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Bracewell LLP

Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide

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Bracewell LLP

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About

Provided by Bracewell LLP

Bracewell has a unique position in the London legal market as the only London office of an international law firm exclusively dedicated to the energy and infrastructure sector.

In addition to its core oil and gas practice, the award-winning office is at the forefront of developments in renewable energy as well as the full spectrum of associated infrastructure. 2024 proved to be yet another standout year for the energy practice, as the London office worked on a number of high-profile and first-of-a-kind transactions across the oil and gas and power and infrastructure industries.

Bracewell’s London infrastructure team is currently working on transactions across the full spectrum of real asset infrastructure including transmission lines, container and bulk ports, social infrastructure including schools, water and hospitals as well as energy related infrastructure such as refineries, LNG terminals and pipelines.

New Clients

The client roster of the London office has continued to expand over the last year to include: ADNOC Trading, Anzana Energy, Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan, Azura Power, Black Sea Oil and Gas, British Solar Renewables, CrossBoundary Energy, Emsteel, HyCap, Investec Bank, Ithaca Energy, Masdar, Murphy Oil, NextGen, PRIO Energy, Rhino Resources, Sanlam Infrastructure, Serica Energy, South Kurdistan Group, Thesian Energy and Voltwise Power.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes - UK-wide

What the Team is Known For
Bracewell's London office has a renowned energy practice with a strong presence in the UK oil and gas market. The firm demonstrates particular strength in upstream oil and gas financing as well as the development of floating LNG projects. Its lawyers also regularly handle restructurings and a range of M&A work across the sector. Its clients include major financial institutions and energy companies, as well as private equity-backed new entrants. The firm's global reach extends to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America. The team possesses additional dispute resolution capabilities, frequently appearing in energy-related High Court proceedings and arbitrations.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Bracewell advised the Egyptian Refining Company on a restructuring of its senior loan facilities and subordinated loans, with a value of USD4.5 billion.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Bracewell are very commercial. They have an exceptional understanding of deal structure and risks and a problem-solving mindset. They are extremely competent and skilled in drafting complex matters.

    Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK

  • Bracewell have an excellent understanding of market trends in commercial negotiations in the energy space. They provide an excellent, hands-on approach.

    Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK

  • The firm understood the issues and addressed them with a laser focus in the context of the broader transaction and client business imperatives.

    Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK

  • Bracewell has an extremely capable team, particularly at partner level.

    Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK

  • Bracewell is truly an energy expert. Its presence in both London and the US is extremely helpful, and on a day-to-day basis you get significantly more partner time on deals. The team is excellent.

    Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Jason Fox
    Jason Fox

    Jason Fox

    Managing partner Jason Fox is widely regarded as a market leader for reserve-based lending financing mandates. He routinely acts for prominent clients in both the energy and banking sectors, with work in the former particularly including financings and refinancings.

    • His authority on reserves-based loans as a product makes him stand out, as do his decades of experience providing deep insights.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK

    • He has an unmatched reputation in the sector.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK

    • Jason Fox is the godfather of reserve-based loans.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK

    • Jason is the best finance lawyer in London.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK
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  • Darren Spalding
    Darren Spalding

    Darren Spalding

    Darren Spalding regularly advises energy companies on the acquisition and sale of upstream oil and gas assets in Africa and North America. He possesses further experience in relation to the development of floating LNG projects.

    • Darren Spalding is a lovely guy to deal with. He is relatable, but he's also no-nonsense. He's mindful of long-term objectives.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK

    • He's excellent. He is very, very good to deal with. Darren puts together excellent materials.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK

    • Darren is very user-friendly. He works hard, provides clear advice and has a specialism in mid-range energy M&A, particularly in Africa and parts of Asia. He's unmatched.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK

    • He was very, very impressive. He did a very good job.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK
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  • Alistair Calvert
    Alistair Calvert

    Alistair Calvert

    Alistair Calvert is an energy disputes lawyer with significant experience in litigation, mediations and international arbitrations. He primarily handles contentious matters in the upstream oil and gas space, with a particular focus on claims involving assets in Africa.

    • He did everything incredibly skilfully. He negotiated a difficult case to a successful resolution in a way that really impressed me.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK

    • Alistair is excellent and nice to work with.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK

    • He is clearly knowledgeable. He is always on hand to answer questions.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK

    • Alistair Calvert is easy to work with. He is commercially sound and demonstrates vast experience in the area of investigations and dispute resolution.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK
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  • Ben James
    Ben James

    Ben James

    Ben James operates an impressive international corporate practice advising oil and gas sector clients on the acquisition and sale of significant upstream and midstream assets. He has particular experience in Africa and the Middle East.

    • He is robust in dealing with large counterparties and securing important protection measures, while pragmatic in navigating clients through legal and commercial issues to reach the right compromise.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK

    • Ben knows the market very well and brings invaluable insights into the negotiating styles and sensibilities of the counterparties. He is very commercially focused, and highly skilled in negotiations.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK

    • Ben is unflappable. I trust his judgement.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK
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  • John Gilbert
    John Gilbert

    John Gilbert

    John Gilbert is respected for his adroit handling of contentious oil and gas matters, including disputes pertaining to payment issues and joint venture operations. He is also noted for his expertise in claims concerning renewable energy assets.

    • John Gilbert's strategic sense of how to approach certain issues was excellent.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK

    • I think he is very clever. He makes complicated issues seem nice and simple. He is technically excellent and he gives excellent advice.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK
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  • Eimear Murphy
    Eimear Murphy

    Eimear Murphy

    Eimear Murphy is an oil and gas lawyer with a strong track record of handling cross-border reserve-based lending and acquisition financing transactions. Her clients include a number of high-profile borrowers and lenders.

    • Eimear Murphy is a strong and constructive lawyer.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK

    • She is a real pleasure to work with. She's available, reactive, super clear and knowledgeable.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK

    • Eimear is a brilliant counterpart.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK
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  • Olivia Caddy
    Olivia Caddy

    Olivia Caddy

    Olivia Caddy is noted for her specialist expertise in reserve-based lending matters. She regularly advises on upstream oil and gas financings and refinancings, with a particular focus on transactions in francophone regions of Africa.

    • She is strong in supporting on the finance side of the matter.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK

    • Olivia is an extremely hands-on partner with detailed involvement in the preparation and negotiation of the documents. She's always putting the client's interest at the forefront with her advice.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK
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  • Adam Blythe
    Adam Blythe

    Adam Blythe

    Adam Blythe excels in oil and gas transactions, particularly in African jurisdictions. He routinely advises on the divestment and acquisition of significant upstream assets in markets such as Nigeria and Angola.

    • Adam brings together a rare combination of sophisticated legal expertise, industry knowledge and commercial awareness.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK

    • He can communicate complex legal points clearly to both the legal and commercial teams. He brings a calm and pragmatic presence to the most complex and time-critical deals.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK

    • Adam Blythe is very easy to work with. He is technically very good. He's client-focused and commercial.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK

    • He is very knowledgeable.

      Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at Bracewell LLP (8)

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