Energy & Natural Resources

     

"Very good sector knowledge and a practical, hands-on approach..." Legal 500, 2013

     

    Introduction Introduction

Highly regarded practice offering both regional and international expertise..."

Chambers UK, 2016Chambers UK, 2016

Mineral extraction, energy and power are highly regulated sectors requiring specialist industry knowledge and international expertise.

Our team have a wide range of Our team have a wide range of transactional and regulatory experience, transactional and regulatory experience, and in addition we have experts in corporate and in addition we have experts in corporate finance, private equity, mergers and finance, private equity, mergers and acquisitions, project finance, joint ventures acquisitions, project finance, joint ventures and strategic alliances, tax, infrastructure and strategic alliances, tax, infrastructure projects, operational contracts and dispute projects, operational contracts and dispute resolution. resolution. 

Our international tax practice and our work Our international tax practice and our work with Family Offices, who often invest in this with Family Offices, who often invest in this sector, enable us to suggest optimal sector, enable us to suggest optimal structures from the perspective of structures from the perspective of investors and group companies.investors and group companies.

As for operational matters, we regularly As for operational matters, we regularly advise on:advise on:

l exploration licences and due diligence exploration licences and due diligence requirements including necessary legal requirements including necessary legal opinions and Competent Person opinions and Competent Person ReportsReports

l mine construction and infrastructure mine construction and infrastructure contracts, such as those for road contracts, such as those for road access and power connectionsaccess and power connections

l production sharing agreements, production sharing agreements, offtake and other product sale offtake and other product sale arrangementsarrangements

l procurement of equipment and fixed procurement of equipment and fixed plant and machineryplant and machinery

l planning, environmental and health & planning, environmental and health & safety regulationsafety regulation

l governance structures and antigovernance structures and anti--corruption legislationcorruption legislation

l shareholder activism and dispute shareholder activism and dispute resolutionresolution

Our clients include exploration companies Our clients include exploration companies for the oil, gas and minerals industries, for the oil, gas and minerals industries, mining companies and cleantech and mining companies and cleantech and renewable energy businesses, both renewable energy businesses, both onshore and offshore.onshore and offshore.

Our international work covers Africa, Our international work covers Africa, Australasia, Indonesia, the Middle East, Australasia, Indonesia, the Middle East, Russia & the CIS, and Central and South Russia & the CIS, and Central and South America. We also advise sponsors, America. We also advise sponsors, nominated advisors and corporate nominated advisors and corporate advisors on their obligations on flotations advisors on their obligations on flotations and fundraisings.and fundraisings.

Energy & Natural Resources

     

Our approach Our approach    

You don't just get one person, you get the whole firm; this depth of knowledge is very impressive."

Chambers UK, 2015Chambers UK, 2015

Our approach in key areas

Our team have gained significant experience Our team have gained significant experience in the Energy and Natural Resources in the Energy and Natural Resources sectors over the years advising a broad sectors over the years advising a broad range of different clients on many of the range of different clients on many of the challenging issues they face in today's fast challenging issues they face in today's fast changing market.changing market.

To meet the needs of our clients the team To meet the needs of our clients the team have developed certain areas of particular have developed certain areas of particular specialism in mining, oil and gas and in specialism in mining, oil and gas and in cleantech and renewables.cleantech and renewables.

We make it our business to understand fully We make it our business to understand fully how our clients operate in their different how our clients operate in their different sectors, fostering long term relationships sectors, fostering long term relationships and providing an exceptional combination of and providing an exceptional combination of commercial knowledge and legal expertise commercial knowledge and legal expertise to achieve desired goals.to achieve desired goals.

