The Legal 500

Musat & Asociatii has ‘a real understanding of client needs’ and is ‘timely and responsive’. The team advised the Ministry of Economy and Hidroelectrica on the selection of investors for the construction of the Tarnita-Lapustesti hydropower plant. It also advised Petrofac Facilities Management on the negotiation and implementation of a production enhancement services agreement with OMV Petrom. The ‘well-organised’ Luminita Popa co-heads the team with Miruna Suciu, who has ‘great expertise in energy projects’.

Nestor Nestor Diculescu Kingston Petersen is recommended for its ‘fast response times’ and adaptability. It recently advised Gamesa Energia on certain wind farm projects, and other clients include Lafarge, GDF Suez Energy Romania, Total E&P, Global CCS Institute and Edison Trading Milano. The ‘outstanding’ Ruxandra Bologa and the ‘dedicated’ Adina Chilim-Dumitriu co-head the practice, along with Gabriela Cacerea.

Tuca Zbarcea & Asociatii’s ’proactive’ team is providing ongoing assistance to CEZ regarding a €1.1bn onshore wind farm project. It is advising Gabriel Resources and Rosia Montana Gold on a $4bn gold mine project and acting for OMV Petrom in various matters. Sorin Vladescu, Irina Moinescu and Cornel Popa are recommended.

CMS Cameron McKenna SCA’s ‘responsive and reliable’ team advised Renaissance Capital on the listing of a 9.84% package of shares in OMV Petrom; Iberdrola Energias Renovables on a substantial wind farm development project; and Raffles Energy on the acquisition of a subsidiary of Aurelian Oil and Gas. Todd Robinson heads the team, which includes the highly recommended John Fitzpatrick.

Peli Filip’s ‘focused’ and ‘flexible’ group advised Leitwind on two potential wind farm acquisitions and acted for Continental Wind Partners regarding several developments. Other clients include OMV Petrom and Steag Group. The ‘formidable’ Cristina Filip heads the team.

Popovici Nitu & Asociatii is particularly strong in transactional work and its experience spans renewable energy, oil and gas. It has acted for clients including ArcelorMittal and Primagaz Romania. Florian Nitu is recommended.

Salans provides ‘an excellent level of service’. It advised Monsson Alma on selling a subsidiary to Global Wind Power. Other clients include Rompetrol and Tractebel. Practice head Claudiu Munteanu-Jipescu is ‘truly brilliant’.

The ‘first-rate’ team at Schoenherr si Asociatii SCA is assisting SN Nuclearelectrica with the renegotiation of a multi-party joint venture to build and operate two additional units at the Cernavoda nuclear power plant project. It also advised Verbund on the successful acquisition of two wind farms under development in Romania. Team head Markus Piuk is highly recommended.

Buzescu Ca gives ‘excellent response times’ to its clients, which include Merrill Lynch Commodities (Europe), DB Energy Commodities and Statkraft Markets. It also advised VTB Capital on financing the acquisition of two gold and silver mining companies. Peter Buzescu, Adrian Tomescu and Corina Papuzu are recommended.

Notable for its transactional expertise, Clifford Chance Badea advised EDP Renovavéis Assistance on obtaining EBRD and IFC financing for two wind farm developments. It also advised Gamesa on a wind farm acquisition. Daniel Badea is recommended.

DLA Piper Dinu SCA’s ‘dedicated’ team advised ENEL Green Power Romania on the acquisition of the Moldova Noua wind farm and Banca Comerciala Romana (BCR) on the €23m financing granted to Martifer for a 42MW wind farm. Marian Dinu is recommended.

Gide Loyrette Nouel is renowned for its oil and gas work for clients such as Gaz de France. Bruno Leroy is ‘excellent’.

Kinstellar advised E.ON Romania on the €200m merger of its electricity and gas supply subsidiaries and handled Iberdrola’s participation and subsequent exit from the construction, development and operation of units 3 and 4 of the Cernavoda nuclear power plant. Practice head Stefan Botezatu is ‘impressive’, ‘innovative’ and ‘a very hands-on lawyer’.

Radu Taracila Padurari Retevoescu SCA in association with Allen & Overy LLP advised EBRD on the €188m financing of two Romanian wind farm operators. It also advised Banca IMI on the proposed refinancing of a wind farm. This ‘experienced’ team includes Costin Taracila and Victor Padurari, who are recommended.

