Energy
The Lawyer
Bosnia and Herzegovina prepares draft law on natural gas download
The draft law governs the organisation and functioning of the natural gas sector.
Planning applications: Burridge v Breckland District Council weblink
Case considers whether planning application, which itself proposes a ‘below the EIA threshold’ development, must be treated as part of a wider project.
Incentives system for green energy finally defined by law download
The Republic of Srpska National Assembly adopted the Law on Renewable Energy and Efficient Co-generation on 25 April 2013.
Shale gas exploration: European Commission postpones stakeholders' event to 7 June 2013 download
On 23 March 2013 the European Commission closed the consultation on unconventional fossil fuels (e.g. shale gas) in Europe.
REITs and renewables: an emerging combination download
This presentation by Chadbourne & Parke focuses on real-estate investment trusts (REITs) and renewable energy.
Allen & Overy advises SINOPEC Engineering on IPO offering
Allen & Overy advises SINOPEC Engineering.
European Commission's proposed anti-dumping tariffs cast shadow over UK solar weblink
The European Commission’s proposed anti-dumping tariffs could cause a fresh wave of uncertainty in the UK solar photonics industry.
BDR Waste PFI project shortlisted for Partnership award
The BDR Waste PFI — on which Walker Morris advised — has been shortlisted for the ‘Best Waste/Energy/Water Project’ at the national Partnership Awards.
EPA reduces natural gas GHG estimates; Pennsylvania reaffirms property law on 'minerals' download
Two recent legal developments have provided some positive news for the US shale gas industry.
Walker Morris set to attend All-Energy 2013
The Walker Morris Renewables, Energy & Resources Group will be exhibiting at All-Energy 2013.
IRS speaks on start of construction download
The ABA Tax Section’s May meeting hosted a panel discussion concerning the IRS’s start of construction guidance (Notice 2013-29).
Mining, energy and resources
Mining, energy and resources is one of the key practice areas in which Dacheng occupies a market-leading position.
Infrastructure, energy and water chief among the government's priorities weblink
The government’s priorities for the coming year include infrastructure, energy and water.
Queen's Speech 2013 — controlling immigration and promoting growth download
This year’s Queen’s Speech was as noteworthy for what it did not contain as its contents. The legislative themes are controlling immigration and promoting growth.
Texas firm Andrews Kurth makes Ashurst hire for City launch
Texas firm Andrews Kurth is set to become the latest US oil and gas player to target the UK market with a London launch.
Data Protection Policies — update from Global Data Hub weblink
Taylor Wessing has added a fresh batch of data-protection-focused content to its Global Data Hub site.
Herbert Smith, A&O in flow for £5bn Severn Trent takeover approach
Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has taken the lead role for longstanding client Severn Trent on a potential bid from a Canadian, Kuwaiti and UK consortium reportedly valuing the target at £5bn.
Carbon Matters — spring 2013 download
DLA Piper has released the spring 2013 edition of Carbon Matters, the climate change supplement to SHE Matters.
Morgan Lewis sees first ex-Dewey partner exit as Beijing co-head quits
Morgan Lewis & Bockius Beijing co-head Ingrid Zhu-Clark is to leave the firm, becoming the first ex-Dewey & LeBoeuf partner to exit the US outfit since a team of nearly 20 partners joined from the bankrupt firm last year.
Martin David joins Ince & Co's Singapore office as Asia head of energy
Ince & Co has announced the appointment of energy finance and projects partner Martin David, who joins the firm’s Singapore office as Asia head of energy.
Clifford Chance and Simpson Thacher share KKR job on UK water buy
Freshfields leads for South Staffordshire seller Alinda Capital Partners after taking 2012 merger role
Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme for social housing back on the boil? weblink
The DECC has launched a further £6m scheme for registered providers of social housing to install heat pumps, solar thermal panels and biomass boilers under its Phase 2 extension.
Sunny days ahead for Turkish solar power download
Turkey’s EMRA will grant the first ever solar energy licences after receiving applications between 10–14 June this year, for a maximum total capacity of 600MW in 27 regions.
Karanovic & Nikolic hosts Energy Law Group meeting in Belgrade
Karanovic & Nikolic hosted the April 2013 meeting of the Energy Law Group in Belgrade.
Santiago Garrido joins Hogan Lovells as environmental law partner
Hogan Lovells has expanded its global environment practice with the hire of environmental law partner Santiago Garrido.
Walker Morris advises Peel Environmental on its planning application to build an AD facility
Walker Morris has advised Peel Environmental on its planning application to build a £23.5m anaerobic digestion facility at a site in North Selby, York.
Glencore GC appointed as Xstrata merger goes live
Glencore Xstrata has appointed Glencore general counsel Richard Marshall as its overall legal chief following the $64bn merger that created the mining giant.
Ince & Co promotes three new partners
Ince & Co has announced the imminent promotion of three lawyers to the partnership.
Appleby announces partner promotions and counsel appointments
Appleby has announced the promotion of three lawyers to the partnership and the appointment of five lawyers to the position of counsel.
Hogan Lovells advises Promon International on follow-on equity investment in DeepFlex
Hogan Lovells has advised Promon International in negotiating and documenting a follow-on equity investment in DeepFlex to fund a manufacturing centre in Brazil.
Energy Alert — FERC proposes new critical infrastructure download
The FERC has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to approve, subject to certain modifications, Version 5 of the CIP Standards proposed by the NERC.
Walker Morris set to attend All-Energy exhibition and conference in Aberdeen
Walker Morris’s Renewables, Energy and Resources Group is to attend All-Energy 2013 on 22–23 May in Aberdeen.
DLA Piper lawyer relocates to Tanzania
DLA Piper has announced that senior international energy infrastructure and finance lawyer Alexander Sarac has relocated to Tanzania.
IRS May supplement — start-of-construction guidance download
The IRS has had a flood of calls about a suggestion that turbine supply agreements should not have liquidated damages provisions.
CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme Phase 2 weblink
The qualification year for Phase 2 of the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme ended on 31 March 2013.
Walker Morris advises Hargreaves Services on its proposed £42m placing
Corporate lawyers from Walker Morris have advised Hargreaves Services on its proposed £42m placing.
Freshfields makes key City hire with Shearman project finance partner
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has made a rare lateral hire in London with the addition of Shearman & Sterling finance partner Tim Pick.
Special update — drive to reduce the cost of capital download
Renewable energy companies and the Obama administration are looking for ways to reduce the cost of capital for renewable energy projects in the US.
Special update — Saudi Arabian renewable energy programme: ready, set download
Saudi Arabia is expected to issue procurements for 41,000MW of solar power projects worth more than $60bn, plus another 13,000MW of wind, geothermal and waste-to-energy plants, by 2032.
Special update — China sets new energy goals download
Reaction to the new five-year energy plan that China released in late January has been mixed.
Special update — synthetic power contracts download
Renewable energy projects traditionally attract financing only after securing a long-term contract to sell the electricity to a credit-worthy offtaker at a relatively fixed price.
Project Finance Newswire — April 2013 download
Chadbourne & Parke has released its Project Finance Newswire for April 2013. Topics covered include renewable energy projects in Saudi Arabia, the cost of capital for energy projects, China’s new energy goals and more.
Chadbourne represents owners of Solar Gen 2 LLC in sale to First Solar
Chadbourne has represented the owners of Solar Gen 2 LLC in its sale to First Solar.
Walker Morris's renewables team set to exhibit at Sustainability Live 2013
Walker Morris’s renewables, energy and resources group is set to present at Sustainability Live 2013.
Sidley adds Hong Kong energy partner from Simmons
Sidley Austin has hired partner Tom Deegan from Simmons & Simmons’ Hong Kong office to build up its global energy practice.
Looking forward to 2030: EU green paper on future climate and energy policies weblink
The European Commission has published a consultation on future climate change and energy policy. There are three targets already in place for 2020.
Ashurst, CMS, Norton Rose advise on Greencoat's £260m IPO
Ashurst, CMS Cameron McKenna and Norton Rose have advised on the £260m IPO of closed-ended infrastructure fund Greencoat UK Wind.
Midlands firm Knights focuses on energy with Vinson hire
Midland’s firm Knights Solicitors has hired an energy associate from the City office of US firm Vinson & Elkins (V&E) in a bid to expand its energy practice.
Power block
Energy work has long powered Nigerian law firms, but slow progress on legislation is holding up the sector’s growth
Refrigerant gas R22 — the chilling effects of a European ban download
The European Union is now committed to reducing harmful emissions across the continent, with the focus of recent regulation set on plant and machinery installed within buildings.
