The energy practice at Al Kamel Law Office advises clients on the full spectrum of related matters, ranging from exploration activities and joint ventures to disputes and concession agreements. Financing projects in the energy sector, especially in regard to renewable energy projects, is a particular strength of the team headed by Mohamed Kamel and Rasheed Kamel. The firm’s service portfolio also includes the establishment of fuel terminals and pipeline facilities, as well as the marketing of products and off-take agreements. Shahira Khaled is also recommended.
Energy in Egypt
Al Kamel Law Office
Practice head(s):
Mohamed Kamel; Rasheed Kamel
Other key lawyers:
Shahira Khaled
Key clients
Export-Import Bank of the United States
U.K. Export Finance
DEG Deutsche Investitions Bank
Bayerisches Landesbank
Nordea Bank Abp
Oesterreichische Entwicklungsbank AG
International Finance Corporation
Helmy, Hamza & Partners (member firm of Baker & McKenzie International)
Within the oil, gas, and petrochemicals sector Helmy, Hamza & Partners (member firm of Baker & McKenzie International) is involved in high-profile upstream, midstream, and downstream projects, where it assists clients throughout the entirety of the transaction and project process. In terms of power, the firm is experienced in covering all types of technologies and advise on the acquisition, development, operation, and financing of conventional and renewable energy projects. Mohamed Ghannam and Lamyaa Gadelhak co-head the department, with the former bringing to bear a focus on transactional work, major projects and project finance, while Gadelhak is well-versed in finance matters as well as issues surrounding environmental markets and climate change.
Practice head(s):
Mohamed Ghannam; Lamyaa Gadelhak
Work highlights
- Acting for AMEA Power in connection with the development of a 500MW solar plant in Aswan and a 500MW wind farm in Gulf of Suez.
- Acting for Enjaz Project Management in connection advising on an Integrated Petrochemical Complex Project.
- Acted as legal counsel to the Egyptian Government, acting through the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC), the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA) as well as the Ministry of Finance of Egypt, on a landmark power purchase agreement signed with Saudi power and renewable energy company, ACWA Power.
Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy
The lawyers at Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy’s energy sector group ‘each work both as a trusted advisor and team player in delivering results’ says a client. The team’s service portfolio covers projects, transactions, and disputes relating to conventional and renewable power, as well as oil and gas. The cross-departmental group is led by Mahmoud Bassiouny who ‘provides excellent strategic guidance and empowers his very able team to take ownership of client instructions’. As a partner of the firm’s finance & projects practice group, Ahmed Agamy is specialised in the finance and acquisition of energy assets.
Practice head(s):
Mahmoud Bassiouny
Other key lawyers:
Ahmed Agamy; Nadia Abdallah
Testimonials
‘The team understands what the client wants and appreciates the commercial drivers to transactions. They each work both as a trusted advisor and team player in delivering results.’
‘Mahmoud Bassiouny sets exactly the right tone from the top. He provides excellent strategic guidance and empowers his very able team to take ownership of client instructions.
‘Nadia Abdallah provides tireless support to her clients and her ability to provide clear, concise advice is outstanding.’
Key clients
Alcazar Energy Partners
Actis
Future Clean Energy
National Petroleum Construction Company PJSC (NPCC)
Union Fenosa Gas (UFG)
Maridive Oil & Services
Union Fenosa Gas
Spanish Egyptian Gas Company S.A.E (SEGAS)
Hassan Allam Utilities
Lekela
Work highlights
- Advised Union Fenosa Gas in connection with Sale of UFG entire stake in SEGAS.
- Advising Alcazar Energy Partners in connection with ongoing operations of four 50MW solar power plants under round 2 of the Feed-in Tariff programme.
- Advising Future Clean Energy in connection with the establishment of a 3.5 MW solar power plant in favour of a hotel located in Sharm El Sheikh.
MHR & Partners in association with White & Case LLP
MHR & Partners in association with White & Case LLP is a key player in the energy sector having advised on large-scale and landmark energy project for both domestic clients and global companies acting in Egypt. The team is ‘exceptional in its client engagement and advocacy’ and has strengths in areas such as offshore gas fields, petrochemicals, and renewable energy, where it particularly excels in cross-border matters. The practice is led by a team of five partners consisting of Philip Stopford, Ziad Gadalla, Tarek Mohanna, Sherief Rashed and Bryan Cory ; the latter joined the Cairo office from White & Case’s Houston location in June 2021.
