Rob Butler is a partner in the Global Projects practice and is the co-chair of the firm's LNG, hydrogen and CCUS practice group. Rob advises clients on a wide range of projects and transactions in the energy and infrastructure sectors, with a particular focus on the upstream and midstream oil and gas sectors, LNG and LNG shipping matters.
Rob assists clients with the structuring and development of projects, joint venture arrangements, asset sales and purchases, and corporate acquisitions, disposals and financings. Rob's experience includes negotiating, drafting and advising on commercial arrangements including LNG sale and purchase agreements, LNG terminal use agreements, common facilities agreements, gas sale and purchase agreements, crude oil offtake agreements, pipeline transportation agreements, vessel charter agreements, joint venture agreements, asset sale and purchase agreements, and share sale and purchase agreements.
Related Experience
LNG Project Development
- A major international energy company - in connection with its proposed participation in the North Field Expansion Project in Qatar
- Novatek - in relation to the structuring and development of the Arctic LNG 2 project
- Advising the project sponsors on all aspects of the development of a floating LNG regasification terminal in Ghana
- International energy company - on the joint venture arrangements in connection with the development of two LNG transhipment terminals
- Advising the project sponsor in connection with the conversion of an LNG carrier to a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU)
- Advising the project sponsor of a proposed floating LNG liquefaction project in British Columbia, Canada
- International energy company - on the development of a small-scale LNG liquefaction facility
- Advising a project sponsor of a South Asian floating LNG import project in connection with terminal capacity sharing arrangements, including the drafting of an LNG borrowing and lending agreement
- National oil company - advising on the development of LNG bunkering facilities at an existing LNG import facility, including in respect of the terminal services agreements to be put in place
- Advising on the terminal use agreement and on EPC matters in connection with the development of an LNG receiving terminal in Croatia
- Advising on a common facilities agreement and operation and maintenance agreement for an LNG liquefaction project in the U.S.
- South American LNG project - advising on gas sales agreements
LNG Marketing & Trading
- International energy company - on the establishment of an LNG marketing joint venture, the entry into a long-term LNG sale and purchase agreement and a terminal use agreement in connection with the development of a new-build LNG import terminal in China
- National oil company - on the development of its standard form master LNG sale and purchase agreement (MSA)
- A major international energy company - as buyer under a long-term LNG sale and purchase agreement from an African LNG project
- NOVATEK - on LNG marketing activities, including long-term LNG sales from the Yamal LNG project and the Arctic LNG 2 project
- International energy company - on the long-term purchase of LNG on a DES basis from the Mozambique LNG project
- Sempra LNG - in connection with the marketing of LNG from the Port Arthur LNG Liquefaction project
- European energy company - on a number of long-term LNG sale and purchase agreements and master LNG sale and purchase agreements (MSAs)
- International energy company - advising on the purchase of a portfolio of long-term LNG sale and purchase agreements
- Advising a national oil company on the purchase of LNG on a long-term basis from an LNG export project in Canada
- International energy company - on the sale of LNG from a small-scale LNG liquefaction facility on an FOB, DES and truck loaded basis, including the drafting and negotiation of various short-term and mid-term LNG sale and purchase agreements
- A major international energy company - in connection with the long-term sale of LNG to an LNG-to-power project in South America
- Steelhead LNG on the long-term sale of LNG into India
- NOVATEK - on the entry into three separate long-term LNG sale and purchase agreements with Shell, GDF Suez and Gunvor in respect of LNG produced from the Yamal LNG project
- A state-owned Middle Eastern energy company - on long-term, short-term and spot LNG transactions, including options and swaps
- A major international energy company - on LNG sale, purchase and swap arrangements
- Advising various international energy companies on amendments to their standard form master LNG sale and purchase agreements (MSAs)
- Origin Energy Limited on its LNG sale and purchase agreement with ENN LNG Trading Company Limited for the delivery of LNG to China
- Advising an LNG project in connection with a price review under a long-term LNG sale and purchase agreement
- Indian energy company - as buyer under a long-term LNG sale and purchase agreement from a U.S. LNG export project
- Gazprom Marketing and Trading Singapore on the long-term sale of LNG to GAIL in India