Walker Morris advises on joint venture to use farm waste to generate power
Corporate and energy lawyers from Walker Morris have advised on a joint venture to use farm waste to generate green electricity.
King & Wood Mallesons advises on share purchase of oil and gas assets
King & Wood Mallesons is advising China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation on a share purchase of oil and gas assets from China Petrochemical Corporation.
USDA accepting grant and guaranteed loan applications for rural energy projects download
The USDA is now accepting applications to provide up to $20.8m in grants and loan guarantees to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to make efficiency improvements.
The future of heating: meeting the challenge weblink
The future of heating: meeting the challenge sets out progress so far and outlines a new set of actions specifically targeted at industrial heat, heat networks and heat in buildings.
Lawyer rating publication recognises Ince & Co's Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers publication recognises Ince & Co.
Energy and environment partners from Hogan Lovells comment on UK shale gas
Hogan Lovells partners comment on the future of shale gas in the UK, with a focus on regulation.
Hogan Lovells announces return of energy partner team
Energy partner team set to return to Hogan Lovells.
The relevance of market expert evidence in determining whether a deal has been done download
Court considerations during Proton Energy Group SA v Public Company Orlen Lietuva [2013] EWHC (Comm).
Chambers Global 2013 — DLA Piper full ranking summary download
DLA Piper has released a summary of all of the firm’s rankings and editorial commentary in Chambers Global 2013.
A 'century' of anaerobic digestion in the UK weblink
The number of anaerobic digestion plants in the UK outside of the water industry has passed the 100 mark.
Budget announcements affecting the renewable energy sector weblink
The 2013 Budget announced by Chancellor George Osborne on 20 March 2013 contained little or no news for the renewable energy sector
Shell to axe global panel as adviser review nears closure
Royal Dutch Shell is set to scrap its global legal panel in favour of individual relationships with firms in different countries.
Serbia — submit requests for IPPC permits on time download
Industrial production processes have a dominant share in the creation of pollution in Europe. Over the past several years, Serbia has adopted a set of regulations for integrated pollution prevention and to control installations that have a high pollution potential.
Chadbourne & Parke acts as counsel on three award-winning projects in the Americas
Chadbourne & Parke has acted as counsel on three winning 2012 deal-of-the-year awards for its work in the Americas.
High volume, low prices mark California’s first carbon allowance auction download
California’s first carbon allowance auction on 14 November 2012 featured plenty of demand but a lower-than-expected closing price, based on results released on Monday by the California Air Resources Board.
Walker Morris's renewables group set to exhibit at Sustainability Live 2013
Walker Morris’s renewables, energy and resources group is set to exhibit at Sustainability Live 2013.
China sets new energy goals download
Reaction to the new five-year energy plan that China released in late January has been mixed.
Ithaca-Valiant legal fees near £1.5m as Herbies, Pinsents erect Chinese walls
CMS and Herbies share nearly £1.5m in fees from a £203m energy takeover that saw two law firms put up Chinese walls to prevent potential conflicts.
Chadbourne & Parke set to advise on Al-Khairan water and power project
Chadbourne & Parke is part of a consortium of advisers including BNP Paribas and Lahmeyer International to advise on the Al-Khairan independent water and power project.
Appleby advises Xinchen China Power Holdings on stock exchange listing
Appleby has acted as Cayman counsel for Xinchen China Power Holdings in relation to its listing on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Taylor Wessing advises on the $57m sale of Pims Group to Xylem
Taylor Wessing has advised Inflexion Private Equity Partners on the sale of Pims Group to US buyer Xylem for a headline price of $57m (£38m).
Can Indian tribes own renewable power projects? IRS says yes; not a Pickle download
The IRS released a ruling this week that opens the door to Indian tribes playing a much larger role in renewable power projects.
Hogan Lovells Africa Newsletter — March 2013 edition weblink
The March 2013 edition of the Hogan Lovells Africa Newsletter is now available.
Simplification of the UK government's CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme download
Over recent months, announcements have been made in relation to the UK CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme, culminating in the publication of the draft CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme Order 2013 on 4 March 2013.
Recent news highlights — corporate and energy and infrastructure download
This briefing from Karanovic & Nikolic provides an overview of the latest legislative news and upcoming and ongoing projects in Macedonia.
Energy
NCTM has expertise in financing, contracts, administrative law and the regulation of the energy sector.
The future of renewables and infrastructure financing — from political decision to implementation download
At the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP) of the UNFCCC in Copenhagen in 2009, attending governments, in the presence of heads of state and government negotiated the so-called Copenhagen Accord, which aimed at setting a new framework for international cooperation related to climate change.
The Mongolian energy industry: filling in the gap download
Mongolia is attracting great interest thanks to its unprecedented mineral wealth and rapid economic development.
Energy in the Balkans: recent news highlights download
An overview of developments in energy law in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.
Bracewell names Herbies' Fox as London senior partner
Houston firm Bracewell & Giuliani has appointed Herbert Smith Freehills’ (HSF) finance partner Jason Fox as senior partner in its London office.
Walker Morris 'In Brief — March 2013' weblink
Walker Morris has released its In Brief publication for March 2013.
McDermotts picks up Fasken trio for Paris energy boost
McDermott Will & Emery has hired a three-partner team from the Paris office of Canadian firm Fasken Martineau in a bid to strengthen its African energy expertise.
Chadbourne represents Geopark Holdings Limited in $300m US bond offering
Chadbourne has represented Geopark Holdings Limited in a $300m US bond offering.
Sector inquiry in the oil industry — 2011 download
Serbian Competition Commission publishes oil industry sector inquiry results.
Carbon checklist: is your house in order? download
The first surrender date under Australia’s Carbon Scheme is fast approaching, with the interim surrender date now only four months away.
Energy
The energy practice area at Bowman Gilfillan is one of the most experienced in the country in the energy sector.
Overview of amendments proposed in the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Draft Amendment Bill 2012 download
Overview of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Draft Amendment Bill 2012.
Precedent for Anglo Platinum threat? download
In September 2011, South African mineral resources minister Susan Shabangu cancelled the mining rights of Johannesburg- and London-listed Central Rand Gold (CRG).
Chadbourne & Parke appoints four attorneys to counsel in New York and Washington DC
Chadbourne promotes four attorneys to counsel in New York and Washington DC.
Eversheds adds Akin Gump partner to City energy team
Eversheds has boosted its energy capabilities in London after hiring a corporate finance partner from US firm Akin Gump Stauss Hauer & Feld.
King & Wood Mallesons hires Tom Fotheringham as senior associate
Tom Fotheringham has joined King & Wood Mallesons’ Brisbane office as senior associate.
State aid: green light for UK's Green Deal download
The European Commission has given the green light to a £600m funding package to support the UK’s Green Deal.
Small guide to emobility download
Dr Michael Krämer, senior associate and energy specialist at Taylor Wessing, Dubai, describes his experience with electric vehicles in the UAE.
Chadbourne & Parke represents AES in sale of Ukrainian power company interests
Chadbourne has represented AES in the sale of its interests in two Ukrainian power companies.
Chadbourne acts as counsel on three Project Finance Magazine Deals of the Year
Chadbourne has acted as counsel on three Project Finance Magazine Deals of the Year.
Energy
Our energy team of lawyers is able to represent clients throughout the energy sector, from national and international oil companies through to funders, investors and the government.
K&L Gates hires Fulbright partner for Houston launch
K&L Gates has launched in Houston with the hire of Fulbright & Jaworski securities head Charles Strauss ahead of the latter’s merger with Norton Rose.
Energy and infrastructure
We advise on the specific requirements of the energy and natural resources industry and infrastructure-related matters.
Renewable energy and climate change
The Curtis renewable energy and climate change group represents governments, developers and more.
Oil and gas
Curtis advises clients on oil and gas matters throughout Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Electricity
The Curtis Electricity practice offers comprehensive legal services to the electricity sector from a global platform. Our attorneys represent sponsors, utilities, independent power producers, governments and financial institutions.
Climate change
Clients routinely call upon Chadbourne & Parke’s experience facilitating private equity investments and venture capital deals, capital markets access, temporary and long-term financing and mergers and acquisitions of new or established enterprises.
Climate change and clean energy
Our team is advising across a range of climate change and clean energy matters.
Energy and offshore — the smart contracting bulletin download
Much debate has centred around whether sales of rigs or vessels using or based on the Norwegian Saleform 1987 or 1993 exclude the obligation on the seller to ensure that the vessel is of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose pursuant to the Sale of Goods Act 1979, as amended (SOGA).
Offshore wind energy — contractual risks and liabilities download
The UK offshore wind energy sector has come a long way since the first offshore wind farm was completed in 2000 at Blyth Harbour in the northeast of England, with just two turbines totalling 4MW.
