The Legal 500

Bolstered by the appointment of Philip Payne, previously at Soebagjo, Jatim, Djarot, Ali Budiardjo, Nugroho, Reksodiputro had an excellent 2008/2009 building on its impressive track record in project financing transactions. It advised JBIC on the $2.2bn financing of the expansion of Tanjung Jati-B Power Project and acted for the lenders on several additional projects. Non-financing instructions included acting for Energi Mega Persada on the acquisition of a $300m interest in an existing oil & gas operation. Ernst Tehuteru and Oene Marseille are recommended.

Utilising lawyers from its energy and natural resources, infrastructure and project financing practices, Bahar & Partners is acting for Bekasi Power, an IPP investor, in relation to the development of a power plant located in a major industrial estate in Jakarta. Wahyuni Bahar is recommended.

Hadiputranto, Hadinoto & Partners parades a team of ‘strong lawyers’ that continues to win praise from clients and peers alike. Notable instructions include advising PLN (Persero), the State-owned power utility and the Government of Indonesia, on the continuing finance arrangements for all projects in relation to the 10,000MW Fast Track program. In addition, it represented Pertamina (Persero)/Pertamina Energy Services in relation to the establishment of a downstream LNG company. Daniel Ginting is ‘well regarded’; Norman Bissett delivers ‘good, sound, practical advice’; and Luke Devine is ‘always popping up on power sector deals’.

The ‘excellent’ practice at Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung is awash with impressive, big-name clients. Recent notable highlights include advising Mitsubishi on the Donggi Senoro LNG project, Rio Tinto on its large, long-term nickel project 
in Sulawesi, and BHP Billiton on its disposition 
of Kendilo Coal. In conjunction with the 
Singapore and London offices of Herbert Smith LLP, the practice also advised BP on the $280m sale of its wholly owned subsidiary, BP West Java Limited (BPWJ), to Pertamina. David Dawborn and Mira Fadhya provide ‘good value for money’, say clients.

Lubis Ganie Surowidjojo’s expertise encompasses, coal and mineral mining, toll roads and other infrastructure projects. Past clients include Syabas Energy, Trimita Sriwidjaja and Recapital, which it advised on the Jakarta monorail project. Mohamed Idwan Gani is the name to note in this area.

Makarim & Taira S. has experience acting for project sponsors, EPC contractors and lenders. The practice advised Central Java Power on the development of a further 2x660 MW coal fired power plants in Jepara. It also acted as local counsel on the successful bid of a consortium involving Marubeni Asian Power and Korean Midland Power in relation to PLN (Persero)’s tender for the development of Cirebon Coal Fired Steam Power Plant in West Java. Rahayuningsih H. Hoed is recommended.

Headed by Emir Kusumaatmadja, Mochtar, Karuwin & Komar’s team recently advised INGOLD on corporate and commercial matters. Other clients include a major mining company and INCO. The group has expertise in mining and natural resources, as well as oil and gas projects.

Soemadipradja & Taher ‘clearly knows its stuff’, say clients. The specialised team boasts considerable industry knowledge and transactional experience across the mining, power, and oil and gas sectors. It continues to advise BP on various aspects of the development of the Tangguh LNG project, and on the mining front, represented Antam on various projects including a nickel joint venture with BHP Billiton. Rahmat Soemadipradja and Dezi Kirana are recommended.

Soewito Suhardiman Eddymurthy Kardono’s ‘extremely excellent’, practice advised the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the state electricity utility, PLN on its Central Java Model Private Power Project, in addition to receiving instructions on several acquisitions from mining companies. Oil and gas specialist Dyah Soewito, and Darrell R. Johnson are recommended.

Leveraging off its relationship with BHP Billiton, Widyawan & Partners was recently involved in the establishment of an alliance with Antam. Described by one client as ‘one of the best oil and gas firms in Indonesia’, the practice is also advising Shell on its downstream operations and investments in Indonesia. Gavin MacLaren, David Holme and Yolanda Hutapea are recommended.

