Firms To Watch: Energy

Khodeir & Partners has experience in handling energy and infrastructure projects across all forms of energy, including wind, solar and waste to energy projects. The energy and infrastructure team handles complex transactions in these sectors across the MENA region. Hani Zahran joined the firm in 2021 in order to lead the team, where he specialises in corporate transactions.

Energy in Egypt

Al Kamel Law Firm

The projects, energy and power team at Al Kamel Law Firm advises market-leading oil and gas companies on a wide range of issues, including exploration activities, disputes, joint ventures and off-take agreements, as well as the establishment of fuel terminals and pipeline facilities. With a close relationship with major international law firms such as Slaughter & May, the firm is able to handle energy matters on an international scale for global clients. Key points of contact on the team are Mohamed Kamel and Rasheed Kamel, who are supported by Shahira Khaled, among other names.

Practice head(s):

Mohamed Kamel; Rasheed Kamel

Other key lawyers:

Shahira Khaled

Helmy, Hamza & Partners (member firm of Baker & McKenzie International)

Helmy, Hamza & Partners (member firm of Baker & McKenzie International) has deep market experience working for a variety of major multinational clients across the oil and gas and renewables sectors, as well as mining and infrastructure. The firm is capable of handling matters across all aspects of energy, working closely with compliance, investigations and regulatory teams, while also being involved with Baker McKenzie’s global climate change practice. Managing partner Mohamed Ghannam handles the finance aspects of energy matters, while Lamyaa Gadelhak handles major project development matters in the energy sector. Recently-promoted partner Mohamed Elharmy is another key name.

Practice head(s):

Mohamed Ghannam; Lamyaa Gadelhak

Other key lawyers:

Mohamed Elharmy

Key clients

ACWA Power.

African Development Bank.

African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim Bank).

Ahli United Bank (Uk) Plc.

Alsubh Solar Power S.A.E

AMEA Power LLC

Arab African International Bank (AAIB)

Arab Banking Corporation.

Arab International Bank.

Attijariwafa Bank.

Bank Of America Merrill Lynch.

Banque Du Caire.

Banque Misr.

Baraka For Trade & Investment.

BayWa R.E. Solar Projects Gmbh.

Bechtel Egypt S.A.E.

Bechtel Limited.

BLOM Bank SAL.

Branch Of NJSC Naftogaz Of Ukraine.

British American Tobacco Co., Egypt.

Egypt Hydrocarbon Corporation Sae

Egypt Kuwait Holding Co., Sae

Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC)

HSBC Bank.

Hutchison Ports Europe Ltd.

International Finance Corporation (IFC)

Mashreq Bank.

MUFG Bank.

National Bank Of Egypt.

National Service Projects Organization (NSPO)

New Renewable Energy Authority (NREA)

Orascom Development Egypt (ODE)

Rand Merchant Bank

Rawasy For Urban Development S.A.E

Rising Sun Energy S.A.E

Russian Industries Overseas Egypt Rio Llc

Sunrise Energy

The Egyptian Ministry Of Finance.

The Sovereign Fund Of Egypt.

Work highlights

  • Acting for AMEA Power in connection with the finance and development of a 500MW solar plant in Aswan and a 500MW wind farm in Gulf of Suez on BOT basis.
  • 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

Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy‘s energy sector group encompasses all aspects of projects, transactions and disputes pertaining to oil and gas, renewables, pipelines and natural resources. The team represents a variety of local and international developers on commercial, industrial and developmental projects, including a number of high profile solar energy projects. Mahmoud Bassiouny leads the team, with experience in project finance in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Ashraf Hendi is another key name, specialising in project finance transactions. Senior associate Nadia Abdallah has worked on a number of high profile transactions across upstream and downstream oil and gas, as well as renewables.

Practice head(s):

Mahmoud Bassiouny

Other key lawyers:

Ashraf Hendi

Key clients

Alcazar Energy Partners

Future Clean Energy

Lotus Gold Corporation

Lekela Egypt Wind Power

Lekela Power

Work highlights

  • Represented Alcazar Energy Partners in connection with the operations of four 50MW solar power plants under round 2 of the Feed-in Tariff programme.
  • Represents Lotus Gold in connection with the conduct of exploration activities of gold in the Western Desert. MBH is advising Louts Gold in relation to the tendering documents, licensing, approvals and the incorporation process of a legal entity in Egypt to conduct the gold exploration operation.

MHR & Partners in association with White & Case LLP

The project development and finance team at MHR & Partners in association with White & Case LLP advises a collection of leading corporates, financial institutions and government bodies on a variety of high profile energy projects and transactions both within Egypt and internationally. Ziad Gadalla focuses on project finance matters, particularly within the mining and infrastructure sectors. Meanwhile, Sherief Rashed works across the Middle East on project finance and Islamic finance matters. Bryan Cory recently joined the team from the firm’s Houston office, with a strong track record in handling transactions in the upstream, midstream and downstream energy industry.

Practice head(s):

Ziad Gadalla; Tarek Mohanna; Sherief Rashed; Philip Stopford

Other key lawyers:

Bryan Cory

Testimonials

‘The team is dedicated and available as needed to be a thought partner in reaching solutions. The core team will leverage subject matter experts to help through knotty issues & develop the right terms/provisions to address the issue.’