SCoTA — Quality issues and adjustments to the base price download
As those readers familiar with the terms of the Standard Coal Trading Agreement (SCoTA) will know, the weighing/sampling/analysis regime set out in clause 9 of the current version of the SCoTA contract (version 8) will, if followed by the parties, produce analysis results which are binding on the parties.
The smart contracting bulletin: energy and offshore industry — November 2012 download
The Smart Contracting bulletin is aimed at professionals in the energy and offshore industry worldwide.
Energy and infrastructure
As the energy industry sees an increased demand for the development of new energy infrastructure along with state-owned energy facilities increasingly passing into private hands, Karanovic & Nikolic is regularly called upon to provide effective legal advice in this area.
Energy and offshore
Members of our energy and offshore practice advise around the world, encompassing operations in all the major oil and gas centres.
CRC — government confirms CRC will continue in a simplified form download
The government’s Autumn Statement confirmed that the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (“CRC”) will be retained in a simplified form, rather than abolished.
EU Energy Efficiency Directive download
The Energy Efficiency Directive 2012 (EED) was brought into force on 4 December 2012.
Changes to energy performance regulations download
The changes brought by the revised Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012.
Mayer Brown represents Sinochem for oil and gas transaction
Mayer Brown has announced today that it is representing Sinochem Petroleum USA LLC on a $1.7bn transaction to purchase a 40 per cent undivided interest in approximately 207,000 net oil and natural gas leasehold acres.
Crouching Tiger: How China will impact Europe’s renewable energy landscape download
This briefing is a wide ranging report based on research and interviews with leading figures in the energy industry and considers the state of the market one year on.
Global energy industry review download
A review of issues facing the energy industry, focusing on the shift from coal to gas generation, and the state of play in Iraq, Angola, Brazil and Nigeria.
President Obama orders divestiture of Chinese investment in US wind farms; investor mounts unprecedented legal challenge download
On September 12, 2012, a foreign acquirer took the unprecedented step of challenging in federal court the application of CFIUS’s authority.
The Energy Bill 2012: ROCS vs CfD FiTS? download
On Thursday 29 November, the Coalition Government introduced its long-awaited Energy Bill into Parliament.
Saudi Arabia: The Future Solar Leader download
Saudi Arabia is poised to launch an ambitious renewable energy program.
Carbon Reduction Commitment and co-investment structures download
The Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC) is now well under way but confusion still reigns over the application of many areas of the scheme.
A&O and McCanns lead for Bord Gais as Irish asset sale begins
Allen & Overy (A&O) and McCann Fitzgerald have won lead roles as Ireland’s state-owned energy provider Bord Gáis Éireann (BGE) prepares to sell off its energy business in the first major asset sale by the Irish government.
Second petroleum bid round in Myanmar download
On 17 January 2013, the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, through its Ministry of Energy, invited bids for 18 onshore oil and gas blocks in what is Myanmar’s second international petroleum licensing round.
Hot 100: Charles Lindsay, Allen & Overy
Charles Lindsay was the man behind Allen & Overy’s Istanbul office launch at the end of 2011.
Hot 100: Gareth Price, Allen & Overy
In The Lawyer’s search for stars of the energy market one name came up over and over again - Gareth Price.
Hot 100: Douglas Nordlinger, Skadden video
For much of its post-colonial history, Sudan has been ravaged by war. Sadly, the hostilities didn’t end with the secession of the south on 9 July 2011.
Hot 100: Joss Dare, Ashurst video
Joss Dare (scroll down for video interview) has steered Ashurst’s Middle East operations since becoming regional head in 2011, and overseeing a major strategic rethink in its Abu Dhabi and Dubai offices.
Hot 100: Penelope Warne, CMS
Penelope Warne, the practice group manager for the energy, projects and construction group at CMS and a member of the firm’s board, is also one of the unsung heroes behind the international growth of the firm’s European network.
Hot 100: Peter Roberts, Ashurst video
Energy partner Roberts has acted on two big projects for Ashurst this year: selling out the interests of Rockhopper Exploration in the Falklands and working for Angola LNG on selling their LNG (liquified natural gas).
Reforming Australia's mineral and energy resource exploration sector download
Recognising Australia’s declining share of international energy and resources exploration investment, the Australian government has commissioned its independent research and advisory body, the Productivity Commission, to evaluate non-financial barriers to exploration investment.
Japan’s new feed-in tariffs: Government’s model contract available now download
On 1 July 2012, the Act on Special Measures concerning Procurement of Renewable Energy Sourced Electricity by Electric Utilities (Act No. 108 of 2011) came into effect and a feed-in tariff system was introduced in Japan in an effort to promote the use of renewable energy.
Houston's Bracewell & Giuliani raids Simmons to kickstart London practice
Houston-based Bracewell & Giuliani has moved to expand its London office with the hire of two energy lawyers including Simmons & Simmons partner Julian Nichol.
New developments in the UK shale gas sector download
The shale gas sector in the UK is still in its infancy, but the UK government has announced recently new measures and incentives to encourage its growth.
White & Case strengthens mining team with in-house hire
White & Case has added to its presence in the mining sector with the appointment of BHP Billiton lawyer Rebecca Campbell as a partner in its London office.
Paul Hastings picks up former Dewey partner for Italian energy push
US firm Paul Hastings is set to hire former Dewey & LeBoeuf Italian energy star Lorenzo Parola in a boost for the firm’s corporate energy practice.
DLA Piper takes projects quintet from King & Wood Mallesons
DLA Piper has hired a group of five finance and projects lawyers led by partner Carolyn Dong from King & Wood Mallesons in a bid to strengthen its relationships with major Chinese energy companies.
UK office of unconventional gas and oil — new fracking controls download
A new office within the Department of Energy and Climate Change has been formed to oversee the exploitation of shale gas by fracking and other types of unconventional oil and gas exploitation in the UK.
A&O and Allens land roles on mammoth Australian LNG project financing
Allen & Overy (A&O) and Allens Linklaters both landed roles helping secure the $20bn (£12.3bn) project financing for the Ichthys liquified natural gas project in Australia’s Northern Territory.
Bond Pearce picks up Maclays quartet ahead of Dickinson Dees tie-up
Bond Pearce has announced the hire of four oil and gas partners in Aberdeen from Scottish firm Maclay Murray & Spens as it prepares for its merger with Dickinson Dees.
Norton Rose among firms on Rio Tinto sale of SA mine to Chinese group
Norton Rose has joined a raft of Chinese and South African firms advising on Rio Tinto Group’s $373m (£231m) sale of its stake in South Africa’s Palabora Mining to a consortium led by China’s Hebei Iron & Steel Group.
The dissolution of BPMIGAS — impact and consequences download
On Tuesday, 13 November 2012, Indonesia’s Constitutional Court declared BPMIGAS, the state upstream oil and gas regulator, unconstitutional.
Bakers expected to win spot on new-look EDF panel
EDF Energy is set to appoint a raft of firms including Baker & McKenzie, Eversheds and Herbert Smith Freehills to a revamped legal panel expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.
Herbert Smith and Travers field City teams for Polish energy deal
Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) and Travers Smith have scooped roles as San Leon Energy acquires Aurelian Oil & Gas in a bid to become the largest foreign holder of shale licenses in Poland.
Norton Rose Fulbright to target Brazil and Mexico when merger goes live
Norton Rose has confirmed its intention to launch offices in Brazil and Mexico after it merges with Texan firm Fulbright & Jaworski next year.
Indonesian oil and gas regulator held to be unconstitutional download
On 13 November 2012, the Indonesian Constitutional Court held that the Upstream Oil and Gas Regulator in Indonesia, commonly known as BP MIGAS, was unconstitutional.
Renewable energy project challenges — snapshot of the litigation landscape download
After more than a year-and-a-half of tracking and almost 10 years of data, we present some observations on the litigation landscape relating to renewable energy development.
Freshfields loses corporate partner to BP
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has seen Düsseldorf corporate partner Hildegard Bison leave to join the European arm of longstanding client BP in a senior in-house role.
Ashurst seals Jeddah tie-up as first step in Saudi plan
Ashurst is set to launch in Jeddah through an association with local in-house lawyer Faisal Adnan Baassiri as the firm aims to kick off its expansion in Saudi Arabia.
The new silk road — Investing in and venturing with Middle Eastern companies download
China is finding new reasons to trade with and invest in Central Asia, the Middle East and beyond.
SJ Berwin bolsters corporate team with Field Fisher CIS expert
SJ Berwin has added to its City corporate practice with the hire of Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) CIS specialist Alex Woodfield.
