Firms To Watch: Hydrocarbons

Standing out for its ‘extensive experience in maritime law and LNG terminals', Kincaid | Mendes Vianna Advogados is adept at advising oil and gas clients in a range of regulatory, contractual, corporate and tax matters related to the Brazilian offshore support market; based in Rio de Janeiro, Camila Mendes Vianna Cardoso, Juliana Pizzolato Furtado Senna and Godofredo Mendes Vianna jointly lead the team.
Jointly led by Livia Amorim and Fabio Di Lallo, Souto Correa Advogados is particularly noted for its experience in the midstream and downstream segments, where it advises a plethora of clients on contractual issues and regulatory matters before the National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP).

Hydrocarbons in Brazil

Mattos Filho

Mattos Filho has a well-established reputation among the top teams in Brazil; it offers transactional and regulatory advice to leading exploration and production (E&P), downstream and natural gas players, private equity clients and banks. The group, which is made up of practitioners with relevant international backgrounds, attracts instructions in an array of high-value deals, ranging from stock and asset purchases, business combinations, debt restructuring and financings, while also showcasing strength in the implementation and construction of projects in the oil and gas sector. Mandates involving contractual breaches, class actions and arbitrations also feature in the firm’s impressive portfolio. Devoted to the oil and gas segment, Giovani Loss is an ‘industry-experienced and trustworthy attorney’ who has a wealth of experience in M&A transactions, regulatory and maritime law matters pertaining to the sector. Also recommended, Felipe Rodrigues Caldas Feres is counsel of choice for clients engaged in large-scale projects and M&A deals. Singled out for his ‘vast experience in regulatory, contractual and M&A matters’, Nilton Mattos is another name to note for hydrocarbons work. Other key individuals include Danielle Ludwig and the recently promoted Bruno Chedid, both of whom are active in transactional, regulatory and contractual issues involving the oil and gas sector. All mentioned practitioners are based in Rio de Janeiro.

Testimonials

‘Mattos Filho provides excellent services. The members of the oil and gas team have high technical quality, present differentiated and efficient alternatives for highly complex issues, are fully available to clients in addition to being extremely responsive.’

‘Felipe Rodrigues Caldas Fere and Giovani Loss know perfectly how to combine their legal knowledge with a commercial and business vision in order to add a lot of value to the client.’

‘Nilton Mattos, Danielle Ludwig and Bruno Chedid are recommended for their technical quality and responsiveness.’

‘It is certainly one of the select few law firms that has professionals of the highest calibre with enormous and deep experience in the sector, they know the peculiarities of the business, and are problem solvers. They know all the players which helps to establish ties and reduce tensions.’

‘Nilton Mattos stands out due to his vast experience in regulatory, contractual and M&A matters. He has a very relevant experience in shipping which is a huge asset. Nilton Mattos is always available and looks for practical solutions to solve problem. He knows how to listen and when to intervene.’

‘Mattos Filho is at the forefront of complex issues. The team supports us not only on the purely legal front, but also when it comes to business, which facilitates discussions and makes the advice provided more effective.’

‘Giovani Loss is the main contact. Giovani is a brilliant, highly educated, industry-experienced and trustworthy attorney.’

‘Felipe Feres has a high level of knowledge and is extremely effective in finding solutions for the client.’

Key clients

Eneva

GDE

BP

Enauta

Total

Ecopetrol

Trident Energy

BW Offshore

Chevron

BTG Pactual

Shell

New Fortress Energy

Origem Energia

3R Petroleum

Equinor

Seacrest

Norsk Hydro

Aguila Capital

PetroChina

REAM

Work highlights

  • Assisted Chevron in the sale of its 37.5% participating interest in the Papa-Terra field to Shibah Energy and Caxes Energy, subsidiaries of MTI Energy.
  • Advised Compass Gás e Energia on the acquisition of the 51% equity stake held by Petrobras in Petrobras Gás – GASPETRO.
  • Assisted Atem’s Distribuidora de Petróleo in the acquisition by Reman Participações of all shares representing the capital stock of the company that owns and operates the assets of Refinery Isaac Sabbá (REMAN).

