As a leader in oil and gas transactions and regulatory work, Bennett Jones LLP’s energy practice is well positioned to advise on the full range of upstream, midstream and downstream issues. Acting for a broad roster of emerging producers, major multinational energy companies, operators, governments, investors and service providers, the Calgary-based group handles a comprehensive mix of M&A, commercial agreements, development projects and regulatory matters, including litigation. On the transactional side, department head and firm vice chair Patrick Maguire is widely recognized as a go-to industry expert; he recently advised Canadian Natural Resources on its acquisitions from Chevron Canada of a 20% interest in the Athabasca Oil Sands Project and a 70% interest in Duvernay shale properties, totalling $6.5bn. Other commercial oil and gas partners include Luke Morrison, energy practice co-head Ashley White and Kevin Myson. Martin Ignasiak heads an equally deep regulatory bench that additionally draws on next-generation partner Sean Assié, who is representing Veresen Midstream General Partner on non-routine licence applications before the Alberta Energy Regulator concerning a facility de-bottlenecking and a deep-cut facility; regulatory and environmental law specialist Shawn Munro; and seasoned of counsel Lawrence Smith KC.

National powerhouse Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP fields a full-service oil and gas offering in its Calgary office. Widely acknowledged as a leader in oil and gas transactions, including M&A, joint ventures, share purchase and sale agreements and project development, the well-balanced group also excels in complex regulatory matters. Among its recent highlights in the commercial sphere, high-profile energy specialist Ben Rogers is acting alongside department co-head Christine Milliken to advise TC Energy Corporation on all corporate and commercial matters related to the C$20bn Coastal GasLink Pipeline. Other key transactional partners include fellow-practice co-lead Keith Byblow; Chris Harris, who led on two billion-dollar energy deals during 2024/25; and rising associate Ashton Menuz. On the regulatory side, practice co-head Terri-Lee Oleniuk successfully represented Pembina Pipeline Corporation before the British Columbia Utilities Commission in a claim filed by Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure regarding the Western Pipeline System. Other key regulatory contacts include Lars Olthafer, who specializes in advising upstream oil and gas producers as well as pipeline and electrical transmission companies on regulatory and environmental issues; and Katie Slipp, who is recommended for regulatory proceedings and corporate support work.

Norton Rose Fulbright’s Calgary-based oil and gas practice finds favour for its ‘impressive ability to provide timely support on incredibly complex projects’. Particularly recognized for its commercial work, where it excels in marquee M&A, joint ventures and project finance, the group also leverages significant regulatory expertise. In a recent highlight transaction, Wayne Fedun advised Paramount Resources Corp on the sale of its Karr, Wapiti and Zama oil and gas properties to Ovintiv Canada for C$3.3bn plus certain Horn River Basin properties of Ovintiv. Other transactional specialists include Robert Froehlich, who chairs the Calgary business law group; Ryan Keays, who heads the national oil and gas team; KayLynn Litton, whose work spans oil and gas, renewables and Indigenous law; Lincoln Mitchell, who focuses on energy and infrastructure; and Sean Wallace, who made partner in January 2025. The practice also benefits from the regulatory expertise of Don Davies KC, who contributes extensive experience in representing producers, pipeline companies and industry entities in proceedings before the Canada Energy Regulator; and Alan Harvie, who leads the environmental law area and advises on a broad mix of commercial, environmental and regulatory oil and gas matters.

The ‘responsive, personable and efficient’ oil and gas team at Torys combines strength in commercial and regulatory work with particular expertise in industry-shaping M&A deals. The group acts for a broad range of major and emerging upstream, midstream and downstream clients, while it also represents private equity and institutional investors. Chris Christopher co-heads the Calgary-based oil and gas practice and handles the full spectrum of commercial transactions. Christopher recently paired up with talented up-and-coming specialist Amy Maginley — who was promoted to partner in January 2025 — to advise InPlay Oil Corp on its proposed C$309m acquisition of Cardium light oil-focused assets in the Pembina area from Obsidian Energy. David Cuschieri co-leads the department and also brings a transactional focus; he recently advised Enbridge on the C$3.1bn sale of its 50% stake in Alliance Pipeline and its 42.7% interest in Aux Sable to Pembina Pipeline Corporation. The group additionally draws on commercial partner Peter Danner, who advises on energy and natural resources projects, M&A and joint ventures, as well as senior associate Gino Bruni, who provides regulatory and contentious support.

The energy practice at Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP finds favour for its ‘deep expertise in the Alberta oil and gas industry’. The Calgary-based group is characterized by its transactional focus, where it is widely recognized for its track record in the upstream sector — it also houses an increasingly prominent midstream offering. Key contacts include managing partner Alicia Quesnel, one of the most respected industry specialists in Canada; she recently acted alongside next-generation partner Brittney LaBranche to advise LNG Canada Development on its transaction with Coastal GasLink Pipeline Limited Partnership, TransCanada Pipelines and Cedar LNG Partners regarding the C$5.5bn Haisla-led Cedar LNG project and its use of the Coastal GasLink infrastructure. Also recommended are energy head Carolyn Wright; Aaron Rogers, who brings significant midstream and petrochemicals experience; and senior counsel Garth Parker, who focuses on construction and oil and gas. In June 2025, Natasha Wood left to join Tourmaline Oil Corp.