A&O, CMS and Freshfields land mandates on £696m UK nuclear sale
Allen & Overy (A&O) advised Hitachi on its £696m purchase of Horizon Nuclear Power, with CMS Cameron McKenna, Clifford Chance and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer all scoring roles on the sell side.
Akin Gump and Weil win roles as AAR apes BP with TNK-BP stake sale
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom and Weil Gotshal & Manges have all scooped roles as the Alfa-Access-Renova (AAR) consortium that owns a 50 per cent stake in TNK-BP prepares to sell its stake to Rosneft for $28bn (£17.5bn).
The EU imposes further sanctions on Iran download
On 15 October 2012 the Council of Ministers of the European Union approved a new round of sanctions against Iran.
Transocean GC Deeming steps down after two years in role
Transocean general counsel Nick Deeming has resigned with immediate effect less than two years after joining the Swiss offshore drilling group.
EU prohibits imports of Iranian natural gas and tightens other sanctions on Iran download
On 15 October 2012, the Council of the European Union adopted Council Decision 2012/635/CFSP amending Decision 2010/413/CFSP2 concerning restrictive practices against Iran.
CFIUS shows new aggressiveness in ordering divestiture of wind energy farms download
Recent litigation has highlighted a new willingness on the part of the US Government to restrict parties’ activities relating to foreign acquisitions of US companies, through measures that go beyond the standard remedies of barring transactions or ordering divestiture.
EU Parliamentary Committee backs tough disclosure rules for extractive companies download
On 18 September, 2012, the European Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs voted in favour of proposed EU legislation to impose disclosure obligations aimed at deterring corruption by large companies involved in extracting oil, gas and minerals and logging.
Eon names new legal head as it unveils results of 'blind' panel tender
Energy giant Eon has named assets and supply chain head Graham Line as its new UK head of legal in a move that is intended to overhaul how the company structures its legal spend across Europe.
Freshfields and Willkie Farr secure landmark fine reduction for energy giants
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Willkie Farr & Gallagher have successfully argued a reduction in the fines handed down to energy companies E.ON Ruhrgas and GDF Suez by the European Commission for alleged market sharing.
A&O takes two partners from Freshfields in New York
Allen & Overy (A&O) has hired two energy and infrastructure partners from magic circle rival Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in New York.
CMS launches in Dubai for energy focus
CMS has opened its new office in Dubai to take advantage of the growing energy market in the region.
Failure to extend the renewable energy production tax credit download
The recent growth and success of the US wind power industry is attributable in large part to a federal renewable energy production tax credit that provides significant tax incentives for investment in and development of wind energy projects.
Latham among lineup on BP's latest US sell-off
Latham & Watkins has joined Texan firm Gardere Wynne Sewell advising on BP’s $5.5bn (£4.3bn) sale of its interests in a range of oil and gas fields in the Gulf of Mexico to US petroleum rival Plains Exploration & Production.
Linklaters pips Freshfields in China Gold pitch amid African Barrick talks
Linklaters has beaten Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in a pitch to win a first-time role for China National Gold on its talks to buy a stake in UK-listed African Barrick Gold (ABG) from Canada’s Barrick Gold.
Payday for Stephenson Harwood after firm shares fee risk on two-year deal
Stephenson Harwood is set to receive an uplift after completing a two-year deal for an energy client to which it charged more than half of the fees conditional on the transaction closing.
A&O, Shearman advise on $900m Israeli gas field financing
Allen & Overy (A&O) has closed the biggest ever internationally-led project finance deal in Israel, advising Delek Drilling, Avner Oil Exploration and Dor Gas Explorations as sponsors on the US$900m (£562m) financing of the development of the Tamar gas field, first discovered 50 miles off the coast of Israel in January 2009.
US further expands sanctions against Iran download
On 10 August 2012, President Barack Obama signed into law the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012.
Freshfields, Linklaters and Morgan Lewis advise as Rosneft teams with Statoil
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Linklaters and Morgan Lewis & Bockius have all been retained as advisers as Russian state-owned energy giant Rosneft signed four new joint ventures to explore oil and gas fields in the Arctic and Pacific Oceans with Norwegian rival Statoil.
Seven firms share £2.4m fees on Scottish-Irish oil merger
CMS Cameron McKenna, DLA Piper and Herbert Smith were among seven firms to win roles on the merger of Scottish oil group Melrose Resources and Irish rival Petroceltic International, a deal that gifted an estimated £2.36m in external lawyers’ fees.
Linklaters projects partner latest to join Milbank's City base
Linklaters projects partner Clive Ransome has quit to join Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy, becoming the latest in a string of magic circle partners to join the US firm’s London office.
A&O and Morgan Lewis lead as Russia's Rosneft signs Arctic gas deal
Allen & Overy (A&O) and Morgan Lewis & Bockius scooped roles as Russian oil major Rosneft completed a strategic joint venture with natural gas producer Itera to jointly develop gas fields in the Russian Arctic.
LG and Slaughters finalise £1.2bn Cove Energy takeover
Lawrence Graham (LG) and Slaughter and May have advised on the £1.22bn takeover of Cove Energy by PTTEP Africa Investment after Clifford Chance client Royal Dutch Shell pulled out of the bidding.
BLP and Norton Rose lead as Playtech founder's energy group plots float
Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) and Norton Rose are advising as Genesis Energy, which was founded by the Israeli billionaire who also owns almost half of Playtech, looks to float on AIM.
DLA and Pillsbury score roles on BP's Californian refinery sale
DLA Piper is acting for BP on the $2.5bn (£1.6bn) sale of a Californian oil refinery to Tesoro Corporation, with Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman advising the buyer.
Eased sanctions widen doorway to Myanmar oil and gas sector download
On 11 July 2012, the US formally eased certain sanctions relating to “new investment” in the Union of Myanmar and on the exportation of financial services to Myanmar.
Fifth Conto Energia: new feed-in tariffs for photovoltaic energy plants in Italy download
On 10 July 2012, the new decree on the incentive system for the production of electricity by photovoltaic plants was published in the Official Gazette.
China-based company’s victory in securities fraud case reversed on appeal download
On 1 August 2012, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit revived a putative securities fraud class action lawsuit against China North East Petroleum Holdings Ltd.
Morgan Lewis ex-Dewey team acts alongside Norton Rose on Kazakh potash purchase
Morgan Lewis & Bockius and Norton Rose have scooped roles on Sprint Capital’s acquisition of a potash business in Kazakhstan.
Ashurst reverse secondments pay off
Secondment scheme pays off for Ashurst
Shearman London team joins Corrs on gold miner's Kenyan buy
A Shearman & Sterling City team has advised alongside Australian firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth on a A$20m (£13.2m) deal under which Tanzanian miner African Barrick Gold (ABG) will buy Aviva Mining’s Kenyan assets.
Herbert Smith, Norton Rose join North American firms on Chinese oil group's $15bn mega-deal
Herbert Smith and Norton Rose joined a raft of Canadian and US firms advising on the $15.1bn (£9.7bn) acquisition of Canadian oil and gas producer Nexen by China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC).
Freshfields snaps up last ex-Dewey Beijing partner
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has appointed former Dewey & LeBoeuf Beijing partner Yuan Gang as China head of energy and natural resources.
Ashurst wins $700m finance role for Brazil's Petra after taking on legal chief as secondee
Ashurst and SNR Denton have landed UK roles on a finance agreement that sees Citibank provide an affiliate of Brazilian oil and gas group Petra Energia with an estimated $703.6m (£452.6m) credit line to fund its exploration projects.
Baker Hughes legal chief takes compliance role at Wood Group
The Europe legal and compliance director at oilfield services giant Baker Hughes is set to leave the company to join global energy business Wood Group.
Norton Rose adds four Toronto partners with Gowlings hires
Norton Rose has taken on a six-lawyer team from Canada’s Gowling Lafleur Henderson, with the UK firm adding four partners to its Toronto base.
Ashurst and Norton Rose lead on £360m Australian mining deal
Ashurst and Norton Rose have won roles on Australian gold miner St Barbara’s A$556million (£366m) takeover of Allied Gold Mining.
National Grid names new general counsel as veteran Mahy steps down
National Grid general counsel and company secretary Helen Mahy has decided to call time on her 11-year career with the energy company.
Renewable and alternative energy companies competing for the US Army’s $7bn contract download
Renewable and alternative energy (RAE) companies will throw their hats into a rich, but potentially risky, ring for an opportunity to contract with the US Army beginning at the end of September 2012.
ACER and ESMA publish respective consultations on REMIT and EMIR download
In the last two weeks, both the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulations and the European Securities and Markets Authority have published consultations for market participants on the Regulation on wholesale energy market integrity and transparency and the European Market Infrastructure Regulation, respectively.
