A ‘leading energy industry legal practice’, Ashurst LLP  remains a key advisor to major oil and gas players in the region, including ADNOC, which frequently engages the firm for transactional, commercial, and project-related counsel. Middle East managing partner and co-head of the firm's Projects & Energy Transition Group, David Charlier is instructed on a wide variety of conventional and energy transition mandates, including inventory acquisitions and disposals, M&A, and project development. Luke Robottom has been active on CCUS, water treatment and logistics infrastructure, while Stuart James and Simon Rahimzada are noted for their skill in M&A and PE deals in the space. Raquel Tarancon Plata supports on project finance and development matters. Priya Shah also comes recommended.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Stuart James is a first-class lawyer and one of our key advisors assisting us on our key strategic and most critical projects.’

  • ‘Ashurst is one of our most trusted external firms.’

  • ‘Stuart James is a first-class lawyer and one of our key advisors assisting us on our key strategic and most critical projects.’

  • ‘Stuart James is an astute and commercially savvy advisor. He has a deep understanding of the industry and consistently delivers high quality work product.'

  • 'Priya Shah is diligent, intelligent and available. She delivers under pressure and her disarming personality makes her a pleasure to work with.’
  • ‘Practical solution orientated lawyers who are quick to understand the complexities of the business and create user friendly commercial contracts.’

  • ‘It is the best law firm to work with when it comes to legal support for the oil & gas industry. Global reach, prompt responses, thorough reviews, and deep industry experience are just some of the factors (amongst many) that distinguish Ashurst from other law firms. Indeed it is a leading energy industry legal practice.’

  • ‘We were attracted to Ashurst for 2 reasons. The first reason is David Charlier. David is an absolutely knowledgeable lawyer with a friendly and can-do approach. No challenge is tackled without David's involvement. And the second reason is the fact that work is handled at partners' level and partners are dedicated to their work and happy to be heavily engaged with their clients thus benefiting us from their expertise.'

Key clients

  • ADNOC
  • Kuwait Petroleum Corporation
  • Petrochemical Industries Company K.S.C
  • ADES Investments Holding Ltd
  • Sojitz
  • Abu Dhabi Catalyst sPartners
  • Abu Dhabi National Energy Company
  • Alpha Dhabi
  • Itochu Corporation

Work highlights

  • Advising ADNOC Logistics & Services Plc on its acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Navig8 TopCo Holdings Inc from Navig8 Limited.
  • Advising ADNOC, as procurer, in relation to the development, design, engineering, procurement, permitting, construction, commissioning, insurance, operation, maintenance and transfer of two independent water treatment and transportation systems, comprising the seawater intake/outfall and nanofiltration plants in Al Nouf and Mirfa, the water transportation pipelines and the pumping stations in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi on a build, own, operate and transfer basis.
  • Advised ADNOC on all aspects of the establishment of ADNOC Gas. The transaction involved the structuring, restructure and consolidation of its gas businesses and the creation and operationalisation of ADNOC Gas and its subsidiaries.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

David Charlier

Other key lawyers

Luke Robottom, Stuart James, Simon Rahimzada, Raquel Tarancon Plata, Priya Shah