We have expertise at every stage of the energy chain, from exploration and production, storage and transportation, LNG, refining, trading and sale of oil and gas to electricity generation, energy management, renewables and carbon trading. We advise oil companies, service contractors and insurers on a range of issues affecting the way business is conducted offshore and have an emergency response team who are experienced in advising on all aspects of any casualties or disasters that may occur.

• Oil & Gas: expertise from exploration and production to LNG, as well as insurance, trading and transportation of crude, oil products and gas.

• EPC/EPIC Contracts: we have extensive experience in advising both operators and contractors in relation to offshore oil and gas construction projects, from the tender process through contract negotiation, post signature advice, disputes and litigation, and finance. HFW is one of the world's leading experts in marine and offshore construction contracts.  We have experience of advising on EPC/EPIC contracts in relation to pipelines, jackets, topsides and other facilities including preparation of agreement for inclusion in tender package; and response to tender qualifications/contract negotiation.

• Offshore: in-depth knowledge of service contracts and the issues connected with them, construction and engineering, pipelines, marine support services and extensive crisis management experience.

• Renewables: promoting greener industry through renewables and energy management. Particular knowledge of wind and the biofuels sector - assisting clients from both the energy and the traditional grain sectors, on production, sale, transportation, storage and licensing of fuel ethanol, biodiesel and biomass.

• Regulatory: covering all aspects of the regulatory environment, reviewing commercial agreements to ensure compliance with relevant competition laws, advising on ways of mitigating the risks of non-compliance and on strategy generally in the light of increasingly onerous regulations worldwide. We also deal with proceedings before the UK or EU competition authorities.

• Infrastructure/Projects: highly focussed industry specific expertise in the development and financing of various energy projects around the world. Working with developers, EPC contractors, fuel suppliers, major project participants and finance parties.

• Power: working on a broad range of electricity-related matters including power generation, all manner of contracts relating to the sector, combined heat and power, energy management, financing, and environmental pollution.

• Trading (Physical/Financial/Carbon): experienced in establishing commodities trading desks, the acquisition and corporate structure of trading businesses, and sale and purchase contracts. In addition, we have in-depth knowledge of the requirements and regulations surrounding carbon trading.

• Dispute Resolution: managing the dispute process for every type of case from short applications to high value, multi-party multi-jurisdictional litigation. Our preferred approach is to achieve a satisfactory negotiated solution through the use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. However, when necessary, we can and do press litigation to its conclusion and enforce the judgments obtained against the assets of the defendants wherever they may be found, committing whatever resources are necessary and appropriate to that task.

• Crisis Management: the team is available 24/7 to attend casualty incidents worldwide and with our global network can be on location within 24 hours practically anywhere in the world.  In the event of an emergency you can call the Partner you usually deal with or the out of hours emergency number which is manned 24/7 by the firm's own staff.

• Insurance and Reinsurance: our world-reputed energy insurance team is vastly experienced in coverage, defence and subrogation claims involving rigs, pipelines, refineries, equipment and energy facilities, in relation to all the relevant covers including property, Business Interruption, CAR/builders' risks, Delay in Start Up, Control of Well, hull, P&I, pollution and General Liability.

What we do Experience

• Advising a major investment bank on the English law aspects of and managing and reviewing cross border aspects of local law regulations relating to the trading of oil in over 45 jurisdictions.

• Represented the commercial bank lenders in connection with the JBIC and commercial bank US$1.87 billion financing of LNG Trains 7 and 8 as part of the expansion of the LNG facilities in Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia.

• Advising on all aspects of an EPC offshore project for European Operator's Arabian Gulf based subsidiary, for the design fabrication transportation installation and commissioning of new offshore platforms and ancillary pipelines. This covered all aspects from initial tender documentation, contract terms and operational documentation including design approvals process. We also advised during the operational phase covering contract variations and issues of title to completed structures, cost overruns and contractor delay through to commissioning and final acceptance.

• Negotiating the settlement of a disputed US$80m insurance and reinsurance claim arising from an explosion on a North Sea production platform. This claim involved proceedings in Bermuda and London.

• Advising a Middle Eastern oil company in relation to the construction of an export terminal for petrochemicals for an Asian energy conglomerate.

• Acting for a European heavy lift contractor in connection with a general audit of all their contracts including several EPC contracts for offshore installation and construction projects worldwide including review of onshore infrastructure contracts as well as decommissioning provisions and the contracts dealing with the provision of heavy lift and other marine and subsea service.

