes and other statutes
- PDVSA is also an interesting example because it is one of the cases where economic sanctions and FCPA concerns overlap (sanctioned entity on the basis of corrupt activity)
- We also see that the commodities trading companies are the subject of increased focus (see for example the recent interest taken into FCPA violations by the CFTC’s Division of Enforcement in its March 2019 Enforcement Advisory)
- Significant international cooperation in these cases
- Notable cases: Petrobras (and cases other cases arising out of the Petrobras-affair), PDVSA, Shell, Rolls Royce, Unaoil, Halliburton, SBM, Keppel Offshore, ENI investigation, Electrobras, Linde (declination)
- Compliance Issues and Solutions: Increasingly complex regulations for energy companies, increasing obligations to contribute to local development and CSR initiatives (qualifications of local leaders as public officials, tribal leaders), continued lack of transparency in a range of countries, local content requirements continue to present significant challenges (many countries are seeking to develop more stringent local content requirements, including Congo and Uganda), of on-shore operations, a lot of talk of due diligence initiatives but little advance on this.
- Mitigate risks: continued focus on third-party due diligence, industry-wide initiatives
- Future of FCPA enforcement in energy sector: likely continued high level of enforcement across countries given the high level of regulation and strategic interest of the sector for most countries.
Peter Turecek, Partner
Control Risks
- As we see some consolidation in the energy sector and some M&A plays, new DOJ guidelines just out note that misconduct found during “thorough and timely due diligence”, voluntarily disclosed and with consistent remedial actions taken—the DOJ will have a presumption of a declination (though not guaranteed).
- Failure to adhere to FCPA’s books and records and internal controls provisions seems to be a recurring theme of recent enforcement actions involving energy companies, despite a number of actions stemming from incidents up to 10 years earlier. The establishment, adherence to and testing of compliance policies is critical and is the low hanging fruit opportunity for energy companies to head off issues. It still holds true that almost the worst thing you can do is have policies and procedures in place and not be following them!
- The biggest stumbling block, ESPECIALLY in the energy sector, particularly oil and gas companies operating internationally, seems to be activities involving agents/sales reps. We’ll have some discussion around APPROPRIATE due diligence on these critical resources. (Hint--light compliance screening just doesn’t cut it, leading to a discussion around screening v. investigative methodologies.)
- And as always, tone from the top and enforcement from the top is critical to avoiding FCPA issues—both messaging and DEMONSTRATING through actions are critical to appropriate management of FCPA risks.
Who Should Attend:
- White Collar Crime Attorneys
- FCPA Securities and Corporate Governance Attorneys
- FCPA Practicing Lawyers
- Regulatory and Policy Managers
- Corporate Counsel
- Compliance Officers
- International Counsel
- Directors and Executives
- Top Level Management
- Energy, Oil & Gas Companies
- Other interested/related professionals
Joseph A. Spinelli is a Senior Managing Director at Ankura, based in New York. He has been a preeminent leader …
Anne Hukkelaas Gaustad is a partner based in our Paris office and assists clients on matters including anti-corruption compliance, corporate …
Peter Turecek is a Partner in Control Risks’ Compliance, Forensics and Intelligence Practice in the Americas region, with an emphasis …
Course Level:
Intermediate
Advance Preparation:
Print and review course materials
Method of Presentation:
On-demand Webcast (CLE)
Prerequisite:
General knowledge of anti-bribery and corruption law
Course Code:
147982
NY Category of CLE Credit:
Areas of Professional Practice
Total Credits:
1.5 CLE
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SPEAKERS' FIRMS:
About Ankura
Ankura is a business advisory and expert services firm defined by HOW we solve challenges. Whether a client is facing an immediate business challenge, trying to increase the value of their company or protect against future risks, Ankura designs, develops, and executes tailored solutions by assembling the right combination of expertise. We build on this experience with every case, client, and situation, collaborating to create innovative, customized solutions, and strategies designed for today’s ever-changing business environment. This gives our clients unparalleled insight and experience across a wide range of economic, governance, and regulatory challenges. At Ankura, we know that collaboration drives results. For more information, please visit: www.ankura.com.
Website: https://ankura.com/
About Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP
Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP is an international law firm ranked for 12 years, including five years in a row as the top-ranked New York-based firm, on The American Lawyer’s A-List of what the magazine calls “the top firms among the nation’s legal elite.” We advise and represent clients in over 30 specialized practices. Our firm strikes the balance between scale and agility, handling large and complex matters, while remaining flexible to adapt to clients’ needs and market developments. For more information, please visit www.hugheshubbard.com.
Website: https://www.hugheshubbard.com/
About Control Risks
Control Risks exists to make their clients succeed. They are a specialist risk consultancy that helps to create secure, compliant and resilient organisations in an age of ever-changing risk.
Working across disciplines, technologies and geographies, everything Control Risks does is based on their belief that taking risks is essential to their clients’ success.
Control Risks provides you with the insight to focus resources and ensure you are prepared to resolve the issues and crises that occur in any ambitious global organisation.
Control Risks goes beyond problem-solving and gives you the insight and intelligence you need to realise opportunities and grow. From the boardroom to the remotest location, they have developed an unparalleled ability to bring order to chaos and reassurance to anxiety.
Website: https://www.controlrisks.com/
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