James E. Atkin

"James Atkin has deep LNG industry knowledge, is always responsive and delivers practical, workable solutions to various issues."
Legal 500 UK, Energy and natural resources: Oil and gas client

"James Atkin is very knowledgeable and efficient."
Chambers UK, Energy & Natural Resources: Oil & Gas client

"James Atkin is an extremely well rounded lawyer due to his knowledge and experience."
Chambers UK, Energy & Natural Resources: Oil & Gas client

“Very down to earth and user-friendly. He understands relationship building and is willing to go the extra mile to help his clients.”
Chambers UK, Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading client

“He's very knowledgeable of the industry, very easy to work with and very efficient.”
Chambers UK, Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading client

James’ practice focuses on advising companies in the Energy and Infrastructure sector with their international energy investments.

Widely recognised as a leading energy lawyer, James advises clients on transactions in Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Africa, and North America. He has extensive experience advising on the structuring and development of large-scale oil and gas projects, LNG sale arrangements, and energy-related mergers and acquisitions. James also supports clients at the forefront of the energy transition, advising on the structuring of liquid hydrogen and green ammonia projects and product sale arrangements.

Experience

Representative matters

Acting for a leading European energy company on the negotiation of a green ammonia off-take agreement for supply from a proposed multi-phase green hydrogen and ammonia production and export facility to be developed in North America.

Representing a project developer on a planned liquid hydrogen export project to be developed in Europe. It is a “first-of-its-kind” energy transition deal, sourcing green energy from offshore wind which will be used to produce hydrogen, which will then be liquefied and exported to end-customers in the transportation sector in North-West Europe.

Represented an Asian energy company on the negotiation of all aspects of their participation in an operational LNG export facility in the United States, including gas supply and transportation, equity participation, tolling capacity, and LNG sale arrangements.

Advised an Asian utility company on a long-term LNG supply agreement with an European energy company.

Supporting a project developer on the development of a proposed floating LNG export project in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, including negotiation of long-term LNG sales and equity arrangements.

Acting for an international energy company on the negotiation of a long-term LNG sale and purchase agreement for LNG to be produced from the Qatar North Field East Project.

Assisted a trading company with the negotiation of multiple LNG sale and purchase agreements across Europe for LNG delivery to LNG trucks.

Acted for an international trading company on the negotiation of a long-term LNG sale and purchase agreement for LNG offtake from the planned Arctic LNG 2 Project.

Represented an Asian utility company on the negotiation of various LNG trades in the Atlantic Basin and Pacific Basin.

Advised a European energy company on a location swap LNG transaction.

Represented a project developer on the divestment of their equity interest in a greenfield LNG project being developed in North America.

Acted for an energy trading company on the acquisition of the LNG trading business of an Asian energy company.

Represented an Asian utility company on a planned equity investment in, and LNG off-take from, a liquefaction plant being developed in Mexico.

Advised an Asian energy company on a proposed tolling arrangement at the Jordan Cove LNG Project.

Assisted an Indian energy company on the procurement of LNG for a floating regasification plant in India.

Represented a Japanese trading company in connection with the off-take and on-sale of LNG from a proposed liquefaction project in West Africa.

Represented an independent energy company on the negotiation of LNG sales arrangements from the Wheatstone LNG Project in Australia.

Represented a project company with respect to the conduct of its marketing and LNG sales arrangements for the development of an LNG project in Gladstone, Queensland, Australia.

Represented a project company with respect to the negotiation and drafting of multiple long-term time-charter parties for the proposed delivery of LNG from an Australian Greenfield project on a DES basis.

Represented an importer of LNG into a Middle Eastern country that utilizes floating storage and onboard regasification.

Represented the operator on the restart of oil production at a block in the Republic of Yemen, including the drafting and negotiation of oil transportation and marketing documentation for an alternative export route.

Acted for an AIM listed company on the proposed acquisition of interests in two off-shore licence areas in Angola.

Advised an independent energy company on the planned divestment of an interest in off-shore acreage in Nigeria.

Advised a client on a unique security arrangement for the supply of line-pipe for gas production wells, secured against future gas production.

Assisted a Japanese trading company in relation to the acquisition of an interest in the West Qurna 1 oil project in Federal Iraq and ongoing asset related matters.

Represented a Japanese trading company on the negotiation of the license and joint operating arrangements for the development of a gas field in Southern Africa.

Represented an international oil and gas company on the acquisition of a company with an indirect interest in two oil and gas fields in Kazakhstan.

Represented an international oil and gas company on the proposed farm-in to various production sharing interests in off-shore India.

Represented BG International Limited during negotiations of the exploration and production sharing agreement executed with the Government of the Sultanate of Oman for Block 60 onshore.

Represented an international oil and gas company on the proposed farm-in to certain Blocks in off-shore Equatorial Guinea.

Represented an Indian energy company on the proposed Ras Issa refinery project in Yemen.

Represented an international oil company on various issues in relation to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium Project.

Represented a member of the EPC contractor consortium responsible for the procurement and supply of line pipe for a pipeline through the Black Sea.

Represented a U.S. energy company on regulatory issues arising from a proposed open access pipeline linking the Norwegian Continental Shelf to the Bacton Terminal.

Represented a Japanese trading company on the proposed assignment of various joint venture arrangements over uranium mining interests in Canada.

Represented a Japanese trading company on the restructuring of the financing of a chrome mining project in South Africa.

Represented a Japanese trading company on uranium trading arrangements.

Represented a Japanese trading company on the recovery of a debt owing from a copper-producing project in Mongolia.

Recognitions

Ranked in Chambers UK for UK-wide Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading, 2022-2026, and for UK-wide Energy & Natural Resources: Oil & Gas, 2024-2026
Ranked in Chambers Global for UK Energy & Natural Resources: Oil & Gas, 2024-2025
Listed as Highly Regarded in IFLR1000 Global for United Kingdom, Project Development, M&A, 2022-2024 and for Japan Restructuring and Insolvency, M&A, and Project Development, 2022