Robert Froehlich
Partner, Canadian Head of Energy
Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
Biography
Robert Froehlich is the Canadian head of our energy practice and the chair of our Calgary business law group. Robert advises domestic and international clients on a diverse range of corporate and commercial matters, with a specific focus on the energy industry. He provides practical and strategic advice to clients on transactions and projects across the energy sector, including on liquefied natural gas, conventional and unconventional upstream petroleum and natural gas, coalbed methane, heavy oil and oilsands, pipeline and midstream, refining, electricity and renewable power.
Robert's experience includes providing structuring advice and negotiating and drafting complicated agreements associated with some of Canada's most significant energy projects. Robert regularly acts as lead counsel on significant asset acquisitions and divestitures, private merger and acquisition transactions, complex corporate restructurings, joint-ventures, partnerships and a range of other commercial arrangements that underlie the development of energy projects.
Professional experience
Collapse allJ.D., University of Calgary, 2006
B.A., University of Calgary, 2002
- Alberta 2007
Matters in which Robert has acted include the following:
- PETRONAS and its affiliates with the acquisition of a 25% participating interest in the LNG Canada Project from affiliates of Shell, PetroChina and KOGAS; following the completion of the acquisition, Robert has continued to advise PETRONAS on its investment in the LNG Canada project
- Kiwetinohk Resources Corp. in connection with its C$160 million acquisition of upstream oil and gas assets in the Duvernay and Simonette Areas of Alberta
- Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure Ltd. in connection with its approximate C$275 million acquisition of the Prince George Refinery from Husky Energy Inc. and the associated negotiation of a long-term refined fuel products offtake agreement between Tidewater and Husky
- A publicly traded Canadian oil and gas company in a recent series of asset disposition transactions for total proceeds in excess of C$2 billion
- Mocal Energy Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of JX Nippon Oil and Gas Exploration Corporation) in connection with its US$730 million disposition of a 5% participating interest in the Syncrude oilsands project to Suncor Energy Ventures Partnership
- PETRONAS and its wholly owned Canadian subsidiary, PETRONAS Energy Canada Ltd., in connection with a series of dispositions of participating interests in the integrated Pacific NorthWest LNG Project to affiliates of Japan Petroleum Exploration Corporation Ltd., PetroleumBRUNEI, Indian Oil Corporation, Sinopec and China Huadian Corporation
- PETRONAS Carigali Canada Ltd. in its approximate C$5.8 billion acquisition of Progress Energy Resources Corp. Following this transaction, Robert has continued to advise PETRONAS and its affiliates on developing an upstream shale gas and associated LNG export project (the currently halted Pacific NorthWest LNG Project), including negotiating and drafting the upstream and LNG project agreements
- JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation in its US$435 million investment in the British Columbia coal assets of Xstrata Coal Canada Limited and the negotiation and preparation of an associated joint venture arrangement
- PETRONAS Carigali Sdn Bhd in its approximate C$1.1 billion acquisition of shale gas assets from Progress Energy Resources Corp. and the negotiation and drafting of an associated upstream joint venture agreement and LNG export joint venture agreement
- First Solar Inc. and First Solar Development (Canada), Inc. in connection with the development of 95 MW of commercial solar power projects in Sarnia, Ontario, and the associated disposal thereof to Enbridge Inc.
- Best Lawyers in Canada: Oil and Gas Law, 2019-2025; Energy Law, Corporate Law, 2024-2025
- Chambers Canada, Nationwide: Oil & Gas (Transactional), Chambers and Partners, 2020-2025
- Legal 500 Canada: Energy and natural resources: Oil and gas (Leading Partners), 2021-2025
- Chambers Global, Canada: Oil & Gas (Transactional), Chambers and Partners, 2021-2024
- Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory: consistently recommended in Corporate Commercial Law, Energy (Oil & Gas), 2022-2024
- Campbell McLaurin Achievement Award recognizing academic excellence and significant contribution to the University of Calgary Faculty of Law, 2006
- Talisman Energy Undergraduate Scholarship in Law, 2005
- Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, Joe Rudd Scholarship, 2005
- De Villars Jones Prize in Administrative Law, 2005
- John A. MacPherson, Q.C. Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in Advocacy, 2005
- Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, Canadian Rounds, Final Round Top Oralist and International Rounds, Competition Top Oralist, 2005
- Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP Scholarship, 2004
- John D. Petrie Memorial Bursary in Law, 2004
- Borden Ladner Gervais LLP Research Fellowship, 2004
- University of Calgary Blackstone Debate Competition, Top Oralist, 2004
- University of Calgary Faculty of Law Dean’s List, 2004-2006
- University of Calgary Faculty of Social Science Dean’s List, 2000-2002
- Canadian Bar Association
- Law Society of Alberta
- Calgary Bar Association
- Canadian Energy Law Foundation, director
- Association of International Petroleum Negotiators