Described as ‘one of the most comprehensive practices in the energy space’, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is equipped to handle the public and private law aspects of energy, mining and infrastructure projects in France and abroad. Core pillars of the practice are M&A work, project finance mandates and regulatory and public law matters. Pre-contentious dispute resolution is another key area of activity. Rebecca Major oversees matters and frequently guides French and Japanese clients through resources acquisitions and disposals. Nina Bowyer is well versed in cross-border restructurings and financing arrangements. Mathias Dantin has seen an increase in instructions relating to the energy transition sector such as battery energy storage. Olga Melo Zanelli bolsters the unit’s ability to handle major projects in emerging markets. Bertrand Montembault assists with energy projects in Francophone Africa.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team has very good knowledge of the energy sector, sending the latest sector-related and legal news to its clients.’
‘Mathias Dantin possesses excellent knowledge of the energy sector.'
‘A unique feature of HSF's energy team that I value is its ability to advise with equal strength in almost any legal regime. HSF has advised me in a number of English, French and Arabic-speaking countries. Its Paris office is probably the best for matters in Francophone Africa. That, combined with its strong disputes practice, gives it one of the most comprehensive practices in the energy space.’
‘Nina Bowyer is one of the best negotiators I have ever worked with. She has a special talent for breaking through difficult issues and closing transactions. She also has a unique talent for explaining civil law issues in a way that common law attorneys can understand.’
‘The team is very efficient. They master their subject perfectly. They are pragmatic and deal-makers. I highly recommend them.’
‘Michaël Armandou is an excellent lawyer.’
‘ The team is efficient, fast and always trying to find innovative solutions.’
'The team has extensive knowledge of, and experience of working in, the legal and contractual environment of the upstream oil and gas business in West and Central Africa and is able to field lawyers who are fluent, and can draft, in both French and English.'
Key clients
- ACT Commodities
- Africa50
- Albioma
- Air Liquide
- Akuo Energy
- Aquind
- Amarenco
- Arcelor Mittal
- Bboxx
- BNP Paribas
- BP
- Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations
- Centrica Energy
- CGN Energy Europe (CGN EE)
- Chevron
- CMA CGN
- Corio Generation
- Dalkia
- Diamond Generating Europe (DGE) (Mitsubishi Corporation)
- EDF
- Engie
- Enel
- Eni SpA
- EOG Resources
- BNP CIB
- Banque des Territoires
- Crédit Agricole CIB
- GIC
- Glencore
- Hartree
- Helexia
- Indigo
- Inpex
- International Finance Corporation
- Macquarie (Green Investment Group Limited)
- Marguerite
- Maurel & Prom
- Meridiam
- Mirova
- Mitsui & Co. Ltd.
- Nala Renewables
- Neoen
- OMV
- Perenco
- PowerCo (Volkswagon Group)
- Renault
- RTE
- RWE
- Sinopec
- South Atlantic Petroleum Company (SAPETRO)
- Statkraft
- Total Eren
- Tullow Oil
- Valeo
- Verso Energy
- Voltalia
- West African Power Pool
- Woodside
Work highlights
- Advised Renault on agreeing with Voltalia the largest corporate power purchase agreement signed in France.
- Advised Total Eren on a major project in Kazakhstan for the construction of 1GW onshore wind farm combined with a 600 MW battery storage system.
- Advised Etablissements Maurel & Prom on the potential circa £61.7 million acquisition of Wentworth Resources plc, an independent Tanzania-focused natural gas production company listed on AIM.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Rebecca Major