The Legal 500

Al Kamel Law Office’s deep oil and gas experience runs from concession negotiations for Gaz de France to advising EFG Private Equity on acquisitions and Electricité de France on a BOOT project bid. Mohamed Kamel heads the four-partner team, which also acts as general counsel to Caltex.

Helmy, Hamza & Partners (Baker & McKenzie) advised Tri Ocean Energy on taking a $12.5m 80% participating interest in the West Gebel El Zeit concession; and the Egyptian lenders and IFC on the financing of Egyptian Indian Polyester’s $158m Ain Sokha PET plant, notable as the first major financing in the sector since the revolution. Mohamed Ghannam heads the team.

Nour Law Office managed by Trowers and Hamlins advises international oil and gas exploration and production companies as well as governments and lenders on upstream and downstream activities in the region. Tim Armsby advised Statoil on finalising E&P concession agreements for two offshore exploration blocks; and Lukoil on structuring its joint venture operating company.

Khaled Yassin advises SNR Denton’s global oil and gas clients on all aspects of their business. This included advising Shell Global Solutions on the engineering, procurement and fabrication contract for the Assil and Karam gas development project, and Total Petrochemicals on the potential construction of a petrochemicals plant.

Clients such as Halliburton consult Zaki Hashem & Partners, Attorneys at Law’s Sameh Khodeir on matters from incorporation to operating and distribution agreements.

John Matouk and Mahmoud Bassiouny at DLA Matouk Bassiouny are recommended for advice on financing and corporate structuring in the oil and gas sector. Bassiouny recently represented the banks on agreeing a $1bn facility for Petroleum Export Limited V. Matouk leads on concession negotiations for international operators.

Ibrachy & Dermarkar has a notably energy finance practice and considerable experience advising global energy companies on upstream and downstream commercial activities. Hegazy El Wakil leads the practice.

Karim Adel Law Office demonstrated its sector-specific knowledge when it advised Edison on its $1.4bn purchase of the AbuQir concession, Egypt’s largest petroleum transaction. Other clients include Total Egypt and Petrolube.

Kosheri, Rashed & Riad garners instructions from a range of oil and gas industry clients such as BP Amoco, Transocean and Marathon Oil, which it advises on matters including local incorporation and commercial agreements.

Sarwat A. Shahid Law Firm handled over $2bn worth of oil and gas transactions in 2010, from exploration and concession agreements to distribution and disputes advice. Clients include Schlumberger and Chevron Philips Chemical Company.

Shalakany Law Office has considerable experience in upstream and downstream oil and gas matters. Plum instructions include representing Naftogaz in all three recent oil concession agreements; and EGPC and Arabian Oil Company in exploration and exploitation activities in the North West October area. The team ‘understands the needs of foreign companies’.

Sharkawy & Sarhan advises international oil and gas clients including KUFPEC, Beach Petroleum, and BG on matters including financing, restructuring, tendering, environmental regulations and concession agreements. Karim Sarhan is ‘knowledgeable and practical’. The firm is a regular choice as local counsel alongside international law firms, and recently advised RWE on negotiations with the government which resulted in the adoption of a novel structure for concession agreements.