Practice head(s):
Philip Stopford; Ziad Gadalla; Tarek Mohanna; Sherief Rashed; Bryan Cory
Testimonials
‘The White & Case team is exceptional in its client engagement and advocacy. They are consistently able to provide excellent guidance and support to any subject matter thrown their way. The leverage internal expertise and global partners to ensure the client is provided the most holistic and comprehensive legal support possible.’
‘Bryan Cory is an exceptional lawyer who has worked on myriad projects and agreements. He is knowledgeable, thinks strategically, leverages connections throughout the firm to provide the most current and best information. Bryan really delves into the situation and topic to ensure he is fully informed and can thus provide the best guidance. As projects have progressed, he has proven to be extremely agile in pivoting focus as the needs change.’
Key clients
Carbon Holdings
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar)
Tahrir Petrochemicals Company
Egypt Hydrocarbon Corporation (EHC)
Egyptian Ethylene and Derivatives Company (Ethydco)
Energean Oil & Gas plc
Arab Petroleum Investments Cooperation
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
ADES International Holding Ltd.
Angola LNG
Egypt Propylene and Polypropylene
Work highlights
- We are advising on all aspects of the proposed USD multi-billion Tahrir petrochemical complex in Egypt.
- We advised Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar, a subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company, in its acquisition from ib vogt GmbH of a fifty percent interest in Infinity 50 for Renewable Energy SAE, an Egyptian company that develops, constructs and operates.
Shalakany Law Office
Shalakany Law Office is known for strengths in wind energy where it has been involved in a number of landmark projects and transactions. Besides, the firm assists clients on matters relating to other conventional and renewable energies as well as oil and gas. Aly El Shalakany jointly leads the team with Mariam Fahmy who has recently advised on several PPP projects, and on wind and solar projects under Egypts feed-in-tariff programme.
Practice head(s):
Aly El Shalakany; Mariam Fahmy
Testimonials
‘Shalakany has an excellent energy practice and is well versed in the relevant regulatory issues and provides clear analysis and guidance.’
‘Mariam Fahmy and Aly Shalakany are both well known practitioners in the energy field and provide accurate and responsive service.’
Work highlights
- Assisting lenders with the amendment of an existing facility granted to Midor.
Zaki Hashem & Partners, Attorneys at Law
Zaki Hashem & Partners, Attorneys at Law frequently handles high-profile transactions and projects in oil and gas, petrochemicals, and renewable energy. Ranging from upstream to downstream activities, the firm’s expertise spans the entirety of the energy sector and includes matters such as disputes, corporate, and regulatory. Sameh Khodeir, head of the oil and gas department, leads the team with vast experience in concession agreements as well as litigation and arbitration cases, amongst others. Sameh Kamal is in charge of projects and has acted on a host of large-scale projects in the energy sector.
Practice head(s):
Sameh Khodeir
Other key lawyers:
Sameh Kamal; Essam Taha
Testimonials
‘Zaki Hashem has a good and strong team which they have good capabilities and technologies relevant to various subjects, Zaki Hashim is considered as one of the strong and famous legal offices in Egypt.’
‘They have good knowledge of all legal issues that needed to support, a quick response for giving them legal support when needed, special for Sameh Khodeir & Essam Taha at Zaki Hashem.’
Key clients
Abdel Warith Consulting Engineers
Al Babtain Group (Real Estate “Project Development”)
AL Sagheer Group
Amiral Group
Andritz
Arab Co. for Asset Management and Development (Real Estate “Project Development”)
Arabian Capital Investment and Finance Co.
Arabian International Company (AIC)
Attijariwafa Bank Egypt (Real Estate “Project Development”)
Ayady Group
Beltone Capital Red Sea Venture for Solar Energy
British Embassy
China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd. (CSCEC)
Commercial International Bank Egypt (CIB)
Damietta Furniture City (Real Estate “Project Development”)
Damietta Port Authority
Dar Al Fouad Hospital
DP World Sokhna SAE
Edisson International (Energy)
Egyptian Countryside Development Company
Egyptian Drilling Oil Services (EDOS)
Egyptian Kuwait Holding Co.
