Leading Individuals

Rising Stars

Energy in Algeria

ADNA

ADNA stands out for the breadth of its offering in the energy space. Instructed by national and international corporates, financial institutions and sponsors, the team can regularly be seen acting in cross-border and high-value transactions, as well as advisory work and disputes. Recent matters for the department include acquisitions, deal structuring, drafting PSC and EPC agreements, project financing and pre-litigation investigations. The team is led by business law, investment and finance specialist Foued Bourabiat. Associate Fayçal Zedek supports Bourabiat, especially on energy transactions. Steven Aldrich has left the firm.

Practice head(s):

Foued Bourabiat


Other key lawyers:

Fayçal Zedek


Key clients

Air Products


BNP Paribas


Emerging Capital Partners


The Carlyle Group


DP World


Edison


Development Partners International (DPI)


Fruital (Coca-Cola)


Cevital


Occidental Petroleum


International Finance Corporation (IFC)


Honaine/Aguas de Skikda (Abengoa)


Myah Bahr


Danieli


FMO


OPIC (now DFC)


Samsung C&T


Suez


Jamjoom Pharmaceuticals


Numidis


Neptune Energy


Procter & Gamble


CVC Capital Partners


China Investment Corporation


Nestlé


Azadea


Fruital (Coca-Cola)


Volotea


Airbus


Oracle


Geodis


Lenovo


Jotun


Lactalis


Al Ghurair Group


Work highlights


  • Advised Occidental Petroleum Corporation on the negotiation of a new PSC (production sharing contract) governed by the new Algerian hydrocarbons law.
  • Advised Edison on a farm-out transaction involving a transfer of its interests under a PSC, including all due diligence, negotiation with the client, structuring of the deal and drafting of transaction documents.

Bennani & Associés LLP

Bennani & Associés LLP focuses on advising international companies and major law firms and is particularly strong in disputes arising in this area. It offers a comprehensive energy practice, covering regulatory advisory work, high-level disputes and ICC arbitration, corporate and commercial transactions, joint ventures, and other project work assistance. Managing partner Mourad Seghir and senior associate Mohamed Debbouche are names to note. Senior associate Zakaria Zereg supports in contentious energy matters.

Practice head(s):

Mourad Seghir


Other key lawyers:

Mohammed Debbouche; Zakaria Zereg


Key clients

BP


Consortium including Centrotherm Photovoltaics


Dragon Oil


Enel Green Power


ENI


Freepoint


Hellenic Petroleum SA


LG


Linde Gaz


Nabors


Noble Energy


Saudi Aramco Products Trading Company


Snam


Stream Flo


Work highlights


  • Assisting Snam in connection with its acquisition of a stake in a NewCo, which will own the stakes currently held directly and indirectly by Eni in companies active in the system of transportation of gas from Algeria to the entry point in Sicily.
  • Advising Hellenic Petroleum on the transfer of its refining, trading and petrochemicals operations via a legal hive-down into a newly incorporated entity.
  • Advising a Chinese company on its participation in the tender bid for a large 1,000MW solar project in Algeria.

Gide Loyrette Nouel

Gide Loyrette Nouel is an international law firm with a well-established presence in Algeria and significant expertise in energy matters. The firm has a growing and impressive client roster consisting of key energy and oil and gas players such as Eni and Sonatrach. Recently, the firm has been advising on acquisitions, PSC and EPC contracts, joint ventures, ICC arbitrations and project financing. Practice head Samy Laghouati has significant experience advising on business ventures, transactions and investments in Algeria. He is supported by of counsel Djamila Annad, who has former experience at Sonatrach and the Office of the Ministry of Energy. Associate Xavier Lecomte and counsel Julien Gontier are other key lawyers.

Practice head(s):

Samy Laghouati


Other key lawyers:

Djamila Annad; Xavier Lecomte; Julien Gontier


Key clients

Total Refining & Chemical


Engie


Daelim Industrial


Halliburton


Schlumberger


ENI


Total E&P


Sonatrach


Asmidal SPA


Eni Spa


SINOPEC


Sumitomo Electric Group


Air Liquide/ Air Product


Work highlights


  • Advising Total on setting up a joint venture with Sonatrach for the development of a major petrochemical project in Algeria.
  • Advising Air Liquide on the sale of its Algerian fully owned subsidiary Sidal Spa to Helios.
  • Advising Daelim Industrial on the performance of an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract relating to the construction of a gas-fired combined-cycle plant with a capacity of 1200MW.

LPA-CGR

LPA-CGR has experience in advising clients on investments, regulatory matters and transactions in the energy space. Recent work for the team has involved negotiation and assistance with the incorporation of entities, joint ventures and regulatory approval applications. Samir Sayah joined the firm from CMS and leads the team, bringing his expertise in corporate and M&A, investments and exchange control regulations. Rym Loucif left the firm.

Practice head(s):

Samir Sayah


Testimonials

‘A multicultural and multidisciplinary team of local experts’

‘Professional lawyers with significant knowledge of local regulation and business culture. They reach optimised solutions in a very complex, changing and dynamic business environment.’

CMS

International law firm CMS provides local energy and oil and gas clients with support and advice in corporate matters and dealings. Recent work includes corporate document preparation for liquidations, restructurings and the establishment of companies.

Loucif + Co

Loucif + Co specialises in business law in strategic sectors in the country, and has significant experience assisting international clients on investments and project work. Founded and led by Rym Loucif, a former partner at LPA-CGR, the firm advises some of the key players operating in Algeria, including Neptune Energy. Recently, the team has been working on reviewing contracts and agreements, incorporations of subsidiaries and compliance.

Practice head(s):

Rym Loucif


Testimonials

‘Loucif Co is a small, hands-on firm with a lot of knowledge. They respond quickly and charge decent rates.’

‘Rym Loucif is an excellent lawyer. We have been with working with Rym for a number of years and always to our great satisfaction. Rym is very responsive, knowledgeable and has a lot of experience with working with international companies.’

Key clients

Neptune Energy


Emerson


Work highlights


  • Assisted Neptune Energy in connection with oil and gas matters following the acquisition from Engie of an entity holding hydrocarbons assets in Algeria (Touat perimeter).