Christopher R. Skelton
Partner

Outline
Chris Skelton's practice relates primarily to large commercial transactions, with a specific focus on private investments and acquisitions, project joint ventures and project development.
Overview
Chris' practice also includes the formation of investment funds, joint ventures, related domestic and international corporate structuring and various commercial transactions in the mining and energy sectors.
Chris acts for US and Canadian private equity firms, and for international, multi-national and domestic energy and manufacturing firms, including major Canadian, US, Japanese, European and global upstream, midstream and integrated energy and industrial firms.
Client Work
Nippon Steel Corporation in the formation, together with Champion Iron and Sojitz, of the new multi-billion dollar "Kami" iron ore mine located in Newfoundland, Canada.
Nippon Steel Corporation in its 2023 $1.15-billion investment in Elk Valley Resources Ltd., a steelmaking coal business to be spun-out as an independent public company from Teck Resources Ltd.
Repsol Oil & Gas Canada Inc. in its US$468-million sale of all partnership interests of Repsol Canada Energy Partnership to Peyto Exploration & Development Corp.
Repsol S.A. and its Canadian subsidiaries in connection with the joint venture initial structuring, on-going investments in, and commercial arrangements relating to, the Saint John LNG Terminal (formerly, the "Canaport LNG Terminal") located in Saint John, New Brunswick.
Repsol S.A. in connection with its investment in, and establishment of long-term commercial arrangements with, Enerkem Inc., a Canadian biofuel and renewable chemical products company.
Gibson Energy Inc., in the structuring, formation, joint capitalization and development of a diluent recovery crude oil processing plant located in Hardisty, Alberta.
Recognitions & Awards
Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
Corporate Commercial Law
Lexpert Special Edition on Agribusiness & Cannabis
Recognized as one of Canada's leading lawyers in Agribusiness and Cannabis
Lexpert Special Edition—Canada's Leading Energy Lawyers
Recognized as a leading Energy lawyer
Lexpert Special Edition—Canada's Leading Infrastructure Lawyers
Recognized as a leading Infrastructure lawyer
Lexpert Special Edition—Canada's Leading M&A Lawyers
Recognized as a leading M&A lawyer
Related Services
Education & Bar Admissions
Education
- University of Saskatchewan, BComm, 1991
- University of Saskatchewan, LLB, 1992
Bar Admissions
- Alberta, 1993
Insights
Guide
The Upstream Oilfield Services Industry in Western Canada - A Backgrounder
November 24, 2016Kristos J. Iatridis, Christopher R. Skelton & Geoffrey P. Stenger
News, Events & Speaking Engagements
Announcement
Bennett Jones Recognized for Infrastructure Leadership in Lexpert's Special Edition on Infrastructure
May 6, 2026 & 22 more
Announcement
Fifty-Three Bennett Jones Lawyers Ranked in Lexpert's Special Editions on Finance and M&A
April 15, 2026 & 47 more
Announcement
42 Lawyers Recognized in Lexpert Special Edition: Energy and Mining 2024
September 9, 2024 & 34 more










