Energy: Oil & Gas: Norway

This outstanding local team remains “a notch above all its competitors,” commentators agree. Its client base includes many oil companies on the Norwegian continental shelf, as well as the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum & Energy. International instructions include advising foreign governments on a wide range of issues relating to oil, gas and mining. Key instructions include representing the Norwegian state against StatoilHydro in a NOK4.2 billion claim relating to the Kårstø–Åsgard development. Members of the team also advised the government of Afghanistan on a range of issues, including the preparation of the 2009 Hydrocarbons Law and the first oil and gas bidding round in Afghanistan. Star player Christian Fredrik Michelet has an undisputed reputation for his prowess in this area. “He is the person we turn to if we are in serious trouble,” say clients. Jan Jansen is first and foremost a petroleum tax expert. “He’s certainly brilliant on oil taxation and related litigation,” sources confirm. Dag Erlend Henriksen is widely recognised as a solid, dependable and personable practitioner. Rune Olav Pedersen has recently returned from secondment. His “clever and hard-working approach” has impressed clients. Erlend Bakken continues to develop his reputation as “an extremely bright and up-and-coming player in this area."

This team of 15 is present in Oslo and Stavanger and is frequently engaged on both domestic and international matters. The group is particularly focused on the oil service industry and has seen an increase in contentious mandates over the past year. Clients include prestigious names such as ExxonMobil, BP and Shell, and instructions on the supplier side have come from Schlumberger, Weatherford and Halliburton, among others. “The service is very prompt and the team has a good mix of legal technical expertise and experience in strategic commercial negotiation," report clients. “The group is able to handle some of our most complex projects.”Johs Faugstad has a long-standing position in this area and comes recommended by clients for his “practical approach to all our day-to-day needs.” Peter Hiorth has substantial petroleum tax and financing experience. He is praised by clients for his “tremendous knowledge of the industry.” Ingvald Falch is highly respected for his skill in contentious matters.

This substantial team is particularly focused towards corporate and transactional work relating to the oil services and offshore construction markets. It has seen a rise in contentious mandates over the past year and is also proficient in regulatory matters. Members of the team continue to assist long-standing clients such as Aker, Sevan Marine, Deep Sea Supply and Petroprod. Highlights include assisting entities within the Aker group with issues spanning production and oil services contracts, financing, and charter party and lease agreement negotiations. Ola Mestad is seen by sources as an authority on regulatory matters. Morten Plesner Smørdal concentrates on the oil service sector. Clients appreciate his “practical and commercial approach.”

This 12-strong team has benefited from several staff additions over the past year. It is present in both Oslo and Stavanger, but is clearly focused on the latter region. It maintains a broad practice, providing assistance with both contentious and transactional matters to a diverse range of clients, including national and international exploration and production companies. M&A transactions in the oil service sector, contract work and licence acquisitions have all featured heavily of late.“The group offers extremely good value for money. The service is almost equivalent to having an in-house lawyer and we benefit from having specialists who are also excellent litigators,” lauded a client. Highlights from the past year include assisting Marathon Petroleum with a host of matters. The group has also acted for DONG Energy on several mandates. Preben Falck receives recommendation for his understanding of the industry sector and the regulatory framework. “He’s very good at finding the right balance between aggression and caution,” noted a client.

This full-service outfit continues to maintain a substantial oil and gas practice. Its work stream is particularly transaction-driven and the group is regularly engaged in capital markets and bond markets transactions within this sector. The team represents a number of the major suppliers to the industry as well as other entities. Clients praise the firm’s outstanding resources and cross-border capacity. Key clients from the past year include Bayerngas and Endeavour International. Jørgen Lund remains active and is highly recommended within this sector. Pål Lieungh is lauded for his practical and commercial approach. “He really knows how to find solutions,” say clients.

This high-calibre team assists with a variety of transactional, regulatory and contentious matters relating to the oil and gas sector. It is best known for its relationship with dominant market player StatoilHydro, which it has assisted for more than two decades; the team also maintains its foothold acting for entities in the oil services industry. Clients describe it as “skilled, thorough and experienced.” The group is predominantly though not exclusively focused on domestic mandates. Key instructions of late include representing DONG E&P Norway on a significant regulatory contentious matter. Members of the group have also assisted Rocksource with a co-operation agreement with ONGC and a farm-out agreement with Petrobras and ONGC. Jens Brede is particularly proficient in construction contracts and litigation. Clients recommend his “ability to see commercial solutions rather than legal issues.” Yngve Bustnesli is noted for his knowledge of regulatory issues relating to the oil and gas industry. Amund Bjøranger Tørum has made an impression with his “exceptional technical skill.”

Kyllingstad Kleveland’s oil and gas team advises on a wide variety of contentious and non-contentious matters in the domestic and international arena. It is, however, best known for its construction expertise and focus on suppliers to the industry. “I was extremely pleased with the team’s performance. I found the lawyers to be very thorough and had complete confidence in their work,” a client said. The team's client base includes a number of prestigious names such as Scotiabank, JCE Group, Stena Group and Veidekke. Eirik Høiby is noted as a standout individual and recognised in the market as a highly skilled construction specialist. Per Kyllingstad is highly regarded for his contracts expertise.

Well known for its transactional focus, this team works closely with the firm’s M&A group to assist with frequent stock listings, private equity placements and other mandates within the oil and gas sector. Recent highlights include advising the Norwegian government on the increase of its share ownership in StatoilHydro. The team also assisted Det norske oljeselskap with the planned Frøy field development. Sverre Tysland comes highly recommended by commentators and is described by clients as “a very solid legal adviser.” Mads Iversen impresses with his “excellent knowledge, hard-working attitude and team-minded approach.” 

This solid practice covers both petroleum and petroleum services, as well as other forms of energy. The team provides a broad range of services, including licensing and contracts, dispute resolution, and regulatory, commercial and employment advice relating to the sector. In addition to major entities such as StatoilHydro, the team also assists a number of smaller players such as Interoil Exploration & Production and Svenska Petroleum Exploration. Thomas Svensen impresses clients with his “down-to-earth, realistic assessment of issues and ability to focus on both the details and the big picture.” They agree he has demonstrated “considerable commercial acumen.”

This team is frequently seen acting for entities engaged in the exploration and production industry, as well as assisting with cross-border transactions and providing regulatory advice. The team has grown in the past year. Recent highlights include representing Skeie Energy in its takeover of Noble Energy Norge. It is noted for its “broad client base and consistent, high-quality output.” Jarle Erik Sandvik is recommended for transactional mandates within the exploration and production sector. Sources describe him as “highly accurate and very pleasant to work with.”  

This firm is rated for its strong client service: “The team truly understands our business and is able to assist with complicated projects." Highlights include providing a wide range of services to key client Lundin. Members of the team also acted for Idemitsu Petroleum Norge and others. Praise abounds for Rune Omdahl: "He’s an extremely energetic, clever and enthusiastic practitioner, who quickly comes up with commercial solutions,” sources agree.

This team acts both for domestic and foreign companies working on the Norwegian continental shelf and internationally. It also advises and acts on international arbitration cases for foreign governments. In the past year the team has been particularly focused on assisting new entrants to the market. Sources agree that its international capacity is “extremely impressive.” Bjørn-Erik Leerberg is known for his international work, regularly advising foreign governments on legal frameworks in the oil and gas sector. Per Seime maintains a reputation as a strong, all-round oil and gas practitioner.