Ben Cansdale
Clayton Utz
A lawyer who seems to have the ability to cover the whole field of legal advice
– client testimonial
Ben brings specialist knowledge and exceptional experience in advising on energy and resources projects, particularly in respect of sale, processing and transportation arrangements, M&A transactions, joint ventures, infrastructure and project development for petroleum, minerals, renewables, water and hydrogen. He is highly regarded for his strategic advice on complex commodity, infrastructure and services projects in the Australian energy and resources sectors. Ben is recognised as a "Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch" in Australia – Energy, Natural Resources and Oil and Gas Law (2024 & 2023), ''Rising Star Partner'' in Project Development - IFLR1000 (2024 & 2023), as a "recommended lawyer" in energy in Doyles Guide, and selected in Best Lawyers Guide for expertise in Energy and Natural Resources (2025).
- APLNG CSG-LNG Project: acted as a lead lawyer on the project, advising gas sales, transportation, compression and processing agreements, regulatory approvals, joint ventures, and project development.
- Senex Energy: advised on gas supply arrangements supporting its Queensland developments including regulatory approvals, land access, project development and gas sales and transportation agreements associated with Senex's Western Surat and Atlas Projects.
- Origin Energy: acted as one of the lead legal counsels for commodity, joint venture and M&A transactions, including the acquisition and development of various onshore and offshore petroleum assets in Queensland and Victoria.
- Major energy proponent: acts on its new green hydrogen and ammonia developments.
- Pacific National: acted in the negotiation and documentation of rail haulage arrangements, restructuring agreements and haulage terms.
- Consortium of sellers led by Brookfield and Macquarie: advised on the US$2.15bn sale (plus deferred contingent payments and 36 royalties) of Quadrant Energy to Santos.
- Beach Energy: advised on the structuring and sale of a 40% interest in its iconic Otway petroleum assets in offshore Victoria to OG Energy.