One of the ‘pre-eminent oil and gas and petrochemical practices in the region’, Ashurst LLP stands at the forefront of the market and regularly acts in high-profile deals and projects for a mix of leading industry players. The firm’s experienced advisors are able to provide a comprehensive offering that encompasses corporate, financing, procurement, construction and disputes work. The department has a particular focus on oil and LNG assets but is also equipped to advise across hydrogen, chemicals and minerals issues. Team head David Charlier has recently been engaged by clients on blockbuster power transmission projects, while Luke Robottom is a key figure for transactional work. Stuart James has a formidable cross-border practice that sees him advising European and Asian entities on private equity, joint ventures and M&A. Senior associate Priya Shah is highlighted by clients as an exceptional LNG specialist. Senior associate Raquel Tarancon Plata continues to be involved in major regional projects. Former joint practice head Simon Fraser left the practice in December 2023.

White & Case LLP ‘possesses deep expertise and ability, combined with an extremely high level of service’. Active on mandates across the region, with particular attention on the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the team is able to cover the gamut of projects work, including premium M&A and financings, capital markets transactions and complex litigation. The group has also seen a significant volume of big-ticket mandates pertaining to hydrogen ventures, overseeing the financing and construction of greenfield facilities. The team is jointly led by several experienced practitioners, with Antoine Cousin, Ivan Paskal and Adam Pierson standing out due to their extensive activity across a number of projects. Pierson and Cousin are among the preeminent company advisors to Saudi Aramco, where they have been engaged with the industry giant’s power, water and utilities enterprises, whereas Paskal has spearheaded a wide assortment of matters that include NEOM projects and pre-IPO restructurings. Alexander Malahias is a financing expert and retains close connections to major regional financial institutions, while Din Eshanov, who relocated to Abu Dhabi in 2023, brings further expertise in project development.

With a client base featuring state-owned energy titans, multinational companies, international and regional banks, and sovereign wealth funds, Clifford Chance oversees the development, construction and financing of an array of projects, with a notable focus on LNG endeavours. The team combines its deep-rooted connection to the local market with its extensive international footprint, and is active in landmark mandates in jurisdictions in the region as well as African and European countries. Team head Mohamed Hamra-Krouha is highly reputed for his work alongside financial sponsors and is an integral advisor on the department’s Saudi Arabian mandates. Paul Coates‘ practice is largely centred on disputes work, often representing government-owned entities in large-scale, high-value projects. Inaamul Laher‘s broad practice includes construction, development, financing and transactional matters.

CMS is instructed by state-owned oil and gas entities and US and European supermajors on an assortment of transactional, development and disputes work. The team is highly regarded as ‘technically strong with a great understanding of commercial issues’, and as such is frequently sought out for associated project issues such as the implementation of energy transition strategies to reduce carbon production. The team is also equipped to provide advice on regulatory and environmental concerns. John Geddes helms the practice and is lauded for his industry knowledge, which he leverages when acting on major oil and gas M&A deals. Legal director Emma Nierinck is recognised for her disputes work, often working alongside senior associate Alexandra Scott. Senior associate Blair Jones is a proficient cross-border advisor.

Well versed in the sale and purchase, operation, development and financing aspects of oil and gas projects in the region, boutique firm Devine & Severova is seeing a growing volume of mandates pertaining to decarbonisation initiatives in relation to the UAE’s net zero pledge, alongside a consistent flow of conventional instructions. The group has a client list of oil and gas developers and producers, including multinational corporations and leading industry players, exhibiting a far-reaching geographical reach. Richard Devine and Ana Severova co-head the practice and are widely praised by clients for their ‘extensive experience in oil and gas projects in the MENA region’ and their ability to provide comprehensive advice tailored to specific businesses. Both Devine and Severova focus their efforts on project development, foreign direct investment and disputes work.

Gibson Dunn has recently undergone a period of substantial change, welcoming sector veterans Renad Younes and Marwan Elaraby from Shearman & Sterling LLP in January 2023 and October 2022 respectively, with the duo helming this newly bolstered oil and gas offering. The team specialises in blockbuster M&A transactions, advising state-owned entities and multinational companies on equity investments, buyouts and joint venture agreements. The team is a popular choice for leading UAE players, and as such the team has been exposed to wider instructions that include initial public offerings and the reorganisation of interests, as well as a wealth of multi-jurisdictional opportunities. In addition to Younes and Elaraby, Samuel Ogunlaja, Laleh Shahabi and Jade Chu also joined from Shearman & Sterling LLP, bringing expertise in corporate issues. Associate Andrea Calla is singled out for his crucial supporting presence on key matters.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has a team of ‘real experts in upstream and downstream matters’, who are able to ‘understand all aspects of O&G projects’. Cross-border work is a key component of the firm’s portfolio, as it receives instructions involving regional states such as Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, as well as countries in North Africa and Asia. Team lead Sarosh Mewawalla is the go-to for project finance expertise, frequently advising on Islamic finance structures. Co-head Nick Oury is ‘a real star of the market’ and is ‘known for his experience in oil and gas infrastructure disputes’. Fellow co-head Danila Logofet is equipped to act in joint venture and investment mandates.

Clyde & Co LLP maintains a strong energy offering, acting across a wide array of sectors and providing a full service across commercial, corporate, financing, regulatory, employment, sanctions and IP work. The firm leverages its considerable litigation and arbitration expertise to advise premium industry players on multimillion-dollar disputes, while also acting on business reorganisations, joint ventures and mergers. David Leckie and Leonard Soudagar jointly lead the practice and chiefly focus on international arbitration, litigation and mediation pertaining to oil and gas companies and projects. Associate Asyraf Isnin is recognised for his contentious and non-contentious practice that centres on shipping affairs.

HFW's UAE team consolidated its position in the market through the hire of Slava Kiryushin and senior associate Joshua Coleman-Pecha from DWF Middle East LLP in May 2023, consequently boosting the firm’s ability to comprehensively serve its array of energy producer, supplier and contractor clients. The team is frequently instructed on corporate transactions, contractual drafting and negotiations, regulatory concerns and disputes. Its office network means it has an extensive geographical footprint and is able to engage in projects occurring in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Mexico and Turkey. Kiryushin is hailed by clients for his deep industry experience and ability to tackle complex oil and gas issues.

Demonstrating cross-border capabilities and a depth of expertise across M&A, financing and development work, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is an established advisor to a range of clients active in the oil and gas space. Wider work for the team includes sanctions advice to energy companies reviewing their Russian assets, and investigations and litigation support. Practice head Jennifer Josefson has a ‘very commercial approach’; she stands out for her knowledge and experience in the sector and is highly active on petroleum and LNG mandates. Legal consultant Alexandra Rotar, who splits her time between London and Abu Dhabi, has considerable knowledge of environmental and regulatory matters and is noted for her work on carbon capture, storage and voluntary carbon offset endeavours.