Energy powerhouse Bennett Jones LLP is widely recognized as a leader in the oil and gas space, where it routinely represents key industry stakeholders (both private and public sector participants) on the full life cycle of matters. Fielding a deep bench of specialists, including regulatory, environmental law and transactional-focused experts, the Calgary-based group brings to bear deep expertise in each of the upstream, midstream and downstream spheres. Firm vice chair and Calgary managing partner Patrick Maguire remains a go-to name for commercial matters and recently represented Canada Oil Sands Co on the sale of its equity interest in Japan Canada Oil Sands to a special purpose acquisition vehicle owned by Greenfire Acquisition Corporation. Other recommended transactional names include up-and-coming partner Luke Morrison and practice co-head Ashley White. On the regulatory side, department co-head Shawn Munro is highly regarded. Additional regulatory specialists include Lawrence Smith KC, Brad Gilmour and Martin Ignasiak, who recently joined from Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP. Vivek Warrier recently left for Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP.
Oil and gas in Canada
Bennett Jones LLP
Responsables de la pratique:
Shawn Munro; Ashley White
Autres avocats clés:
Patrick Maguire; Luke Morrison; Lawrence Smith KC; Brad Gilmour; Martin Ignasiak; Sean Assié
Principaux clients
Pembina Pipeline Corporation
Pacific Northern Gas
Repsol Oil & Gas Canada
PricewaterhouseCoopers
NEP Canada Corp
Gibson Energy
ATCO Pipelines
Areti Energy
ATCO
Whitecap Resources
Ovintiv Canada
Principaux dossiers
- Advising ATCO on the early stage design and engineering for a potential clean hydrogen project near Fort Saskatchewan, which it is proposing in collaboration with Suncor Energy.
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
A popular choice for both major M&A and development projects, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP’s oil and gas group enjoys strong relationships with leading domestic and multinational oil and gas companies. Based in Calgary, the full-service group can additionally draw on teams from across its national network as required. Next-generation partner Christine Milliken co-heads the department; she recently paired up with Calgary office head Ben Rogers to advise PrairieSky Royalty on its C$728m acquisition of 1.9m acres of royalty lands in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba from Heritage Royalty. Keith Byblow co-leads the practice and advised Canadian Pacific Railway Company on its C$30m Hydrogen Locomotive Program. Other transactional specialists include Chris Harris and Mungo Hardwicke-Brown. Alongside its commercial expertise, Terri-Lee Oleniuk spearheads a broad energy regulatory practice that includes Lars Olthafer and Katie Slipp. At the associate level, Ashton Menuz provides capable support on energy transactions.
Responsables de la pratique:
Keith Byblow; Christine Milliken
Autres avocats clés:
Ben Rogers; Chris Harris; Mungo Hardwicke-Brown; Terri-Lee Oleniuk; Lars Olthafer; Katie Slipp; Ky Kvisle; Ashton Menuz
Principaux clients
Pembina Pipeline Corporation
Suncor Energy
TC Energy Corporation
Shell Canada Energy
Trans-Mountain Pipeline
PrairieSky Royalty
Strathcona Resources
Canadian Pacific Railway
Pacific Energy Corporation (Canada)
Cenovus Energy
Imperial Oil
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Pembina Pipeline Corporation on its C$11.4bn joint venture with KKR & Co to merge their Western Canadian natural gas processing assets.
- Advised PrairieSky Royalty on the C$728m acquisition of 1.9m acres of royalty lands in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba from Heritage Royalty.
- Advised Suncor on its participation in the British Columbia Utilities Commission inquiry into gasoline and diesel prices in BC and related matters regarding the Fuel Price Transparency Act.
Burnet Duckworth & Palmer LLP
As a single-site Calgary practice, oil and gas work is a key pillar of Burnet Duckworth & Palmer LLP’s firm-wide offering. The group handles a broad array of energy-related transactions, development projects and litigation, with its industry expertise underpinned by solid skill sets in regulatory and environmental law. Managing partner Alicia Quesnel is widely regarded as a reference in the market and continues to maintain a leading transactional practice; she recently teamed up with up-and-coming transactional specialist Brittney LaBranche to represent LNG Canada on its negotiation of a revised agreement with Coastal GasLink Pipeline to allow for the continued execution of the approximately C$11.2bn pipeline project. Department head Carolyn Wright is also recommended for transactional work and recently acted alongside the corporate practice to advise Topaz Energy Corp on its C$450m acquisition program of manufactured royalties and infrastructure assets. The group additionally includes Ashley Weldon; newly promoted partner Aaron Rogers; talented associate Natasha Wood; and senior counsel Garth Parker, who joined in November 2022 from Inter Pipeline.