• Advising a US trader in respect of renewable energy including sustainability criteria for bio mass feedstock to be imported into UK. This included working closely with the UK and EU regulators on issues such as interpretation of statutory language and the use of genetically modified crops.

• Representing the senior lenders on the US$750 million financing for Rayong Electricity Generating Company, for its 1210 MW gas-fired combined cycle plant at Rayong, Thailand.

• Negotiation and conclusion of farm-in to a minority interest in Iran, including complex arrangements between co-venturers; advising on conditions precedent when funding was withdrawn due to enhanced US pressure on investors in Iran.

• Loss of the world's largest oil platform "P36" off Brazil - double insurance claims.

• DSU and property coverage claims in relation to pipelines in Ecuador and Bolivia.

• Advising on contractual matters in connection with engineering procurement and construction contracts forming part of a $5bn development of an offshore facility, entered into by a Middle Eastern subsidiary of an independent European oil and gas company. Following the project through from tender process, contract and covering issues arising during construction, installation and delivery as well as cost over-run, delay, termination issues and contractor insolvency.

• Subrogation claims in relation to serious spillage and contamination from a storage facility in Portugal.

• Coverage and liability claims in relation to pollution and clean up following pipeline damage offshore in Tunisia.

• Control of Well coverage dispute following blow out offshore in Vietnam.

What we do Experience

We have expertise at every stage of the energy chain, from exploration and production, storage and transportation, LNG, refining, trading and sale of oil and gas to electricity generation, energy management, renewables and carbon trading. We advise oil companies, service contractors and insurers on a range of issues affecting the way business is conducted offshore and have an emergency response team who are experienced in advising on all aspects of any casualties or disasters that may occur.

• Oil & Gas: expertise from exploration and production to LNG, as well as insurance, trading and transportation of crude, oil products and gas.

• EPC/EPIC Contracts: we have extensive experience in advising both operators and contractors in relation to offshore oil and gas construction projects, from the tender process through contract negotiation, post signature advice, disputes and litigation, and finance. HFW is one of the world's leading experts in marine and offshore construction contracts.  We have experience of advising on EPC/EPIC contracts in relation to pipelines, jackets, topsides and other facilities including preparation of agreement for inclusion in tender package; and response to tender qualifications/contract negotiation.

• Offshore: in-depth knowledge of service contracts and the issues connected with them, construction and engineering, pipelines, marine support services and extensive crisis management experience.

• Renewables: promoting greener industry through renewables and energy management. Particular knowledge of wind and the biofuels sector - assisting clients from both the energy and the traditional grain sectors, on production, sale, transportation, storage and licensing of fuel ethanol, biodiesel and biomass.

• Regulatory: covering all aspects of the regulatory environment, reviewing commercial agreements to ensure compliance with relevant competition laws, advising on ways of mitigating the risks of non-compliance and on strategy generally in the light of increasingly onerous regulations worldwide. We also deal with proceedings before the UK or EU competition authorities.

• Infrastructure/Projects: highly focussed industry specific expertise in the development and financing of various energy projects around the world. Working with developers, EPC contractors, fuel suppliers, major project participants and finance parties.

• Power: working on a broad range of electricity-related matters including power generation, all manner of contracts relating to the sector, combined heat and power, energy management, financing, and environmental pollution.

• Trading (Physical/Financial/Carbon): experienced in establishing commodities trading desks, the acquisition and corporate structure of trading businesses, and sale and purchase contracts. In addition, we have in-depth knowledge of the requirements and regulations surrounding carbon trading.

• Dispute Resolution: managing the dispute process for every type of case from short applications to high value, multi-party multi-jurisdictional litigation. Our preferred approach is to achieve a satisfactory negotiated solution through the use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. However, when necessary, we can and do press litigation to its conclusion and enforce the judgments obtained against the assets of the defendants wherever they may be found, committing whatever resources are necessary and appropriate to that task.

• Crisis Management: the team is available 24/7 to attend casualty incidents worldwide and with our global network can be on location within 24 hours practically anywhere in the world.  In the event of an emergency you can call the Partner you usually deal with or the out of hours emergency number which is manned 24/7 by the firm's own staff.

• Insurance and Reinsurance: our world-reputed energy insurance team is vastly experienced in coverage, defence and subrogation claims involving rigs, pipelines, refineries, equipment and energy facilities, in relation to all the relevant covers including property, Business Interruption, CAR/builders' risks, Delay in Start Up, Control of Well, hull, P&I, pollution and General Liability.