Clifford Chance (CC) and Dechert have won leading roles on Shell's £3bn ($3.8bn) disposal of North Sea assets to Chrysaor Holdings.

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) and White & Case have also secured mandates.

CC is advising Shell alongside the oil major's 650-lawyer in-house team, which is headed by group general counsel Donny Ching.

The magic circle firm's team on the deal is being led by London energy partner and Shell relationship partner John Wilkins, and City corporate partner Graham Phillips.

Dechert is acting for UK-headquartered exploration and production company Chrysaor, which is being funded on this deal by Harbour Energy.

Bond Dickinson is also advising Chrysaor, with a team led by oil and gas head Paul Stockley.

White & Case is advising Harbour Energy with a team led by London private equity partners Ian Bagshaw and Richard Jones. The investment vehicle is owned by EIG Global Energy Partners.

The lending banks were advised by WFW City finance partner Joe Levin.

The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the second half of 2017.

Last year, magic circle firms Allen & Overy and CC both secured coveted places on Shell's legal panel alongside Eversheds, Norton Rose Fulbright, Baker & McKenzie and Reed Smith.

The six-month review process was led by Canada-based associate general counsel for disputes, strategy and coordination Gordon McCue.

McCue reviewed more than 200 firms in order to reach the final six. The panel will be in place for four years, with rates being reviewed in May 2018.