Responsables de la pratique:
Carolyn Wright
Autres avocats clés:
Alicia Quesnel; Brittney LaBranche; Ashley Weldon; Aaron Rogers; Natasha Wood; Garth Parker
Principaux clients
Grassland Energy Corp
Tourmaline Oil Corp
Topaz Energy Corp
LNG Canada
Whitecap Resources
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Topaz Energy Corp on its C$450m acquisition program of manufactured royalties and infrastructure assets from Tourmaline Oil Corp, Deltastream Energy Corporation, Tamarack Valley Energy and certain strategic producers in key production areas, as well as on the acquisition of Keystone Royalty Corp.
- Advised LNG Canada on its negotiation of a revised agreement with Coastal GasLink Pipeline to allow for the continued execution of the approximately C$11.2bn pipeline project.
- Advised Whitecap Resources on its disposition of oil and gas assets located in southeast Saskatchewan to a private issuer purchaser.
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP boosted its already formidable transactional firepower during 2023 with the hire of Vivek Warrier, formerly co-head of Bennett Jones LLP’s energy practice. Other go-to commercial energy partners include high-profile specialist Janice Buckingham, group head Craig Spurn and Simon Baines. The firm also brings to bear impressive regulatory capability under the combined leadership of regulatory, Indigenous and environmental co-chairs Richard King, who is based in Toronto; Sander Duncanson; and Deirdre Sheehan, who recently joined from Bennett Jones. Additionally, seasoned expert Shawn Denstedt KC is a useful resource on complex cases. Among its recent regulatory mandates, next-generation partner Duncanson advised Suncor on its proposals for the C$1bn Base Mine Extension, a new oil sands mining project. Regulatory partners Martin Ignasiak and Jessica Kennedy left for Bennett Jones LLP. Named practitioners are based in Calgary unless otherwise stated.
Responsables de la pratique:
Craig Spurn
Autres avocats clés:
Janice Buckingham; Vivek Warrier; Simon Baines; Richard King; Sander Duncanson; Deirdre Sheehan; Shawn Denstedt KC
Principaux clients
Alberta Carbon Grid
Canadian Natural Resources
Cenovus Energy
ConocoPhillips Canada Resources Corp
Drift Resource Technologies
Exxon Mobil Corporation
Heritage Royalty Resource Corp
KANATA Energy Group
Kingston Midstream
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co
Parkland Corporation
Pembina Pipeline Corporation
Repsol Oil & Gas Canada
Steel Reef Infrastructure Corp
Suncor Energy
VAALCO Energy
Westbrick Energy
Torys
According to satisfied clients, Torys’ oil and gas team is comprised of ‘highly qualified partners and associates who understand the business’. The Calgary-based department is highly regarded for its transactional strength-in-depth, particularly in the emerging LNG space, while it also routinely advises energy companies on complex regulatory and Indigenous law matters. Practice head Derek Flaman specializes in commercial work across the full spread of upstream, midstream and downstream operations; he recently advised Enbridge on its sale of an 11.5% non-operating interest in seven of its operating pipelines in the Athabasca region to Athabasca Indigenous Investments. The group also draws on transaction-focused partners Chris Christopher, who sources recommend as ‘among the top commercial lawyers in Calgary’, as well as Peter Danner (‘an exceptional commercial and M&A lawyer’) and Amy Maginley. Senior associate and litigator Gino Bruni provides broad regulatory support.
Autres avocats clés:
Chris Christopher; Peter Danner; Amy Maginley; Gino Bruni; Michael Pedlow
Les références
‘Chris Christopher is among the top commercial lawyers in Calgary. One of the best I have ever worked with. He is extremely knowledgeable, patient and strategic, with amazing listening and drafting skills. Very reliable and always supportive.’