  

Focus and offering to clientsFocus and offering to clients Our multidisciplinary team advises our Our multidisciplinary team advises our energy and natural resources clients on a energy and natural resources clients on a range of transactions and operational range of transactions and operational issues such as: issues such as: 

l joint ventures (including international joint ventures (including international joint ventures)joint ventures)

l mergers and acquisitions (public and mergers and acquisitions (public and private)private)

l financing whether by debt, equity or a financing whether by debt, equity or a combination of the twocombination of the two

l family office and private equity family office and private equity investmentsinvestments

l construction, operation and construction, operation and maintenance advice throughout the maintenance advice throughout the lifecycle of a project, including   lifecycle of a project, including   decommissioningdecommissioning

l property, planning and environmental property, planning and environmental mattersmatters

l development and commercialisation of development and commercialisation of intellectual property in new intellectual property in new technologiestechnologies

l competition, procurement and competition, procurement and regulatory issues, andregulatory issues, and

l supply chain, power purchase and grid supply chain, power purchase and grid connection agreements.connection agreements.

     

   SubSub--sector focussector focus

MiningMining In the mining sector we are known for the In the mining sector we are known for the breadth of our practice breadth of our practice –– acting for acting for both both mining companies as well as for banks mining companies as well as for banks and financial advisers, and acting across a and financial advisers, and acting across a range of legal disciplines from litigation to range of legal disciplines from litigation to corporate, commercial and banking.corporate, commercial and banking.

We have extensive international experience We have extensive international experience in the mining sector and are particularly well in the mining sector and are particularly well known for our work in emerging markets; known for our work in emerging markets; our work covers Africa, Australasia, our work covers Africa, Australasia, Indonesia, the Middle East, Russia & the Indonesia, the Middle East, Russia & the CIS, and Central and South America. CIS, and Central and South America. 

In the past year we have advised some of In the past year we have advised some of the largest companies in the mining sector the largest companies in the mining sector including Randgold and Centamin as well as including Randgold and Centamin as well as working with some of the leading banks in working with some of the leading banks in the sector, including Barclays and the sector, including Barclays and Canaccord.Canaccord.

Oil and GasOil and Gas We advise governments, NOCs (National We advise governments, NOCs (National Oil Companies), independent oil and gas Oil Companies), independent oil and gas companies, and investors on all aspects of companies, and investors on all aspects of the oil and gas supply chain including the oil and gas supply chain including upstream licensing, exploration and upstream licensing, exploration and production, and midstream/ downstream production, and midstream/ downstream storage, transportation and supply.storage, transportation and supply.

As well as conventional oil and gas, our As well as conventional oil and gas, our knowledge and experience includes knowledge and experience includes unconventional reserves, such as coal bed unconventional reserves, such as coal bed methane and shale.methane and shale.

Our work includes advising on UK onshore Our work includes advising on UK onshore activities including ongoing advice to activities including ongoing advice to Europa Oil and Gas in respect of Europa Oil and Gas in respect of hydrocarbon exploration at Holmwood; as hydrocarbon exploration at Holmwood; as well as international onshore and offshore well as international onshore and offshore projects such as advising the Government projects such as advising the Government of Barbados on offshore exploration of Barbados on offshore exploration licences with BHP Billiton; and joint ventures licences with BHP Billiton; and joint ventures within the sector.within the sector.

Cleantech & RenewablesCleantech & Renewables As more investors show an interest in this As more investors show an interest in this asset class, our work in the cleantech and asset class, our work in the cleantech and renewable energy sectors is an increasingly renewable energy sectors is an increasingly important part of our Energy & Natural important part of our Energy & Natural Resources practice. We also recognise the Resources practice. We also recognise the importance of innovative technology, both importance of innovative technology, both in the expansion of sustainable energy in the expansion of sustainable energy generation and more efficient power generation and more efficient power distribution and usage.distribution and usage.

Recent experience in the last twelve months Recent experience in the last twelve months includes advising a large private equity firm includes advising a large private equity firm on investments into renewable projects in on investments into renewable projects in Africa; commercial advice to a major Africa; commercial advice to a major manufacturer of smart metering manufacturer of smart metering technology; and various developers in wind technology; and various developers in wind farm projects in the UK.farm projects in the UK.

