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: Oil & Gas - UK-wide

1
Band 1

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.

Work Highlights

  • 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

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Jason Fox
1
Jason Fox
1
Band 1

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.

He has an unmatched reputation in the sector.

Jason Fox is the godfather of reserve-based loans.

Jason is the best finance lawyer in London.

Darren Spalding
2
Darren Spalding
2
Band 2
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.

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

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.

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

Alistair Calvert
3
Alistair Calvert
3
Band 3
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.

Alistair is excellent and nice to work with.

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

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

Ben James
3
Ben James
3
Band 3
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.

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.

Ben is unflappable. I trust his judgement.

John Gilbert
3
John Gilbert
3
Band 3
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.

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

Eimear Murphy
4
Eimear Murphy
4
Band 4
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.

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

Eimear is a brilliant counterpart.

Olivia Caddy
4
Olivia Caddy
4
Band 4
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.

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.

Adam Blythe
U
Adam Blythe
U
Up and Coming

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.

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.

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

He is very knowledgeable.

Ranked Lawyers at
Bracewell LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

UK-wide

Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes

Alistair Calvert
3
Alistair Calvert
3
Band 3
John Gilbert
3
John Gilbert
3
Band 3
Energy & Natural Resources: Oil & Gas

Jason Fox
1
Jason Fox
1
Band 1
Darren Spalding
2
Darren Spalding
2
Band 2
Ben James
3
Ben James
3
Band 3
Eimear Murphy
4
Eimear Murphy
4
Band 4
Olivia Caddy
4
Olivia Caddy
4
Band 4
Adam Blythe
U
Adam Blythe
U
Up and Coming