Paula is a Partner in Osler’s Commercial Department specializing in energy and construction law and is Co-Chair of the firm’s Construction and Infrastructure practice group.
Paula’s practice focuses on the construction, development, acquisition and divestiture of energy and infrastructure projects in Canada and abroad, with a particular focus on renewable energy and energy transition projects.
She has experience in oil, gas, oilsands, LNG, power and renewable energy transactions and project development and engineering, procurement and construction matters, including negotiating and drafting asset and share purchase and sale agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, joint operating agreements, processing, transportation, storage and marketing agreements, commodity purchase and sale agreements, construction, ownership and operation agreements, engineering, procurement and construction contracts and service related agreements.
Areas of Expertise
Representative Work
- Canada Growth Fund
Canada Growth Fund in connection with its strategic partnership with Gibson Energy and Varme Energy
- Canada Growth Fund
The Canada Growth Fund in its connection with its carbon credit offtake agreement and $200 million strategic investment in Entropy Inc.
- TransAlta Corporation
TransAlta Corporation in its acquisition of 50% interest in an early-stage pumped hydro energy storage development project
- Cenovus Energy Inc.
Cenovus in its purchase of renewable energy from the Cold Lake solar project
- Genesis Fertilizers
Genesis Fertilizers in its partnership formation and equity capital raise to develop a 700,000 metric tonne urea plant and six distribution facilities in Western Canada at an estimated $1.7 billion
- Drax Group plc
Drax Group plc in its acquisition of Pinnacle Renewable Energy
- Canada Infrastructure Bank
Canada Infrastructure Bank in its $407.5 million loan to create additional irrigable acres in Alberta
- Steel Reef Infrastructure Corp.
Steel Reef Infrastructure Corp. in its $500 million acquisition of natural gas infrastructure assets from Crescent Point Energy Corp.
- Calgary Municipal Land Corporation
Calgary Municipal Land Corporation in connection with the $550 million Calgary Event Centre
- SemCAMS Midstream ULC
SemCAMS Midstream ULC in its 50/50 joint venture with TransAlta Corporation to develop Kaybob South Cogen Facility
- SemCAMS
SemGroup in its $1.8 billion joint venture with KKR including acquisition of Meritage Midstream from Riverstone
- KANATA Energy Group Ltd.
KANATA in its joint venture with TAQA North to expand the Valhalla Facility
- Aspenleaf Energy Limited
Aspenleaf Energy Limited in its acquisition of NEP Canada ULC
- EMR Capital
EMR Capital in its announced agreement to acquire the Cerro Colorado mine in Chile from BHP Billiton Limited for an aggregate cost of up to US$320 million, US$50 million of which is contingent on the future price of copper.
- Veresen Inc.
Veresen Inc. in the sale of its power generation business for $1.18 billion
- Husky Energy Inc.
The Independent Committee of the Board of Husky Energy Inc. in the disposition of an interest in midstream assets for $1.7 billion
- Meikle Wind Energy LP, an affiliate of Pattern Energy
Development and Financing of the Meikle Wind Energy Project
- BluEarth Renewables Inc.
BluEarth in its non-recourse construction and term debt financing for the 15 MW Culliton Creek Hydro Project
- Air Products Canada in relation to their $1.3 billion blue hydrogen project in Alberta, including project financing and regulatory considerations
- Bruce Power with respect to the drafting and negotiation of construction and other services agreements for the refurbishment of the nuclear reactors at the Bruce Power Nuclear Generating Stations in Kincardine, Ontario
- NaturEner Canada and its subsidiaries on all aspects of the development of their Wild Rose 1 and Wild Rose 2 wind power projects in southern Alberta
- Steel Reef Infrastructure Corp. on the acquisition of certain gas processing and gathering facilities in Alberta and Saskatchewan and on their gas processing arrangement
- SemCAMS on engineering, procurement and construction matters for its Wapiti Gas Plant in Alberta
- PetroChina Canada Ltd., on its partnership with TransCanada Corporation and its affiliates to construct, own and operate the Grand Rapids Pipeline System and its commitment to ship on the system
- PetroChina Canada Ltd., in its development of the MacKay River Commercial oil sands project, including all aspects of the design, engineering, procurement and construction of the Central Plant and related pipelines and facilities, and in its development of the Dover oil sands project
- Stolt LNGaz Inc. on all engineering, procurement and construction matters for its LNG liquefaction plant and related facilities to be located in the Bécancour Industrial Park, Quebec
- Veresen Inc. in the development and project financing of its Grand Valley Wind Power Projects in Ontario
- Greengate Power Corporation on all aspects of the development of the 300 MW Blackspring Ridge Wind Project and the sale of the Blackspring Ridge Project to Enbridge Inc. and EDF Canada Inc., which is the largest operational wind power project in western Canada, and the development of the 150 MW Halkirk Wind Project and the sale of the Halkirk Project to Capital Power L.P.