Our team works closely with our Our team works closely with our Technology, Media & Telecommunications Technology, Media & Telecommunications team, which allows our clients to benefit team, which allows our clients to benefit from their technical expertise, particularly from their technical expertise, particularly where Smart Cities and "The Internet of where Smart Cities and "The Internet of Things" are concerned.Things" are concerned.

     

Deal highlightsDeal highlights   

Acting for Harvest Minerals Ltd on its Acting for Harvest Minerals Ltd on its admission to AIM and subsequent placing. admission to AIM and subsequent placing. Harvest is already listed on the ASX and is a Harvest is already listed on the ASX and is a potash and phosphate exploration and potash and phosphate exploration and development company with projects development company with projects located in Brazil.located in Brazil.

Advising Mwana Africa plc (now ASA Advising Mwana Africa plc (now ASA Resource Group PLC) in connection with a Resource Group PLC) in connection with a dispute with its major shareholder, China dispute with its major shareholder, China International Mining Group Corporation International Mining Group Corporation (CIMGC) and two appointed board (CIMGC) and two appointed board representatives over the terms of a representatives over the terms of a relationship agreement entered into with relationship agreement entered into with CIMGC in 2012.CIMGC in 2012.

Acting for Al Salam Opportunities Limited Acting for Al Salam Opportunities Limited on the disposal of its significant holdings in on the disposal of its significant holdings in Petra Diamonds by way of two accelerated Petra Diamonds by way of two accelerated book build transactions.book build transactions.

  

Advising Condor Gold plc in connection with Advising Condor Gold plc in connection with a strategic review announced in September a strategic review announced in September including the implications of the resulting including the implications of the resulting offer period and Rule 2.2 and 21 of the offer period and Rule 2.2 and 21 of the Takeover Code, and assisting in liaison with Takeover Code, and assisting in liaison with the Takeover Panel since that date.the Takeover Panel since that date.

Advising Arian Silver Corporation in Advising Arian Silver Corporation in connection with the exercise by principal connection with the exercise by principal lender Quintana AGQ Holding Co. LLC of its lender Quintana AGQ Holding Co. LLC of its foreclosure rights under the terms of its foreclosure rights under the terms of its senior secured financing arrangement with senior secured financing arrangement with the company, which included taking the company, which included taking ownership of the companyownership of the company’’s San José s San José project in Mexico.project in Mexico.

Advising VAST Resources plc on a Advising VAST Resources plc on a fundraising by way of equity and warrants to fundraising by way of equity and warrants to raise up to raise up to ££5.5 million. The investor is a 5.5 million. The investor is a family office (Crede Capital Group) based in family office (Crede Capital Group) based in New York.New York.

Advised WH Ireland on placings including for Advised WH Ireland on placings including for LGO Energy plc (to raise LGO Energy plc (to raise ££4.3m) and Rare 4.3m) and Rare Earth Minerals (to raise Earth Minerals (to raise ££2.5m).2.5m).

  

   Advised Hannam & Partners and Cantor Advised Hannam & Partners and Cantor Fitzgerald Europe on a US $9.5m Fitzgerald Europe on a US $9.5m secondary fundraising for Hummingbird secondary fundraising for Hummingbird Resources plc.Resources plc.

Deal highlights

     

   Deal highlights Deal highlights 

Advised Canaccord Genuity on the listing of Advised Canaccord Genuity on the listing of Northern Irish gold project Dalradian Northern Irish gold project Dalradian Resources Inc on the AIM market.Resources Inc on the AIM market.

Advised StratMin Global Resources, the Advised StratMin Global Resources, the AIMAIM--quoted graphite production company quoted graphite production company on its 2015 placing for the further on its 2015 placing for the further development of its operations in development of its operations in Madagascar.Madagascar.

  

Advising on a joint venture between Aegis Advising on a joint venture between Aegis and Itochu Corporation. The deal and Itochu Corporation. The deal was structured as two corporate JVs, with was structured as two corporate JVs, with complex commercial agreements complex commercial agreements regulating the relationships between the regulating the relationships between the various parties involved.various parties involved.