Among Dentons’s industry strong suits, the Calgary-cantered oil and gas team is best known for its strong skill sets in the midstream and regulatory areas. The full-spectrum practice also advises domestic and multinational oil companies on corporate, M&A and joint venture transactions. On the commercial side, national energy group lead George Antonopoulos recently acted with energy, projects and corporate partner Byron Reynolds to advise Enbridge on the corporate, project finance and regulatory aspects of its proposed Carbon Capture Utilization Storage project. Experienced counsel Michael Hurst is also recognized for his work in energy transactions. The practice additionally benefits from a formidable regulatory offering led by go-to expert Bernard Roth, who supports energy and natural resources clients on M&A, project development and regulatory compliance. Other regulatory specialists include Laura Estep, who focuses on energy regulation as well as environmental and Indigenous law matters; and next-generation partner Dan Collins.

Stikeman Elliott LLP leverages the firm’s premier corporate expertise to excel in commercial oil and gas work, while its energy practice is additionally underpinned by a thriving regulatory offering. During 2024/25 the firm secured a string of major cross-border M&A mandates, while it also handled financing deals, development projects and complex regulatory matters, including litigation. The Calgary-based group is co-led by high-profile transactional specialist Chrysten Perry KC, who recently acted in conjunction with the corporate practice to advise Spartan Delta Corp on its C$53.1m acquisition of Duvernay assets from Tourmaline Oil Corp. Also recommended for energy transactions are seasoned deal-maker Frederick Erickson, who brings extensive experience in market-shaping M&A, and Kurtis Reed, who heads the energy team in the Calgary office. On the regulatory side, Dennis Langen is highly regarded for his track record in transactional support, compliance and contentious matters, while rising associate Amy Barrington provides further regulatory support.

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP is distinguished by its regulatory firepower, particularly in the midstream space. Advising a broad mix of producers, pipeline operators, refiners, distributors and others on regulatory proceedings and disputes, the team is additionally equipped to advise on transactions. Key regulatory specialists include Calgary’s Alan Ross KC, noted for his work on pipeline transmission and oil and natural gas-related matters; Calgary-based energy litigator Randall Block KC; and Vancouver-based Rick Williams, who leads the national environmental, municipal, expropriation and regulatory group. Calgary-based oil and gas head Peter Bryan is also recommended for his expertise in transactions and energy infrastructure projects. In September 2024, Xiaodi Jin departed the firm.

Lawson Lundell LLP’s geographically diverse oil and gas practice utilizes well-staffed platforms throughout British Columbia, Alberta and Northern Canada. Combining robust commercial and regulatory expertise, the team advises major and junior producers on exploration, M&A and transport-related work, together with related regulatory, environmental and Indigenous law issues. The department is co-led from Calgary by transactional partner Paul Negenman, who is also noted for land-related matters, alongside senior counsel John Olynyk, whose practice spans Indigenous, environmental and regulatory law. Other key contacts include Calgary-based regulatory and environmental law partner Shailaz Dhalla and senior counsel Jeffrey Scobie, a transactional lawyer who divides his time between Calgary and Vancouver.

Acting for a broad roster of domestic and multinational energy companies, McCarthy Tétrault’s oil and gas group is well weighted between transactional and regulatory work. Department co-leads Brian Bidyk and Kerri Howard both specialize in commercial energy matters, including M&A, divestitures, joint ventures and project development. A robust regulatory bench draws on Kimberly Howard, whose practice spans energy regulation and environmental law; and Calgary litigation head Douglas Yoshida, who focuses on energy disputes. In November 2024, M&A, private equity and energy partner Maxine Ethier joined the Toronto office; she was previously managing director at CPP Investments. All other named lawyers are based in Calgary.

Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP’s oil and gas practice continues to gain traction in the market, adding eight new clients during 2024/25. The team handles a broad array of transactional and regulatory matters, while its ability to draw on the firm’s leading Indigenous law offering positions it as a popular choice to advise on Indigenous-owned projects. The multidisciplinary group is co-led from Calgary by regulatory law chair Jeremy Barretto and transactional specialist Josef Hocher.

The interdisciplinary oil and gas group at Gowling WLG draws on lawyers from across the firm’s corporate, construction and securities teams to specialize in transactional energy work. It is also equipped to advise on regulatory, environmental and Indigenous law matters. Transactional partner Andrew Lamb leads the Calgary-based team and advises on M&A, construction projects and joint ventures. Adriana da Silva Bellini, who was promoted to partner in January 2025, is also recommended for energy transactions and infrastructure projects.