Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom have taken the lead roles on the $1.7bn (£1.1bn) sale of BG Group's majority holding in Brazilian gas distribution company Comgas.

Freshfields led for BG Group with a team fielded by City corporate partner Graham Watson, alongside London managing partner Mark Rawlinson (pictured), Amsterdam corporate partner Robert ten Have, tax partner Sarah Falk and Eelco van der Stok.

Watson said: "This is our first major M&A transaction for BG Group and it highlights the continued attractiveness of the energy sector in Brazil.

"In addition, it underlines our growing strength working with Brazilian counsel to advise on high-profile Brazilian M&A – we are also currently advising Spanish infrastructure investor Abertis on a significant Brazilian motorway asset transaction."

Brazilian firm Mattos Filho Veiga Filho Marrey Jr & Quiroga acted as local counsel for BG.

Skadden advised the buyer – sugar and energy company Cosan – with a team comprising City corporate partner Shaun Lascelles, New York M&A partner Paul Schnell, Sao Paulo corporate partner Richard Aldrich and London tax partner Tim Sanders. The US firm worked alongside local counsel Vieira Rezende Barbosa & Guerreiro.

The role for Freshfields comes after the firm was appointed to BG Group's first-ever legal panel in October 2010 alongside Allen & Overy, Herbert Smith and CMS Cameron McKenna.

The deal is expected to be completed by the close of 2012.