The Legal 500

Arntzen de Besche’s ‘strong and deep’ five-partner practice has ‘tremendous industry knowledge’, and is headed by Dag Erlend Henriksen. The ‘excellent’ Christian Michelet continues to be sought out to advise developing foreign governments on policy and legislative issues. Erlend Bakken often handles transactions in the oil services sector. Rune Omdahl is acting for Lundin Norway on various matters including advising on the co-ordinated development of the Luno and Draupne oilfields. Other clients include Petoro, Gassco and Core Energy.

Advokatfirmaet BA-HR DA’s practice spans transactions, financing, tax, disputes, and regulatory work within the oil and gas sector. Team head and ‘tax guru’ Jan Jensen is ‘extremely knowledgeable about the industry’, and is ‘able to grasp new issues very quickly’. Managing partner Morten Smørdal has an excellent reputation in oilfield services and recently advised National Oilwell Varco on its $531m acquisition of APL. Gunnar Sørlie and Jan Einar Barbo also focus on oilfield services work, and Rune Svoren handles M&A.

‘Well resourced and technically strong’, Kluge Advokatfirma DA represents operators, exploration and production companies and other clients in the oilfield services industry across the gamut of operational, transactional and litigatious matters. Sondre Dyrland regularly advises GDF SUEZ Norge, including on its acquisition of a minority stake in the Njord field. Olav Hasaas and Stavanger-based Thomas Abrahamsen are also recommended. Preben Falck left the firm for a role in-house, but Audun Stornes joined from Talisman Energy.

Kvale Advokatfirma Da has a strong reputation for regulatory, contractual and M&A advice. Yngve Bustnesli, who has ‘excellent industry knowledge’, is advising Rocksource on transferring approximately 50% of its participating interest in 12 production licences on the Norwegian continental shelf. Team head Jens Brede is an ‘excellent’ litigator who is representing DONG E&P Norge in a NOK400m arbitration case against BP.

Advokatfirmaet Schjødt AS’ nine-partner team works from Oslo and Stavanger, and has an excellent pedigree for advice on oil and gas transactions and operational matters. Amund Bjøranger Tørum heads the team, having joined from Kvale Advokatfirma Da at the end of 2011. Ingvald Falch is ‘very analytical’, and has an excellent reputation as a litigator. Stavanger-based Peter Hiorth, who is praised for his ‘business acumen and industry knowledge’, recently advised ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Norway on the sale of its interest in the Njord field to GDF SUEZ.

Wiersholm provides ‘good advice and has deep knowledge about the oil and gas industry’. Clients include ConocoPhillips, Total, BP and Statoil. The team is particularly strong on the transactional side and recently advised Rosneft on its joint venture with Statoil to explore offshore frontier areas of Russia and Norway. Thomas Svensen, who led on that deal, has an excellent reputation.

Boutique firm Kyllingstad Kleveland Advokatfirma DA is ‘very knowledgeable about the oil and gas industry’, and is particularly strong within the oilfield services sector. Team head Erik Brannsten is increasingly acting on international mandates and is involved in a major oil development project in Brazil. Eirik Høiby’s experience spans dispute resolution and contract negotiations relating to major oil and gas projects. Clients include Kvaerner, Subsea 7 Group and Aker Solutions.

Selmer’s three-partner team has significant experience in regulatory and transactional matters. Bengt Lie Hansen is advising Lundin on the pre-unitisation process with regard to the recent massive oil discovery on the Norwegian continental shelf. The team also handles M&A, and can call on colleagues from its leading corporate team. Clients include Alstom Norway, Odfjell Drilling and Rocksource. Sverre Tysland heads the team.

Simonsen VogtWiig is particularly well regarded for international advice to foreign governments and institutions. For example, Bjorn-Erik Leerberg recently advised the Ugandan government on upstream and midstream legislation. ‘Very well connected’ team head Per Seime has ‘vast experience on petroleum legislation’.

Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS‘ primary strength lies in advising oil and gas clients on corporate transactions, such as its representation of Centrica Energy during the purchase of several production assets from Statoil and ConocoPhillips. Team head Rune Solberg has ‘much experience in energy-related M&A’.

Wikborg Rein provides ‘good value for money’ across a raft of M&A, regulatory matters and litigation. Team head Jon Rabben, who provides ‘very good and to-the-point advice’, recently represented North Energy on its strategic co-operation and asset transaction with Lime Petroleum.