Asialaw Profiles
The Guide to the legal markets of the Asia-Pacific

Allens Arthur Robinson’s team is made up of specialists ranging from various sectors within the energy and natural resources sector. They offer clients “a high quality service, a broad range of corporate work, capable staff and experienced partners”, ... [more]

Allens Arthur Robinson’s team is made up of specialists ranging from various sectors within the energy and natural resources sector. They offer clients “a high quality service, a broad range of corporate work, capable staff and experienced partners”, says a client.

Leading the team is John Greig, who is “a very experienced lawyer in relation to the electricity and gas industries”, says a rival partner.

Allens advised Origin on a US$5.4 billion bridge and syndicated term facility to fund the acquisition of the Integral Energy and Country Energy retail businesses from the NSW state-owned energy network businesses.

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Blake Dawson is “one of the leading firms in this sector”, says a client. The team is consistently ranked in the top tier, with clients saying it is “very articulate” and “has the ability to give appropriate recommendations”.Last year saw the departure ... [more]

Blake Dawson is “one of the leading firms in this sector”, says a client. The team is consistently ranked in the top tier, with clients saying it is “very articulate” and “has the ability to give appropriate recommendations”.

Last year saw the departure of key partner Leigh Warnick. However, the team subsequently hired Michael Sheng and Philip Breden, the latter from Gilbert + Tobin.

The firm advised BHP Billiton on its Western Australian iron ore operations. This transaction included a 50:50 production sharing JV with Rio Tinto valued at more than US$100 billion. It also consisted of mine, rail and port expansions valued at US$10 billion.

Other work includes advising on the US$8.31 billion development of the Gladstone LNG gas field project expansion programme, which has a 435 kilometre gas pipeline.

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“The Clayton Utz energy and natural resources team is outstanding”, says one client. This “very knowledgeable” practice excels at all sectors across the energy and natural resources sector. “It is just a very high calibre energy team supported by high ... [more]

“The Clayton Utz energy and natural resources team is outstanding”, says one client. This “very knowledgeable” practice excels at all sectors across the energy and natural resources sector. “It is just a very high calibre energy team supported by high quality practitioners in all the key areas,” says another client.

The team acted for Origin Energy on the security and financing aspects of its US$3.51 billion acquisition of the retail businesses Integral Energy and Country Energy, and the entry into GenTrader arrangements with Eraring Energy.

Another highlight was advising Canadian-based Anatolia Minerals Development on its merger with Avoca Resources via a scheme of arrangement.

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Recognised by market observers as housing one of the largest practices in the country, Freehills has maintained its strong position in the energy and natural resources industry this year. The team possesses “great depth of talent”, says one client.Meanwhile, ... [more]

Recognised by market observers as housing one of the largest practices in the country, Freehills has maintained its strong position in the energy and natural resources industry this year. The team possesses “great depth of talent”, says one client.

Meanwhile, a competitor admits the Freehills team has “significant technical expertise” and “sound commercial judgment”.

The firm advised Minmetals Resources on its Hong Kong listing of 1% perpetual subordinated convertible securities valued at US$690 million.

Other transactions include advising Centennial Coal Company on its US$2.7 billion recommended takeover bid from Banpu Public Company and advising Eldorado Gold Corporation on its US$8.5 billion merger with Sino Gold Mining.

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Gilbert + Tobin merged with Perth-based resources boutique Blakiston & Crabb in 2009. Boosted by the arrival of eight new partners, the firm acted for Bharat PetroResources on its interest in petroleum licences located onshore and offshore.“There is ... [more]

Gilbert + Tobin merged with Perth-based resources boutique Blakiston & Crabb in 2009. Boosted by the arrival of eight new partners, the firm acted for Bharat PetroResources on its interest in petroleum licences located onshore and offshore.

“There is no query that the firm cannot answer”, says one client. “It has depth of experience from partner level to mid-lawyer level and I would recommend it for energy and natural resources because it is technically very good.”

The team advised Sundance Resources on its Mbalam Project in the Republic of Cameroon and the Republic of Congo. This matter involved drafting mining conventions between Sundance subsidiaries and the two republics relating to the grant of rights to mine, develop and operate a railway and a port.

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“Mallesons Stephen Jaques’ standard of work is wonderful,” says one client. The team, which is led by partner Scott Gardiner, features expertise across complex regulatory work. “Mallesons is pro-active and commercial in its advice,” adds another client.The ... [more]

“Mallesons Stephen Jaques’ standard of work is wonderful,” says one client. The team, which is led by partner Scott Gardiner, features expertise across complex regulatory work. “Mallesons is pro-active and commercial in its advice,” adds another client.

The team acted for the TRUenergy Group in its landmark acquisition of power assets in connection with the NSW Government’s energy privatisation process.

Another transaction saw the firm act for Hazelwood Power Partnership and International Power Australia on the restructure of the existing project finance debt facilities for Hazelwood Power Station.

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DLA Piper has been actively boosting its capability in this area of practice by hiring Bill Glover from Freehills and promoting to partner David Nacarrow, Stephen Webb and David Harley.The firm is advising the manager of the Australia Premium Iron JV ... [more]

DLA Piper has been actively boosting its capability in this area of practice by hiring Bill Glover from Freehills and promoting to partner David Nacarrow, Stephen Webb and David Harley.

The firm is advising the manager of the Australia Premium Iron JV in relation to the US$5.4 billion West Pilbara Iron Ore Project. This project involves the construction of an iron ore mine, a 360 kilometre railway and a new port in the Pilbara region.

Other highlights include acting as sole legal adviser to Oakajee Port and Rail, a 50:50 JV between Murchison Metals and Mitsubishi Development.

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Clifford ChanceThe Clifford Chance energy and natural resource practice draws on the “significant experience of the firm’s lawyers in this sector”, says one client. Benefitting from its recent mergers with Chang Pistilli & Simmons in Sydney and Cochrane ... [more]

Clifford Chance

The Clifford Chance energy and natural resource practice draws on the “significant experience of the firm’s lawyers in this sector”, says one client. Benefitting from its recent mergers with Chang Pistilli & Simmons in Sydney and Cochrane Lishman Carson Luscombe in Perth, the CC practice has advised on some of Australia’s largest and most complex energy and natural resource transactions. For example, it advised Sumitomo Corporation and its Australian subsidiary on its involvement in the US$5 billion Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal at the port of Gladstone, Queensland.

Norton Rose

Norton Rose’s M&A team specialises on high quality transactional work for corporate and financial institutions. One noted aspect of the practice is its particularly strong experience in delivering a seamless cross border service across the Asia Pacific region. Last year’s biggest highlight was advising Banpu Public Company, one of Asia’s leading coal and energy providers, on all aspects of its US$2.7 billion takeover of Australia’s largest independent coal producer Centennial Coal Company.

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