A Travers Smith team led by Environment & Regulatory partner Doug Bryden, working alongside the law firm Baker Botts LLP, advised GDF SUEZ E&P UK Ltd on regulatory, environmental, planning and real estate legal matters associated with its recent entry into UK onshore shale gas.

GDF SUEZ's agreement with Dart Energy Limited to acquire a 25% share in 13 UK onshore petroleum exploration and development licences located in Cheshire and the East Midlands marks another significant investment in UK shale gas.

The Travers Smith team on this deal also included James Styles (Real Estate partner), Romola Parish (Planning associate) and James Nierinck (Environment & Regulatory associate).

This deal is the latest in a series of roles in which the Travers Smith Environment & Regulatory group has provided specialist support on energy and natural resources related projects.  During the summer the group has also advised on an investment into one of Europe’s largest gas powered Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants as well as regulatory issues on a number of significant PV solar projects. 

The group's focus on regulatory and environmental issues arising on energy and natural resources related projects has been further rewarded by a recent invitation to join the UK Government’s All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Unconventional Oil and Gas.