Energy / Offshore

We have experience in many stages of the energy chain. We have acted for producers, refineries, traders and end-users, carriers, offshore support vessels and other oilfield service providers, in connection with crude oil, refined products, LNG and wind farm construction.

In the oil and gas industry, in addition to traders and carriers, we advise national and international oil companies, service contractors, utilities, and insurers.

We have an emergency response team which is experienced in advising on casualties or disasters.

As with all matters we are involved in, partner involvement and supervision is continuous while remembering the importance of involving more junior lawyers to allow them to learn and develop their experience and expertise.

ENERGY

Much of MFB’s work involves the carriage of energy resources, whether in conventional oil tankers of all sizes, or in specialised vessels such as LNG and LPG tankers. We work with oil refineries and with buyers and sellers of energy resources; we assist clients with the structuring of their arrangements and contracts and in associated disputes.

OFFSHORE

MFB has extensive and long-running experience in offshore work. We have worked with the suppliers and users of support vessels, anchor-handling tugs, dive support vessels, derrick barges, pipe-laying vessels, and FPSOs. We have also advised on matters involving specialised equipment such as hyperbaric units, seismic operations and dynamic positioning systems.

Our lawyers are familiar with the standard forms such as SUPPLYTIME, TOWCON and HEAVYCON. We have assisted with responses to Invitations to Tender, and in advising on the insurance implications of a contract structure.

Our experience is worldwide, and we have worked on projects in the North Sea, Brunei, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Siam and Sakhalin.

Example matters are:

• Litasco SA v Der Mond Oil & Gas Africa SA [2023] EWHC 2866 (Comm)

• Rhine Shipping DMCC v Vitol SA [2023] EWHC 1265 (Comm)

• Off-take agreements 

• Early cancellation of period time charters

• Corporate guarantee and enforcement issues