White & Case LLP ‘s London-based oil & gas team sits within the firm’s wider energy practice and is therefore well placed to advise high-end clients across the full spectrum of work from complex oil & gas M&A to project finance and disputes, alongside acting on critical energy transition mandates. Michael Watson is an expert across the energy spectrum and advises on large-scale projects. He now co-leads the team in conjunction with Philip Stopford after Mark Clark left the firm in February 2023. Stopford has more than 40 years of experience advising on complex oil & gas transactions. Pre-eminent practitioner David Baker is an important point of contact for project development matters, receiving praise for his ’wonderful mixture of deep industry knowledge with humility and pragmatism’. Project and international finance expert Jason Kerr is highlighted as a ‘key problem solver and thought leader’ in the sector.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Stand out partners including Mukund Dhar who is exceptional’
‘White & Case's legal team has over the years proven their expertise in LNG work. Their pragmatic, proactive, and committed approach, coupled with their best-in-class industry expertise shines above the rest in this legally complex sector. I wholeheartedly recommend White & Case to any organisation in need of top-tier legal representation for their LNG projects and transactions.’
‘In the complex world of LNG, having a reliable and knowledgeable legal partner is crucial for success. David Baker, a partner at White & Case, has been the linchpin behind our positive experience with the firm's legal team. His exceptional performance and expertise played a pivotal role in achieving the outstanding results of our LNG operations in recent years. David worked seamlessly with our in-house legal team and other stakeholders.’
‘Carina Radford is fantastic. I would have her on every one of my deals if possible. Incredibly pragmatic and fantastic to have in the trenches with you when dealing with challenging counterparties.’
‘Top tier law firm with excellent industry and regional knowledge.’
‘Jason Kerr is a key problem solver and thought leader.’
‘The White & Case team is genuinely collaborative in their approach and by far the easiest of the leading legal firms to work with.'
‘David Baker is a stand out partner for me as he combines a wonderful mixture of deep industry knowledge with humility and pragmatism. Unlike some of his competitors he is always happy to help develop his clients' understanding, rather than just focusing on providing legal advice. He also embodies the collaborative spirit that I see as a key source of differentiation for the firm.’

Key clients

Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco)
Lenders to Chevron and NNPC – Project Panther
Lenders to Advanced Polyolefins Company
Somoil
Seplat Energy Plc
Macquarie Asset Management
NAIC and OCP – Basic Chemicals Platform project in Nigeria
Nostrum
Seadrill Ltd
Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, HSBC, Jefferies and BofA
Energean
Fenikso Limited
Pipeline Technique
KazMunayGas landmark IPO
MOL

Work highlights

Advised the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) on a long term, US$15.5 billion infrastructure transaction with a consortium of investors led by affiliates of BlackRock Real Assets and Hassana Investments to optimise Saudi Aramco’s gas pipeline network through a lease-and-lease-back arrangement.
Advised the lenders in connection with a US$1.4 billion loan to Chevron and Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) (acting as joint venture parties) to help monetise reserves, increase production and support the energy transition through the production of gas for domestic supplies.
Advised Macquarie Asset Management on its acquisition of a 60 percent stake in National Grid plc’s UK gas transmission and metering business in a consortium with institutional investors.

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