‘The team is full of highly qualified partners and associates who understand the business and work as a member of our business, rather than a service provider.’
‘I have worked with Torys for almost 10 years and I’m always impressed with the level of service I receive.’
Principaux clients
AltaGas
Enbridge
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co
Pembina Gas Infrastructure, a joint venture between KKR and Pembina Pipeline Corporation
Vermilion Energy
Cenovus Energy
Enerplus Corporation
Precision Drilling Corporation
Tenaz Energy Corp
Canadian Resource Roadway Corporation
Evercore Partners International, as the sole financial advisor to TransGlobe Energy Corporation
Inter Pipeline
Fluid Energy Group
Whitecap Resources
Principaux dossiers
- Advised AltaGas on the C$1bn sale of its Alaska utilities business to TriSummit Utilities.
- Advised Whitecap Resources on its C$1.9bn acquisition of XTO Energy Canada from Imperial Oil and ExxonMobil Canada Energy.
- Advised Enbridge on its sale of an 11.5% non-operating interest in seven of its operating pipelines in the Athabasca region to Athabasca Indigenous Investments.
Dentons
Dentons’ strong skill sets in the midstream, CCUS (carbon capture, utilization and storage) and petrochemical sectors continues to pay dividends and the team is routinely engaged to handle major development projects for multinational energy clients. Among its recent highlights in this space, department co-head and transactional specialist George Antonopoulos is spearheading the group’s advice to Enbridge on the corporate, commercial and regulatory aspects of its proposed multibillion-dollar CCUS project. The Calgary-based team also draws on experienced counsel Michael Hurst, who is noted for transactional work, as well as regulatory experts Bernard J. Roth and Laura K. Estep.
Responsables de la pratique:
Michael Hurst; George Antonopoulos; Bernard J. Roth
Principaux clients
Enbridge
Pembina Pipeline Corporation
Kingston Midstream (formerly Tundra Energy Marketing)
Cenovus Energy
Enhance Energy
BP Canada Energy Group
Suncor Energy
Syncrude Canada
Shell Canada
PETRONAS Canada
Carbon Engineering
ERCE
Saturn Oil and Gas
IPC Canada
Principaux dossiers
- Advising BMO Capital Markets, as the agent, on a project-finance style offering of approximately C$865.2m of fixed-rate senior secured amortizing bonds.
- Advising Enbridge on all corporate, commercial and regulatory aspects of its proposed Carbon Capture Utilization Storage project.
- Advising the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Inter Pipeline on its response to an unsolicited takeover bid by Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, involving an auction process that concluded with Brookfield increasing its offer at a valuation of approximately C$15bn.
Norton Rose Fulbright
Norton Rose Fulbright’s energy team is lauded as ‘helpful in transactions where regulatory approval is complex’. The group is also distinguished by its ability to plug into its extensive national and global network for large-scale matters. Robert Froehlich leads the business law group in Calgary and has a strong emphasis on oil and gas deals; he recently advised Tidewater Renewables on the formation of a strategic renewable natural gas and feedstock partnership with Rimrock RNG and Rimrock Cattle Company. The group also includes transactional partners Wayne Fedun, KayLynn Litton and Ryan Keays. Don Davies KC is recommended for regulatory work.
Responsables de la pratique:
Ryan Keays
Autres avocats clés:
Robert Froehlich; Wayne Fedun; KayLynn Litton; Don Davies KC
Les références
‘We have worked with Norton Rose Fulbright Canada for over two decades. Its energy practice is reliable in providing sound advice on any energy deals we conduct within Canada.’
‘We have found the team helpful in transactions where regulatory approval is complex related to asset liabilities. These situations require ongoing work with the counterparty and the regulator in combination with ancillary commercial issues.’
‘KayLynn Litton is a very experienced practitioner and works very efficiently. She’s hands-on and provides great context on market practice to contextualize our negotiations.’
