Partner

Paula Kidd

Languages

English

Social media

Paula is a Partner in the Energy & Infrastructure team. She joined CMS in 2008 and has extensive experience in joint venture matters, commercial contracts, projects and M&A transactions, with a particular interest in decommissioning, decommissioning security and associated matters. Paula has particular experience in relation to innovative transaction and project structures seeking to support the industry as it continues to mature and transition. She also has experience in facilitating multi-party industry initiatives, bringing a wide range of participants together and performing a project management role in respect of suites of commercial contracts.

Paula is qualified in both Scotland and England & Wales. Paula is ranked in both the Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 directories as providing "very helpful advice".

Awards & Recognitions

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"Paula is a very safe pair of hands as well as a strong drafter."

Chambers, 2026
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"Paula is an industry expert and a go-to lawyer in the space."

Chambers, 2026
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"Paula Kidd is an excellent lawyer; sensible, pragmatic and very good at drafting."

Chambers, 2025
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"Paula is a very strong lawyer. She always makes herself available and she is very well thought of across the sector."

Chambers, 2025
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"Paula Kidd is a highly experienced oil and gas lawyer with very client friendly approach. Deep specialist knowledge in sector."

Legal 500, 2025
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"Paula Kidd is exceptional. Her ability to advise on complex indemnity regimes, structure project agreements is second to none."

Legal 500, 2025
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"Paula Kidd and Charlie Denham both provided an excellent service."

Legal 500, 2025
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"Paula is excellent. She's well-informed and gives comprehensive advice."

Chambers, 2024
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"She's an excellent lawyer. She's knowledgeable and could do this work any day of the week."

Chambers, 2024
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"Paula is pleasant to work with, gets into the weeds and is a very serious player to engage with."

Chambers, 2024
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"Paula will always go the extra mile. She's also very diligent and thoughtful in her advice.

Chambers, 2023
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"She is very pragmatic to deal with and really knows her stuff. She's a star of the future."

Chambers, 2023

Relevant experience

bp on the Andrew Field Duty Holder and Decommissioning Services Agreement in respect of Andrew Area decommissioning, including ancillary support in relation to Duty Holder transition and Intra field arrangements amongst the various Andrew Area field owners.
bp on the operational services and transfer of operatorship arrangements as part of the formation of the Azule joint venture (Angola).
bp on the transition and operational services agreements in respect of the disposal of to Perenco (Trinidad)
EnQuest as Sullom Voe Terminal Operator in relation to Construction and Tie-In, Crossing Agreements, and Operating, Maintenance and Services Agreement in respect of ESP Pipeline including assumption of duties as pipeline operator.
Fairfield Energy in renegotiation of duty holder contract with AMEC for Greater Dunlin Assets
EnQuest plc in relation to the sale of an interest in the Bressay Field and share in the EnQuest Producer FPSO to RockRose Energy, including SPA negotiation, FPSO Bill of Sale and re-flagging of vessel from Curacao to Panama.
Humber Gathering System Limited on innovative and collaborative Tolmount Project Agreements including decommissioning security agreements, pipeline construction agreements and block crossing agreements.
Acting as lead facilitator on a number of industry projects including supporting EnQuest in leading a working group of 21 Sullom Voe Terminal Owners on a proposal to implement cost sharing arrangements.
Advising on a number of M&A transactions including retention of seller decommissioning liability and associated decommissioning agreements

Education

2008 – Dip.L.P., University of Aberdeen
2007 – LLB (Hons), University of Aberdeen

Practice Areas

Mergers & Acquisitions

sectors

Energy & Climate Change Oil & Gas

Insights

Global Reach

UK Pay Gap Report 2024