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 has a clientele that includes lenders, sponsors, development finance institutions and major global corporations.

Herbert Smith Freehills operates a formidable projects and energy group with eminent expertise in mining and infrastructure mandates. The group applies its profound knowledge to such matters as joint venture projects, acting for sponsors as well as investors. Further esteemed for its work in the power sector, and notably advising on high-profile renewable energy projects, the team has expertise that extends to knowledge of upstream and midstream oil and gas developments. The firm harnesses the Africa expertise in its Paris office to provide a distinguished francophone offering which is enhanced through its presence on the ground via its office in Johannesburg, as well as through the depth of its projects group in London.

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 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 Africa projects team 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 throughout 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. The opening of its Paris office in 2024 has significantly deepened its capabilities in francophone Africa.

A&O Shearman is home to a renowned project finance practice which frequently advises 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.

Ashurst fields an established team in the Africa projects space which acts on developments in the energy, mining and infrastructure sectors. The firm's robust workload in the oil and gas sector covers upstream, midstream and downstream matters. Equipped to handle corporate transactions as well as disputes, the group also offers strong capabilities in OHADA-governed matters.

King & Spalding is noted for its wide-ranging oil and gas expertise, with a long history at the forefront of major transactional work in the sector globally. It is also well versed in assisting clients with the financing and development of renewable energy projects. Further areas of experience include files concerning the rollout of new telecoms infrastructure. Key lawyers in the Africa group are based in the UK, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.