The Legal 500 > Latin America > Argentina > Oil and gas

For many, Martínez de Hoz & Rueda is ‘the best oil and gas firm in Argentina’. The comprehensive practice shines in all quarters of the hydrocarbons market, from exploration and production, through to transportation, distribution and marketing. Sources highlight the firm as ‘phenomenal in energy transactions’, where it is routinely called upon by oil-and-gas majors to advise on M&A, bidding rounds, joint ventures and financing matters. On the exploration side, it is advising ExxonMobil, Equinor Argentina and Mitsui on the development of their respective hydrocarbons’ businesses in Argentina, while on the infrastructure front, it is currently advising on several pipeline projects. It is also known for its formidable weight in the arbitration space and it frequently represents international oil companies in complex investment disputes and commercial arbitrations. José Martínez de Hoz co-heads the energy group — he also leads the arbitration practice — and is widely revered for his first-class experience and market profile. Energy department co-head Pablo Rueda is also highly regarded for his broad oil-and-gas expertise, which spans transactional, regulatory and environmental matters. The group also includes up-and-coming energy specialist Tomás Lanardonne.

The dissolution of longstanding energy boutique Alliani & Bruzzon, and the subsequent October-2020 arrival of much of the oil-and-gas team at major corporate firm Bomchil, is undoubtededly a win-win scenario; with Pablo Alliani and his team gaining the advantages of operating from what is now very much a full-service platform, and Bomchil obtaining capability in a key sector of the Argentine economy and in the process plugging one of the few remaining gaps in its service offering. Alliani, one of the standout figures in the oil and gas sector over the last twenty-five years, arrives with fellow hydrocarbons experts Fernando Brunelli and Cristián Galansky, along with of counsel Alejandro D’Onofrio, whose expertise also include mining law; all three are market-recognised figures in their own right. The group is particularly well reputed for its upstream capabilities and has long advised a mix of local and multinational energy corporates on the full spread of related matters as well as having considerable expertise in key, associated areas of law including corporate, antitrust, litigation, environment and tax.

The ‘very professional’ team at Bruchou, Fernández Madero & Lombardi is distinguished by its ‘great knowledge of the oil and gas market’ and ‘quick grasp of complex issues’. The practice has an emphasis on advising upstream and midstream players on the development of unconventional hydrocarbons, with strong activity in the Vaca Muerta Formation on behalf of clients such as Vista, Petronas and Equinor. The team’s robust transactional and regulatory capability is further supported by supplementary expertise in oil-and-gas arbitration and oil-and-gas customs matters. Department lead Javier Rodríguez Galli  is an ‘outstanding professional’, who covers the waterfront on oil-and-gas issues. Senior associate Santiago Balbi is ‘very strong in oil and gas transactions’.

Marval O’Farrell Mairal finds favour for its ability to bring an ‘out-of-the-box perspective’ to its oil-and-gas work. The experienced group is well versed across the full hydrocarbons supply chain, from exploration and production through to midstream and downstream issues. On the transactional side, the team kept busy advising on bid rounds, farm-in agreements and restructuring matters. It also has a prominent position in regulatory and contentious work, with recent roles on several high-profile disputes for companies such as Roch and Shell. High-profile figure Francisco Macías is an oil-and-gas expert, who advises on transactions, contracts and regulatory issues. M&A and capital markets partner Ricardo Beller is noted for oil-and-gas transactions. Senior associate Jimena Montoya is also recommended for her focus on energy work.

Nicholson y Cano Abogados sets out its stall as being a one-stop shop for oil-and-gas work and it covers the full range of downstream, upstream and midstream matters. Recently, it is has become most associated with its activity in the Vaca Muerta Formation, with its close relationships with Qatar Petroleum International and YPF paying dividends in this area. The firm also handles a steady stream of M&A transactions, energy disputes and regulatory matters. Experienced industry specialist Marcelo Lamesa steers the department alongside Nicolás Perkins, who handles energy, agribusiness and corporate matters. Up-and-coming partner Mariana Guzian is highly regarded for oil-and-gas transactions.

Pérez Alati, Grondona, Benites & Arntsen’s 16-strong oil-and-gas group attracts praise for its ‘technical capacity and flexibility’. The team has a broad multidisciplinary focus, with experience in transactions, regulatory matters, dispute resolution, tax and environmental law. Petrolera El Trébol is a key client and the firm routinely advises the Phoenix Global Resources subsidiary on its E&P activities in Argentina. Francisco Javier Romano heads the team and brings to bear significant hands-on experience following in-house roles at Chevron, Pan American Energy and Bridas Corporation. Senior patners Mariano Grondona, Alan Arntsen and Diego Serrano Redonnet all participate in the sector, as does transactional partner Tomás Pérez Alati. Key associate support comes from Ignacio Payarola, who focuses on energy, renewables, oil and gas and administrative law and litigation.

‘Quick and efficient’, Beccar Varela impresses with its ‘perfect balance of forcefulness and caution’. The department leans on the wider firm’s full-service offering to provide multidisciplinary support to oil-and-gas companies and oilfield service providers, with strong recent experience in E&P matters, tender processes, M&A, commercial agreements and finance transactions. Natural resources head Roberto Fortunati also co-heads the M&A and banking departments and has an emphasis on corporate and commercial work. Other key contacts include José Carlos Cueva, who focuses on energy, economic regulation and public law, and talented senior associate, Lucila Parodi.

Mitrani Caballero & Ruiz Moreno Abogados’ oil-and-gas practice continues to go from strength to strength, with an increasing profile in upstream, downstream and midstream matters. On the transactional front, the team has recently advised on cross-border transactions for Echo Energy and Southern Cross Group and it also evidences robust capacity on the regulatory  side. Oil-and-gas specialist Mariana Ardizzone, who is an ‘outstanding lawyer’, has been at the helm since the firm incorporated her hydrocarbons-specialised boutique, Ardizzone Abogados, in 2017.

Estudio O'Farrell stands out for its ‘vast experience’ and ‘highly qualified specialists’. The team is best known for its regulatory expertise, in line with the firm’s signature strength, and it notably played a significant role in the development of the hydrocarbons regime in Argentina through its close relationship with state-controlled energy company, YPF. The team also frequently advises on transactional and contentious matters. Senior partner Uriel O’Farrell co-heads the team and is recognised for his broad energy practice, which spans power, oil and gas. Group co-lead Agustín Siboldi specialises in public law and economic regulation.

Allende & Brea has a significant position in the oilfield services sphere, where it acts for major multinational names such as Apergy Corporation, FMC Technologies and Weatherford. The cross-practice group advises on transactions, regulatory issues and day-to-day matters, with the ability to draw upon the firm’s full-service offering for complex work. Marcos Patrón Costas heads the oil-and-gas team, while mining specialist Florencia Heredia spearheads the wider energy department.