Blair Jones
CMSA team with ‘a wide-range of experience across the oil and gas sector’, CMS is a key advisor on a number of transactions that span acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures, contracting matters, and disputes, counting some of the foremost majors and regional energy companies as part of its client roster. Team head John Geddes is praised as ‘a leading expert in the energy field’ and is at the forefront of the group’s upstream transactions, overseeing M&A, procurement, and project development. Graham Conlon provides strong capabilities in acquisitions and disposals. Blair Jones supports on project and supply chain matters. Alexandra Scott is key to the firm’s dispute resolution offering.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The energy team is very experienced and have a strong business acumen.’
‘John Geddes is a leading expert in the energy field and always a pleasure to work with.’
‘The team is extremely down to earth and engaging to interact with. They have a wide-range of experience across the oil & gas sector, providing valuable insights within our region and relevant to our nature of business.’
‘Both Ian Herbert and John Geddes are stand-out individuals. They are able to effectively communicate and get across legal principles and issues with real-world examples for non-legal members of our business and understand operational issues. They are also always willing to provide support and guidance on ad-hoc issues, grasping the key issues immediately and giving accurate advice.’
‘A committed, knowledgeable and commercial team that "speaks the language" of their clients in the oil & gas sector. The team is made up of individuals that bring a strong sector background and experience in the region with demonstratable track record of advising clients on the relevant issues and navigating them successfully. A go to firm for work in the region.’
‘John Geddes is a personable partner and effective communicator who understands both the commercial and legal issues that are relevant to our business. This comes from his extensive interaction with us and our peers both as an external advisor and an in-house practitioner (secondments). If I am working in the region, John is my first call.’
‘The team goes deeply into the details of the project they are supporting and provide a tailored advice giving a lot of practical recommendations for the project development.’
‘I have been happy working with Matthew Culver, John Geddes, Marc Rathbone. These lawyers provide not only a purely legal advise but go beyond legalistic approach understanding the true need on the business an industrial sector in particular. ’
Key clients
- Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
- Dana Gas
- Crescent Petroleum
- Abu Dhabi National Energy Company
- Ras Al Khaimah Petroleum Authority
- Oman Investment Authority
- Dragon Oil
- Bapco Upstream
- INA - Industrija nafte d.d.
- MOL
- OMV
- Eni
- bp
- Shell
- Petroleum Development Oman
- Nabors Drilling International Limited
- Cansco Group
- KCA Deutag Drilling Gmbh
- Daleel Petroleum LLC
- Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company SAOC
- Schlumberger
Work highlights
- Advised the Oman Investment Authority in relation to Saudi Tadawul Group’s acquisition of a 32.6% stake in DME Holdings Limited, the parent company of Dubai Mercantile Exchange.
- Advised Abu Dhabi National Energy Company on the disposal of TAQA Atrush BV, which operates the Atrush block in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, to ShaMaran Petroleum.
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.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
John Geddes
CMSPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
John Geddes