Tauil & Chequer Advogados

Housing one of the biggest teams in Brazil dedicated to the oil and gas sector, Tauil & Chequer Advogados is often called upon to provide transactional and regulatory counselling in complex mandates involving the upstream, midstream and downstream segments. The team stands out for its strong track record in high-value M&A, financing deals and project development, where it acts for an array of high-profile industry players, including E&P companies, private equity firms, funds and banks. The firm’s association with international firm Mayer Brown makes it a popular destination for cross-border mandates in all hydrocarbons segments. Department leader Alexandre Chequer is the point of contact for several oil and gas companies in Latin America, Africa and Asia. He splits his time between the Rio de Janeiro and Houston office, and is seen with great regularity handling transactions, regulatory matters and project development of pipelines, refineries, gas-to-power and liquified natural gas (LNG). These are also among Bruno Belchior‘s core areas of activity; he is also noted for his experience in joint ventures, bid processes and regulatory issues involving host government E&P contracts. Victor Galante is particularly seasoned in M&A involving hydrocarbons assets and in project development, while the recently promoted Tiago Macêdo assists energy clients in a variety of regulatory matters, including in relation to Petrobras’s divestment programme. At the associate level, Leandro Duarte Alves is recommended for the negotiation of upstream and downstream contracts. The offshore, ports and maritime law practice was strengthened by the addition of Joyce Jacobsen in November 2021; she joined from Vieira, Rezende, Barbosa e Guerreiro Advogados. Alexandre Calmon is no longer at the firm.

Practice head(s):

Alexandre Chequer

Testimonials

‘It has a very collaborative team, which is concerned with being always very up to date with the technology needed to perform in this field.’

‘Luciana Brando Daltro Sodré and Lívia Seabra Vaccari de Lima have served our company for over a decade, in addition to a team that is added depending on the matter, which under the direction of Victor Galante provide us with an excellent job.’

Key clients

CNOOC

Diatoms

Petro Rio

Karadeniz Group

Petronas

Golar

Eneva

MISC Berhad

Chevron

TAG – Transportadora Associada de Gás

Transocean Offshore International Limited

PECOM

Schlumberger

Ecopetrol

CEPSA

PetroReconcavo

Work highlights

  • Advised Diatoms on the potential acquisition of indirect equity interest in the Landulpho Alves refinery (RLAM) from Petrobras.
  • Assisting Petro Rio in the acquisition of the Albacora and Albacora Leste Fields, and related infrastructure, including FPSOs from Petrobras.
  • Advising Petronas on the 2nd Transfer of Rights Surplus Bid Round, which offered the Atapu and Sépia development areas.

Cescon Barrieu

The hydrocarbons group at Cescon Barrieu stands out for its vast knowledge of financing transactions, evidenced by its involvement in high-end deals and recent engagements in refinery acquisition financings, distressed leveraged acquisitions of drillships, and the financing of floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units. Covering all segments of the oil and gas supply chain and drawing on the firm’s transactional strength, the team is also retained in matters involving project development, M&A, capital markets and regulatory issues. More recently, the team has expanded its service offering in the sector, which now also includes contractual, tax and litigation advice. With in-depth understanding of cross-border matters, Rafael Baleroni is trusted by foreign oil and gas players navigating the complex Brazilian legal environment. Upstream asset sales, contractual disputes, financings and tax-related issues are among Baleroni’s areas of expertise. Maurício Teixeira dos Santos, who heads up the infrastructure and project finance group and oversees the Rio de Janeiro office, is skilled in M&A, tender offers, project development and restructurings involving oil offshore assets and transportation projects.

Practice head(s):

Rafael Baleroni

Key clients

GeoPark

Seadrill

Associação Brasileira de Produtores Independentes de Petróleo e Gás – ABPIP

China Development Bank

Yinson Boronia

ING Bank

Magni Partners

Shell Brasil Petróleo

Baker Hughes do Brasil

Global Participações em Energia

Work highlights

  • Assisted GeoPark in a dispute and the subsequent sale of an onshore block.
  • Advised Seadrill on its successful participation on the bidding and execution of charter and services contracts of three drillships with Petrobras.
  • Represented BPIP before the Supreme Federal Court in a claim challenging the validity of the environmental license fee legal framework in the state of Rio Grande do Norte.

