England - London • Projects, energy and natural resources
Clifford Chance LLP
Clifford Chance LLP is well known for its ‘excellent market knowledge, technical strength and sector expertise’ when it comes to oil and gas work, and is frequently instructed by oil majors, major independents and leading financial institutions on corporate, financing and dispute resolution matters. The team regularly advises sponsors and lenders on complex construction and procurement arrangements across oil and gas projects, alongside providing specialist advice on ESG issues. London-based practitioners Graham Phillips and Alex Panayides head the practice group together with Sydney’s Nadia Kalic. Phillips is the key name for M&A, joint ventures and private equity transactions in the sector, whilst Panayides chairs the firm’s global dispute resolution practice for the oil and gas, and construction sectors. Energy and resources sector head Russell Wells is praised for his ’enormous experience and valuable insight on strategic points’; he handles high-end commercial, corporate and finance work in both the oil and gas sectors.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Clifford Chance provided M&A legal assistance on a sell side process, involving several counterparties, on a very specific business area, based on a multi jurisdiction trasaction. Clifford evidenced deep business knowledge and creativity to solve a multi unknown equation to the benefit of its client.’
‘Graham Phillips ensured constant involvement on the critical phases, always keen on credible creativity.’
‘Excellent market knowledge, technical strength and sector expertise. Deep experience at senior levels. Strong precedents and know-how support. Able to deliver the largest and most complex cross-border deals.’
‘Russell Wells has enormous experience and valuable insight on strategic points. Very user-friendly and accessible.'
Key clients
- TotalEnergies
- Shell
- Equinor
- Engie
- Harbour Energy
- Sinopec
- Baker Hughes
- SOCAR
- Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)
- Midwestern Oil & Gas Company
- Gunvor
- Eroton
- Edison
- Genser Energy
Work highlights
- Advising Midwestern Oil & Gas Company Limited on its proposed reverse takeover with San Leon Energy plc. Midwestern's shareholding in San Leon will be increased from 13.18% to up to 55% in accordance with the relevant share-for-share transactions.
- Advising on the Northern Lights CCS (carbon capture and storage) project in northern Europe, including the development of the transportation and storage agreements.
- Advised Genser Energy, a US-based integrated energy services provider operating in West Africa, in respect of its USD 425m financing which includes USD 325m syndicated senior loan facilities and a USD 100m mezzanine loan facility.
Lawyers
Leading individuals
Clifford Chance LLP
Partner Craig Nethercott is a partner in the Global Energy & Infrastructure Group at Clifford Chance. He has experience in project finance, banking, capital markets, and Islamic finance. Craig has advised on transactions in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. He is ranked Band 1 for Projects by Chambers UK 2023.
Clifford Chance LLP
Partner Russell Wells is a Partner in Clifford Chance's London office and is the Global Head of the firm's Energy and Resources Sector, co-head of the Energy Transition Group and co-head of the Worldwide Projects Group. He has almost 35 years of commercial, corporate and finance experience in the energy sector – including a large number of landmark transactions throughout the World. Russell has worked in our Hong Kong, London and Singapore offices. Russell is ranked as Band 1 for his expertise in projects by Chambers UK, and is ranked as a Leading Individual by Chambers Global for his work across Africa. He is also listed in the International Who’s Who of Project Finance Lawyers and the International Who’s Who of Energy Lawyers.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Graham Phillips, Alex Panayides, Nadia Kalic (Sydney)