E&P Senior Legal Counsel

TotalEnergies Group; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 550,863 - 734,484; Full time

Job summary

TOTAL Deutschland GmbH seeks an experienced E&P Senior Legal Counsel in Abu Dhabi, UAE, to provide legal support for E&P activities. This role involves minimizing legal risks, optimizing commercial positions, conducting negotiations, and drafting agreements.

The ideal candidate will have at least 15 years of experience in E&P law, with strong knowledge of petroleum and international business law, alongside a relevant law degree. The position will be pivotal in supporting internal governance and recent legal developments.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years’ experience in E&P law.
• Knowledge of petroleum law and international business law.

Responsibilities

• Provide necessary support and advice for E&P activities.
• Advise on terms of existing agreements and conduct negotiations.
• Draft, review, and validate new agreements and major contracts.
• Prevent disputes and litigation, defend interests in disputes.
• Stay informed on new laws and regulations affecting operations.

Skills

Petroleum law

International business law

Public law

Community law

Environmental law

Company law

Education

LL.B. Honors from civil/common law jurisdiction

Master's in petroleum law

Job description

Overview

The E&P Legal Department provides legal advice to all of the E&P affiliate in the UAE to protect the interest of TotalEnergies and minimize legal risks. The scope of the job includes many high value assets with complex and voluminous contractual arrangements. The Legal Department is involved with negotiations and legal discussions which can be protracted and require a flexible, pragmatic approach to achieving business objectives without compromise on legal issues.

Responsibilities

The E&P Senior Legal Counsel provides all necessary support and advice for the E&P activities of TotalEnergies in the UAE to: minimize legal risks; optimize our commercial position; and find pragmatic solutions to problems. Major activities are:

Negotiations and Agreements

• Advise on terms of existing agreements exploring alternative interpretations, potential risks, and the broader contractual or legal implications for TotalEnergies
• Participate in negotiations with the State, national companies and Joint Venture Partners
• Draft, review and validate new agreements and major contracts ensuring compliance with local legislation and protecting the Company’s interests
• Support Business Development teams during negotiations
• Conduct specialized legal research and prepare strategy briefs for upcoming negotiations and commercial projects

Disputes and Litigation

• Prevent disputes and litigation
• Defend the interests of TotalEnergies in the event of disputes or litigation (threatened or actual)

Additional Legal Support

• Stay informed on new Laws and Regulations affecting Company's operations, influence where possible, and alert/advise relevant Departments of new developments
• Screen and perform sanction checks on third party counterparts
• Support with internal governance and be the focal point with the central legal functions in HQ

Process Management

• Create, negotiate and validate agreements
• Monitoring and alert on UAE law
• Manage legal requirements of Company laws and ensure up-to-date corporate records

Requirements

Degree: Law — minimum requirement is LL.B. Honors from civil/common law jurisdiction (Europe, UK, US) but preferably master’s in petroleum law.

Experience: minimum 15 years’ experience in E&P law.

Knowledge/Skills: Petroleum law, international business law/public law; community law/environmental law; company law.

Additional Responsibilities

General responsibility to respect Company HSE policies and guidelines.

Provides legal assistance to E&P TEPUAE Non-Operated Assets.

Sanction & Ethic Officer for all the affiliates of TotalEnergies in the UAE.