Freshfields advises Mercuria on landmark global energy trading joint venture with Eni

Global law firm Freshfields is advising longstanding Freshfields client Mercuria Energy Group (Mercuria), one of the largest independent energy and commodity groups in the world, on its entry into a joint venture with Eni S.p.A. (Eni), one of the world's leading integrated energy companies, to combine their respective global energy trading businesses.

The joint venture will bring together the physical and financial trading operations of both groups across oil, LNG, LPG, natural gas and biofuels, as well as associated shipping and storage activities. The combined business is expected to create a leading global energy trading platform with operations spanning Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the United States.

This latest mandate follows Freshfields' advice to Mercuria on its joint venture with Tata International Limited, announced in February 2026, further demonstrating Freshfields’ strength in complex cross-border energy and commodities transactions.

The proposed transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

The Freshfields team advising on the transaction is being led by partner Rhys Evans, senior associate Bethan Rodden and associates Charis Chan and Will Nicholson, with support from partner James Chapman, counsel Richard Ho and associate Tessie Chang.