El Sewedy Capital Holding (Energy)
El Sewedy Electric (Energy)
IEOC (Energy)
Infinity-e (Energy)
INVAP Argentina (Energy)
Jarir Financial Leasing SAE (Real Estate “Project Development”)
Kharafi National W.L.L (Project Development)
MHP Investments (Mauritius Fund)
Neptune Energy Egypt B.V. (Previously Engie) (Energy)
NI Capital
Onyx Alexandria
Pepsi Cola Egypt (Real Estate “Project Development”)
Petrojet (Energy)
Prysmian S.P.A
Ramw Group(Real Estate “Project Development”)
Rapiscan Systems (Division of OSI Systems Group)
Ras Ghareb Wind Energy (Energy)
RATP Dev SA
Razel-Bec (Ismailia Tunnels)
SMG Group
Solariz Egypt
Suez Canal Container Terminal
Supco Canada Railway Supply Group
The World Bank
United Group for Highways Development
Wadi Group (Real Estate “Project Development”)
Abdel Warith Consulting Engineers
Al Babtain Group (Real Estate “Project Development”)
AL Sagheer Group
Amiral Group
Andritz
Arab Co. for Asset Management and Development (Real Estate “Project Development”)
Arabian Capital Investment and Finance Co.
Arabian International Company (AIC)
Attijariwafa Bank Egypt (Real Estate “Project Development”)
Ayady Group
Beltone Capital Red Sea Venture for Solar Energy
British Embassy
China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd. (CSCEC)
Commercial International Bank Egypt (CIB)
Damietta Furniture City (Real Estate “Project Development”)
Damietta Port Authority
Dar Al Fouad Hospital
DP World Sokhna SAE
Edisson International (Energy)
Egyptian Countryside Development Company
Egyptian Drilling Oil Services (EDOS)
Egyptian Kuwait Holding Co.
El Sewedy Capital Holding (Energy)
El Sewedy Electric (Energy)
IEOC (Energy)
Infinity-e (Energy)
INVAP Argentina (Energy)
Jarir Financial Leasing SAE (Real Estate “Project Development”)
Kharafi National W.L.L (Project Development)
MHP Investments (Mauritius Fund)
Neptune Energy Egypt B.V. (Previously Engie) (Energy)
NI Capital
Onyx Alexandria
Pepsi Cola Egypt (Real Estate “Project Development”)
Petrojet (Energy)
Prysmian S.P.A
Ramw Group(Real Estate “Project Development”)
Rapiscan Systems (Division of OSI Systems Group)
Ras Ghareb Wind Energy (Energy)
RATP Dev SA
Razel-Bec (Ismailia Tunnels)
SMG Group
Solariz Egypt
Suez Canal Container Terminal
Supco Canada Railway Supply Group
The World Bank
United Group for Highways Development
Wadi Group (Real Estate “Project Development”)
Work highlights
- Advising the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company in its acquisition of SEGAS SAE and SEGAS Services SAE as part of the settlement arrangement of the disputes between EGAS and Union Fenosa Gas.
Mazghouny & Co
Since its establishment in early 2020, Mazghouny & Co has built an extensive client roster in the energy sector, particularly in relation to renewables. The team advises on the full project cycle including financing, project development, and implementation and clients include high-profile energy players, startups, and government institutions. More recently the firm has also begun expanding its services into other African countries such as Guinea and Burkina Faso. Managing Partner Donia El-Mazghouny specialises in energy and power agreements and is regularly involved in the development, financing and acquisition of projects.
Practice head(s):
Donia Mazghouny
Key clients
Acciona Energia
Amarenco
BayWa r.e.
EDF Renewables
Engie
Empower New Energy
Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC)
juwi
Egypt’s New and Renewable Energy Authority
Scatec
Work highlights
- Acted as a legal counsel to the Benban Solar Developers Association in connection with the EGP 1.6 billion settlement of the Cost Sharing Agreement cost overrun dispute with the state-owned Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company, and drafted and negotiated the settlement agreement on behalf of all 32 Benban project developers.
- Advised Italgen on its negotiations with the New and Renewable Energy Authority and Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company in connection with the development of 320 MW wind power project under the merchant scheme in the Gulf of Suez, converted into a BOO project; and advised Italgen on the exit from the project and the multi-million USD settlement reached with NREA and EETC to effect the exit.
- Advised juwi on the construction of the world’s largest solar hybrid project at the Centamin off-grid gold mine in Egypt, with a capacity of 36 MW bi-facial solar and 7.5 MW batter-energy storage system.
Riad & Riad
The energy and project finance department at Riad & Riad is regularly involved in local and cross-border energy transactions for developers, borrowers, and financiers. The team’s expertise spans renewable energy, including waste-to-energy projects, as well as oil and gas. Projects are accompanied from proposed corporate structure and securing authorisations to drafting contracts and achieving financial close. Fatma Salah and Mohamed Riad jointly head the practice and are both particularly well-versed in dispute resolution matters.
