Projects & Energy: Oil & Gas | Global

A leader in the African projects and energy market, Clifford Chance demonstrates top-drawer capability in power, oil and gas, infrastructure and mining. The group is highly adept in supporting sponsors and lenders through the design, building, financing and operation of projects across the continent. Its lawyers possess notable expertise in novel IPP and power mandates across the full array of renewable energy areas, from hydropower to wind, solar and geothermal. The department is also frequently mandated on corporate matters, commercial agreements and international disputes, including significant matters handled on behalf of major mining houses. With key strengths in its Paris and London offices, the firm's clientele includes lenders, sponsors, development finance institutions and major global corporations.

White & Case operates a prominent energy and projects group with impressive capabilities across Africa. The firm applies its extensive energy expertise to the financing and development of significant mining projects, frequently acting as counsel to lenders and sponsors. It is further sought after for its experience advising on high-profile oil and gas matters, covering complex finance and commercial issues particularly in the LNG space. Regularly instructed on infrastructure and power projects, the team frequently assists with various commercial advisory and transactional issues stemming from such work, including private equity investments. Key hubs for the firm's African projects team include London, Paris and Johannesburg.

Baker Botts is a well-regarded US law firm with a strong track record in energy and natural resources. The firm demonstrates an impressive capability regarding oil and gas matters, handling project structuring, block acquisitions and development, as well as M&A and joint ventures. The team advises sponsors and developers on such issues as IPP programmes and financing. The department represents an impressive array of global and regional oil companies, including state-owned entities.

The London office of Bracewell is well known for its comprehensive and wide-ranging energy practice, which has longstanding capabilities in oil and gas. The firm's lawyers are regularly mandated on transactions relating to hydrocarbon assets in Western, Central and Eastern Africa. The team is well reputed for its handling of upstream deals, including interest and asset acquisitions, as well as assisting with corporate and debt restructuring. It is further well equipped to handle contentious proceedings arising from energy projects.

King & Spalding demonstrates significant oil and gas expertise, handling large-scale LNG projects and oilfield developments for major private and publicly owned oil companies. The practice further assists with M&A in the sector, as well as joint ventures and other commercial agreements. The department runs matters from its Houston, London and Paris offices and is especially prominent in North Africa, with an increasing presence on energy projects in sub-Saharan Africa. Its lawyers are also equipped to handle disputes and power plant developments, with notable experience in gas IPP programmes.

Latham & Watkins is a high-profile international law firm with a well-regarded oil and gas practice that possesses considerable expertise in African projects. The firm acts for a variety of public and private sector clients, including governments and governmental bodies, financial institutions and developers. The practice is primarily led from the firm's London office and is mandated on significant deals in West Africa.

Linklaters operates an outstanding practice group that is often mandated on major transactions by all types of project parties, including some of Africa's largest project financing matters. The firm advises sponsors and lenders on high-profile energy and infrastructure projects as well as handling a range of related corporate matters. Linklaters possesses significant strength in oil and gas, acting on a number of large-scale upstream and LNG projects. Additionally, the team advises on notable mining and renewables mandates. Demonstrating a strong presence in the anglophone, francophone and lusophone markets, the practice is bolstered by the firm's extensive network across the continent, most significantly by its alliance with Webber Wentzel in South Africa.

This is a renowned team with a strong project finance practice, frequently advising major regional and international development finance institutions (DFIs) and banks on syndicated finance transactions in Africa. The team is notably active on the financing of mining and oil and gas projects, with extensive project development experience, including the negotiation of EPC contracts. A formidable presence in power projects with considerable experience acting for lenders, sponsors and developers, the firm holds additional expertise in infrastructure, wind, hydro and thermal. Allen & Overy is set to merge with Shearman & Sterling in the first half of 2024, further bolstering the group's projects capabilities, particularly with regard to oil and gas and mining.