Voicu & Filipescu SCA represented a Chinese-American private equity group in buying a $10m stake in a substantial wind farm. It also advised the lenders (Credit Suisse International, BCR and Erste Group Bank) regarding a series of term facilities granted to a Romanian oil sector company. Practice co-heads Daniel Costea and Marta Popa are ‘outstanding’.

White & Case, Pachiu SCA shows ‘outstanding, deep knowledge of the matter at hand’. It advised EnergoNuclear on the pre-project phase for the development, construction and operation of units 3 and 4 of Cernavoda nuclear power plant. It also acted for Hidroelectrica as borrower of a €110m loan, to be granted by EBRD, to finance the renovation of six units totalling 210MW at Stejarul Bicaz hydropower plant. Department head, Delia Pachiu is the ‘perfect combination of longstanding legal experience, with a diamond-clear commercial judgement’.

Wolf Theiss, led by Bryan Jardine, provides ‘concise and concrete advice’ and demonstrates ‘a profound understanding of key areas related to wind and development activities in Romania’. It advised OGIS on the sale of a 186MW wind farm project, and is acting for Electrawinds regarding various biomass and wind farm projects.

Anghel Stabb & Partners is particularly recommended for its renewable energy expertise. It advised ENER-G on two bids to install and operate co-generation facilities located on municipal landfill sites. Windenergie is also a client. Managing partner David Stabb is recommended.

bpv Grigorescu Stefanica advised Key Petroleum on its acquisition of Zeta Petroleum. The ‘very experienced’ and ‘reliable’ Anca Parascan heads the team.

Biris Goran SCPA advised Wirom, a Romanian-German joint venture gas company, during a Romanian Competition Council investigation. It also advised Romenergo on corporate restructuring. Christian Mîndru heads the practice.

Bostina & Associates advised Energiz Renewable on developing two new solar panel factories. Dana Dunel-Stancu heads the team.

Bulboaca & Asociatii provides ‘excellent’ service. Recently it advised Martifer on the €23m project financing of a 42MW wind farm. It also advised an energy consortium on the €1bn structuring and negotiation of an operation agreement for a group of wind farms. Cosmin Stavaru and Adrian-Catalin Bulboaca are recommended.

D&B David si Baias advised Socar Petroleum, the state oil company of Azerbaijan, on the €7m acquisition of Romtranspetrol. It also acted for Duro Felguera on the development of certain electric power station projects in Romania. Anda Rojanschi is recommended.

Eversheds Lina & Guia ‘always provides excellent response times’. It is advising Eco2 on the development of a biomass power plant and represented CDI Oilfield Services regarding outsourcing agreements. Cristian Lina heads the team.

Hammond, Bogaru and Associates SCPA’s energy department is experienced in oil and gas work as well as renewable energy. Nicholas Hammond is the key contact.

Mararu & Mararu advised V2 Renewable Energy on a strategic joint venture leading to new green energy investments in Romania. Ioan Mararu heads the team.

McGregor & Partners S.C.A.’s ‘highly recommended’ team is expert in renewable energy projects and represents major wind and solar energy developers. Neil McGregor is the key contact.

Pachiu & Associates is ‘responsive, business-minded and well informed about the Romanian energy sector and the associated legislation’. Key clients include GE and Eolica Dobrogea. Practice head Delia Vasiliu is ‘intelligent and knowledgeable’.

Radu Ionescu heads Platis Bazilescu LLLP’s team, which advised on the restructuring of a notable wind farm project in Romania.

Vernon | David advised TMK on the formation and de-merger of its hydro-electric business and operations. Other clients include BP, Vitol and Eolian Pecineaga. Daniela David and Diana Neagu are recommended.

Vilau & Mitel’s expertise spans renewable energy, oil and gas. It advised Romanian oil refiner Rafo on obtaining guarantees as part of a €330m refinery modernisation. It also advised Oltchim, a state-owned petrochemicals business, on a €424m investment programme. Sorin Mitel and Dragos Vilau are recommended.

Zamfirescu Racoti Predoiu Law Partnership’s ‘professional’ group advised Multimedia Art & Tehnic on the €300m building and commissioning of a 200MW wind farm project and power plant. Ioana Racoti is a ‘dedicated lawyer’.