Principaux clients
Westcoast Energy
Vancouver Airport
Enerflex
Neoen Renewables Canada
Tidewater Renewables
Crescent Point Energy Corp
Source Energy Services Canada
Brookfield
Consortium of Members of the Oil Sands Pathways to Net Zero Initiative
PETRONAS
Wolf Pipeline and its portfolio companies (Wolf Midstream, Wolf Carbon Solutions, and Access Pipeline)
Paramount Resources
Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation
Pieridae Energy
Seaspan Group of Companies
Prince Rupert Port Authority
Rio Tinto
Pathways Alliance
Stikeman Elliott LLP
Among Stikeman Elliott LLP’s sector sweet spots, the oil and gas group shines in M&A and capital markets work, in line with its firm-wide strengths. The focus of the energy practice extends beyond corporate transactions to encompass specialist midstream matters, including project development, as well as complex regulatory issues. Calgary managing partner and transactional energy specialist Chrysten Perry KC co-heads the national energy department and is sought after for her broad industry expertise. High-profile sector expert Frederick Erickson and next-generation partner Kurtis Reed are additionally recommended for transactional work. Dennis Langen, who leads the energy regulatory team in Calgary, is also noted.
Responsables de la pratique:
Chrysten Perry
Autres avocats clés:
Frederick Erickson; Kurtis Reed; Dennis Langen
Principaux clients
AltaGas
Canary Biofuels
Gran Tierra Resources
Kiwetinohk Energy Corp
Lycos Energy (Chronos Resources)
NorthRiver Midstream
Pembina Pipeline Corporation
Spartan Delta Corp
Tamarack Valley Energy
Westbrick Energy/Saturn Oil & Gas (formerly Ridgeback Resources)
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Distinguished by the breadth of its regulatory offering, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP routinely represents domestic and multinational energy companies on environmental and administrative law matters, including litigation. The practice also handles commercial work. Calgary-based transactional partner Peter Bryan leads the oil and gas group nationally, while commercial and regulatory specialist Rick Williams heads the department in Vancouver and also fronts the national environmental team. Other key names in Calgary include senior counsel Randall Block KC, who is a go-to name for energy disputes, and regulatory expert Alan Ross KC.
Responsables de la pratique:
Peter Bryan; Rick Williams; Alan Ross KC
Autres avocats clés:
Randall Block KC; Karen Salmon
Principaux clients
Government of Canada
Cenovus Energy
Canada Development Investment Corporation (CDEV)/ Canada Hibernia Holding Corporation
Export Development Canada
BP Canada Energy Group
ConocoPhillips Canada
Canadian Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA)
Enbridge
Parkland Corporation
PetroChina Canada
Kelt Exploration
Birchcliff Energy
Plains Midstream
Daqing Energy Canada
Signalta Resources
Fasken
Fasken’s energy team maintains a strong base in Vancouver in addition to its Calgary platform, which translates into a broad national practice that enjoys close relationships with utilities, including FortisBC and FortisAlberta. The group’s regulatory focus is supplemented by expertise in environmental and Indigenous law, while it can also lean into the wider firm’s robust corporate offering. Vancouver-based Ron Ezekiel advises on commercial and regulatory work and co-heads the energy and climate department. Other recommended practitioners include Vancouver-based energy and regulatory litigator Matthew Ghikas; Montreal-based energy and environmental law partner André Turmel; and Calgary-based transactional specialist Brendan Sawatsky.
Responsables de la pratique:
Ron Ezekiel; Brendan Sawatsky
Autres avocats clés:
Matthew Ghikas; André Turmel
Principaux clients
Plains Midstream Canada
NorthRiver Midstream
FortisBC Energy
Middlefield
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Plains Midstream Canada on the C$367m sale of its 21% ownership interest in the Keyera Fort Saskatchewan facility to Keyera Corp.
- Advised NorthRiver Midstream on its regulatory application for a new condensate and natural gas liquids pipeline system, which would be regulated by the Canada Energy Regulator.
- Advised FortisBC on its Annual Review for Delivery Rates, from strategic advice through to running oral hearings.
Lawson Lundell LLP
Lawson Lundell LLP’s focus on the British Columbia, Alberta and Northern Canada markets is reflected in its activity across a diverse mix of energy matters. Among its industry strong suits, the group’s broad experience spans conventional oil and gas, oil sands, shale gas, and transport-related matters, while its comprehensive practice scope encompasses regulation, operational issues and corporate deals. Paul Negenman is recommended for his transactional practice and co-heads the department together with John Olynyk, who specializes in energy regulation, environmental law and Indigenous law — both are based in Calgary.
