Ashurst‘s dedicated oil and gas team combines international reach with in-depth local market knowledge. The team supports clients across every stage of the oil and gas value chain—from exploration and production to transport and refinement —while also advising on the evolving energy transition. Its expertise spans M&A, joint ventures, finance, project development, regulatory matters, disputes, and international public law. Michael Burns leads the firm’s energy and infrastructure M&A practice in EMEA and advises on transactions across conventional energy and energy transition sectors, including hydrogen and CCUS. Julia Derrick specialises in M&A, project development, and commercial contracts, with a strong focus on upstream oil and gas, LNG, and hydrogen assets. Quentin Robinson advises across the full lifecycle of energy and resources projects, particularly in upstream oil and gas, energy transition, and mining. Naomi Nguyen focuses on M&A and commercial contracts, especially in upstream energy transactions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘This is a strong international practice with consistently excellent partners.’

  • ‘Michael Burns is great during negotiations, understands the industry, always considers commercial aspects of a project.'

  • 'Naomi Nguyen is very skilled, stays calm even during difficult phases, always a pleasure to work with her.’

  • ‘Very good industry knowledge: good technical lawyers and pleasant to work with.’

  • ‘Quentin Robinson, Julia Derrick - measured and sensible and good to work with; good industry knowledge.'

  • 'Michael Burns has brilliant industry insight and very switched on.'

Key clients

  • bp
  • Mitsui
  • OMV
  • Shell
  • Wentworth Resources plc
  • Chappal Energies
  • Serica Energy plc
  • Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)
  • Tullow Oil
  • Kuwait Petroleum

Work highlights

Advised OMV, on the sale of its 50% stake in global oil & gas company SapuraOMV to TotalEnergies.
Advised OMV on its proposed sale of 100% of the shares in OMV New Zealand Limited.
Advised OMV Aktiengesellschaft, on their strategic €140m investment in EIT InnoEnergy.

Lawyers

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Next Generation Partners

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

Michael Burns

Other key lawyers

Julia Derrick; Quentin Robinson; Nick Williamson; Naomi Nguyen