Over the past 36 months, our Oil & Gas Industry Group has worked with clients from more than 75 nationalities on deals in more than 120 countries.

It’s a success story based on solid foundations, with the Firm boasting more than seven decades of experience in this dynamic international market, which nevertheless has been facing extreme pricing pressures not seen in 40 years.

With all the changes the industry is going through, whether the rise of national oil companies, cost cutting or focus on climate change, the Firm with its expertise and experience is well placed to adapt to these pressures and challenges.

Over the years, we’ve built up close relationships with big-name clients across the industry, with our lawyers providing legal support for many of the world’s largest and most complex oil and gas transactions, as well as helping with the daily operations of large national and international oil and gas companies across the globe (not to mention disputes).

“The Oil & Gas Industry Group literally touches every corner of the Firm,” explains Philip Stopford, Co-Head of the group. “We have a great track record with several leading players, including key clients Saudi Aramco, ENI, Oxy, EIG, and Macquarie.”

A diverse remit

The work we do spans nearly every global practice and product offering. This includes corporate/M&A work, project development and finance, equity and debt capital markets, restructuring and disputes, and the full complement of specialty areas.

And the depth of our relationships in oil and gas doesn’t end there. Group Co-Head Michael Polkinghome says: “We have market-leading expertise in emerging markets, major financial hubs, and key oil and gas regions, and we offer unrivalled experience across the spectrum of complex and cutting edge transactional and contentious oil and gas work.

“In the past 12 months, we have advised on oil and gas transactions worth more than US$200 billion.

“In that time, our work has touched more than 90 countries, and involved more than 1,350 lawyers from 36 offices – it’s a truly global business for us.”

Globally, the group has more than 100 partners, and intends to broaden its talent pool further as illustrated by three high-profile lateral appointments last year: London Partner Mark Clarke; Mexico City Partner Francisco de Rosenzweig; and London Senior Adviser and Counsel Paul Griffin.

Going for growth

Looking forward to the year ahead, the group has identified eight strategic priorities that build on our strengths and capitalize on opportunities in the industry. These are:

“By focusing on our unique strengths and capitalizing on near-term opportunities, we are building a global oil and gas practice that aligns tightly with the Firm’s 2020 vision,” explains Group Co-Head Jason Webber.

“This has included adding priorities that will increase our focus on Disputes and Investigations, as well as the Asia-Pacific region.”

Philip Stopford adds: “The downturn in oil prices in the past two years has significantly changed the challenges and opportunities in the industry and, subsequently, what the future may hold for our practice.

“With this in mind we are focusing on the specific priorities mentioned above, identifying opportunities where we know we can get world-class mandates and profitable revenue growth.”