Japan’s version of the Feed-in-Tariff download
The government has finally disclosed details of Japan’s version of the Feed-in-Tariff (‘FIT) to be enforced this July.
DLA Piper strengthens Italian energy team with Grimaldi hires
DLA Piper’s Italian office has scooped a team of 20 lawyers for its Milan and Rome offices from defunct Italian domestic practice Grimaldi e Associati.
Paul Hastings taps energy leaders for Houston launch
Paul Hastings has opened an office in Houston with the hire of three energy-focused transactional partners from leading local firms.
Alcoa appoints Fried Frank partner as chief legal officer
US aluminium group Alcoa has appointed Audrey Strauss as its new chief legal officer, succeeding retiring incumbent Kurt Waldo.
Vinson & Elkins and Machado Meyer advise on $5.16bn Sinopec deal
Vinson & Elkins and Brazilian law firm Machado, Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados have advised Sinopec on acquiring a 30 per cent stake in the Brazilian unit of Portuguese oil company Galp Energia for $5.16bn (£3.24bn).
Energy giant EDF installs Thales legal chief as general counsel
French energy giant EDF has appointed Eric Thomas as its new group general counsel.
Ashurst, SJ Berwin and SNR Denton advise on Tamar Energy deal
A raft of firms won roles advising on the establishment of a UK start-up designed to produce energy from organic waste.
Clifford Chance and LG lead on Shell's £992m bid for Cove Energy
Clifford Chance and Lawrence Graham (LG) have won roles advising on Royal Dutch Shell’s £992m bid for Africa-focused oil and gas group Cove Energy.
SNR Denton prepares for New Orleans launch
SNR Denton will launch a New Orleans office on 1 March, with the new base focusing on energy-related work.
Fuel’s errand
Leading energy practitioners give their thoughts on the post-Fukushima nuclear landscape as well as shale gas, renewables and solar feed-in tariffs
SJ Berwin returns to Greenberg Traurig Maher for second partner hire
SJ Berwin is set to make a further addition to its energy and infrastructure practice with the hire of Greenberg Traurig Maher (GTM) partner Stuart Jordan.
Shearman beefs up energy practice with addition of Ashurst partner
Ashurst is set to lose heavyweight City projects partner John Inglis to Shearman & Sterling in a move by the US firm to bolster its energy and resources practice.
DLA Piper taps Hogan Lovells for five-partner US energy team
DLA Piper has hired a five-partner energy team from Hogan Lovells in the US.
SJ Berwin adds GTM partner to City energy team
SJ Berwin has moved to bolster its energy practice with the hire of a senior City lawyer from Greenberg Traurig Maher (GTM) as part of the recruitment of four partners across Europe.
Walker Morris bulks up renewables team with former Eversheds partner
Leeds firm Walker Morris has appointed former Eversheds partner Stephen Cirell as a consultant to its renewables, energy and resources team.
Vinson advises Sinopec on £1.9bn takeover of Canada's Daylight
Bennett Jones, Blake Cassels & Graydon and Vinson & Elkins took leading roles on Sinopec’s £1.88bn takeover of Canada’s Daylight Energy.
GE fills European GC role with internal promotion
Infrastructure and finance company GE has promoted Marianna Nitsch to the role of European general counsel for its Global Growth & Operations (GG&O) division.
Dewey snares Stephenson Harwood energy partner
Dewey & LeBoeuf has continued its recent London growth spurt with the hire of Stephenson Harwood energy partner Marc Hammerson.
Monckton seals partial victory for Yukos in ECHR fight
Monckton Chambers’ Piers Gardner has won a victory for the now defunct oil giant Yukos after the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that the Russian government had breached its rights.
Mayer Brown scoops role on ex-BP CEO Hayward deal
The London office of Mayer Brown has advised on a $4.2bn merger that has created a new oil and gas vehicle for former BP chief executive Tony Hayward.
Freshfields and Skadden lead on Rosneft-ExxonMobil Arctic deal
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom have taken top roles advising on an Arctic exploration deal between Russian state oil company Rosneft and ExxonMobil.
Ashurst energy partner heads down under to AAR
Ashurst energy partner Anthony Patten has left the firm to return to Australia, where he will join the Perth office of Allens Arthur Robinson (AAR).
Stephenson Harwood snares Weil Gotshal's London energy head
Stephenson Harwood has scooped Weil Gotshal & Manges energy and renewables head Andrew McLean for its corporate practice.
Petronas Energy's first general counsel moots legal panel
Petronas Energy Trading, the European arm of the Malaysian energy giant’s gas trading business, has appointed its first in-house lawyer.
King & Spalding City partner quits for Herbert Smith
Herbert Smith has strengthened its London construction and engineering practice with the hire of partner James Bremen from King & Spalding.
Norway’s Statoil rejigs in-house legal line-up
Norwegian oil company Statoil has revamped its in-house team, appointing SEB Enskilda CEO Hans Henrik Klouman as overall legal head.
Fasken adds partners from King & Spalding and Gibson Dunn
International law firm Fasken Martineau has boosted its banking and corporate practices with the hire of a partner each from King & Spalding and Gibson Dunn & Crutcher.
LG appointed as foreign counsel to Ukraine's Naftogaz
LG has won a bid to become foreign legal advisor to Naftogaz, Ukraine’s state-owned oil and gas company.
ENRC legal chief resigns following boardroom turmoil
Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (ENRC) general counsel Randal Barker has resigned from his position as boardroom turmoil rages over the mining company’s corporate governance.
GDF Suez to formulate inaugural legal panel
GDF Suez is set to appoint its first-ever global panel of external law firms, having chosen until now to instruct lawyers on an ad hoc basis for deals such as its £17bn venture with International Power earlier this year.
Freshfields and Links win coveted places on BP's UK panel
Magic circle rivals Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Linklaters have maintained top spots on BP’s new UK legal panel, which was announced today after a six-month review.
Norton Rose transfers Aussie energy partner to Tokyo
Norton Rose has further strengthened its Australasian practice with the relocation of an energy, mining and projects partner from Brisbane to Tokyo.
Akin Gump bulks up in LA with six-partner Chadbourne team
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld has powered up its project finance and renewable energy practice in Los Angeles with the hire of six partners, five counsel and five associates from Chadbourne & Parke.
Reed Smith turns to SNR Denton for London energy hire
Reed Smith has continued to expand its London energy and natural resources practice with a hire from SNR Denton.
Clydes beats panel rivals to Lukoil Iraqi oilfield brief
Clyde & Co’s energy group has won a major mandate after being appointed to advise Lukoil Mid-East in support of the development of its West Qurna-2 oilfield in Iraq.
Clydes joins Akin Gump, CC on Lukoil’s ME panel
Russian oil producer Lukoil has appointed a three-firm panel for its upstream Middle East subsidiary Lukoil Middle East after winning a contract to develop a major Iraqi oilfield.
King & Spalding opens in Moscow with hires from HogLove, White & Case
King & Spalding has opened a base in Moscow after hiring a team of lawyers from Hogan Lovells and White & Case.
Ashurst, SNR Denton land Centrica-Qatargas deal
Ashurst and SNR Denton have advised on a £2bn tie-up between British Gas parent company Centrica Energy and Qatargas.
Simpson Thacher to launch in Houston with Vinson hire
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is to launch an office in the US oil and gas capital Houston later this year with a partner from Vinson & Elkins, The Lawyer can exclusively reveal.
BP’s new panel told not to advise rivals
BP is forbidding the firms vying for places on its upcoming panel from working with other oil companies, with its final roster expected to be in place by the end of this month.
Latham taps Baker Botts for Houston energy partner
Latham & Watkins has appointed Baker Botts corporate partner Ryan Maierson to its recently opened energy industry practice in Houston.
White & Case turns to Linklaters for City energy partner
White & Case has continued its London investment with the capture of Linklaters project finance partner Caroline Miller Smith.
Mayer Brown, Heenan Blaikie land Afghan mining mandates
US firm Mayer Brown and Canadian outfit Heenan Blaikie have been appointed to a panel advising the Afghanistan government on the development of its hugely lucrative mining industry, which is estimated to have a potential value of $3tr (£1.85tr).
2Birds scores SNR Denton energy duo
Bird & Bird has hired corporate and energy partners Matt Bonass and Michael Rudd to its international energy and utilities sector group.
Slaughters loses competition partner to Ofgem
Slaughter and May partner Sarah Cardell is to leave the firm after being appointed legal chief of energy watchdog Ofgem.
