Christopher J. "Chris" Peyton

Chris Peyton advises clients on a wide range of mineral and mineral-adjacent matters, with a focus on Oil and Gas Law. Based in Lafayette, Louisiana, he works with energy companies and business clients across Louisiana and the Gulf Coast through his practice at Kean Miller. His work includes counseling on upstream oil and gas operations, mineral title matters, unitization, regulatory compliance, and carbon sequestration projects, as well as providing practical operational guidance to oil and gas operators.

Chris regularly manages mineral title examination projects in connection with division order title opinions. He has represented operators before the Louisiana Commissioner of Conservation in public hearings seeking approval for drilling units, reservoir-wide units, cross-unit horizontal wells, and enhanced recovery projects. His practice also includes dispute resolution, where he has guided oil and gas companies through litigation involving royalty disputes, lease maintenance issues, subsurface trespass, and related mineral, property, and environmental law matters. Clients value his responsiveness and his practical approach to addressing business and operational goals.

A significant component of Chris’s practice involves mineral diligence for commercial real estate development. He routinely examines mineral title for solar projects, industrial facilities, and other commercial developments to identify and address potential risks arising from surface use and pre-existing mineral rights.

In addition to his energy-focused work, Chris represents local businesses in entity formation and assists with negotiating, documenting, and closing a variety of commercial transactions.

Before attending law school, Chris worked as a landman in Lafayette, where he negotiated oil and gas leases and right-of-way agreements. This background informs his legal practice and allows him to approach Oil and Gas Law matters with a practical understanding of industry operations, helping clients navigate legal issues efficiently and with a clear view of their operational realities.