Advised on the planning case of Advised on the planning case of hydrocarbon exploration at Holmwood at hydrocarbon exploration at Holmwood at the first inquiry in 2012, and later the first inquiry in 2012, and later underground access requirements and underground access requirements and the recent changes to the Permitted the recent changes to the Permitted Development regime. We advise on Development regime. We advise on technical law and policy, provide strategic technical law and policy, provide strategic and practical advice, deal with other legal and practical advice, deal with other legal advisors and unrepresented interested advisors and unrepresented interested parties and assist with response to other parties and assist with response to other bodies (such as the Environmental Agency) bodies (such as the Environmental Agency) and assist with the regulatory and assist with the regulatory announcements and press articles.announcements and press articles.

Advised the Government of Barbados in Advised the Government of Barbados in final negotiations resulting in the signing of final negotiations resulting in the signing of oil and gas exploration licences issued to oil and gas exploration licences issued to BHP Billiton for two offshore blocks.BHP Billiton for two offshore blocks.

Advising Sunfarming GmbH on its joint Advising Sunfarming GmbH on its joint venture with Ethical Power Group venture with Ethical Power Group to develop solar power sites in the UK and to develop solar power sites in the UK and its first project in the UK at Lower Newton.its first project in the UK at Lower Newton.

     

     

“Clive Hopewell and Chris Putt are the names to note.” Legal 500, 2015

     

   Key contacts Key contacts 

Key contacts

Clive HopewellClive Hopewell Partner, Partner, CoCo--head Energy and Natural head Energy and Natural Resources sectorResources sector T: +44 (0)20 7203 5203T: +44 (0)20 7203 5203 clive.hopewell@crsblaw.comclive.hopewell@crsblaw.com

Paul ArathoonPaul Arathoon Senior AssociateSenior Associate T: +44 (0)20 7427 6515T: +44 (0)20 7427 6515 paul.arathoon@crsblaw.compaul.arathoon@crsblaw.com

Ian BrothwoodIan Brothwood PartnerPartner T: +44 (0)12 4224 6335T: +44 (0)12 4224 6335 ian.brothwood@crsblaw.comian.brothwood@crsblaw.com

Chris PuttChris Putt Partner, Partner, CoCo--head Energy and Natural head Energy and Natural Resources sectorResources sector T: +44 (0)20 7427 6616T: +44 (0)20 7427 6616 chris.putt@crsblaw.comchris.putt@crsblaw.com

David BerryDavid Berry PartnerPartner T: +44 (0)20 7203 5170T: +44 (0)20 7203 5170 david.berry@crsblaw.comdavid.berry@crsblaw.com

Adam CarlingAdam Carling PartnerPartner T: +44 (0)20 7203 5186T: +44 (0)20 7203 5186 adam.carling@crsblaw.comadam.carling@crsblaw.com

     

Key contacts Key contacts    

Level one Sub HeaderLevel one Sub Header

 

Christina FlemingChristina Fleming AssociateAssociate T: +44 (0)20 7427 1022T: +44 (0)20 7427 1022 christina.fleming@crsblaw.comchristina.fleming@crsblaw.com

Helen HuttonHelen Hutton Senior AssociateSenior Associate T: +44 (0)20 7203 5314T: +44 (0)20 7203 5314 helen.hutton@crsblaw.comhelen.hutton@crsblaw.com

David SavageDavid Savage PartnerPartner T: +44 (0)14 8325 2615T: +44 (0)14 8325 2615 david.savage@crsblaw.comdavid.savage@crsblaw.com

Mark HowardMark Howard PartnerPartner T: +44 (0)20 7203 8902T: +44 (0)20 7203 8902 mark.howard@crsblaw.commark.howard@crsblaw.com

Jennifer PierceJennifer Pierce PartnerPartner T: +44 (0)20 7203 5298T: +44 (0)20 7203 5298 jennifer.pierce@crsblaw.comjennifer.pierce@crsblaw.com

