Middle East legal and business consultancy set up by Hugh Fraser looking forward to further growth in 2010

Training programme leads the way in business development thrust, with AGCC hosting legal Master Class

Legal and business consultancy, Hugh Fraser International (HFI), set up by Aberdeen-trained lawyer, Hugh Fraser is building on a solid 2009 which saw the firm advance by 10% to gross revenues of US$3.1 million despite the global financial crisis and recession. With its origins in the North Sea oil and gas industry, HFI continues to specialise in the internationalisation and expansion of energy sector clients in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

And this year HFI’s flagship training services programme is being expanded to include five specialist programmes including a new edition of its popular Master Class in International Oil and Gas Law and Contracts, which is being hosted through Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce in February 2010 (22nd+23rd) for business executives in the northeast of Scotland.

‘This two-day programme has been running successfully across the Middle East since 2007,’ says Hugh Fraser, HFI group managing partner. ‘Over 150 delegates have benefited from this broad-based, comprehensive course for oil and gas professionals seeking to extend their knowledge of the legal context of their work - from an understanding of state regulation and control, the principal contracts used in the industry, managing legal and commercial risks and managing claims and disputes.

‘The programme includes an in-depth look at production sharing contracts, joint operations agreements, drilling contracts and EPC contracts as well as asset deals and key developments being driven by geopolitics and technology.’

The objective of this HFI Master Class is to provide industry executives with a holistic overview of the legal and contractual process in an international context, and addresses the key trends and developments. Engineers, in-house lawyers, asset managers, and finance people from a wide range of organisations including Qatar Petroleum, RasGas, ADCO, RAK Petroleum, Production Services Network, Petrofac and Superior Energy Services have so far attended.

‘We are delighted that the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce has selected our Master Class as part of their 2010 training schedule, so we look forward to meeting clients, delegates and chamber members in Scotland on 22 and 23 February,’ says Hugh Fraser.

‘Based on current trends and objectives of the firm’s client base, we are expanding the training services schedule to include specialist one-day programmes on International Agency & Distribution Agreements, Setting Up New Ventures in the MENA Region, International Joint Ventures and International Acquisitions. There will be a specific focus on the MENA region but we believe these programmes also have relevance for North Sea companies involved in internationalisation.’

To book, contact Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce on +44 (0)1224 343900 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For details of the programme content, go to Masterclass at AGCC