Legal Counsel

CNOOC International Limited is a global energy company with its business in Asia, Africa, Americas, Middle East and Europe. The company is committed to building a safe, healthy and sustainable energy development model. At present, we’re moving steadily towards the goal of becoming a world‑class energy company with a global vision, global strategy and global compliance operation. Our successful growth as an upstream oil and gas producer has been achieved by consistently finding and developing world‑class assets. Our business is focused on safely exploring and producing from conventional offshore, unconventional and oil sands assets.

As part of the CNOOC Group of companies, which span the entire energy supply chain, our size and capability create a competitive advantage that ensures we deliver long‑term value. Our growth strategy is to safely and sustainably develop our high‑quality portfolio to deliver energy for all.

At CNOOC International, we take pride in our corporate culture. From East to West, we foster an ethical, responsible and safety‑first mindset to build trust among our stakeholders. Bold ideas, diverse perspectives and the determination to fuel our success are what set us apart. Working for us means no matter what you do, you can make an immediate impact.

CNOOC International is one of the largest and most reputable oil producers in the UK North Sea. We are the operator of the Buzzard, Golden Eagle and Scott platforms. Our business strategy is to maximize the value of our existing portfolio while creating new opportunities for global growth.

We are seeking a Legal Counsel to join the UK Legal Team based in Aberdeen. The role itself will report to the Head of UK Legal, who’s based in our Uxbridge office, and will work closely with the Senior Legal Counsel roles in the Aberdeen office. As part of the wider CNOOC legal group, the role provides legal support and advice across multiple business functions, with a primary focus on upstream operations on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS).

The role supports key stakeholders by advising on a broad range of commercial and operational legal matters, including joint operating agreements, transportation and sales agreements, and other asset‑related contracts. It also includes providing legal input on late‑life asset management and decommissioning activities, as well as supporting asset transactions such as acquisitions, divestments, and interest transfers, including associated due diligence.

The Legal Counsel is expected to have a strong understanding of the UKCS regulatory environment, including health, safety, and environmental requirements, and to deliver commercially focused, pragmatic advice to both operational and non‑legal stakeholders within a fast‑paced environment. The role also involves managing and coordinating external legal counsel for specialist upstream, regulatory, or transactional matters, as required.

In addition, the position requires excellent drafting, negotiation, and communication skills, with the ability to manage complex contractual and risk issues independently, while supporting corporate governance and compliance objectives across the business.

The ideal candidate will be a qualified solicitor in England and Wales or Scotland with several years’ post‑qualification experience. They will be comfortable working with a high degree of independence, managing a varied and demanding workload, and exercising sound judgement in prioritising tasks and meeting deadlines with minimal supervision.

Experience within an in‑house energy legal team is preferred, although candidates seeking their first in‑house role will be considered where they can demonstrate relevant in‑house secondment experience, particularly in relation to UK Continental Shelf matters. A strong client‑focused approach is essential, with the ability to balance legal risk against commercial objectives and communicate clear, practical advice to stakeholders.

The role requires excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal capability, and the ability to work effectively within cross‑functional teams as a collaborative and proactive team player. A high level of IT proficiency is also expected, including the effective use of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel to support legal delivery.

In this role, you can participate in our Compressed Work Schedule (CWS), which offers two Fridays off per month in exchange for an additional 45 minutes of work each day. You will work collaboratively with colleagues in the office from Monday to Thursday, and from home on a Friday, when not on a CWS day. Additionally, we provide free lunches for all employees.

In return for your dedication, we offer a comprehensive total rewards package that acknowledges your contributions and supports your family. Our standard benefits include competitive healthcare and dental coverage, company‑paid life insurance and accident coverage, generous vacation time, and a competitive company pension plan with a substantial match and company contribution. We also provide a complimentary annual health check.

We are committed to our deliverables, but we also know how to have fun. We host several wellness challenges each year to support mental, physical, financial, and social health. Our team members also engage in community support through financial contributions and volunteer initiatives.

Only applicants who are authorised to work in the UK, without company sponsorship, on a full‑time, permanent basis will be considered. Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.