Erlend L. Solberg

Jan Einar Barbo

Norway’s offshore and shipping sectors are recognised worldwide, grounded in the country’s long-standing maritime heritage. The growth of a strong petroleum industry has created further opportunities for shipowners, shipyards and high-tech suppliers.

Offshore and shipping are international industries – and Arntzen Grette has built an international practice to serve them. We assist suppliers, shipyards and shipping companies with transactions and financing, disputes, contractual advice and construction projects. These are often large-scale, capital-intensive undertakings that require deep sector expertise and the ability to navigate complex legal and commercial landscapes.

We provide the expertise our clients need to identify risks and seize opportunities – and through our extensive international network of legal partners, we deliver seamless support across jurisdictions.

We have advised leading players in the offshore and shipping sectors on a range of high-profile and strategically important projects, including:

 – advised on multiple FPSO projects in Norway and Brazil

– advised on the acquisition of WesternGeco’s offshore seismic operations

– advised on several major offshore construction contracts carried out in Korea

 – advised on the construction of Havfarmen, the world’s largest offshore fish farming facility

Areas of expertise

Financing

Tax law

Oil and gas

Renewable energy

Shearwater has acquired streamers and related seismic equipment for a total cash consideration of USD 50 million. The company further purchased six seismic acquisition vessels for a total consideration of USD 127.5 million.

“These investments allow us to significantly extend the commercial life of our fleet and streamer pool and to accelerate our fleet renewal program to meet regulatory and public expectations facing our industry. By extending the runway of our asset base and maintaining our scale, we are proactively strengthening Shearwater’s position to invest in new technologies and the growing seabed market,” said Irene Waage Basili, the CEO of Shearwater.

Shearwater Geoservices was established in 2016 and is headquartered in Bergen. The company is owned by Rasmussengruppen, GC Rieber Shipping, Schlumberger and Eidesvik.

Arntzen de Besche Advokatfirma AS has acted as legal advisor to Shearwater in connection with the transactions. Carnegie has acted as financial advisor and Crux Advisers has acted as communications advisor to Shearwater.

The core team from Arntzen de Besche advising Shearwater in the transaction has consisted of Lars Horgen Hinze, Trond Kildal, Erlend L. Solberg, Svein Terje Tveit, Anne Kathrine Sande, Christian Willumsen Haug, Paul G. Hagelund and Torjus Midttun Otterbech.

Offshore and shipping

What we have done

Shearwater Geoservices acquires streamers and vessels