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados fields a ‘well-integrated and highly experienced team‘, which is particularly noted for its strength in M&A transactions in the E&P segment. Regulatory work, greenfield projects and contractual issues are other areas of focus for the practice, which has been particularly busy advising on numerous transactions on behalf of client Petrobras that have been reshaping the hydrocarbons market in Brazil. The firm is in the process of combining its oil and gas and power teams into a single group to address clients’ needs in the intersection of these segments and emerging areas, such as greenfield hydrogen projects. With more than two decades of experience in the industry and ‘vast knowledge of the oil and gas market’, Daniel Szyfman steers the team in a range of transactions, notably M&A and structured finance. Maria Fernanda Soares is a name to note for natural gas clients, an area which is seeing increased activity as the domestic market opens up. Demonstrating a deep understanding of oil, natural gas and biofuels, Fernando Xavier is singled out for his experience in E&P projects and administrative litigation.

Practice head(s):

Daniel Szyfman

Testimonials

‘Full-service firm with a well-integrated and highly experienced team. When we get in touch about a topic, they immediately mobilise the most appropriate professionals to handle the matter.’

‘Legal know-how aligned with market and commercial knowledge.’

‘Fernando Xavier and Daniel Szyfman stand out.’

‘Daniel Szyfman – always available and has vast knowledge of the oil and gas market. Always seeks to work efficiently and collaboratively.’

‘Maria Fernanda Soares – extremely technically competent professional, always willing to address the most complex issues in a practical and objective way. Her experience as an in-house lawyer allows her to quickly understand the client and deliver the final product according to expectations.’

‘Fernando Xavier and his team are highly qualified professionals, which makes it feel like they are part of the business.’

‘The team, particularly partner Fernando Xavier, offered to us way more than legal support. They developed a successful strategy for mediation of a potential dispute that involved knowledge of oil and gas regulation, maritime operations, and in-depth negotiation skills. We also noted with satisfaction the team’s diversity and gender equality.’

‘Fernando’s reputation (in addition to his legal skills) was a game-changing aspect in the negotiations, which opened the doors for a negotiated solution with the counterparty.’

Key clients

Petrobras

NoNova Transportadora do Sudeste

Petrovictory

Work highlights

  • Assisted Petrobras in the negotiation of 16 different projects involving the sale of 28 offshore and 108 onshore mature oil and gas fields.
  • Assisting Petrobras with the sale of a 51% stake in Gaspetro to Compass.
  • Assisting Nova Transportadora do Sudeste in designing its new contractual model, revising the existing gas transportation agreement (GTA), and drafting the new entry-exit GTAs.

Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira & Agel Advogados

Devoted to natural resources and related infrastructure, Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira & Agel Advogados brings together a team of specialist lawyers focused on advising oil companies, private equity firms and financial services clients in a host of transactional, regulatory and project development matters across the upstream and downstream segments. Other areas of activity for the Rio de Janeiro-based team include helping natural gas clients navigate regulatory changes in the transportation and storage spaces, and guiding them in their energy transition efforts. Paulo Valois Pires is sought out by foreign and domestic clients in international tenders promoted by the Petroleum Agency and Petrobras for the divestment of onshore and offshore blocks. He jointly coordinates the team with Rogério Sobral De Miranda, who specialises in deals involving natural resources and infrastructure projects, including project finance, joint ventures and M&A. Financing and business transactions are strong points for Isabela Faria, who is also retained by clients in relation to EPC contracts and charter agreements.

Practice head(s):

Paulo Valois Pires; Rogério Miranda

Key clients

Engie

Petrobras Br Distribuidora

Verde Brasil

Comgas

Sinochem

Angel Fundo De Investimento Em Participações Multiestratégia

Repsol

Sinopec

Enerflex Energia

Mti Energy

Nova Técnica Energy

Braserv Petróleo

Vallourec

Jiangsu Asian Star Anchor Chain

EDF Norte Fluminense

Work highlights

  • Assisting EDF Norte Fluminense in an O&M contract for the operation and maintenance of a gas pipeline.
  • Acted for Petrobras Distribuidora in the acquisition of a 70% equity stake of Targus Comercializadora.
  • Assisted MTI Energy in the acquisition of 100% of the participating interest of Chevron Brasil Petróleo owned by Chevron Brasil Petróleo Holdings and Chevron Amazonas.

Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper

The oil and gas and energy transition practice at Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper has recently experienced a change in leadership with the arrival of Alexandre Calmon and Marcelo Frazão from Tauil & Chequer Advogados in October 2021, both of whom bring a wealth of experience in transactions (including M&A and financings) and regulatory matters across the hydrocarbons value chain. The opening up of the Brazilian gas market and continued divestment efforts by Petrobras of its upstream, midstream and downstream assets have kept the team particularly busy. Domestic and international clients also regularly seek the group’s assistance with LNG regasification and energy transition projects. Co-head Calmon focuses on high-end deals and regulatory issues in this segment, while fellow co-leader Frazão is a name to note for both transactional work and multi-jurisdictional projects involving maritime terminals, ships and offshore infrastructure. João Marçal Martins, who also joined from Tauil & Chequer Advogados in 2021, leads on oil and gas dispute resolution matters, including arbitrations and administrative proceedings.

Practice head(s):

Alexandre Calmon; Marcelo Frazão

Key clients

Cobra O&G Group

Karoon Petróleo e Gás

3R Petroleum

Perenco O&G

McDermott

Acelen

Baker Hughes

BW LNG Investments

MISC Berhad

Maritime Consortium of Thessaloniki Inc – MCT

Work highlights

  • Advising shipowner BW LNG with respect to contractual and regulatory aspects concerning the operation of the Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) BW Magna.
  • Advising Acelen on the negotiation of a number of sale and purchase agreements with global trading companies and international oil companies, regarding petroleum products.
  • Assisting Karoon in the Baúna project.

Pinheiro Neto Advogados

One of the most prestigious law firms in Brazil‘, Pinheiro Neto Advogados showcases a deep understanding of regulatory matters surrounding the exploration, development, production, refining, distribution and trading of oil, natural gas and its by-products. Brazilian and international clients active in all segments, including service providers and equipment suppliers, regularly turn to the team, which has notable strength in high-value transactions involving oil and gas assets. Based in the Rio de Janeiro office, Marcello Lobo is counsel of choice for many oil and gas clients engaged in high-end M&A and financing transactions with relevant regulatory implications. Marcelo Viveiros de Moura, whose experience in this industry spans more than three decades, is a key contact for domestic and cross-border deals. Regulatory matters, corporate reorganisations and joint ventures are all areas of expertise for Francisco Werneck Maranhão, whose track record also features M&A in the oil, gas and utilities sectors. Recently promoted partner Raphael Moraes Paciello is another key individual in Rio for transactions and regulatory mandates in this space.

Testimonials

‘Great reputation in the market and in-depth knowledge.’

‘Marcello Lobo has great client management skills and robust experience in infrastructure-related M&A.’

‘Pinheiro Neto is one of the most prestigious Brazilian law firms with wide-ranging expertise. The fact that they are always involved in some way in all the main projects developed in Brazil, makes them the first-choice for our most pressing needs.’

‘Francisco Werneck de Albuquerque Maranhão is objective and provides practical advice. Raphael Paciello has excellent knowledge of the sector.’

Key clients

Nova Transportadora do Sudeste – NTS

Mitsui Gás e Energia do Brasil

Castleton Commodities International

Tricon Energy

Work highlights

  • Assisted Mubadala in the acquisition of 100% of Petrobras’s refining and logistic assets related to the Landulpho Alves Refinery (RLAM) Cluster.
  • Assisted Nova Infraestrutura Gasodutos Participações (NISA) in the acquisition of Petrobras’s minority stake in NTS.

Trench Rossi Watanabe

Trench Rossi Watanabe's multidisciplinary team offers support to leading domestic and international companies investing in the Brazilian oil and gas industry. Noted for its ‘practical experience, technical knowledge and commercial mindset', the group is proficient in transactional and regulatory mandates, and also provides assistance in the resolution of disputes within the sector. M&A, project development and ESG-related issues all feature in the practice’s impressive workload, which is also populated by policy-making matters, regulatory proceedings and high-profile judicial cases. Praised by clients for combining ‘decades of industry experience with cutting-edge and up-to-date technical knowledge', department head Danielle Valois specialises in cross-border deals involving energy assets, oil and gas project development and disputes. She receives key support from Gabriela Bezerra Fischer, who also plays a prominent role in transactional matters in this space.

Practice head(s):

Danielle Valois

Testimonials

‘Danielle Valois and Renata Amaral are, without a doubt, two stars in the market. Professionals of international calibre with an impressive ability to deliver extremely sophisticated legal solutions in highly complex situations, both combine decades of industry experience with cutting-edge energy and up-to-date technical knowledge.’