Covanta Energy turns to Carillion for in-house legal hire
Waste to Energy specialist Covanta Energy has appointed Kim Humphreys as legal counsel.
Links and Simpson Thacher lead on E.ON's £4bn PPL sell-off
Linklaters and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett have taken the lead roles on the £4bn sale of E.ON’s UK electricity distribution business to Pennsylvania Power and Light (PPL).
Paul Hastings' European projects chief defects to Hunton's City base
Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker’s European projects head is leaving the firm to join the City office of US outfit Hunton & Williams.
Pavia e Ansaldo picks up energy team
Italian independent Pavia e Ansaldo has hired a team focusing on renewable energy, led by a former of counsel from Carnelutti.
Get well soon
The Iraqi oil industry has faced many challenges in recent years, but Greg Hammond says the prospects are fast improving.
A&O usurps Freshfields on reduced National Grid panel
Allen & Overy (A&O) has replaced Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer as one of two corporate advisers to National Grid after the utility giant reduced its roster of legal advisers by a quarter following a panel review.
Ex-Christie’s GC poised for Transocean legal role
Former Christie’s general counsel Nick Deeming is set to join offshore drilling contractor Transocean in one of the highest-profile recent in-house moves, The Lawyer understands.
Nabarro to represent Government on coalminer liabilities
Nabarro has set up a northshoring arrangement that will see it manage all strategic, legal and claims work related to sick coalminers from its Sheffield office.
Reed Smith lures McDermott energy partner
Reed Smith has hired project finance energy partner Stefan Schmitz for its London energy and natural resources practice.
Cleary and Gleiss Lutz advise on £4bn EDF sell-off
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton and Herbert Smith’s German alliance firm Gleiss Lutz have acted on EDF’s €4.7bn (£3.98bn) sale of its 45 per cent stake in German energy company Energie Baden-Württember (EnBW) to the State of Baden-Württemberg.
BLP boosts Singapore with Holman captures
Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has continued its international expansion, doubling its Singapore office through the hire of a team from Holman Fenwick & Willan.
Canada's Gowlings continues London expansion with Simmons hire
Canadian firm Gowlings has hired a Simmons & Simmons partner as it continues to expand in London.
Links' former Asia chief joins Fontenergy as GC
Linklaters partner and former Asia managing partner Andrew Roberts has left the firm to join energy company Fontenergy as in-house counsel.
Howard Kennedy acts on Adnams gas project
Howard Kennedy has advised brewer Adnams and sister company Adnams Bio Energy (ABE) on their partnership with British Gas to supply renewable energy to the National Grid.
A&O sends London partner to bulk up NY infrastructure group
Allen & Overy is to relocate London infrastructure partner Andrew Fraiser to its New York practice.
Gowlings continues to grow London with hire from Norton Rose
Canadian firm Gowlings has continued its energy-focused hiring spree in London with the addition of a former Norton Rose partner.
Royal Dutch Shell hires Debevoise silk as next legal chief
Royal Dutch Shell has appointed a new legal director to take over from incumbent Beat Hess, who retires in January 2011.
Maclay partner takes up GC role at Wood Group
Maclay Murray & Spens corporate partner Robbie Brown has left the firm to take up an in-house role at global energy business Wood Group.
Canada's Gowlings boosts London with former British Energy GC
Canadian firm Gowlings has embarked on an expansion of its London energy practice with the hire of former British Energy Group general counsel Robert Armour.
FFW lands Kazakh energy outfit’s North Sea stake
Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) has advised Kazakhstan’s JSC KazMunaiGas Exploration Production (KMG EP) on its acquisition of a 35 per cent stake in North Sea oil and gas fields from BG Group.
A life less green?
Renewable energy initiatives have come under threat in Europe as governments renege on incentive schemes. Simon Currie and Tim Baines examine the likely impact on existing and proposed green initiatives
Centrica names GC for energy division
Centrica has appointed David Isenegger as general counsel to its Centrica Energy division.
Grid lock
With the closure of coal-powered energy stations, the proposed private sector-funded nuclear alternatives will be vital to meet the UK’s needs. But as Hamish Lal reports, the builds could be seriously delayed due to a lack of clarity on the part of the Government
A&O turns to Allens Arthur for Aussie partner hire
Allen & Overy has hired an energy partner for its Australian operation, the 19th partner for its fledgling offices in Perth and Sydney.
Legacy Hogan London chief quits Hogan Lovells for King & Spalding
The London office of Hogan Lovells has suffered its first high-level departure since the 1 May merger of Hogan & Hartson and Lovells, with partner Garry Pegg set to join US firm King & Spalding.
Trio of Paul Hastings partners return to Hunton & Williams
Three former Hunton & Williams partners have returned to the firm from its US rival Paul Hastings.
Freshfields hires A&O partner for finance practice
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has appointed a senior energy partner from Allen & Overy into its finance practice.
Jones Day turns to Herbies for hire of Paris energy team
Jones Day has brought in Herbert Smith partner Laurent Vandomme to head its Paris energy practice.
Royal Dutch Shell slims down legal panel
Royal Dutch Shell has reduced its roster of external advisers after completing a major panel review.
EDF legal head quits after team revamp
EDF Energy has begun the search for a new general counsel following the resignation of Jean MacDonald.
Centrica invites bids for places on first panel
Centrica is set to launch a tender for its first-ever legal panel.
Freshfields, Pinsents make the grade for NDA roster
The nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has appointed a streamlined panel, with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Pinsent Masons usurping Herbert Smith and Norton Rose for places on the roster, which has an annual legal spend of between £3m and £4m.
Hammonds cooks up British Gas meter deal
Hammonds has advised one of the world’s largest smart-meter companies in securing a contract agreement with British Gas.
Norton Rose bulks up in Australia with local hire and London relocation
Norton Rose has continued to add to its Australian practice following its tie-up with Deacons with the relocation of its climate change head from London to Sydney in addition to a local hire.
Akin Gump and Bakers act on Chinese company's stake in Argentinian oil giant
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld and Baker & McKenzie bagged leading roles in the state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corp’s (CNOOC) $3.1bn (£2.1bn) investment in Argentinian oil producer Bridas.
Ashurst, Freshfields, Simmons steer Swedish-UK energy merger
Ashurst, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Simmons & Simmons have taken leading roles on the merger of parts of existing Swedish and UK oil and gas entities to form a new listed company, EnQuest.
Lovells, Freshfields, White & Case secure major German energy deal
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Lovells and White & Case have advised on a major deal that is set to transform the German energy market.
Dentons powers up nuclear capability
Denton Wilde Sapte has hired two leading nuclear specialists from Hammonds who will bring with them tier 1 clients in the nuclear sector.
Addleshaws, Cuatrecasas, Herbies, Salans, Uría bag HgCapital portfolio
Addleshaw Goddard, Cuatrecasas, Herbert Smith, Salans and Uría Menéndez have won mandates on HgCapital’s latest renewable energy investments.
Ashurst hires Centrica GC as partner in energy practice
Ashurst has bulked up its global energy team with the hire of Centrica Energy’s general counsel Peter Roberts.
GTM turns to DLA Piper for City energy hire
Greenberg Traurig Maher (GTM) has hired DLA Piper partner Neil Upton to run its UK energy practice.
Heated debate
With the principles of the Kyoto Protocol due to be renegotiated before the end of the year, lawyers are in the position of having to provide just-in-time advice.
Fasken hires eight-strong team from Howard Kennedy
Fasken Martineau has boosted its London office after completing the hire of an eight-strong projects team from Howard Kennedy.
Orrick and Slaughters advise as Venture rejects Centrica's takeover bid
Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe and Slaughter and May are advising as talks continue between Centrica and North Sea gas producer Venture Production.
Iberdrola calls on Simmons as Sellafield land rush hots up
Simmons & Simmons has won a key role advising Iberdrola on its bid for land at Sellafield, as the Spanish utility seeks to avoid being left out in the cold in the UK’s new civil nuclear energy race.
Linklaters partner departs to start boutique
Linklaters disputes partner Mark Humphries is to leave the firm to launch his own litigation boutique in Bristol. The niche firm, which will be known as Mark Humphries, will also offer advocacy services. Humphries, who is acting for energy giant Centrica on its £182m claim against consultancy group Accenture, resigned from Linklaters in 2008 but has remained at the firm to complete ongoing work. The ...
Spain Special Report: Green with energy
Spain has led the way in renewable energy, but the financial crisis coupled with regulatory change is having an impact. Will Spain’s ‘green’ commitment hold firm? asks Luke McLeod-Roberts
Orrick and Slaughters called in to oversee £1.1bn North Sea gas talks
Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe and Slaughter and May have been appointed to advise on talks between Centrica and North Sea gas producer Venture Production.