- Apache Canada Ltd. and Chevron Canada Limited on all aspects of engineering, procurement and construction agreements and master service agreements for the Kitimat LNG terminal and Pacific Trail Pipeline
- Total E&P Canada Ltd. on the formation of a strategic oil sands alliance with Suncor Energy Inc. and its affiliates, encompassing the Fort Hills Mining Project, the Joslyn Mining Project and the Voyageur Upgrader Project, and on the later disposition of its interest in the Voyageur Upgrader Project back to Suncor Energy Inc.
- Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA) on the organization, structure and development of an alliance of oil sands producers focused on accelerating the pace of improvement in Canada’s oil sands through collaborative action and innovation
- China National Petroleum Corp. in a proposed joint venture with Encana Corporation relating to the development of unconventional gas assets in Western Canada
- Talisman Energy Inc. on aspects of its acquisition, with EcoPetrol S.A., of BP Exploration Company (Columbia) Limited
- Canadian Natural Resources Limited in its successful joint proposal with North West Upgrading Inc. to the Alberta Government to construct and operate a bitumen refinery near Redwater, Alberta through a partnership owned 50/50
- Proponents in the closing of the $253 million Alberta Schools Alternative Procurement II Project
- Hibernia Southern Extension Project consortium (ExxonMobil Canada Properties, Chevron Canada Resources, Suncor Energy Inc., Canada Hibernia Holding Corporation, Murphy Atlantic Offshore Oil Company Ltd. and Statoil Canada Ltd.) on the Hibernia Southern Extension Project offshore Newfoundland and Labrador
- Hebron-Ben Nevis Consortium (Chevron Canada, ExxonMobil Canada, Petro-Canada and StatoilHydro Canada Exploration & Production Inc.) on the Hebron-Ben Nevis Development Project offshore Newfoundland and Labrador
Canada Growth Fund in connection with its strategic partnership with Gibson Energy and Varme Energy
The Canada Growth Fund in its connection with its carbon credit offtake agreement and $200 million strategic investment in Entropy Inc.
TransAlta Corporation in its acquisition of 50% interest in an early-stage pumped hydro energy storage development project
Cenovus in its purchase of renewable energy from the Cold Lake solar project
Genesis Fertilizers in its partnership formation and equity capital raise to develop a 700,000 metric tonne urea plant and six distribution facilities in Western Canada at an estimated $1.7 billion
- Drax Group plc
Drax Group plc in its acquisition of Pinnacle Renewable Energy
- Canada Infrastructure Bank
Canada Infrastructure Bank in its $407.5 million loan to create additional irrigable acres in Alberta
- Steel Reef Infrastructure Corp.
Steel Reef Infrastructure Corp. in its $500 million acquisition of natural gas infrastructure assets from Crescent Point Energy Corp.
- Calgary Municipal Land Corporation
Calgary Municipal Land Corporation in connection with the $550 million Calgary Event Centre
- SemCAMS Midstream ULC
SemCAMS Midstream ULC in its 50/50 joint venture with TransAlta Corporation to develop Kaybob South Cogen Facility
- SemCAMS
SemGroup in its $1.8 billion joint venture with KKR including acquisition of Meritage Midstream from Riverstone
- KANATA Energy Group Ltd.
KANATA in its joint venture with TAQA North to expand the Valhalla Facility
- Aspenleaf Energy Limited
Aspenleaf Energy Limited in its acquisition of NEP Canada ULC
- EMR Capital
EMR Capital in its announced agreement to acquire the Cerro Colorado mine in Chile from BHP Billiton Limited for an aggregate cost of up to US$320 million, US$50 million of which is contingent on the future price of copper.
- Veresen Inc.
Veresen Inc. in the sale of its power generation business for $1.18 billion
- Husky Energy Inc.
The Independent Committee of the Board of Husky Energy Inc. in the disposition of an interest in midstream assets for $1.7 billion
- Meikle Wind Energy LP, an affiliate of Pattern Energy
Development and Financing of the Meikle Wind Energy Project
- BluEarth Renewables Inc.