‘Technical knowledge. I’d highlight Danielle Valois and Gabriela Fischer.’

Key clients

Petrobras

Pré-sal Petróleo

Shell Brasil petróleo

BP Energy do Brasil

GALP

PTT Exploration and Production

Petrorio

Enauta

Eneva

Vibra Energia

Woodside

BassDrill Brasil

Diamond offshore drilling

Transocean

Petrobal

Tokyo Gas

Marubeni

RWE

Instituto Brasileiro de Petróleo – IBP

Baker Hughes

Halliburton

Estaleiro Jurong Aracruz

Polarcus

Associação de Empresas de Transporte de Gás Natural por Gasoduto – ATGÁS

ENI

Weatherford

Rhone Capital

Nova Transportadora Sudeste – NTS

SembCorp Marine

Mitsubishi Power

Work highlights

  • Representing the Brazilian Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels Institute – IBP as amicus curiae in judicial proceedings related to Project Gemini.
  • Advising Petrobras, Shell Brasil and Petrogal on regulatory issues concerning how the Lula and Cernambi Fields shall be defined.

Vieira, Rezende, Barbosa e Guerreiro Advogados

Praised by clients for its ‘great industry knowledge', Vieira, Rezende, Barbosa e Guerreiro Advogados supports clients from the oil, gas and offshore sectors in the entire spectrum of matters. The team is adept at assisting E&P clients in M&A, bidding rounds and administrative proceedings before the National Petroleum Agency (ANP), and is well placed to advise major natural gas players in new midstream and downstream projects. Also noteworthy is the practice’s capabilities in matters involving offshore services providers, ranging from contractual to regulatory, corporate and financing mandates. The department is chaired by Daniela Ribeiro Davila, who also oversees the firm’s Norwegian desk set up to assist Norwegian companies operating in the Brazilian oil, gas, offshore and shipping sectors. Her key areas of expertise include offshore acquisitions and divestments, concession contracts and regulatory matters. Thiago Luiz Pereira Da Silva is skilled in the acquisition of oil and gas acreage, M&A involving natural gas pipelines, and the structuring of gas-fired power plants. Gas specialist Ricardo Martinez De Almeida is another practitioner to note.

Practice head(s):

Daniela Ribeiro Davila

Testimonials

‘The team at Vieira Rezende have at all times acted like an extension of our in-house legal team and have provided whatever support we have required of them in a flexible but consistent and conscientious manner.’

‘We have worked with Daniela Ribeiro Davila for many years and she is not only well-respected for her expertise and capabilities as a lawyer but is a source of practical, clear and commercially oriented advice.’

‘Great industry knowledge and very solution-oriented.’

Key clients

TotalEnergies Gas & Power

Neoergia

Hydro

Höegh LNG

ONGC

BW Energy Maromba

TotalEnergies E&P

DBO Energia

BW Offshore

Promigas

China Merchant Financial Leasing

Biosev

White Martins

DNV

Ipiranga Produtos de Petróleo

Work highlights

  • Assisted DBO Energy in the preparation of all documentation required to be presented to the Brazilian Stock Exchange Commission for the follow-on of the IPO of 3R Petroleum.
  • Advising DBO Energia with the acquisition of 100% of the participating interest held by Petrobras in three concession contracts in the Peroá cluster.

Demarest Advogados

Demarest Advogados offers advice to upstream, midstream and downstream clients in the gamut of mandates in these fields, notably high-value transactions and complex regulatory issues. The ‘highly qualified, responsive and business oriented’ group was strengthened by the arrival of David Meiler and a team of associates from Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper in October 2021. Meiler has longstanding experience acting for oil companies and service providers operating or seeking to enter the Brazilian market. João Luis Almeida, whose areas of expertise cover corporate deals, financing transactions and regulatory issues, co-heads the department, which is also skilled at assisting clients in the development of onshore and offshore projects. Recent areas of activity for the department include deals involving the recent opening of the Brazilian gas market, Petrobras’s divestment programme and bidding rounds promoted by ANP. Since publication, Bárbara Bittencourt has left the firm, effective as of February 2023.

Practice head(s):

João Almeida; David Meiler

Testimonials

‘The O&G team is very specialised and complete, and seems to be attentive to the movements of the O&G market as a whole. The services provided by the O&G team are complete and with quality above the market average.’

