The Legal 500

Allen & Overy LLP has a ‘great projects team’ with a ‘high level of service and industry knowledge’. Highlights include advising Asian Development Bank on a PRC energy efficiency financing programme with various technical equipment partners and commercial lenders. The practice also advised one of the leading investment entities in Asia on its proposed $149m equity investment in a toll road project company in China. Simon Black has ‘fantastic experience and skills’, while Matthias Voss is rated for ‘responsiveness, availability, accurate drafting and practical advice’.

Baker & McKenzie’s ‘top notch energy practice’ advised China National Petroleum on its role as PRC sponsor of an $11bn dual-gas pipeline project across Central Asia. Other highlights include acting for SK Energy in relation to its $2.5bn naphtha cracker joint venture with Sinopec in China, and representing the State Grid Corporation of China on its $3.95bn joint bid for a 25-year concession to operate the Philippines’ national electricity grid. Hong Kong-based Barry Cheng is recognised as ‘very active - a market leader’, while Stanley Jia stands out in Beijing.

Clifford Chance LLP is rated as a ‘specialist China firm’ with ‘great size and depth’ in its energy practice. The team advised EDF on its joint venture with China Guangdong Nuclear Power to construct, operate and maintain two reactors in Taishan, in what is reported to be the largest ever inbound investment into China. The practice also represented China Development Bank as mandated lead arranger of financing for the $11bn Central Asia-China natural gas pipeline. In total, the firm worked on over $100bn of mainland China policy bank financing in the energy and infrastructure field in 2008.

According to clients, Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. ‘has developed an experience and expertise in mainland China for joint ventures and public services delegation contracts that is ahead of other firms’. Highlights include advising Air Liquide on a €45m gas-product supply joint venture with Sinopec Tianjin Petroleum and Chemical, and representing the Citélum Group in a deal for the management of urban lighting in Kunming Municipality. Veolia is another major client. Rebecca Silli in Hong Kong is ‘good for legal analysis, advice, and drafting’, while Stéphane Vernay is ‘a particularly good partner’ in Beijing.

Herbert Smith LLP’s ‘dedicated energy expertise’ revolves around the Hong Kong-headquartered Asia projects and energy group, with lawyers in Beijing and Shanghai adding further capability. The team advised Huaneng Power International on the acquisition of a 55% stake in YangLiuQing Co-generation from China Huaneng Group and a 41% equity interest in Beijing Co-generation from Huaneng International Power Development for an aggregate of $344m. Shanghai-based Simon Meng is singled out as ‘a really good energy lawyer, very capable’.

Offering ‘good advice’ and ‘perfect solutions in a very short time’, Jones Day is lauded by clients as ‘top for the construction side of projects’. Engagements in 2008 included advising Chevron on its $1bn gas project in Sichuan, and drafting and negotiating all project documents for Sinosteel’s $300m headquarters in Tianjin, which when completed will be the tallest building in northern China. Michael Arruda joined the Hong Kong office in 2008 to head the Asia energy practice, while the ‘excellent’ Ashley Howlett in Beijing has ‘great knowledge of his sector’.

Commended widely for its ‘strong energy team’, Linklaters is a market leader on project finance, but also has a good practice advising on the construction side, in addition to having ‘great corporate expertise’. The practice advised ING Bank and Industrial & Commercial Bank of China on the $1.2bn cross border financing of a 792km crude oil pipeline between Kenkiyak and Kumkol in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Additionally, the team advised Arcapita Bank on a joint venture with TH Venture, and the $750m acquisition and investment by the joint venture company in Honiton Energy Holdings and its subsidiaries. China co-manager Celia Lam stands out.

Pinsent Masons is well-known as a ‘top construction firm’ and has an active projects practice. Highlights include advising China National Machinery Import & Export on its development of the first integrated build-operate-own coal mine and power station project in Pakistan. The practice was also instructed by the government of Guangdong, the Hong Kong SAR and the Macau SAR with respect to the $10.3bn Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge project. Beijing head John Bishop is ‘a really valuable advisor’.

