Energy

The Brazilian energy sector is one of the most promising industries in the country’s rapidly growing economy, specially on the brink of the oil and gas exploration in the pre-salt layer.

Through the longtime work we have been providing to our clients, along with a close follow-up of energy-related developments, we have been able to champion a highly specialized practice in the oil and gas, power and renewables sectors.

We regularly counsel international energy companies operating in or seeking to enter the Brazilian market, offering full-service assistance in regulatory, maritime, contractual, corporate and tax to effectively and efficiently support all of our clients’ legal needs.

In the oil and gas exploration and production sector, we advise major and independent oil companies in their participation in the bid rounds of the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) and in the development of offshore and onshore projects. We also represent equipment and service suppliers, as well as project and asset financiers.

In the mid and downstream natural gas sectors, we counsel clients in the implementation of natural gas processing units, regaseification and storage units and pipelines. We bring to our matters more than 15 years of experience in drafting and negotiating GSAs, GTAs and other sector-specific contracts.

We also have representative experience in providing advice for the planning and implementation of refineries and petrochemical facilities, in all project-related legal areas, including finance and banking, oil and gas regulation, corporate law and contracts.

In the power and renewables sectors, with many ongoing major projects advancing in the country, we help clients in the acquisition and implementation of greenfield thermo, hydro and wind power plants and biofuel projects.

Some members in our team have worked for more than 10 years in Brazilian government agencies and state-owned companies, a privilege that translates to a deep understanding of the Brazilian government's point of view, undoubtedly an important differential in developing strategies for the benefit of our clients.

Overall, our services include:

• Assistance in structuring client qualifications in ANP’s bid rounds, planning and compliance with regulations and commitments such as local content and work programs.
• Assistance in negotiating and contracting with Petrobras, the industry’s major player.
• Drafting and negotiation of E&P contracts, such as joint operating, farm-out/farm-in, services, drilling, vessel charter and unitization agreements.
• Drafting and negotiation of natural gas supply and transportation agreements, also including the implementation of pipeline projects.
• Advice to project sponsors and financiers in projects and asset-based finance transactions in the oil and gas sector.
• Assistance in the acquisition and implementation of power plants and biofuels projects.

Feel free to contact us any time in case you need more information.

Market recognition

Our energy practice has been recognized by leading publications that rank firms and lawyers based on the feedback from clients:

• Leading firm in Energy & Natural Resources / Oil & Gas (Band 3) - Chambers Global, 2011-2012
• Leading individual in Energy & Natural Resources / Oil & Gas: partner Luiz Antonio Lemos (Band 2) - Chambers Global, 2011-2012
• Leading firm in Energy & Natural Resources / Oil & Gas (Band 3) - Chambers Latin America, 2012
• Leading individual in Energy & Natural Resources / Oil & Gas: partner Luiz Antonio Lemos (Band 2) - Chambers Latin America, 2009-2012
  
• Leading business lawyer in Energy: partner Luiz Antonio Lemos - Who's Who Legal Brazil, 2010-2011
• Endorsed lawyers in Corporate/M&A: partners Luiz Antonio Lemos and Fabiano Gallo - PLC Which Lawyer?, 2010
• One of the most admired Brazilian lawyers in Corporate: partner Fabiano Gallo - Análise Advocacia 500, 2009