Practice head(s):
Fatma Salah; Mohamed Riad
Testimonials
‘In relation to the work we have been doing with Riad & Riad, the most important value-add has been the team’s knowledge of the energy industry and their ability to answer complicated questions. Riad & Riad have also advised on some of the most important energy projects in Egypt which has been very important for the work we are currently advising on. The team is responsive and can provide detailed advice at short notice.’
‘We worked with Riad & Riad on an upstream oil and gas project. Our point of contact was Dr Fatma Salah. It was good to see that she utilised other subject matter experts where necessary. Our impression was that the firm operates as a cohesive whole (rather than in silos), and is well-resourced. We expect clients in the oil industry would be impressed by Riad & Riad’s responsiveness and sector expertise. We found Riad & Riad’s fees to be reasonable and services were delivered within agreed parameters.’
‘What I liked about working with Dr Salah is that, in addition to the excellent Egyptian law advice and analysis she provides, Dr Salah has great oil sector and market knowledge. We work with local counsel in several jurisdictions and consider that Dr Salah stands out from competitors by virtue of her combination of legal and industry know-how adds additional value and depth to her advice.’
‘Our firm regularly uses Riad & Riad for advice on Egyptian law. I recently worked with the energy team on a country entry for a major international oil company. The team has excellent knowledge of both local law and practice. Their research of applicable case law and analysis was spot on. Generally, the advice I received was relevant, commercial and helpful to the client. This is not always the case when dealing with local law firms. Riad & Riad circulates a regular newsletter on developments in Egyptian law (including laws relevant to the energy industry) which I find very useful.’
‘I would highly recommend Dr. Fatma Salah. Dr. Fatma has impressive knowledge of Egyptian law and practice. Her key strength is applying the law in the context of the energy industry and prevailing government practices – which I understand are not always consistent in Egypt. This results in advice which is practical and commercially relevant. In addition, she is very responsive and easy to work with.’
Key clients
EBRD – European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Al-Hokair Group
Eni, S.P.A
ECS (Energy and Contracting Solutions)
FAS Energy
British Petroleum (BP)
ExxonMobil
Maersk Drilling
GS E&C
Assystem for Engineering Services
Bombardier Alstom
Taisei
AVIC International
Work highlights
- Appointed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) among a consortium with DNV GL and CMS International Law Firm to provide comprehensive support to Egypt ERA for refining and implementing a regulatory framework for successful private sector participation in the electricity market and implementing a successful market opening for private-to-private projects, in full compliance with the provisions of the Electricity laws and regulations as well as the international best practices.
- Representing the Saudi Arabian group Al-Hokair in its prominent project with the New Urban Communities Authority (NUCA) to set up a waste-to-energy (WtE) facility in 10th of Ramadan City with investment value of USD 100 million.
- Acted as the local counsel for Eni, the Italian multinational oil and gas company, in the landmark transaction relating to the restructuring of Damietta LNG facility as well as the settlement negotiation in relation to the USD 2 Billion arbitration award against the Egyptian Government. Our role included advising Eni on the acquisition of 50% of Union Fenosa Gas’ shares in SEGAS company, as a part of a big settlement agreement concluded with the Egyptian Government in relation to Damietta LNG project.
Shahid Law Firm
Shahid Law Firm advises clients on conventional energy in upstream, midstream and downstream projects as well as on renewable and alternative energies. Financier and investors benefit from the firm’s longstanding presence in the market and its expertise in areas such as finance, corporate, and environmental law. Clients also turn to Shahid in matters of energy disputes, which is one of the arbitration team’s focus points. Managing partner Girgis Abd El-Shahid heads the energy and projects practice with experience in regulatory, corporate, and dispute matters.
Practice head(s):
Girgis Abd-El Shahid
Testimonials
‘Well established team with leading lawyers who are well connected and plugged into market developments in Egypt. Diverse team, including several female lawyers.’
‘Girgis Abd-El Shahid very knowledgeable of the energy sector in Egypt and up to speed on recent developments. Able to offer practical advice on structuring transactions and dealings with governmental bodies.’
Key clients
Carlyle International Energy Partners
Globeleq Africa Limited
EDF International Network
Voltalia
Scatec Solar
Sandvik
PTT Energy Resources Company Limited (PTTER)
Work highlights
- Representing PTTER in a claim brought before the Egyptian court that is based entirely on a bilateral investment treaty. PTTER is one of several shareholders in EGM, a company set up to export Egyptian natural gas to Israel and other neighbouring States, to sue Egypt following the termination of a gas supply agreement EMG signed with Egyptian state entities and the expropriation of the shareholders’ investments.