- European energy company - on the entry into back-to-back long term LNG sale and purchase agreements from a US LNG project
- Gazprom Marketing and Trading - as seller under various long-term LNG sale and purchase agreements
- Advising an LNG project on matters relating to the renegotiation of various diversion and pricing provisions in LNG sale and purchase agreements
- North American company - on the negotiation of master LNG sale and purchase agreements
- Independent joint venture - advising on long term LNG sale and purchase agreements for an Australian LNG project
- Asian energy company - advising on a long term LNG sale and purchase agreement
LNG Shipping
- National Oil Company - on its tender for a new FSRU in respect of an existing LNG import facility
- Advising the charterers on the long-term charter of an LNG carrier on a bareboat basis
- Advising the project sponsors on the entry into a ship management agreement for an FSRU
- National Oil Company - on its proposed charter of a bridging FSRU during dry docking of its existing FSRU
- Advising the project sponsors on the long-term charter of an FSRU for use at an LNG regasification terminal in Ghana
- Advising the project sponsors in connection with the procurement of marine services and the marine terminal liability regime in respect of a Latin American LNG project
- Middle Eastern LNG project - advising on the time charter arrangements for a floating regasification vessel
- International energy company - in connection with the negotiation and amendment of time charter parties and operations and service agreements in respect of three floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs)
- European energy company - on the negotiation of LNG shipping arrangements and long term LNG sale and purchase agreements
Oil & Gas
- UNOC and the Government of Uganda on the development and project financing of the $3.5bn 1,443 km crude oil pipeline between Uganda and Tanzania
- Cobalt International Energy Inc. - advising in connection with its upstream operations in the Republic of Angola and the Gabonese Republic
- Qatar Petroleum - on the drafting and negotiation of the new concession for the cross-border (Qatar/Abu Dhabi) Bunduq field
- ONGC Videsh Ltd - part of team advising on its entry into the concession for the Lower Zakum oil fields, offshore Abu Dhabi
- A major international energy company - in connection with the renegotiation of a production sharing contract in Angola
- Gazprombank - in connection with the $489 million project financing of the construction by SOCAR Polymer of petrochemical facilities in Sumqayit, Azerbaijan
- A major Russian oil company - advising on an international upstream joint venture agreement with another state oil company
- Qatar Petroleum - in connection with the contractual arrangements for the Al-Shaheen oil field
- Advising on the negotiation and drafting of a risk services agreement in Azerbaijan
- International offshore services company - on the establishment of a joint venture for the importation of a drilling rig into Nigeria
- A consortium of international oil companies - advising on oil lifting arrangements for a major offshore oil field in the Caspian
- Advising on transportation arrangements relating to the transportation of crude oil through the CPC pipeline
- Gazprombank - in connection with a US$1 billion prepayment facility to fund a joint venture between Gazprombank and PDVSA to further develop the Bachaquero Tierra and Lagunillas Tierra oil and gas fields in the western region of Venezuela
Mergers & Acquisitions
- Rosneft Oil Company - in relation to its multi-billion dollar sale to Trafigura of a 10% stake in Vostok Oil, a major world-class oil-producing project located in the Russian Arctic
- Sasol - on the sale to VAALCO Gabon S.A. of its 27.75% non-operated interest in the Etame Marin Permit and its 40% non-operated participating interest in Block DE-8 offshore Gabon
- Rosneft Oil Company - in relation to its multi-billion dollar sale to a joint venture comprising Vitol S.A. and Mercantile & Maritime Energy Pte. Ltd. of a 5% stake in Vostok Oil
- Cobalt International Energy Inc. - advising on the company’s US$1.75 billion sale to Sonangol EP of its interests in two blocks located offshore the Republic of Angola
- National oil company - on the potential purchase from two separate sellers of interests in the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) field in Azerbaijan, including interests in the related export pipelines
- Neptune - on the acquisition of interests from Apache Corporation in the Seagull development and Isabella prospect
- National oil company - on the sale of a company holding interests in two oil fields offshore Brazil
- Private equity-backed E&P company - on the purchase of interests in two UKCS licences
- Advising an international energy company on its farm-down of interests in two petroleum exploration licences in Namibia
- Repsol - on the c. US$8 billion acquisition of Talisman Energy
- GDF Suez - advising in connection with the acquisition of UK onshore shale licences from Dart Energy and subsequent sale to INEOS