‘We are supported by partner David Meiler.’

‘Demarest Advogados is one of the most reputable law firms in Brazil. Its oil and gas team, led by partner David Meiler, is the one we have the most contact with.’

‘David Meiler stands out. He is very competent and experienced in the oil and gas area.’

Key clients

Qatar Petroleum

Duna Energia

Vibra Energia

World Fuel

Petrom Produção de Petróleo e Gás

Petroleum Geo-Services

Royal Fic

Companhia de Gás do Estado de São Paulo – COMGAS

National Oilwell Varco

Cobra Serviços, Comunicações e Energia

BRASILCOM – Associação das Distribuidoras de Combustíveis

Murphy Oil Corporation

CHC Helicopters

Maersk Drilling / Supply Services

3R Petroleum

Etesco Construções e Comércio

Tampnet

Work highlights

  • Advised QP Brasil on its participation in the Second Transfer of Rights Surplus Production Sharing Bidding Round promoted by the ANP.
  • Assisted 3R Petroleum with the negotiation of the sale and purchase agreement executed with Petrobras for the acquisition of the Potiguar Cluster.
  • Provided assistance to Maersk Drilling in connection with the agreements entered into with Karoon Energy for the chartering and operation/services of a drilling rig (Maersk Developer).

Lefosse Advogados

The oil and gas team at Lefosse Advogados has the breadth of knowledge to handle a range of transactional matters for a variety of stakeholders throughout the value chain. Clients benefit not only from core transactional expertise, but also the team’s ability to handle complex regulatory issues across the downstream, midstream, gas-to-power and upstream segments. Bringing together attorneys with extensive in-house and private practice experience, the team is frequently seen acting in cross-border deals and contentious matters. Primarily focused on transactional work, the highly regarded Felipe Boechem has recently been engaged by clients in relation to Petrobras’s divestments, including in the acquisition of refineries and biofuels, and the distribution of liquefied petroleum gas businesses. Felipe Gibson is seasoned in M&A, private equity and capital markets deals, while senior associate André Lemos is devoted to asset deals, contractual matters and project development in the hydrocarbons sector. In a significant move, project finance and development expert Miriam Signor joined the firm from Stocche Forbes Advogados in April 2022.

Practice head(s):

Felipe Boechem

Testimonials

‘Availability of a multidisciplinary team to support us.’

‘Felipe Boechem is always available and ready to support clients.’

‘I think Lefosse has one of the best energy and natural resources practices in the country. The practical experience, technical knowledge and commercial mindset offered by the team are unparalleled in the local market and rarely found in the international arena.’

‘Felipe Boechem has extensive practical experience and solid technical knowledge, always combined with excellent client service. Felipe is always our first choice for transactional and advisory matters.’

‘Team works with extreme efficiency, agility and dedication. They are excellent in negotiations.’

‘Felipe Boechem – extremely available, capable and attentive to the client’s needs. André Lemos – very agile.’

Key clients

Petrobras

Transpetro

New Fortress Energy

Eneva

Shell

Petrogal Brasil – Galp

Companhia de Gás do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul – SulGÁs

BR Distribuidora

Enauta Participações

OCYAN

BP Energy do Brasil

Marlim Azil

BW Offshore do Brasil

IBP – Brazilian Petroleum and Gas Institute

Total Brasil Distribuidora

CEMIG

Great Holding Group

Nova Transportadora do Sudeste – NTS

Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio

ADM do Brasil

Work highlights

  • Acted for Petrobras and Transpetro in connection with the sale of Refinaria Landulpho Alves and associated logistic assets to Mubadala Capital.
  • Assisted New Fortress Energy in the acquisition of Hygo Energy Transition and its assets in Brazil.
  • Advised Petrobras in connection with the sale of 100% of the total and voting capital of Liquigás Distribuidora to Copagaz Distribuidora de Gás and Nacional Gás Butano Distribuidora.

