A ‘first-class choice for upstream oil and gas natural resource work‘, A&O Shearman is trusted by a roster of marquee players with instructions across upstream, midstream and downstream mandates, showcasing top-tier expertise in M&A, financing, development, construction and regulatory work. The firm has an extensive track record on novel projects across the Gulf, including ammonia and methanol plants, gas pipeline projects, and cracker and integrated polymers facilities. Team head Joe Clinton‘s project finance specialism has seen him engage on large scale projects across the Gulf, including big-ticket deals in the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Judith Kim‘s far-reaching practice encompasses project finance, development and the negotiation of oil and gas concessions, while Kyle Nevin is another key name for project finance. Omar Alkaffas, who is sought out by premium clients for their ‘most strategic and high profile work’, is a go-to for concessions.

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.

Gibson Dunn is trusted by some of the region’s premium oil and gas operators and producers on substantial domestic and outbound transactions, including major acquisitions in the United States, North Africa, and Europe. Outside of this, the firm is also active on disputes, handling both litigation and arbitration, project finance and development, and commercial agreements. Renad Younes leads the practice and offers a wide range of corporate transaction and advisory support, active across the upstream, midstream, downstream, and LNG sectors. Co-head Marwan Elaraby is highly reputed for his skill in M&A and PE transactions, whilst also possessing a prolific capital markets practice. Samuel Ogunlaja has a broad practice that covers both greenfield and brownfield mandates. Jade Chu and Andrew Steele support on complex cross-border M&A, and Andrea Calla has recently been engaged with acquisitions, disposals, and joint ventures.

Brodies Middle East LLP‘s dedicated and specialist oil and gas practice, which launched in 2023, chiefly focuses on extracting hydrocarbons and delivering the assets to market. The firm handles a mix of operator and contractor-side instructions, including complex onshore and offshore Construction Engineering, Procurement and Construction contracts, Lump Sum Turnkey Drilling contracts, and Design, Build, Own, Operate & Maintain contracts. Team head Greg May specialises in the drilling sector and supports operators and contractors on instructions across the Gulf. Bryan Wilson has deep expertise overseeing key contract drafting and negotiation in a variety of markets. Josh McFadzen, who acted as Vice President, Legal Operations Commercial & Technology at ADNOC prior to joining the firm in May 2024, comprehensively advises clients on upstream exploration, development, and production issues.

Clifford Chance is well-positioned in the market to advise a strong roster of state-owned oil companies, chemical producers, and contractors across the full suite of legal advice, including cross-border M&A and investments, project finance and development, and litigation. The firm has a robust track record on industry-critical projects in the region, including low carbon ammonia production facilities, offshore sour gas mega projects, and low-carbon LNG plants. Mohamed Hamra-Krouha and Inaamul Laher co-lead the practice, with the former recognised for his project finance skill, and the latter for his real estate background. Edmund Boyo and Chirag Sanghrajka are further names for finance expertise, while Paul Coates handles litigation. Nicholas Wong‘s expertise spans project development and finance.

A 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.

Praised for its ‘deep focus, understanding, and extensive experience in the oil and gas sector‘, Devine & Severova is a specialist oil and gas firm chiefly focused on upstream work across various jurisdictions in the Middle East and Central Asia. The team is well reputed for its work on transactions and commercial agreements, but also has a growing body of work relating to operational disputes and damages. Richard Devine leads the practice and is regularly sought out by international, national and independent oil companies for comprehensive advise across their full operations. Co-head Ana Severova leverages previous in-house experience to provide trusted counsel to clients, showcasing strong expertise in M&A, commercial agreements, and project development matters.

King & Spalding LLP has made a significant impact on the UAE oil and gas market since its recruitment of Simon Fraser and Matt Hartsuyker, alongside the appointment of team head Dan Feldman as the firm’s Global Head of Energy in January 2024. Fraser brings prolific sector knowledge and M&A capabilities and is a key driver behind the firm’s growing body of mining and minerals work, often working closely with Hartsuyker who has a similarly M&A-focused practice. Feldman, together with co-head Tim Burbury, a construction and infrastructure specialist, leads the team on both conventional oil and gas and energy transition ventures, including first-of-its kind hydrogen projects, significant joint ventures, investments, carve-outs, and large-scale co-generation facilities. Brendan Hundt is also notable for his active involvement in hydrogen-related deals.

Regularly advising on the sale and purchase of assets, company acquisitions and investments, and project development and financing, White & Case LLP is a popular choice for major oil and gas companies across the Middle East. Team head Adam Pierson helms the practice and takes the lead on both transactions and project development instructions. Michael Watson, who relocated from London, heads the firm’s EMEA Project Development and Finance Group and is highly active on energy transition matters. Antoine Cousin is another name for project finance and development acumen. Claire Patrick has been a key advisor to Saudi Aramco on petrochemical and hydrogen mandates, while Mark Andrews is also highly active on projects in Saudi Arabia.

Distinguished by its ‘specialised expertise, commitment to innovation, and client-focused approach’, Clyde & Co LLP‘s full service offering in the energy sector makes it a go-to for both national and international oil companies, operators, contractors and suppliers. David Leckie specialises in dispute resolution in the energy, renewables, marine and construction sectors. Practice co-head Leonard Soudagar is active in construction, exploration, trade and distribution disputes. Ben Smith focuses on FDI and reorganisation projects in the energy space, operating on both a regional and multinational basis. Sara Khoja spearheads the group’s employment work within the oil and gas sector, while Rachel Fox leads the practice’s tax offering.

HFW‘s diverse clientele spans the entire energy supply chain and ranges from national and international oil companies to service providers, EPC contractors and equipment vendors. The team advises on oil and gas and natural resources projects across the UAE and the Middle East, as well as a host of other jurisdictions, including battery energy storage system construction and offshore and onshore gas projects. It also has a successful track record in projects-related disputes, including arbitrations and investigations. Slava Kiryushin boasts an international oil and gas practice, advising on high value projects in tandem with the firm’s global network.

Transactional and finance advice make up the core of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP‘s energy practice, with a particular focus on commodity structure and finance. Jennifer Josefson brings to the team a wealth of experience in energy project and M&A matters, while Alexey Chertov focuses on international commodities, and commodity finance and transactions. Alexandra Rotar is experienced in M&A and joint ventures in the energy sector, and Valentina Semenikhina has an active international practice, with particular expertise in infrastructure projects.

Pinsent Masons LLP handles a diverse range of work in the oil and gas sector across multiple Gulf states, including M&A, financing, and commercial agreements. In addition to its transactional work, the firm is also regularly engaged in represenitng clients in litigation and arbitration matters. Team head Mark Raymont is chiefly recognised for his skill in contractual and commercial matters. Co-head Tim Armsby is trusted by national and international oil companies for counsel on operational issues, including local law advice, tenders, and contracts. Jed Savager ‘enjoys a stellar reputation in the market for handling heavyweight construction disputes in the UAE’, while Gurmeet Kaur handles bidding, procurement and project development matters. Nesreen Osman is another key name for contentious work, and David Platt is noted for his expertise in project finance.