- U.S. energy company - on the acquisition of a number of upstream interests in the Federal Republic of Nigeria
- National oil company - on the sale of its interest in a 50:50 pharmaceutical joint venture
- Advising a Middle-Eastern oil and gas company on the potential acquisition of licence and infrastructure interests in the North Sea
- U.S. oil and gas company - on the internal transfer of various upstream licenses in the Gulf of Mexico
- GDF Suez - advising in connection with the acquisition of various production sharing contract interests in Egypt, Libya and Qatar
- U.S. independent oil and gas company - advising on the sale of the entire issued share capital of a U.S. company holding an interest in a production sharing agreement in the Republic of Yemen
- South Asian conglomerate - advising on the sale of an interest in an oil and gas exploration license in Kazakhstan
- Advised a newly incorporated company on its acquisition of UKCS assets and its subsequent Initial Public Offering
- Dutch investment company - advising on the sale of its oil and gas division
- UK plc - advising on the acquisition of a North American oil and gas company
- Swedish oil and gas company - advising on the potential acquisition of a North Sea focused oil and gas company
- UK plc - advising on the possible acquisition of various North Sea oil and gas assets
Awards & Community
Ranked by Chambers UK as "Up & Coming" in Energy & Natural Resources: Oil & Gas, 2022 & 2023
Recognised in The Legal 500 UK, as a "Next Generation Partner" for Oil & Gas, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024
Recognised in The Legal 500 UK as a "Rising Star" in Oil & Gas, 2020
Recognised in The Legal 500 UK as a "Next Generation Lawyer" in Projects & Energy: Oil & Gas, 2017, 2018 & 2019
Recognised by Euromoney Legal Media Group as a "UK Rising Star" and "Energy & Natural Resources Rising Star," 2019
News
Ksi Lisims LNG’s Sale and Purchase Agreement with Shell Eastern Trading Pte Ltd
Global Legal ChronicleGlobal Legal Chronicle
Gas-Addicted Europe Trades One Energy Risk for Another
BloombergBloomberg
Baker Botts Represents Ksi Lisims LNG in LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement with Shell Eastern Trading Pte Ltd
Asian Gas Traders Move to London to Offload Leftover LNG
Bloomberg LawBloomberg Law
Baker Botts Named in Five Practice Categories, With Nine Individual Lawyer Rankings by The UK Chambers and Partners 2024
Industries bruised by energy crisis are moving into LNG trading
The Business TimesThe Business Times
Industries Bruised by Energy Crisis Are Moving Into LNG Trading
BNN BloombergBNN Bloomberg
Baker Botts Ranks in Eight Practice Categories, With 17 Lawyers Individually Recognized by The Legal 500 UK 2024
Baker Botts Represents Sempra Infrastructure on Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 Project
TotalEnergies, Swiss Trader MET Book New LNG Capacity in Germany
bloomberg.combloomberg.com
Baker Botts Represents Sempra Infrastructure in Strategic Partnership with ConocoPhillips for Port Arthur LNG
The return of the long-term LNG SPA
LNG IndustryLNG Industry
Baker Botts Acts for PAO Novatek on the 10% Stake in Arctic Transshipment LLC
5 Questions Energy Attorneys Are Hearing About Hydrogen
Law360Law360
Baker Botts launches carbon technology arm of energy law firm with eye to international clients
San Francisco ChronicleSan Francisco Chronicle
Baker Botts adds CCUS to its Global Hydrogen Practice Group
MRC PlastMRC Plast
Baker Botts launches carbon technology arm of energy law firm with eye to international clients
Houston Chronicle OnlineHouston Chronicle Online
Following Forward-Looking Energy Clients, Big Law Firms Add Hydrogen Practices
American Lawyer OnlineAmerican Lawyer Online
Baker Botts adds CCUS to its Global Hydrogen Practice Group
Gas Processing NewsGas Processing News
Baker Botts adds CCUS to its Global Hydrogen Practice Group
Hydrocarbon Processing OnlineHydrocarbon Processing Online
Following Forward-Looking Energy Clients, Big Law Firms Add Hydrogen Practices
Texas LawyerTexas Lawyer
Baker Botts Launches Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage Practice Group
POWER OnlinePOWER Online
Baker Botts adds CCUS to its hydrogen practice
Modern Power Systems - OnlineModern Power Systems - Online
With an increasing shift towards electrification and a lower carbon global economy, Baker Botts adds Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage to its Hydrogen Practice
The decision to formalize the firm's offering follows the establishment of the firm’s Global Hydrogen Practice Group back in JuneBaker Botts Continues London Growth with Addition of Leading Corporate Partner
Hydrogen's Future May Follow Path Blazed by Natural Gas
Bloomberg News OnlineBloomberg News Online
Euro Movers: Godwin Goes to Arnold & Porter, and More
Deal, TheDeal, The
Baker Botts Welcomes Prominent TMT M&A Partner
Thought Leadership
Section 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit - IRS Releases Proposed Regulations
Client UpdatesSpring Budget 2023: Key Energy Announcements
Client UpdatesCOP26: What Role for Hydrogen in the Journey to Net-Zero?