BluEarth in its non-recourse construction and term debt financing for the 15 MW Culliton Creek Hydro Project
- Air Products Canada in relation to their $1.3 billion blue hydrogen project in Alberta, including project financing and regulatory considerations
- Bruce Power with respect to the drafting and negotiation of construction and other services agreements for the refurbishment of the nuclear reactors at the Bruce Power Nuclear Generating Stations in Kincardine, Ontario
- NaturEner Canada and its subsidiaries on all aspects of the development of their Wild Rose 1 and Wild Rose 2 wind power projects in southern Alberta
- Steel Reef Infrastructure Corp. on the acquisition of certain gas processing and gathering facilities in Alberta and Saskatchewan and on their gas processing arrangement
- SemCAMS on engineering, procurement and construction matters for its Wapiti Gas Plant in Alberta
- PetroChina Canada Ltd., on its partnership with TransCanada Corporation and its affiliates to construct, own and operate the Grand Rapids Pipeline System and its commitment to ship on the system
- PetroChina Canada Ltd., in its development of the MacKay River Commercial oil sands project, including all aspects of the design, engineering, procurement and construction of the Central Plant and related pipelines and facilities, and in its development of the Dover oil sands project
- Stolt LNGaz Inc. on all engineering, procurement and construction matters for its LNG liquefaction plant and related facilities to be located in the Bécancour Industrial Park, Quebec
- Veresen Inc. in the development and project financing of its Grand Valley Wind Power Projects in Ontario
- Greengate Power Corporation on all aspects of the development of the 300 MW Blackspring Ridge Wind Project and the sale of the Blackspring Ridge Project to Enbridge Inc. and EDF Canada Inc., which is the largest operational wind power project in western Canada, and the development of the 150 MW Halkirk Wind Project and the sale of the Halkirk Project to Capital Power L.P.
- Apache Canada Ltd. and Chevron Canada Limited on all aspects of engineering, procurement and construction agreements and master service agreements for the Kitimat LNG terminal and Pacific Trail Pipeline
- Total E&P Canada Ltd. on the formation of a strategic oil sands alliance with Suncor Energy Inc. and its affiliates, encompassing the Fort Hills Mining Project, the Joslyn Mining Project and the Voyageur Upgrader Project, and on the later disposition of its interest in the Voyageur Upgrader Project back to Suncor Energy Inc.
- Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA) on the organization, structure and development of an alliance of oil sands producers focused on accelerating the pace of improvement in Canada’s oil sands through collaborative action and innovation
- China National Petroleum Corp. in a proposed joint venture with Encana Corporation relating to the development of unconventional gas assets in Western Canada
- Talisman Energy Inc. on aspects of its acquisition, with EcoPetrol S.A., of BP Exploration Company (Columbia) Limited
- Canadian Natural Resources Limited in its successful joint proposal with North West Upgrading Inc. to the Alberta Government to construct and operate a bitumen refinery near Redwater, Alberta through a partnership owned 50/50
- Proponents in the closing of the $253 million Alberta Schools Alternative Procurement II Project
- Hibernia Southern Extension Project consortium (ExxonMobil Canada Properties, Chevron Canada Resources, Suncor Energy Inc., Canada Hibernia Holding Corporation, Murphy Atlantic Offshore Oil Company Ltd. and Statoil Canada Ltd.) on the Hibernia Southern Extension Project offshore Newfoundland and Labrador
- Hebron-Ben Nevis Consortium (Chevron Canada, ExxonMobil Canada, Petro-Canada and StatoilHydro Canada Exploration & Production Inc.) on the Hebron-Ben Nevis Development Project offshore Newfoundland and Labrador
Latest Insights
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Osler Update Jun 10, 2024
Energy transition and the opportunity for Canada to be an ‘energy superpower’
In conversation with: Paula Olexiuk and Vivek Warrier The energy transition in Canada is a complex process involving the shift from traditional...
Read more
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Osler Update May 3, 2024
BC Hydro’s request for proposals reinforces foundation for Indigenous participation in clean energy future
We address the actions taken by power authorities across Canada to encourage Indigenous participation in new energy-generating projects.
Read more
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Osler Update Feb 29, 2024
AUC inquiry update: Alberta to declare no-build zones and mandatory reclamation security requirements for renewable energy projects
On February 28, Alberta announced intended changes to its electricity generation regime, including an “agriculture first” approach and buffer...
Read more
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Osler Update Jan 30, 2024
A surge of initiatives: developments in Alberta power and electricity policy to watch in 2024
Last year saw several policy initiatives with the potential to significantly impact Alberta’s power and electricity framework. We look at some key...
Read more
Awards and Recognition
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Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business: Ranked in Construction; Recognized Practitioner in Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional)
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Best Lawyers in Canada: Recognized in Natural Resources Law; Oil & Gas Law; Energy Law
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Legal 500: Recognized as a Recommended Lawyer, Energy and Natural Resources: Oil & Gas
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Construction Law Society of America: Fellow
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The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory: Recognized in Energy (Oil & Gas)
Media Mentions
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Osler News Sep 25, 2023
22 Osler lawyers recognized in Lexpert Special Edition: Energy 2023
Osler is proud to announce that 22 of our lawyers are featured in the Lexpert Special Edition: Energy 2023, recognizing leading lawyers in the oil...
