Energy & Natural Resources: International
Global Guide 2024 : Singapore
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+65 6671 6000Chambers Review
A&O Shearman has an established legal practice in Singapore handling both project development and financing. The Singapore-based team is bolstered by the firm's impressive international network and is able to provide strong service by drawing on resources from across the firm's network of offices in the region, offering particularly notable strength in Indonesia and Vietnam. The firm frequently advises heavyweight financial institutions and regional project sponsors on headline oil and gas, power, mining and infrastructure mandates, as well as LNG. The practice is active on the renewable energy front in the region, with recent activity on major solar, hydropower and wind projects. The team is experienced in acquisitions and disposals in the energy and natural resources space, as well as joint venture arrangements related to the energy transition, in addition to advising on energy transition and green energy more broadly. The firm has a varied client base including prominent developers as well as ECAs, and commercial and development banks. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.
The firm's India desk is well regarded for the strength of its financing practice in the energy and mining sectors, regularly advising prominent Indian companies in this space. Scott Lovell is a key client contact for India-related work.
The firm regularly handles project finance and development work in Indonesia, as well as transactional matters, leveraging its association with Ginting & Reksodiputro in Jakarta. The team advised the lenders on the financing of the RDMP Balikpapan Refinery Upgrade Project, Phase 1, in Indonesia. Scott Lovell and William McCormack are key contacts for the firm's Indonesia desk in Singapore.
The Singapore office also has a marked focus on the Malaysian market, with strong capabilities in financings, M&A and refinancings. It often represents local and global financiers, as well as Malaysian GLCs. Singapore-based James Mythen is a key point of contact for the Malaysia desk.
The Singapore team is adept at handling acquisitions as well as project development and financing relating to the Philippines. It is especially active on infrastructure projects and transactions in the energy sector. The team advised Aboitiz InfraCapital on its partnership with EdgeConneX to develop a data centre platform in the Philippines. William McCormack is a key contact.
The firm has an excellent practice conversant with project development and financing that regularly acts for major investors and lenders on their energy projects in Vietnam. The Singapore office regularly represents foreign clients in inbound investments to Vietnam. William McCormack is a key contact.
Work Highlights
- The firm advised IFC and its parallel lenders on the refinancing of the Asahan-1 hydropower project in Indonesia.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They are fantastic. We do the maximum engagements we can with them. They have tremendous expertise."
"They have the ability to handle complex transactions and bring them to closure effectively and in a time-bound manner."
"It is really a pleasure to work with the team."
"Their strengths are responsiveness, solution-oriented advice, excellent sectoral knowledge and willingness to invest in building the client relationship."
"I appreciated that they were able to anticipate possible issues re implementation and so were able to let us know whether documents as written were actually contemplating those issues."
"They are fantastic. We do the maximum engagements we can with them. They have tremendous expertise."
"They have the ability to handle complex transactions and bring them to closure effectively and in a time-bound manner."
"It is really a pleasure to work with the team."
"Their strengths are responsiveness, solution-oriented advice, excellent sectoral knowledge and willingness to invest in building the client relationship."
"I appreciated that they were able to anticipate possible issues re implementation and so were able to let us know whether documents as written were actually contemplating those issues."
Notable Practitioners
William McCormack has a long-standing reputation in the market as a leading project finance and development lawyer in Singapore. He demonstrates expertise in matters involving Indonesia and Vietnam.
"Bill has a fantastic reputation as a deal maker."
Scott Lovell is an established figure in Singapore's legal market and is active on energy project financing across the region. He has particular expertise in matters involving Indonesia and Vietnam.
Ong Kok Jin earns recognition for his practice advising on M&A matters and joint venture transactions, with particular strength in renewables deals.
"He is a delight to work with. He has strong analytical skills and is responsive and personable."
"He has been most talented and valuable in the M&A project we did. He has the capability to figure out what the client is concerned about and drive the process very well."
Ranked Lawyers at
A&O Shearman
Singapore