- Advising Sandvik, an international company in the oil and gas sector, on Egpytian regulatory requirements related to its divestiture of the majority of Drilling and Completions (Varel). The transaction triggers a write-down of goodwill and other intangible assets in the estimated amount of USD 3,900 million SEK (USD 400 million), to be reported in Sandvik’s financial statements.
- Advising Voltalia on the implementation of the local security related to their PV power facility in Egypt, as well as on the engineering, procurement and construction regulatory and labour requirements of the project.
Sharkawy & Sarhan Law Firm
Oil and gas and conventional energy are all sectors that the Energy team at Sharkawy & Sarhan Law Firm advises both domestic and international clients on. With a sector-focused approach, the firm is able to provide industry-specific advice on transactions, regulatory and corporate matters, compliance, and disputes. Heba Raslan, who was promoted to partner in 2021, leads the practice with a focus on oil and gas and mineral resources. She is frequently involved in high-profile M&A deals and has further specialisations in antitrust and competition law.
Practice head(s):
Heba Raslan
Key clients
Centamin Plc
Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC),
Wintershall Dea
Shell
Dana Petroleum
Dana Gas
Neptune Energy Group
Energean Oil & Gas Plc
Dragon Oil
Work highlights
- Advising as Egyptian legal counsel Energean Plc on the Egyptian law aspects of its acquisition of Edison E&P from Edison SpA, in a global deal that spanned across Italy, Egypt, UK, Croatia and Greece, with an estimated final net consideration of USD of $203 million.
- Advising Neptune Energy on Egyptian law matters pertaining to its entities and activities in the oil and gas sector in Egypt.
Zulficar & Partners Law Firm
The service portfolio Zulficar & Partners Law Firm offers clients covers the whole gamut of energy related matters, including petroleum concessions, commercial discovery and development leases, environmental arrangements, and joint ventures. The firm advises on transactions, disputes, and regulatory matters in up- and downstream projects in addition to renewable energy projects. Practice head Mohamed Abdel Wahab has extensive experience in contentious and non-contentious oil and gas matters. Dispute resolution cases within the energy sector with a focus on international arbitration are handled by Youssef Al Saman.
Practice head(s):
Mohamed Abdel Wahab
Other key lawyers:
Youssef Al Saman
Key clients
Apache
Bawabet Al Kuwait Holding
Cheriron Zaafarana Petroleum Company Limited
Dover Investments Ltd.
Egyptian Fertilizers Company
E-Methanex
KEXIM
New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA)
PICO Energy
Taqa Arabia
Total S.A.
Work highlights
- Represented TAQA ARABIA, a leading energy group, in an Electricity Authority dispute over a power station against South Valley, a cement manufacturer company.
- Repressenting Bawabet Al Kuwait Holding Co. as co-counsel with Clifford Chance in a treaty based ICSID arbitration case involving the Kuwait-Egypt BIT breaches.
- Represented Egyptian Fertilizers Company in an oil and gas dispute over the supply and pricing of natural gas under an agreement concluded between EFC and the state-owned entities EGAS and GASCO.
BonelliErede in cooperation with Bahaa-Eldin Law Office
Having joined forces with local Egyptian legacy firm Bahaa-Eldin in 2018, BonelliErede in cooperation with Bahaa-Eldin Law Office enters the ranking with an integrated approach that assists international and domestic oil, gas, and energy clients with corporate matters, project finance, transactions, and international arbitration. Particular strengths lie within cross-border work that covers both Italian end Egyptian jurisdictions. The practice is led by of counsel and finance expert Ziad Bahaa Eldin, while partner Mohamed El Ehwany has extensive experience in the energy sector.
Practice head(s):
Ziad Bahaa Eldin
Other key lawyers:
Mohamed El Ehwany
Key clients
DEME International
Dentons Egypt LLC
Dentons Egypt LLC offers domestic and international clients extensive advice across the entire energy value chain. Services include sales and acquisitions, financing and financial structuring as well as conducting due diligences. Managing partner Michael Lacey is the key contact.
Practice head(s):
Michael Lacey
Key clients
Total Marketing Services S.A.
KPS Capital Partners
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
Mashreq Bank psc
Vestas Italia s.r.l.
Smart Pipe Company Inc.