Well weighted between transactional and regulatory work, Norton Rose Fulbright’s oil and gas team represents key domestic and global industry players on large-scale M&A, project development, corporate finance and regulatory proceedings, including environmental and Indigenous law-related issues. The firm’s formidable transactional bench benefits from the senior experience of overarching Canadian energy head Robert Froehlich, who recently advised Veren (formerly Crescent Point Energy) on its C$600m disposal of certain non-core assets to Saturn Oil & Gas. Other recommended transactional energy practitioners include go-to specialist Wayne Fedun and oil and gas practice lead Ryan Keays, who are highlighted together as ‘amazingly high-skilled lawyers’; KayLynn Litton, who is particularly recommended for M&A, joint ventures and midstream contracts; and senior associate Sean Wallace, who ’has experience beyond his year of call’. On the regulatory front, Don Davies KC acts for oil and gas producers and pipeline companies, among other stakeholders, across a wide range of environmental, Aboriginal and constitutional proceedings. Canadian environmental head Alan Harvie is also noted.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Wayne Fedun and Ryan Keays are amazingly high-skilled lawyers who work so well with my commercial team. They are incredibly skilled and the most responsive lawyers I have ever worked with!’
‘Its strength is having experts in every discipline on the ground, who work together in an extremely collaborative manner. Other firms in Calgary do not offer its 'one-stop-shop', particularly when it comes to project finance. It also benefits from the global network and can work seamlessly with specialists abroad.’
‘Wayne Fedun is extremely responsive and client focused. Lincoln Mitchell brings deep understanding of the economics of energy infrastructure to his support on JV and project documents - his advice is always contextually relevant.’
‘We have a long history with Norton Rose and the team is results-driven to align with client needs. It is a highly knowledgeable and insightful team of lawyers in the energy industry.’
‘Wayne Fedun, Ryan Keays and Sean Wallace are very experienced lawyers in oil and gas, who are efficient and pragmatic in their advice. Wayne is hands-on and provides great insight into market realities.’
‘Norton Rose has provided us with an excellent team. The firm excels in transactions and financings, along with many other areas of excellence. I have full confidence in the firm and the team of lawyers that handles our work — they are top talents. ’
Key clients
- Veren (formerly Crescent Point Energy Corp)
- Bonavista Energy Corp
- Wolf Pipeline and its portfolio companies (Wolf Midstream, Wolf Carbon Solutions, Access Pipeline)
- Athabasca Oil Corporation
- Pathways Alliance - Oilsands Pathways Project
- Brookfield
- Marubeni Corporation
- PETRONAS
- Inter Pipeline
- Tourmaline Oil Corp
- Paramount Resources Corp
Work highlights
Acted for Veren on its approximately C$2.5bn acquisition of Hammerhead Energy, and also on its asset sale agreement with Spartan Delta to acquire Spartan’s oil and liquids-rich Montney assets in Alberta for C$1.7bn.
Advised National Bank of Canada on the financing of Alimentation Couche-Tard’s €3.1bn acquisition of certain European retail assets from TotalEnergies.
Advised an alliance of Canada’s oilsands companies on the launch of their Oil Sands Pathways to Net Zero initiative.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Ryan Keays
Other key lawyers
Robert Froehlich; Wayne Fedun; KayLynn Litton; Don Davies KC; Alan Harvie; Sean Wallace; Lincoln Mitchell