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, construction, 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, as well as a market-leading office in Casablanca, the firm has a clientele that includes lenders, sponsors, sovereign governments, development finance institutions and major global corporations.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer 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.

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 geothermal. Its standout Casablanca office positions the firm well to handle projects files in Morocco.

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. The opening of its Paris office in 2024 significantly deepened Bracewell's capabilities in francophone Africa.

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.

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.

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.

Hunton Andrews Kurth is an established name well known for its representation of governments and state utilities in power sector development and strategy, notably involving the rollout of IPP frameworks. The team has keen experience in the renewables space, including off-grid energy matters. The firm demonstrates particular expertise in power purchase agreements, as well as acting for international financial institutions on their involvement in state-run programmes across Africa. With further experience in infrastructure and PPP mandates, as well as project financing and O&M concessions, the team demonstrates a strong geographic reach across the continent, with particular activity in East and West Africa.