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Oil and gas

We are a leading law firm in the oil and gas sector, and have worked closely with the petroleum industry for over 40 years. With our solid industry knowledge and experience, we contribute to targeted value creation for oil companies, suppliers and public authorities, both nationally and internationally.

Advice from our lawyers

Legal advice in relation to oil and gas often concerns extensive and complex circumstances. We provide competent and experienced lawyers tailored to the scope of the assignment.

We advise on the following:

  • exploration and production activities
  • transactions
  • negotiations
  • development and offshore construction
  • contracts with suppliers
  • gas sales and gas transport
  • regulatory issues
  • petroleum taxation

Industrial and international experience

Our lawyers have in-depth knowledge of the various industry players and several of them have a background as inhouse lawyers at companies in the oil industry. This total experience provides us with a good understanding of the technical, commercial and macroeconomic conditions that affect the petroleum industry and drive the companies’ development. This is what makes us great strategic advisors to our clients.

Our energy department has assisted the international activities of Norwegian companies and advised national authorities in over 25 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and South America. Our advice to governments in oil producing countries includes petroleum and environmental legislation, production sharing agreements, award rounds, international law, maritime law and treaty issues.

Operational and strategic assistance

We assist clients with a full range of services, from the operational to the more strategic. For many years, we have worked closely with oil companies in all phases; from start-up companies and owners who wish to grow, to mature companies that require further development, and companies that want to leave the Norwegian continental shelf.

At our firm, you will find lawyers who have been involved in some of the largest field developments and transactions on the Norwegian continental shelf, who have participated in complex negotiations on behalf of companies and public authorities, and who have been central in the development of the contract forms used today.

What you can expect from us

We work closely with specialists from other fields and industries in our firm, such as financing, M&A, tax, employment law, renewable energy and dispute resolution, to ensure that our clients are allocated the most appropriate team for each assignment. We have a considerable network of international law firms to draw on, if required.

You will be assigned one main contact person. We designate the lawyer and the team best suited to helping you. You will have the right expert on the right assignment at the right time.

News

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17 February 2023

We maintain strong results in Chambers Global 2023

Yesterday, Chambers Global published its 2023 results, strengthening our individual performance and maintaining our positions at company level. The ranking covers a total of eight areas and we are ranked within seven.

8 April 2022

Newsletter – proposed amendments to the petroleum tax regime

The Government announced on a press conference 31 August 2021 that they would propose amendments to the petroleum tax act. The Ministry of Finance then 3 September 2021 issued a public consultation paper where it is proposed that the rules on depreciation and tax-free income in the special tax for petroleum from 2022 should be replaced by immediate expense recognition of investments (cash flow tax – direct tax deduction). The Ministry of Finance emphasized that the proposed amendment is similar to amendment that entered into force for hydroelectric power with effect for investments made from 2021.
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What we have done

Arntzen de Besche has advised OMV on the sale of the Wisting oil field

OMV, an international integrated oil, gas and chemicals company headquartered in Vienna, Austria, sold its 25 percent stake in the Wisting oil field to Lundin Energy in a transaction that successfully closed before Christmas on 17 December 2021 (see below link to OMV’s press release). We are proud to have acted as OMV’s legal advisor on this transaction.
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