Assegaf Hamzah & Partners advises local and foreign companies from the oil and gas, geothermal and mining sectors. Its expertise includes the establishment of business, project financing and acquisition of oil and gas blocks. It recently advised a domestic oil and gas company in the proposed acquisition of BP West Java. Clients include Star Energy Group and Petronas Niaga Indonesia.

Jointly headed by Al Hakim Hanafiah and Andre Rahadian, Hanafiah Ponggawa & Partners undertakes work across the power, telecoms, mining and minerals sectors, in addition to advising on transport infrastructure projects. It recently advised a group of Indonesian companies on the $500m acquisition of 120,000 hectares of palm oil plantation and is noted for its Indian client base that includes Jindal Stainless and JSW Power.

Mataram Partners ‘has niche expertise in the energy and natural resources sectors’, combined with a ‘unique strength to structure transactions with a keen eye on the practical implications’. Notable highlights include advising Deutsche Bank on the $74m financing of the supply of mining equipment by Liebherr to Kaltim Prima Coal and the project company on a $185m gas pipeline financing that was ultimately cancelled in the wake of the global financial crisis. Oliver Wright and Andi Zulfikar are recommended, along with Singapore-based Rina Lee.

SS&R Legal Consultants has a solid track record advising on power plant purchasing agreements and other natural resources projects. Past clients include a subsidiary of Energi Mega and Tenga Listrick Bintan.

Soebagjo, Jatim, Djarot advises on mining investments, development and financing projects, in addition to receiving instructions on oil and gas investment for both upstream and downstream projects. Infrastructure capabilities include electricity generation, transmission and distribution projects, and the regulation of toll-roads.

Instructed by clients spanning the oil and gas, mining and power sectors, Brigitta I. Rahayoe & Partners In Association with Deacons’ work includes multiparty joint ventures, project finance deals and risk management.

Christian Teo & Associates recently advised Alton International Resources on structuring and documentation relating to multiple potential coal mine investments. Other clients include India’s Mineral Enterprises and Shell Indonesia. Bill Sullivan is the name to note in this area.

Hadromi & Partners represented an Indian conglomerate in relation to multi million-dollar acquisitions of coal mining concessions in Indonesia and a large Nordic energy company on its multimillion-dollar joint venture bid with a large public domestic energy company. Eponymous firm head Iqbal Hadromi is recommended.

Often finance-related, Hendra Soenardi & Rekan’s recent instructions include advising Saptaindra Sejati, as borrower, and Adaro Energy, as guarantor, on a $300m secured and guaranteed facility. Sri Dewi Tambuan and Eddy Hendra are the names to note.

Headed by the ‘very professional’ Peter G Fanning, Hutabarat Halim & Rekan received several instructions from Mitra Internusa Persada, including the sale of mining assets and a co-operation agreement. The practice continues its environmental work and recently acted for Singapore Airlines in connection with the conservation lease of the “Harapan Rainforest Project”. Pheo M Hutabarat is also recommended.

KarimSyah has recently secured mandates from a multinational oil company and several state-owned companies, on infrastructure projects. Tapping into her dispute resolution expertise, Karen Mills leads on much of the work.

Law Offices of Remy & Partners has experience advising on large infrastructure projects including toll roads. Notable past clients include PT Marga Mawatindo and Blue Chip Investments Worldwide.

Lawrence T.P. Siburian & Associates remains involved in oil, gas and mining transactions.

Particularly active on finance-related activities, Makes & Partners recently advised on a $60m loan facility for the operation of an oil distribution terminal and associated facilities. Delivering ‘sound advice on both the law and business perspective’, it also continues to advise the Jakarta Province Government on a Rp950bn toll-road project. It was instructed on a $60m loan facility for the construction and operation of an oil distribution terminal and associated facilities. Yozua Makes is recommended.

Redinal Aminoeddin handles energy and natural resources work at Sani, Aminoeddin & Partners, and has experience on bidding procedures, drilling and rig-related contracts and power/electricity trading contracts.