Oil and Gas


Our team has significant experience in resolving complex disputes within the oil & gas sector, representing both major multinational corporations and state-owned entities. The energy landscape is defined by volatile geopolitics, fluctuating markets, and evolving regulatory regimes. Our practice is adept at navigating these dynamics, regularly advising on disputes involving joint ventures, production agreements, and cross-border projects.

Our work in this sector involves disputes arising from long-term supply contracts, complex pricing issues, and force majeure claims. Our team frequently handles cases concerning shortfall payments, production delays, and operational disruptions, often in situations where the financial and strategic stakes are high. We understand the intricacies of LNG supply chains, upstream and downstream obligations, and the broader market implications that can impact a client’s position during a dispute.

With a knowledge of the CIS region, Africa, North America, and the UK Continental Shelf, we routinely act in arbitration proceedings concerning the energy sector, including those administered by the LCIA, ICC, ICDR, ICSID, AAA-Commercial, UNCITRAL, Swiss Arbitration Centre, and other major arbitration institutions. Seladore partner Laurence (Larry) Shore is a leading authority in international arbitration with deep personal experience in the oil & gas sector.

  • Representing a joint venture partner in a central Asian oil and gas company in a LCIA arbitration seated in London in relation to complex breach of contract claims and counterclaims, worth $150m+ in addition to a determination of the parties’ ongoing reciprocal obligations. Resolved successfully after a three-week hearing.
  • Acting for a state-owned oil company and its subsidiaries in a London-seated LCIA arbitration against a private individual in relation to international assets worth well over $100 million. A “bet the company” case where an unfavourable ruling would have rendered the assets non-viable. Settled favourably two days prior to scheduled four-week hearing.
  • Representing a UK-based oil & gas company in an investment treaty arbitration (Energy Charter Treaty, UK-Ukraine Bilateral Investment Treaty) under the UNCITRAL Rules against an Eastern European state, concerning fair and equitable treatment claims. Administered by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Award was upheld in England’s High Court.
  • Representing the products subsidiary of an oil and gas major in a New York-seated ICDR arbitration against a refinery company concerning a crude oil (and products refined from crude) SPA. Favourable award and settlement.
  • Advising a party to a joint venture in the upstream oil sector in West Africa in relation to breaches of various contracts, with a variety of dispute resolution clauses including ICC and LCIA arbitration and potentially OHADA arbitration, with a total value of some £200 million.
  • Acting for a west African LNG company in an ICC arbitration claim against an oil and gas major. Our client advanced breach of contract claims in relation to unpaid shortfall invoices and allegations of force majeure.
  • Advising a global oil and gas company on potential claims against a central Asian country arising from changes to its tax regime, including for expropriation, with a likely value of over $200 million; a highly favourable settlement was reached.
  • Acting for a British oil and gas company in relation an LCIA arbitration regarding the ownership of an oil transhipment terminal on the Black Sea.
  • Representing a major Russian oil and gas company in a London-seat ICC arbitration brought by an eastern European refined petrochemical company, regarding the refurbishment, sale and purchase of an oil and gas refinery in the EU.
  • Representing the subsidiary of a major oil and gas company in LCIA arbitral proceedings concerning an offshore oil exploration project dispute in West Africa. London seat of arbitration. Award in favour of the subsidiary.
  • Representing a Nigerian oil company in a London-seat ICC arbitration against a civil engineering business concerning the construction of a gas pipeline extension, and representing the same party in a successful anti-suit injunction action in England’s High Court to prevent the same issues being re-litigated in the Nigerian courts.
  • Advising a UK energy company in a dispute with its joint venture partner concerning a farm-in agreement in relation to a UK gas field.
  • Advising a Russian energy company on potential breaches of the Energy Charter Treaty by an Eastern European government, as a result of which a favourable settlement was reached.
  • Acting for a Russian oil and gas company in a dispute with a southeast European natural gas company regarding a joint venture company involved in gas distribution in the Balkans.
  • Advising a Ukrainian renewable energy company in relation to English law remedies for breach of contract; the sum claimed was repaid in full.
  • Advising the UK arm of an energy group in connection with criminal allegations that employees misled a public body in relation to an EU grant to its Italian group company.
  • Advising in relation to internal and external investigations into African bribery allegations and issues at a European energy company.
  • Advising a UK oil and gas PLC in connection with bribery allegations in the context of a dispute.
  • Advising an oil and gas major in connection with an internal investigation, European criminal investigations and subsequent Italian prosecution.
  • Advising international lenders on EU and US sanctions issues in relation to Russia, arising in connection with the project financing of one of the biggest energy infrastructure projects in the world, across EU and non-EU jurisdictions.
  • Assisting with the drafting of the Petroleum Code of the Republic of Chad.

News & Media

Seladore appoints Liang-Ying Tan as Partner with view to establishing presence in Singapore

Move underscores Seladore’s growing arbitration practice, and commitment to providing specialist expertise from strategically important hubs.

Read More Seladore appoints Liang-Ying Tan as Partner with view to establishing presence in Singapore
05 November 2024
Seladore profiled in The Lawyer

The Lawyer profiles Seladore Legal in its weekly Spotlight feature, exploring the firm’s origins, service offering, and ongoing work.

Read More Seladore profiled in The Lawyer
01 November 2024
Simon Bushell writes for The Times on disclosure rulings and client confidentiality

Simon Bushell unpacks the recent High Court ruling involving Oleg Deripaska and Quinn Emanuel, which serves as a reminder of the profound implications of Norwich Pharmacal Orders.

Read More Simon Bushell writes for The Times on disclosure rulings and client confidentiality
31 October 2024
newsletter image

Keep up to date with developments here at Seladore