Client UpdatesHydrogen Update
Panel Discussion at Energy Trading Week: Going Green with Carbon Neutral LNG
Speeches & PresentationsBaker Botts is delighted to participate in Energy Trading Week's LNG In-Person and Online Event on October 5 - 15.
UK Government Releases Hydrogen Strategy Paper
Client UpdatesIntegrating Renewable PPAs Into Green Hydrogen Projects
Client UpdatesHydrogen Update
Lower-Carbon, Carbon-Neutral, and "Green" LNG
Client UpdatesLNG Update
Reducing Methane Emissions in the Energy Industry
Speeches & PresentationsGetting What You Paid For: Certification and Verification of Blue and Green Hydrogen
Client UpdatesLower-Carbon, Carbon-Neutral, and "Green" LNG
Speeches & PresentationsPractical Law Oil & Gas
Protecting Your Hydrogen Investment: Intellectual Property Issues
Client UpdatesHydrogen Update
Getting Ready for CCUS Take-off in the United States
Client UpdatesCCUS Update
Taxing for Takeoff: The Hydrogen Economy in the United States
Client UpdatesTax Update
World LNG Leaders' Panel: What New Business Models are Needed to Build the Industry through the Energy Transition?
Speeches & PresentationsCWC World LNG Virtual Summit
The UK's "Green Industrial Revolution" - Reactions to Boris Johnson's Ten-Point Plan
Client UpdatesEnergy Update
IEA Publishes Report on CCUS in the Clean Energy Transition
Client UpdatesCCUS Update
The FSRU Time Charter Party - Time for a Rethink?
Client UpdatesEU Commission on Hydrogen Strategy
Client UpdatesEnergy Update
HyDeploy Overview
Client UpdatesEnergy Update
Events
Recent
World LNG Summit
Gastech
Baker Botts Energy Lawyer School
World LNG Conference
Baker Botts Energy Lawyer School
Reducing Methane Emissions in the Energy Industry
Baker Botts & UK HFCA - Hydrogen Policy Update
Baker Botts & UK HFCA Webinar: Financing Hydrogen Projects
2021 World LNG Summit & Awards
Baker Botts is proud to be a sponsor of the upcoming World LNG Summit & Awards on November 30 - December 3 in Rome, Italy.
2021 Gastech Conference
We are proud to be part of the 2021 Gastech Conference on September 21-23 in Dubai.
The Case for Blue Hydrogen
UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association's Position Paper Launch
ACC MENA Energy Sector Group: Launch & Keynote on Hydrogen
Baker Botts is delighted to participate in the Associate Corporate Counsel's (ACC) launch of its new Middle East and North Africa energy sector group.
Baker Botts Energy Lawyer School
Baker Botts is delighted to invite you to our Energy Lawyer School commencing on the 16 March and finishing on 24 March 2021
CWC World LNG Virtual Summit
Baker Botts is proud to be a sponsor of the CWC World LNG Virtual Summit on December 1-4.