Norton Rose Fulbright and Pinsent Masons have landed the leading roles on a deal that will see Falkland Oil & Gas (FOGL) acquire fellow exploration company Desire Petroleum.

The combination of the two Falklands companies, which will create an entity worth around $250m (£156m), will see FOGL’s shareholders own 60% of the combined group’s issued share capital after the offer closes, with Desire stakeholders owning the remainder.