Gas bills
The EU and UK need to implement new legislation if they want the latest CO2 storage technology to be a success
City quartet guides bidders through Sellafield wind-down
Denton Wilde Sapte, Hammonds, Linklaters and Pinsent Masons are advising the four bidding consortia on the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's (NDA) £17bn winding-down ...
Norton Rose beats A&O to advise UK-Netherlands electricity tie-up
Norton Rose has scooped the advisory role for a multimillion-pound tie-up between the UK's National Grid and Dutch electricity supplier TenneT.
Herbert Smith racks up £5m in fees on DTI’s nuclear clean-up
Herbert Smith has reaped around £5m in legal fees for its first 12 months of advising the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on the £48bn nuclear clean-up programme.
RPC advises Swedish industrial giant on acquisition of Scottish oil services company
Reynolds Porter Chamberlain (RPC), the commercial law firm, advised Atlas Copco, the Sweden-based international industrial company on their purchase of Dundee-based Kolfor Plant Ltd.
Focus Wickes counsel quits post to join Drax
A merry-go-round in the retail and energy sectors is in full swing as DIY giant Focus Wickes loses its head of legal to Drax Power, to be replaced by an in-house lawyer from Boots.
BLP wrings £3m costs out of ConocoPhillips
Costs totalling some £3m have been awarded to Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) and its barrister Lindsay Boswell QC in the longest energy case ever heard before the Technology and Construction Court.
New Indian government drops DLA on Dabhol power project
DLA has had its role on the high-profile Dabhol power project arbitration terminated. It is understood DLA’s instruction from the Indian government was cancelled earlier this month following a change in government and the appointment of the new Indian Attorney General Milon Banerjee.
CC and A&O lawyers quit to join the bar
Keating Chambers and Seven Bedford Row have snapped up two magic circle lawyers, the latest in a string of defections from top City firms to the bar.
Herbert Smith wraps up Russian mining deal
Herbert Smith has successfully closed Russia’s largest debt financing this year, despite the deal sailing perilously close to the rocks after two of the three book runners pulled out.
Shell doubles up on advisers for class action
Oil giant Shell has drafted in a second law firm to help fight off a huge class action brought against it by swathes of investors.
Corporate deals round-up
Paul Weiss Rifkin Wharton & Garrison (John Lange) advised TCL Communications Technology Holdings on its acquisition of Alcatel’s mobile handset R&D, manufacture and distribution business. The joint venture established to carry out the acquisition is owned 55 per cent by TCL and 45 per cent by Alcatel.
Law firm coffers fuelled by UK’s switch to liquefied natural gas
UK’s Dragon LNG terminal to use project finance techniques to fund development. By Joanne O’Connor
Simmons loses fifth partner in one month
Simmons & Simmons has lost a fifth partner in a month, with US-qualified Christopher Lewis quitting for Thacher Proffitt & Wood.
Penningtons acts for Equatorial Guinea president against three Britons
Penningtons is advising the President of Equatorial Guinea on a civil action arising from an alleged conspiracy to overthrow the government of the oil-rich African state.
Herbert Smith picks up Macquarie work on NGT gas network buyout
Herbert Smith has gained a further foothold in the private equity arena after winning Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund as a new client.
Grabiner and Sumption case settles before trial
A courtroom clash between the titans of the commercial bar, Lord Grabiner QC and Jonathan Sumption QC, has been called off following a late settlement deal in the six-year long Metro Trading dispute.
Tyco panel rejig gets straight to DuPont
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Tyco’s streamlining should have DuPont smiling
Shearman steps into British Energy rescue affray
Shearman & Sterling has emerged as the adviser to British Energy rebel shareholder Polygon Investments.
Martineaus handed NGT Gas Metering Arrangements work
Martineau Johnson has scooped its first major instruction for National Grid Transco’s (NGT) gas business since its merger with energy group Lattice.
Grid locked
Where have the Dutch power merchants gone? Weero Koster reveals all
Shell wields axe to create global panel
Embattled oil giant to hack £54m legal spend; blue-chip panel to be slashed to five
BP extends reach of UK legal panel review
Energy giant BP has extended the review of its UK law firms to cover the company’s overseas legal advisers.
Linklaters beats Camerons to National Grid acquisition
Linklaters beats Camerons to National Grid acquisition" /Linklaters has elbowed CMS Cameron McKenna aside to scoop the first major corporate job for National Grid Transco (NGT) since its 2002 merger with energy group Lattice.
Yukos shareholders take on Russian govt
The battle surrounding embattled Russian oil giant Yukos has escalated, with its core shareholders instructing lawyers to act against the Russian authorities should the company be forced into bankruptcy.
Morgan Cole sapped by loss of energy partner
Morgan Cole’s beleaguered London office has been hit by another partner departure in the shape of energy partner Oliver Drennan. He is due to join Collyer-Bristow as a partner on 28 June and is the third energy lawyer to quit Morgan Cole this year. First revealed on www.thelawyer.com 23 June
Akin Gump lures King & Spalding energy team
Texas-based law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld has raided US rival King & Spalding for a team of 10 energy lawyers.
Akin Gump raids King & Spalding for energy team
Texas-based law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld has raided US rival King & Spalding for a team of 10 energy lawyers.
Morgan Cole suffers further London departure
Morgan Cole’s beleaguered London office has been hit by another partner departure.
Yukos brings in Freshfields as the plot thickens in Moscow
In Putin’s battle with the oligarchs, the rule of law is looking increasingly fragile. By Joanne O’Connor
Linklaters cements oil link
Linklaters cements oil link" /Linklaters has forged closer ties with the Brazilian state oil company Petrobras after winning two giant cases relating to the world’s former largest oil and gas rig.
Simmons leads march on Qatar
Western law firms in Qatar are continuing to expand as Simmons & Simmons takes on a partner from leading local firm Gebran Majdalany.
Simmons sharpens Qatar focus with new hire
Western law firms in Qatar are continuing to expand after Simmons & Simmons has taken on a partner from leading local firm Gebran Majdalany.
Counsel for Russian oligarch turns to EU
The Canadian lawyer representing imprisoned Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky is lobbying the EU in his latest bid to win the release of his client.
Clydes scoops Kurdistan govt contract
The Kurdistan government has appointed Clyde & Co to act on all negotiations and contracts with foreign companies investing in the one relatively safe region of Iraq.
Finance deals round-up
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (Don Guiney) is advising Barclays Capital and HSBC as lead arrangers on a €10bn (£6.78bn) covered bond programme for Northern Rock. Dundas & Wilson ...
Former Yukos head looks to EU for freedom
The Canadian lawyer representing imprisoned Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky is set to lobbying the European Union (EU) in his latest bid to win the release of his client.
Akin Gump boosts energy with new partner
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld has boosted its energy practice with the hire of John Cogan from King & Spalding. Cogan will join the firm as head of Akin Gump’s global energy transactions practice and will be based in London and Houston. The move follows the arrival in March of Vinson & Elkins energy partner Douglas Glass to Akin Gump’s London office, together with two members of his team.
Latham secures sale of debt-ridden Atlantic
Latham & Watkins’ London office has helped secure the future of Atlantic Electric & Gas after pushing through the company’s sale just hours after it was put into receivership.
Cravath recaptures Shell as client for titanic battle with SEC
Shell has drafted in Cravath Swaine & Moore to fight off claims by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) – although the firm helped write the report that led to the regulator’s probe in the first place.
Alstom general counsel quits after disclosure row with CEO
Alstom general counsel Andrew Hibbert will leave the French industrial giant this July following a disagreement with chief financial officer Phillipe Jaffre over what should be disclosed in Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
Staff losses prompt Morgan Cole restructure
Morgan Cole has reconfigured its London operation after a slew of defections over the past 12 months. The office, now headed by partners Stephen Room and Leon Golstein, will now focus purely on property and property litigation services for property, energy and investment clients. It will also offer mediation and dispute resolution under partner Phillip Howell-Richardson. Commercial and corporate advice ...
Morgan Cole restructures London office to focus on property
Morgan Cole has reconfigured its London operation after a slew of defections over the last 12 months.
Eversheds wins Qatar Shipping Co as client
Eversheds has been appointed to advise Qatar Shipping Company (QSC), the world’s leading transporter of liquified natural gas (LNG).
White & Case NY link wins mining bonanza
White & Case has landed its first ever deal for MMC Norilsk Nickel, acting on the Russian mining group’s surprise $1.16bn (£958.7bn) purchase of Anglo American’s stake in Gold Fields.