Shearman & Sterling LLP is recommended by clients as ‘great for M&A and project financing’. The team advised BASF-YPC on the $1.5bn refinancing of an integrated petrochemical project in Nanjing and represented Dow Chemical on the development, financing and construction of a $9bn coal to chemical project in Shaanxi province. The team also advised Dow Chemical on the $5bn development and financing of a refinery, ethylene cracker, downstream petrochemicals and petrol station project in Guangdong Province. Shanghai managing partner Andrew Ruff is ‘first rate’.

‘Amazing oil and gas firm’ Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has particular strength in energy M&A - one 2008 highlight was representing Sinopec in its $8.8bn acquisition of Addax Petroleum. The team also advised a consortium including China National Offshore Oil and Sinopec on its joint purchase of Talisman Energy’s oil and gas assets in Trinidad and Tobago. Another engagement was for AES regarding its clean development mechanism projects in China involving the capture of methane gas from pig farms. Beijing and Shanghai co-head Paul Deemer is a ‘super lawyer’.

Noted for ‘quick responses, high business acumen and appropriate advice’, White & Case LLP has expertise across energy and infrastructure sectors. The team advised Hongyanhe Nuclear in connection with a $5.5bn loan for the construction of a nuclear power station in Liaoning Province. Another key representation was of Saudi Basic Industries regarding the establishment of a joint venture with Sinopec to acquire, finance, complete and market the derivative products from a $3bn integrated ethylene derivatives complex in Tianjin. ‘Particularly good’ Hong Kong partner Hallam Chow has ‘great business expertise’.

Allens Arthur Robinson impresses clients with ‘deep expertise in resources and energy across Asia’. In 2008, the practice’s PRC work burgeoned - one highlight was acting for a major energy corporation in setting up a joint venture to develop and operate a gas field in western China. ‘Minerals specialist’ Seamus Cornelius is singled out as a ‘great lawyer’, as is Beijing-based Stuart Mengler.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s highlights include advising Asia Trans Gas, a joint venture between the Government of Uzbekistan and China National Petroleum Corporation, on the $3.5bn limited recourse financing of the Uzbekistan portion of the Central Asia gas pipeline. Bruce Cooper in Hong Kong has a busy practice.

‘One of the leading international energy firms’, Fulbright & Jaworski LLP provides ‘first class service’. The China practice advised Wilmar International on its acquisition of an equity interest in Fortune Gas. Other active clients include BG Group and Senoko Power. Ben McQuhae in Hong Kong ‘is a brilliant and commercially instinctive lawyer, with a genuine understanding of the oil and gas business in Asia - he can structure, document and close the most challenging projects, whatever the jurisdiction’.

Lovells LLP’ ‘high end’ energy practice has experience in all aspects of upstream, midstream and downstream work as well as specialist work in liquid natural gas, gas to liquids and transportation. Power experience includes generation, trading and renewables. Thomas Man in Beijing is ‘a very diligent and practical attorney’.

Mallesons Stephen Jaques is well-positioned to assist on China outbound energy transactions and projects - its robust practice encompassing construction, M&A and financing is an added draw. The team advised Hunan Valin Iron and Steel Group on its A$1.2bn acquisition of a 17.4% stake in Fortescue Metals Group. The practice also acted for China Eximbank in its financing of Sinosteel’s $1.3bn acquisition of Australian iron ore miner Midwest Corporation. Christopher Tung in Hong Kong and John Shi in Beijing are very active.

Mayer Brown JSM has broad experience in energy and infrastructure projects, leveraging its Asia-wide network. One highlight was advising a wind energy company on the construction of its manufacturing facilities in Tianjin. Another significant engagement was representing Swire Properties regarding Swire Taikoo Hui Guangzhou, a 450,000 square metre multi-purpose development in China. Tom Fu is the key partner in Beijing.

Minter Ellison is well-positioned to service the trend of Chinese companies seeking outbound investment. The practice advised PetroChina on the development of three LNG terminals and its $2.5bn procurement of LNG, for the first time, into China from Iran. The team also acted for Sinopec on its procurement of LNG for the Shangdong LNG Terminal, and represented China Vanguard in relation to its power, coal and forestry project in China. Wan Li in Shanghai is ‘extremely active, very impressive’.

In 2008 Simmons & Simmons bolstered its Asia projects team with the hire of Brian Downie from the Hong Kong office of Minter Ellison. Highlights include advising a leading petroleum company on a multi-billion dollar joint venture project in China for the development of an oil refinery and petrochemical plant.