Stocche Forbes Advogados

Stocche Forbes Advogados is a popular destination for both domestic and international oil and gas clients seeking assistance with large financing and business transactions involving upstream, midstream and downstream assets and companies. The practice, which is noted for its experience in public law-related matters, experienced a recent increase in mandates pertaining to public bids in the context of Petrobras’s divestment programme, interaction with public agencies and regulatory issues. Guilherme Forbes leads on several M&A and financing transactions pertaining to the hydrocarbons sector, while project finance and capital markets matters are some of Frederico Moura and Bruno Gandolfo's legal specialisms. Mariana Saragoça in São Paulo regularly guides clients throughout all stages of public procurement and the regulatory process. Miriam Signor left the firm in April 2022.

Practice head(s):

Guilherme Forbes; Frederico Moura; Bruno Gandolfo; Mariana Saragoça

Key clients

Morgan Stanley

Goldman Sachs

Petro Rio

Syndicate of Secured Lenders Composed by Citibank, BNP Paribas, ING Capital, The Norwegian Export Credit Guarantee, DNB Capital, Blue Mountain Capital Management

Engie Group

Vibra Energia

New Fortress Energy

Trafigura

Atem’s Distribuidora De Petróleo

Eig Group

Nova Transportadora Do Sudeste – NTS

Prumo Logística

Açu Petróleo

Work highlights

  • Advised EIG on the sale of its aggregated 27% stake in Transportadora Brasileira Gasoduto Bolívia-Brasil.
  • Advising Forbes & Manhattan regarding the acquisition of 100% of the equity capital of Paraná Shale for the operation of the Shale Industrialisation Unit (SIX).
  • Advised Hygo Energy Transition on its merger with Lobos Acquisition and on the subsequent change of control of Hygo.

Veirano Advogados

Veirano Advogados ‘has an excellent oil and gas practice in Rio and São Paulo‘, which attracts instructions from clients operating throughout the entire value chain, including distribution companies, refineries, service providers, shipping and E&P players. The group has seen recent growth, with several new clients in the hydrocarbons sector seeking legal support in regulatory and transactional matters involving natural gas and oilfield services. In this regard, Ali El Hage Filho has been particularly active providing regulatory advice when it comes to the development and operation of natural gas infrastructure and the negotiation of commercial agreements for the importation of LNG. He receives praise from clients, who highlight his negotiation skills and ‘extensive industry experience‘. Fellow co-head Rogério Campos has a strong background in high-value contracts for the construction, acquisition and operation of oil and gas production units. Also noted is Tito Rosa, a key contact for bidding rounds before ANP and administrative proceedings.

Practice head(s):

Ali El Hage Filho; Rogério Campos

Testimonials

‘Veirano is involved in all aspects of the client’s business and the immediate availability of the partners (especially the partner Ali El Hage Filho) sets them apart.’

‘Ali El Hage Filho, a specialist in the gas area, has extensive knowledge of market practices and contracts for LNG, natural gas, among others. He clearly understands the business and is able to assist the client in minimising the risks involved. He has a very good negotiating stance and is always available.’

‘Great full-service firm with extensive experience in the infrastructure sector, especially oil and gas. Integrated team that is mobilised according to the client’s needs. Excellent value for money.’

‘Ali El Hage Filho is a professional with extensive experience. Although his area of expertise is oil and gas, his experience with the most varied topics allows him to make strategic decisions with a global vision. Immediately available whenever necessary and capable of mobilising the appropriate professionals for the topics. His experience as an in-house lawyer greatly contributes to the understanding and delivery of the requested work.’

‘Veirano has an excellent oil and gas practice in Rio and São Paulo.’

‘The individual quality of the lawyers makes the firm a good value for money. They have great knowledge of the sector, with qualified professionals prepared to support the client.’

‘Ali El Hage Filho is a sensational lawyer with extensive industry experience, reliable, and extremely effective in finding solutions for the client, both in simple and complex matters.’

Key clients

Excelerate Energy

Comgás

Compass Gás e Energia

Shell Brasil

Exxon Mobil Brasil

Equinor Brasil

Yinson Production

Strohm

DNV GL

Subsea7

Frank’s International

SBM Offshore

Acteon Group

Empresa Construtora Brasil – ECB

ONGC

DeepWater Corrosion Services

Work highlights

  • Acted as counsel to Excelerate in the competitive process for the lease from Petrobras of the LNG Regasification Terminal of Bahia (TRBA).
  • Assisted Compass in the drafting and negotiating a long-term LNG sale and purchase agreement (LNG SPA) with Total.
  • Advised Yinson on a bid involving the chartering and operation of a FPSO for the Parque das Baleias Project.