Ashurst, SNR Denton land Centrica-Qatargas deal

The sale-and-purchase agreement will see the Qatari state-run gas supplier sell 2.4 million tonnes per year of liquified natural gas (LNG) from its Qatargas 4 project to ­Centrica’s Isle of Grain ­terminal near London. The first delivery of LNG is expected to arrive next month (June).

Ashurst is acting for ­longstanding client Centrica on the deal, with energy partner Anthony Patten leading.

Qatargas turned to SNR Denton for advice.

Patten said: “Centrica’s a key client for Ashurst and we’re delighted to have had the opportunity to work with them on such an ­interesting and important deal for the UK and for ­Centrica. We look forward to continuing to support them in the future.”

The relationship between Centrica and Ashurst was cemented last year when the company’s then general counsel Peter Roberts left to join the energy team at the City firm.

Ashurst has since advised on a string of upstream and downstream projects for the gas giant.

Previous UK counsel for Centrica have included Allen & Overy, Eversheds, Herbert Smith, Linklaters and Slaughter and May.