Mick Davis: Xstrata
Mining company Xstrata’s massive growth has created some groundbreaking deals that have kept the small legal team busy. Joanne O’Connor reports
Morgan Cole hit by double energy exit
The flailing London office of Morgan Cole has been depleted further with the departures of two energy heavy-hitters to Charles Russell.
Drax lawyer quits for energy newco
AES Drax Power, the UK subsidiary of US energy group AES Corporation, has lost its only in-house lawyer less than a year after he was appointed.
Cobbetts targets Russian market for AIM listings
Cobbetts AIM team has embarked on a marketing tour of Russia in the wake of a series of successful deals for Russian client Highland Gold, one of the largest mining companies in the world.
Sean Rush: Petro-Canada UK Limited
He survived the takeover of his company and now he’s become invaluable. Husnara Begum meets Petro-Canada’s Sean Rush
Firms on British Coal case come under fire
The UK’s largest class action has been overshadowed by calls for the Government to sue 18 claimant law firms, which have been involved in the case against British Coal.
Martineau Johnson loses Birmingham energy partner
Martineau Johnson energy specialist Paul Brennan has quit the Birmingham firm to pursue interests outside the profession of the law.
Finance deals round-up
Linklaters (Alejandro Ortiz, Vinay Samani) advised Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria as lead arranger on the establishment and update of the €5bn (£3.37bn) repackaging programme of Atlanteo Capital. It is the first programme arranged by a Spanish bank. Ogier & Le Masurier acted for the special purpose vehicle on aspects of Jersey law.
Scottish power
Scotland is in an enviable position to take advantage of renewable energies such as wave and wind power. Nick Atkins gives the lowdown
Ofgem rejig leaves general counsel without a position
Ofgem, the energy regulator, has made its general counsel redundant and restructured its 20-strong legal team as part of its ongoing mission to cut costs.
Shell pulls in Debevoise for US court battle
Oil giant Shell has brought in Debevoise & Plimpton instead of its traditional litigation lawyers Cravath Swaine & Moore to fight off a multibillion-dollar claim over alleged overstatement of oil and gas reserves.
Linklaters secures wind farm instruction from RWE Innogy
Linklaters secures wind farm instruction from RWE Innogy" /Linklaters has cemented its number one position with RWE Innogy, winning one of the company’s first sizeable deals since RWE acquired Innogy in 2002.
Power in-house
Oil and gas company Eni UK is lucky enough to have an in-house legal team capable of seeing it through some hairy times recently. Husnara Begum gives the lowdown
California counts legal cost of energy crisis
The latest settlement in litigation over California's energy crisis includes tens of millions of dollars in attorneys' fees. California Attorney General Bill Lockyer's office announced that Houston-based El Paso Corp agreed to a settlement worth $1.6bn (£98m) in payouts. It includes up to $60m (£36.7m) for attorneys' fees and expenses for 11 plaintiffs' firms. The firms that will collect a share of the fees include Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, Kiesel Boucher & ...
Energy and utilities sector tops general counsel survey
Senior in-house banking lawyers have been overtaken for the first time by their counterparts in the energy and utilities sector as the holders of the most lucrative in-house jobs.A Europe-wide in-house counsel survey produced by recruitment firm Laurence Simons revealed that, in the UK, senior counsel (with between seven and 10 years' post-qualification experience) in the energy and utilities sector brought in an average salary of e142,000 (£98,700) a year, compared with ...
Clyde & Co first to Iraq
Clydes beats the City with Iraqi launch as it stakes key claim to lucrative post-war reconstruction
Lukoil forms adviser panel
Russian oil company Lukoil is setting up its first ever legal panel to regularise its process of firm selection for global work and reduce rates.
Bond Pearce gains a slice of Amerada with Stockley hire
Regional firm Bond Pearce has gained a foothold with US oil and gas corporation Amerada Hess after hiring a senior legal counsel from its UK subsidiary.
Drax hires Dynegy star as legal head
Troubled energy company brings in new blood to negotiate rescue package
Holman Fenwick votes in management
Holman Fenwick & Willan has elected partners for its restructured management group. This follows the election of Greg Gray to the firm’s new position of managing partner. Hugh Livingstone now heads the shipping group, Noel Campbell the commercial practice group, former member of the House of Lords Robin Byron leads the trade and energy group, and Paul Wordley insurance, professional negligence and environmental litigation.
Speak no evil
Enthusiastic one minute and prickly the next, Davies Arnold Cooper's Daniel Gowan doesn't like to talk about the past. Julia Cahill reports
Power trip
When International Power set out to revamp its in-house legal team, general counsel Rosemary Cook was given the task of overseeing the project. Vanessa Pawsey reports
Akin energy ace plumps for Orrick
San Francisco firm Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe is bulking up its Washington DC energy practice with the hire of a partner from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.
Bond Pearce sweeps the board in wind farm development
Specialisation pays off for planning and environment head Trinick as companies flock for advice
Firms pitch online for place on GE Frankona legal panel
GE Frankona Reinsurance has selected its first formal set of panels for legal services.
GE lines up new set of firms for fresh competition battle
Shearmans loses out as Clifford Chance keeps mandate; Cherie Booth QC drafted in
Ofgem loss prompts in-house shake-up
Energy regulator Ofgem has made a series of changes to its in-house team following the return of seconded partner Charles Bankes to Simmons & Simmons.
ABB Equity Ventures, Tomen and Forum groups sell majority shareholding in electricity generator Humber Power to buyers that include TotalFinaElf and Centrica.
Sellers advised by Taylor Joynson Garrett (Dominic FitzPatrick). Humber advised by Clifford Chance and Clyde & Co. Centrica advised by Ashurst Morris Crisp. Forum advised by Herbert Smith on tax. TotalFinaElf advised by Denton Wilde ...
Innogy drops in-houser after takeover
Innogy Holdings has dispensed with the services of the in-house counsel at Yorkshire Electricity following its acquisition of parent company Yorkshire Power Group.
Masons gets corporate capability in Scotland
Masons has hired its first corporate partner in Scotland from leading Scottish firm Dickson Minto.
Fuel for thought
The Lattice group may not be a sexy little dotcom newco or as high-profile as the likes of Virgin, but this solid multi-business gas distribution company is more like a firm's best friend. Abigail Townnsend reports
Powerhouse
Created from the demerger of National Power, International Power's legal team has experienced massive change. Mary Murphy talks to the head of the two legal departments
In-house power
Despite Innogy Holdings undergoing rapid upheavels and diversification, it still relies most heavily on its in-house legal team over ny external firm. And to good effect. Julia Cahill reports
Greek
Greek electricity transmission system restructures in compliance with EU Directive. Public Power Corporation of Greece advised by Norton Rose (Richard Metcalf, assisted by Jonathan Evans and Ioanna Stephanaki), ESB International from Ireland and Greek consultants LDK, led by National Economic Research Associates (NERA).
A&O and Slaughters head for court with Lincoln and Charter
Allen & Overy and Slaughter and May are drafting in litigation heavyweights as the collapsed deal between engineering companies Lincoln Electric and Charter teeters on the brink of court action.
International Power reshuffles legal team
International Power, the recently demerged arm of National Power (NP), has undertaken a major restructuring of its in-house legal department while appointing Clifford Chance as its principal corporate adviser.
Scottish Power
BP Amoco
In 1998, BP stamped its authority on the energy industry with its £67.7bn acquisition of US energy giant Amoco - believed at the time to be the largest ever takeover.
Powergen
The next two years are crucial for Powergen. The gas and electricity giant is planning to purchase a major US utility and has set aside £3.1bn to do so.
British Energy
Last month, British Energy breathed a sigh of relief when its five-month bid for Welsh utility Hydra's subsidiary Swalec, the south-west retail gas and electricity supplier, was cleared by the Department of Trade and Industry.
Martin Stewart-Smith
Fiona Callister meets Cameron McKenna enery partner Martin Stewart-Smith, who is looking forward to spending more time across the Atlantic when he joins US firm Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe
Centrica Plc
Centrica, the largest gas supplier in the US, is not a company normally associated with rescuing broken-down vehicles.
John Southworth
Ryan Dunleavy talks to John Southworth, a man who is making the unusual move from in-house to join a law firm as head of Nabarro Nathanson's upstream oil and gas team
National Grid Group
National Grid Group is already, without doubt, a formidable company. From its privatisation in 1990, the group went on to float on the stock exchange in 1995, placing it at the forefront of the UK's energy sector.
Shell UK (part of the Royal Dutch Shell Group)
Aa global brands go, Shell is one of the most familiar. But its simplicity and immediacy belies a complex group structure spann ing oil and gas businesses in 130 countries around the world.
