An International Energy Law Practice 

Legal Consultant                                             

Based in United Kingdom 

 

Eleonora Andrews-Smith is a US qualified lawyer with 30 years’ experience in oil and gas, the first 6 years of which were spent in the engineering and services sectors and the following 24 years with BP specialising in the hydrocarbons industry. 

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Career Summary 

Eleonora joined BP in 1997 supporting the North Africa assets ranging from the development and production of major gas processing projects onshore Algeria to evaluating and accessing onshore and offshore exploration plays in Libya. Later, she supported new upstream projects across multiple jurisdictions including India, Pakistan and onshore China. She also has experience of unconventional coal bed methane and shale gas projects in emerging markets. Eleonora provided access and project related legal support to build BP’s current hydrocarbons businesses in India and in Iraq, and has supported numerous joint venturing, joint bidding/AMIs and alliancing arrangements with various National Oil Companies and private energy companies globally. 

 

In 2012 as Managing Counsel for the International Exploration and Access Group, she managed a newly formed legal team supporting new access projects across numerous jurisdictions, such as Uruguay, Namibia, Brazil and Greenland, to name a few.  

 

In 2015, as Assistant General Counsel her initial remit covered BP’s current gas and LNG interests in Asia Pacific (Indonesia, China, Australia), as well as BP’s Angola and India oil and gas operational projects. 

 

In 2017 Eleonora assumed responsibility for BP’s recently formed Mauritania and Senegal Region aimed to provide LNG for global export and domestic gas in both Mauritania and Senegal. In this role she also had accountability for new exploration led activity in Madagascar, The Gambia, Ivory Coast and Sao Tome & Principe. 

 
Eleonora has proven experience advising on a range of matters to support hydrocarbon businesses including new country access and licensing/concession/production sharing agreements & requirements as well as associated agreements; due diligence & above ground legal risk assessments; upstream related acquisition & divestment activities; claims handling and dispute resolution & settlement; transportation & processing, gas sales, procurement, construction, and services contracts.  She also advised on the creation of incorporated & unincorporated joint ventures in multiple jurisdictions ensuring good corporate governance and processes to ensure transparency of legal reporting requirements and good management of the board of directors. 

 

 

Working History 

 

1997- 2020              BP  

2017-2020               Assistant General Counsel      Western and Southern Africa & India  

2015-2017               Assistant General Counsel      Angola, Indonesia, China, Australia & India 

2010-2015               Managing Counsel                 International Exploration & Access 

2003-2010               Senior Legal Advisor              India, Iraq, Pakistan & China 

1997- 2003              Legal Advisor                        North Africa 

  

1994-1997              European Marine Contractors Limited:  Sole Legal Advisor to an international pipeline/trunkline                                                                                                                                        contractor (KBR/Saipem). 

  

1990-1994               Bechtel Limited: Contract specialist to engineering and construction company and seconded to                                                                                             Eurotunnel for 18 months to the Channel Tunnel Project.