Responsables de la pratique:
Paul Negenman; John Olynyk
Autres avocats clés:
Jeffrey Scobie
Principaux clients
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
Surge Energy
NuVista Energy
West Lake Energy Corp
Pure Environmental Waste Management
Canadian Natural Resources
Altura Energy
City of Coquitlam
McCarthy Tétrault
McCarthy Tétrault’s transaction-focused oil and gas practice acts for a wide range of industry stakeholders, from emerging producers and operators through to leading industry players, such as Shell Canada and Suncor Energy. Department co-head Brian Bidyk handles an array of oil and gas and power deals, with experience in the upstream, midstream and service spheres. Fellow co-head Kerri Howard also specializes in transactional oil and gas, including M&A, intellectual property and finance-related issues. The Calgary-based group additionally draws on the regulatory, environmental and Aboriginal law expertise of Kimberly Howard, while Douglas Yoshida handles energy litigation.
Responsables de la pratique:
Brian Bidyk; Kerri Howard
Autres avocats clés:
Kimberly Howard; Douglas Yoshida
Principaux clients
Shell Canada
Crescent Point Resources Partnership
Suncor Energy
Brookfield Infrastructure Partners
Surge Energy
Ridgeback Resources
Journey Energy
BHE Canada, a Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company
Pipestone Energy Corp
Paramount Resources
Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
Following its Calgary office launch in 2016, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP has worked hard to develop its oil and gas offering. The group continues to make inroads into the local market under the leadership of Calgary-based regulatory chair Jeremy Barretto, who has recently acted for Trans Mountain Corporation, Canadian Natural Resources and West Parkland Gas Co-Op, among others. The regulatory-focused group also includes Vancouver-based Arend Hoekstra, who was elevated to the partnership in January 2023, and Calgary-based associate Liv Desaulniers, who recently joined the firm from TransCanada.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jeremy Barretto
Autres avocats clés:
Arend Hoekstra; Liv Desaulniers
Principaux clients
Trans Mountain Corporation
SaskEnergy Incorporated and Many Islands Pipe Lines (Canada)
Canadian Natural Resources
West Parkland Gas Co-Op
Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG’s Calgary-centred oil and gas practice is now led by incoming partner Andrew Lamb, who joined from Lamb Law in December 2022, following the October 2022 retirement of former group head Lorne Rollheiser. Among the team’s highlight matters, it is increasingly working alongside its power practice to handle energy transition-related issues. James Smellie also retired in 2022, while Joshua Jantzi recently left to join DLA Piper (Canada) LLP.
Responsables de la pratique:
Andrew Lamb
Autres avocats clés:
Adriana da Silva Bellini
Les références
‘I have worked with Andrew Lamb for over a decade and I was excited to hear of his appointment at Gowling WLG.’
‘Andrew Lamb is an excellent lawyer who is incredibly efficient, thoughtful and honest. He prices competitively and the work we get back is always top tier. Looking forward to doing more business with Gowlings and Andy.’
Principaux clients
CGL First Nations Limited Partnership
FortisBC Energy
Intelligent Wellhead Systems
Pipestone Energy Corp
MacEwen Petroleum
Kirby Offshore Marine
Keyera Corp
Secure Energy Services
Wolf Midstream
Enerflex
Persist Oil & Gas
Steel Reef Infrastructure
BTG Energy
Alco Gas & Oil Production Equipment
Coelacanth Energy
Plains Midstream Canada
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Keyera Corp on the construction of the Key Access Pipeline System (KAPS) for natural gas liquids, including five mainline construction contracts, seven impact and benefits agreements with Indigenous partners and the pipe procurement contract.
- Advised Leucrotta Exploration and Coelacanth Energy on Leucrotta’s plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta), pursuant to which Vermilion Energy acquired Leucrotta, excluding value assigned to the newly-formed Coelacanth Energy.
- Advised Kirby Offshore Marine on matters arising from a marine oil spill off the coast of British Columbia, including representation in a civil action brought by a First Nation.