Foreign firms in Algeria

King & Spalding LLP

King & Spalding LLP is a leading international law firm with a broad offering that covers both disputes and transactions. It can regularly be found advising on corporate matters, project work, investments and day-to-day operations, particularly in the energy, oil and gas, infrastructure and construction sectors. The firm has recently been involved in restructuring investments, entry into the market, M&A, and high-value international and domestic disputes. Paris-based energy and infrastructure specialist and advocate Mehdi Haroun heads the team and leads on the department's major mandates. Counsel Nora Djeraba plays a key role in advising oil and gas and other clients and supporting Haroun in disputes.

Practice head(s):

Mehdi Haroun


Other key lawyers:

Nora Djeraba


Key clients

Baker Hughes GE


Anadarko Petroleum


GE Power


Renaissance Heavy Industries (Rönesans)


Bloom/EIIC


Work highlights


  • Advising Anadarko on the day-to-day operations of the Berkine Project, including contractual, employment, customs, regulatory, tax and social security issues.
  • Advising Baker Hughes – GE on the restructuring of its investment in Algeria through new corporate structures and service contracts.

Ashurst

Ashurst is active in energy and infrastructure mandates, particularly in the oil and gas and mining sectors. The team advises clients on high-profile disputes and projects, corporate transactions and restructuring, and has been growing its global projects offering with several recent hires. Dual qualified in England and Wales and France, Yann Alix heads the team, with expertise in M&A and project development involving international clients. Commercial disputes specialist Emmanuelle Cabrol is an expert in international arbitration, and associate and specialist in OHADA law Claudia Cicone has extensive experience in M&A transactions and project development in the oil and gas and mining sectors.

Practice head(s):

Yann Alix


Other key lawyers:

Emmanuelle Cabrol; Claudia Cicone


Testimonials

‘Excellent arbitration practice involving Algerian companies and entities.’

‘Emmanuelle Cabrol is an excellent lawyer and disputes practitioner. She is responsive and very attentive to client needs and requirements.’

Key clients

Sunny Hill


TotalEnergies


Isuzu


Work highlights


  • Advising Sunny Hill (formerly Petroceltic) in a $2bn arbitration against Algerian state-owned enterprise Sonatrach in relation to the Ain Tsila field contract.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has been active in the Algerian market for over 20 years. It regularly assists international oil and gas companies, with the firm recently advising on commercial and corporate contracts, structuring, market exits, and pre-contentious claims and disputes. Paris-based corporate and projects partner Bertrand Montembault leads the team. Laurence Franc-Menget brings arbitration and dispute resolution expertise, particularly in the energy, mining and construction industries. Associate Thomas Herman is another key lawyer.

Practice head(s):

Bertrand Montembault; Craig Tevendale; Nina Bowyer; Martin Kavanagh; Peter Leon


Other key lawyers:

Laurence Franc-Menget; Thomas Herman


Key clients

China National Petroleum Corporation


Dragon Oil


Inpex


Itochu


Neptune Energy


Work highlights


  • Advised a number of international oil and gas companies on various matters relating to their operations in Algeria.

Linklaters LLP

Linklaters has vast experience acting for clients in the energy and oil and gas sectors, with recent work including advising on disputes, acquisitions and sales of assets. The team is led by London-based head of the Africa group Andrew Jones and project development and financing expert Bertrand Andriani, who works in Paris and is also the head of the firm's Francophone Africa practice. Senior managing associate Aymeric Voisin has experience in project work and development across the mining and infrastructure sectors, among others.

Practice head(s):

Andrew Jones; Bertrand Andriani


Other key lawyers:

Aymeric Voisin


Key clients

BHP Billiton


Work highlights


  • Advising BHP Billiton on the sale of its upstream Algerian oil and gas assets located in the Ghadones Basin (Rhourde El Louh and Sif Fatima) to ENI for approximately $210m.

White & Case LLP

White & Case LLP has longstanding experience in advising on complex disputes in North Africa. The firm advises high-profile international clients in the construction, infrastructure, energy and oil and gas sectors, with recent work including high-value disputes, financing work and contract negotiations. The team is led by Mukund Dhar, partner and head of the Africa interest group, and Christophe Von Krause, a commercial arbitration specialising in energy, construction and M&A, among other areas.

Practice head(s):

Mukund Dhar; Christophe von Krause


Key clients

Occidental Petroleum Corp (Oxy)


ADES International Holding