Herbert Smith has developed an outstanding reputation within the energy and natural resources sectors worldwide. This is built on our long experience of advising companies, governments and financiers all over the world. We have a dedicated energy team of over 70 partners located throughout our global network, with expertise in corporate, finance, dispute resolution and related specialist areas such as competition, construction, environmental, tax, planning and employment.
Members of the practice have excellent industry knowledge, in many cases acquired while on secondment to, or working at, energy companies. This enables us to offer clients a breadth of expertise and the ability to both execute large corporate deals and advise on sector-specific issues.
We act on domestic and international projects across all areas of the energy industry – upstream project development, pipelines, LNG projects and trading, refineries, petrochemicals, power projects, nuclear and renewables – as well as advising in relation to emerging energy initiatives such as the Clean Development Mechanism, carbon capture and storage and biofuels.
The practice is international – the team has worked on transactions across Europe, the Middle East and Asia – and there is an increasing focus on emerging markets including Russia, Africa and India.
We work for a wide range of clients, including: BG Group, BP, Chevron, EDF, ENRC, Essar Group, Gazprom Neft, Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsui, Rio Tinto, Sojitz and Tata Group.
Deal of the Year (India upstream)
Project Finance Magazine Awards 2009, Cairn financing
Ranked top for Energy and Natural Resources
Chambers UK 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and Chambers Global 2007
"Notably, the team has deep experience in and a cutting-edge knowledge of oil and gas, liquefied natural gas, mining, power, infrastructure, chemicals and renewables. The projects team is very careful and considerate"
IFLR 1000, 2010
Deal of the Year 2009 – Project Development Agreement between CNOOC and BG regarding the Gladstone LNG Project
Asian- Counsel, 2010
"The 'impressive' projects and energy team in the UAE secures some of the most high-profile projects in the market"
Legal 500 EMEA 2010
"Sources say: 'A major player in the energy market by anyone's reckoning'"
Chambers Global 2010
"This [Herbert Smith] team is recognised for its market-leading Asian energy projects practice. It represents a range of clients, including major corporations, financial institutions, funds, governments and government agencies. Key sectors of activity include oil and gas, LNG, mining, power, infrastructure, chemicals and renewables"
Chambers Asia, 2011
Ranked the number one firm by Chambers UK for client service
Chambers UK 2011
Energy and Natural Resources Firm of the Year
Asian-Counsel Awards 2010
European Upstream Oil & Gas Deal of the Year, Perenco on a US$2.8 billion reserve-based lending (RBL) facility
Project Finance Magazine 2010
"Herbert Smith has long been a leading name for energy. Its expertise across all sectors and fields of work is roundly acknowledged across the industry"
Chambers UK 2011
"Herbert Smith is best known for its energy work, with power being a particular strength of the firm"
IFLR 1000, 2011