Providing transactional and commercial advice on a litany of premium deals, Brodies LLP maintains a ‘formidable reputation in the oil and gas sector, not only locally but internationally’, trusted by a roster of established industry players, regulators, and associations, as well as new market entrants. The team demonstrates notable activity across the entire oil and gas spectrum, including in the offshore space, and has an expansive cross-border offering that has been further bolstered by the firm’s new Abu Dhabi office, launched in May 2023. Energy and infrastructure head Clare Munro assists with M&A, joint ventures, and commercial agreements, often in the upstream and midstream spaces. Greg May‘s service sector specialism has seen him engaged on large scale, first-of-its-kind projects, both domestically and overseas; he also receives instructions from operators and contractors on engineering, drilling, and supply chain issues. Rhona McFarlane combines corporate and commercial knowledge to ‘consistently provide outstanding support throughout often lengthy and difficult negotiations’, and Laura Petrie stands out as a key figure in the group for service sector contracting, demonstrating activity on complex construction and transportation projects. Laura Fraser has a growing portfolio of cross-border work that encompasses M&A, commercial and development matters.

Possessing ‘top-tier knowledge of the oil and gas sector both within the UK and internationally’, CMS is well-positioned in the market to advise a diverse client base that includes some of the foremost majors and energy companies across the globe on a stellar range of blockbuster transactions and projects. While active in upstream oil field development work, significant takeovers, inventory acquisitions and disposals, and license and commercial agreement negotiations, the team also handles work in the midstream space, advising clients on large-scale, multi-faceted pipeline projects. Norman Wisely heads up the team and handles both corporate and commercial onshore and offshore mandates. The ‘exceptional’ Paula Kidd‘s practice sits at the intersection of traditional, energy transition, and technology transactions, while Judith Aldersey-Williams has particular expertise in commercial contracts. Graeme Clubley ‘is a superb oil and gas lawyer’ who is instructed by majors and multinational corporates on M&A, joint ventures, and contractual issues, and Valerie Allan fronts contentious work, with a ‘very strong knowledge of key value items in oil and gas disputes’. Charlie Denham is also recommended for his far-reaching practice.

‘An exceptional firm due to its awareness and understanding of clients and the business sector’, Pinsent Masons LLP continues to be a chief point of contact for integrated and specialist energy companies for big-ticket work, particularly in the upstream space. The firm’s practice is well equipped to handle all matters from capital markets and financing work to M&A and disputes, and has an active body of cross-border work. Team head Rosalie Chadwick showcases in-depth knowledge of the domestic and international oil and gas sector and is recognised for her extensive M&A and capital markets expertise. Bruce McLeod works with a number of super majors on M&A and joint venture mandates and has recently been involved in deals centred around North Africa and South America. Shirley Allen combines M&A capabilities with deep-founded regulatory and technical know-how, while Gillian Frew is well-reputed for her finance practice. Rachel Warner and Neil Hehir are other pivotal players in the firm’s key transactions. Heather Hutcheon is also recommended.

The ‘highly skilled customer-focused team’ at Burness Paull LLP has restructured its oil and gas offering in order to better assist its wide roster of clients pursuing both traditional and energy transition assets. The new integrated energy practice handles domestic and cross-border project finance work, a vast array of commercial agreements and licenses, and considerable engagement with assets such as FPSOs, CCUS, and hydrogen projects. Group lead Bob Ruddiman ‘has a wealth of experience and industry connections that is near-unmatched in the Aberdeen market’ and is active on joint venture, procurement, development, and regulatory mandates. Helen Dickson is predominantly engaged in the upstream space and is relied on by oil and gas operators and producers for her knowledge of FPSO financings. Brian Hemming is noted for his extensive commercial practice.

Addleshaw Goddard has a deep team in Aberdeen that provides a wide range of services to clients across the oil and gas value chain, with established strength in upstream M&A and commercial agreements. Group lead Fiona Kindness' knowledge and understanding of transactional issues is ‘first-rate’; she underpins corporate advice with deep-founded commercial acumen. David McEwing handles complex financings and M&A for a variety of upstream funders and corporates, and Paul Jones advises on domestic and cross-border mandates that span LNG, energy transition, and low carbon assets. Gemma Hills oversees private equity transactions.

Fielding a ‘knowledgeable team that can interface with other practice areas in the firm to provide a seamless and efficient service’, Stronachs LLP acts for a variety of clients in the oil and gas sector on a number of complex commercial and regulatory matters relating to supply chain issues, decommissioning security agreements, and consenting work; the firm also is active on disputes. Spearheading the practice is the ‘incredibly knowledgeable’ James Downie who is sought out by producers and developers for decommissioning advice. James Muir is hailed as a ‘top-quality’ oil and gas lawyer and handles extensive domestic and cross-border work.