Jaspal SekhonJaspal Sekhon Senior AssociateSenior Associate T: +44 (0)20 7427 1055T: +44 (0)20 7427 1055 jaspal.sekhon@crsblaw.comjaspal.sekhon@crsblaw.com

     

     

 

     

If you are interested in more information on If you are interested in more information on our services, please speak to your usual our services, please speak to your usual contact or alternatively:contact or alternatively:

Clive HopewellClive Hopewell Partner, CorporatePartner, Corporate T: +44 (0)20 7203 5203 +44 (0)20 7203 5203 clive.hopewell@crsblaw.comclive.hopewell@crsblaw.com

Chris PuttChris Putt Partner, CorporatePartner, Corporate T: +44 (0)20 7427 6616 +44 (0)20 7427 6616 chris.putt@crsblaw.comchris.putt@crsblaw.com

Contact

London 5 Fleet Place5 Fleet Place LondonLondon EC4M 7RD  UKEC4M 7RD  UK

T: +44 (0)20 7203 5000+44 (0)20 7203 5000

Cheltenham Compass HouseCompass House Lypiatt RoadLypiatt Road CheltenhamCheltenham GloucestershireGloucestershire GL50 2QJ  UKGL50 2QJ  UK

T: +44 (0)1242 221122+44 (0)1242 221122

Guildford One London SquareOne London Square Cross LanesCross Lanes GuildfordGuildford SurreySurrey GU1 1UN  UKGU1 1UN  UK

T: +44 (0)1483 252525+44 (0)1483 252525

Our offices

Doha Level 21  Burj Doha Level 21  Burj Doha  West BayWest Bay Doha Doha  QatarQatar

T: +974 403 16611 +974 403 16611

Geneva 99--11  rue du Prince11  rue du Prince 1204  Geneva1204  Geneva SwitzerlandSwitzerland

T: +41 (0)22 591 18 88+41 (0)22 591 18 88

Luxembourg 2 rue  Jean Monnet2 rue  Jean Monnet LL--2180  Luxembourg2180  Luxembourg

T: +352 26 48 68 00+352 26 48 68 00

Manama Bahrain World Trade CenterBahrain World Trade Center Floor 24  East TowerFloor 24  East Tower PO Box 31249  ManamaPO Box 31249  Manama Kingdom of BahrainKingdom of Bahrain

T: +973 17 133200 +973 17 133200

Paris 26 rue de la Baume26 rue de la Baume 41, Avenue de Friedland41, Avenue de Friedland FranceFrance

T: +33 (0) 1 70 99 09 00+33 (0) 1 70 99 09 00

Zurich Basteiplatz 7Basteiplatz 7 8001  Zurich8001  Zurich SwitzerlandSwitzerland

T: +41 (0)43 430 0200+41 (0)43 430 0200

charlesrussellspeechlys.comcharlesrussellspeechlys.com    Charles Russell Speechlys LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales, registered number OC311850, and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Charles Russell Charles Russell Speechlys LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales, registered number OC311850, and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Charles Russell Speechlys LLP is also licensed by the Qatar Financial Centre Authority in respect of its branch office in Doha. Any reference to a partner in relation to Charles Russell Speechlys LLP is to a member of Charles Russell Speechlys LLP is also licensed by the Qatar Financial Centre Authority in respect of its branch office in Doha. Any reference to a partner in relation to Charles Russell Speechlys LLP is to a member of Charles Russell Speechlys LLP or an employee with equivalent standing and qualifications. A list of members and of nonSpeechlys LLP or an employee with equivalent standing and qualifications. A list of members and of non--members who are described as partners, is available for inspection at the registered office, 5 Fleet Place, London. members who are described as partners, is available for inspection at the registered office, 5 Fleet Place, London. EC4M 7RD. For information as to how we process personal data please see our privacy policy on our website charlesrussellspeechlys.com.EC4M 7RD. For information as to how we process personal data please see our privacy policy on our website charlesrussellspeechlys.com.