Read more -
Osler News Jun 6, 2023
16 Osler lawyers recognized in Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure 2023
Congratulations to 16 of our lawyers for their inclusion in the Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure 2023.
Read more -
Media Mentions Feb 10, 2021
With national strategy, Canada is hoping to get its lead back on hydrogen – Research Money
An article in Research Money looks at Canada’s national hydrogen strategy and turns to industry experts, including Osler’s Paula Olexiuk, for...
Read more -
Osler News Feb 5, 2020
Osler’s Real Estate Team advises on two landmark developments in Calgary
Osler is proud to announce that our lawyers have played a pivotal role in two of this year’s most transformational developments in the Calgary Real...
Read more
Speaking and Writing
Speaking Engagements
Alberta Power Symposium, Speaker, Workshop B — Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for Renewable Energy: A Deep Dive into Contracts, Pricing and Risk Allocation, September 26, 2023
Prompt Payment and Adjudication in Alberta, Speaker, October 27, 2022
Alberta Prompt Payment and Adjudication Webinar, Speaker, June 9, 2022
Speaker, Jasper, June 23, 2021
The Osgoode Certificate in Construction Law: Western Canada Edition, Speaker, Major Projects – Mining, Oil and LNG: Overcoming the Challenges, Edmonton, February 28, 2019
Private Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in Alberta, Speaker, Calgary, Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Canadian Institute – Legal Issues and Infrastructure Development, Speaker, Co-Chair, Calgary, September 27, 2017
Annual Alberta & Saskatchewan Renewable Energy Summit, Speaker, Potential Project Development Challenges Within Evolving Grids, Calgary, June 6, 2017
The Osgoode Certificate in Construction Law: Western Canada Edition, Speaker, Major Projects — Mining, Oil, and LNG: Overcoming the Challenges, Calgary, April 12, 2016
Published Work
Paula Olexiuk, Procurement Law – Tips and Tools to Ensure Compliance and Keep You on Track, Canadian Institute (CI) Energy’s Mastering RFPs for a Winning Supply Chain Conference, March 10, 2015, Calgary.
Paula Olexiuk and David Tupper, The Art of Negotiation: A Calculated Approach to Reaching Mutually Beneficial Terms, CI Energy’s Annual Supply Chain Contracts for Energy Conference, June 23-24, 2014, Calgary.
Angela Avery, Peter Glossop and Paula Olexiuk, “Foreign Investment in Canada’s Oil and Gas Sector: New and Emerging Challenges”, (December 2013) 51 Alta. L. Rev. 343, presented at the Canadian Energy Law Foundation (CELF) 2013 Jasper Research Seminar, June 19 to 22, 2013, Jasper.
Paula Olexiuk and Raj Dhaliwal “Procurement Law: A Workshop on Tenders and Requests for Proposals”, Osler breakfast seminar, March 15, 2012, Calgary.
Paula Olexiuk and Neal Ross, The Annotated Purchase and Sale Agreement – Asset, Stock and Merger Deals, Major Business Agreements – Insight Conference, January 25 to 26, 2011 and January 24 to 25, 2012, Calgary.
Paula Olexiuk, Robbie Armfield and Daina Kvisle, “Fiduciary Duties of an Operator”, (June 2011) The Negotiator (CAPL).
Janice Buckingham, Paula Olexiuk and Martin Ignasiak, British Columbia Government Investment Support for Shale Gas – Montney/Horn River Infrastructure Finance & Development Summit – Bringing Gas and NGLs to Market, April 27-29, 2011, Calgary.
Paula Olexiuk, Dan Dubois and Sander Duncanson, “The ROFR Exemptions Under the CAPL Operating Procedures:Understanding the Differences”, (January 2011) The Negotiator (CAPL).
Janice Buckingham, Paula Olexiuk, Terra Nicolay and Lawna Hurl, “Tendering and Purchasing Law in Upstream Oil, Gas and Oilsands:The Competitive Bidding Process and Obligations when Contracting for Work”, (January 2010) 47 Alta. L. Rev. 497, presented at the Canadian Petroleum Law Foundation (CPLF) 2009 Jasper Research Seminar, June 17 to 20, 2009, Jasper.
Introduction to Purchase and Sale Agreements, CPLF Kananaskis Seminar in Fundamental Oil & Gas Law, January 24, 2008, Kananaskis.
Credentials
Education
- University of Alberta, LL.B., Distinction
- University of Alberta, B.Comm., Distinction
Languages
- English
Professional Affiliations
- Canadian Bar Association
- Law Society of Alberta
- Calgary Bar Association
- Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL)
- Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation
