A pre-eminent firm in the Scottish oil and gas market, Brodies LLP is considered a ‘go-to firm for any offshore oil and gas-related matters’ and in May 2023, it expanded its international offering by opening an office in Abu Dhabi. The ‘outstanding’ Clare Munro leads the team, bringing extensive experience in corporate oil and gas matters, including asset acquisitions and disposals and related diligence exercises. Greg May leads the firm’s service-sector offering and has over two decades of experience in the drilling sector, with considerable international project experience spanning Europe, North America and the Middle East. Rhona McFarlane has experience of all aspects of UKCS upstream and midstream work, including joint ventures, field developments and transportation agreements. Sonia Love left in December 2022 for an in-house role at TotalEnergies, while Bryan Wilson recently relocated to Abu Dhabi to play a key role in the firm's new Middle East operation.

The ‘market-leading’ oil and gas team at CMS consists of ‘true experts’, with the Aberdeen-based practice well versed in high-value and complex M&A, supply chain contract negotiations, projects-related matters and disputes. Practice head Norman Wisely has extensive experience of leading on acquisitions and disposals of UKCS and international offshore and onshore oil and gas assets. Judith Aldersey-Williams advises major clients on a range of commercial contracts, including joint operating agreements, infrastructure projects and gas sales agreements. Paula Kidd’s practice focuses on supporting existing and new entrants on emerging energy transition projects, while Graeme Clubley is highly regarded for his skills concerning farm-outs, decommissioning security arrangements, and oil and gas projects.

Pinsent Masons LLP boasts a highly reputable oil and gas practice in Scotland, regularly handling significant M&A deals and associated financing agreements, as well as equity capital markets transactions, both in the UK and internationally. Global head of oil and gas Rosalie Chadwick leads the practice and is adept at corporate finance transactions in the oil and gas sector. Bruce McLeod is a key contact and has over 25 years of experience acting on M&A, infrastructure and joint venture negotiations, with particular expertise in North Africa and the East Mediterranean. Leading the decommissioning and repurposing group is Shirley Allen, who also has a keen interest in the re-use of offshore infrastructure and depleted oil fields for low carbon purposes. Below partner level, legal directors Neil Hehir continue to lead the supply chain and offshore contracting offering, while Rachel Warner has particular experience in the acquisition, disposal and operation of offshore assets.

Burness Paull LLP draws experience from specialists across a broad range of disciplines to offer a full-service oil and gas offering, encompassing regulatory, corporate finance, dispute resolution, employment and health and safety, also being active at the forefront of the transition to net-zero. The team is led by Bob Ruddiman, who has ‘excellent upstream experience and market knowledge unrivalled in the local market’, and regularly represents energy majors, independents, utilities, and private equity houses across multiple jurisdictions. Consultant Brian Hemming has over three decades of experience advising on M&A deals, joint ventures and project agreements; director David Smith left in June 2022 for an in-house role at Energy Legal Solutions.

Stronachs LLP is notable for its strength advising on domestic and international upstream acquisitions and disposals, field developments and the energy transition. James Downie, who is dual-qualified in England and Wales, and Scotland, was appointed as team head this year, and is particularly sought after by UK companies for his expertise regarding decommissioning. He is supported by James Muir, who focuses heavily on transactional and projects work, both in the UK and internationally.