‘Bryan Cory is one of the most thoughtful and insightful lawyers I have ever worked with. At his core he wants to so thoroughly understand the issue that he can think of all the variables and outcomes to reach the right language that will address the priority concerns. He is respectful and fun to work with, which is also important in long negotiations.’

‘We have worked with White & Case since 2021 and we are very happy with their services. They offer professionalism, broad range of expertise and timely solutions to our business.’

‘Bryan Cory: Outstanding lawyer that has analytical ability to understand the technical nature of our business and come up with the most efficient way of assisting us in our legal needs.’

Key clients

TCI Sanmar

ZMI Group

ADES Group

National Authority for Tunnels (NAT)

Carbon Holdings

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank

CI Capital

NI Capital

EFG Hermes

Tahrir Petrochemicals Company

Egypt Hydrocarbon Corporation (EHC)

Sixth of October for Real Estate and Development (Sodic)

Egyptian Ethylene and Derivatives Company (Ethydco)

HSBC

Commercial International Bank

Banque Misr

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

African Export Import Bank (Afreximbank)

Arab Petroleum Investments Cooperation

Arab African International Bank

Mediterranean Energy Partners

Work highlights

  • Advised Bank of Baroda, London Branch as global facility agent and other lenders in connection with the restructuring of their existing indebtedness of the chemical plant of TCI Sanmar Chemicals S.A.E.
  • Advised ZMI Group, a major oil & gas services vessel operator/charterer, in connection with up to US$500 million multi-tiered senior secured financing.
  • Represented a syndicate of lenders led by Societe Generale, London Branch to subsidiaries of Cheiron Petroleum Corporation and Cairn Energy PLC on a reserve-based lending facility of US$325 million for the acquisition of upstream oil and gas assets located in the Western Desert in Egypt from Shell Egypt N.V. and Shell Austria GmbH for a base consideration of US$646 million and an additional contingent consideration of up to a maximum of US$280 million.

Shalakany Law Office

Shalakany Law Office‘s project development and project finance practice has worked on some of the largest and most complex transactions in the market during 2022. A close relationship with a number of magic circle and US firms grants the team strong cross border capabilities, while also being the go-to firm for major wind energy projects. This work is largely headed by Mariam Fahmy, who is also experienced in PPP projects on behalf of both procurers and bidders. Meanwhile, Aly El Shalakany handles major transactions in the energy sector.

Practice head(s):

Aly El Shalakany; Mariam Fahmy

Other key lawyers:

Mostafa El Zeky

Zaki Hashem & Partners, Attorneys at Law

The oil & gas department at Zaki Hashem & Partners, Attorneys at Law has been involved in the execution of the most significant oil and gas concessions in Egypt and the Middle East. The team is advised by major clients on a domestic and international scale on regulation and project development matters pertaining to both upstream and downstream activities. Sameh Khodeir act as head of the department, with extensive experience in settling disputes in the energy sector, as well as concession agreements. Sameh Kamal is another key name, handling a range of PPP and BOT-related matters for international investors.

Practice head(s):

Sameh Khodeir

Other key lawyers:

Sameh Kamal; Essam Taha; Heba El Naggar

Testimonials

‘The team is highly responsive, communicative and constantly up to date with the latest developments in regulations.’

‘The lawyers at Zaki Hashem & Partners cover a large and diverse spectrum of skillsets, one would not find such quality in any other law firm in Egypt.’

‘Their enthusiasm about their work matches our enthusiasm about our business.’

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”)

Work highlights

  • Acting as the sole local Egyptian counsel to the Consortium of British investors in the USD 8 billion Al Alamein Petrochemical Project.
  • Advising ANOPC and ASORC (as borrowers) in the USD 727.52 Million Financial Facility Agreement covered by sovereign guarantee from the Government of Egypt.
  • Advising ANOPC for the hydrocracking facilities in connection with the EPC Contract and other related licenses.

Mazghouny & Co

Founded in February 2020, Mazghouny & Co has built a client base containing some of the biggest players in the energy market in Egypt. The firm is especially strong in the field of renewable energy, having worked on the country’s first green hydrogen project and its first green ammonia project. This work is led by founding partner Donia El-Mazghouny, who previously headed the energy team at Shahid Law Firm.

Practice head(s):

Donia El-Mazghouny

Testimonials

‘The team is very collaborative, vibrant, and agile. They are also industry focused and their cross-sectoral expansions is very relevant and logical.

They are young at most, but they have the necessary experience and most importantly are client centric’

‘Donia El-Mazghouny, the founder and managing partner of Mazghouny & Co, has a unique experience and track record in working on many complex energy transactions.’

Key clients

Amarenco

BayWa re

EDF Renewables

Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC)

Elsewedy Electric

Empower New Energy

Engazaat Development

Engie

Intro Group

IRSC Power

Scatec

Voltalia

Work highlights

  • Advised Scatec on the refinancing of the non-recourse project debt for 6 solar power plants in Egypt, with a total capacity of 380 MW, through the issuance of the region’s first 19-year USD 334.5 million non-recourse Green Project Bonds, which benefit from a Climate Bond certificate from the Climate Bond Initiative
  • Advising Scatec consortium on the multi-million USD development of the first green hydrogen project in Ain Sokhna, Egypt, with a 100MW electrolyser capacity
  • Advising Scatec on the USD 5 billion development of a 1 up to 3 million tonnes of green ammonia project in Ain Sokhna, Egypt

Riad & Riad

Riad & Riad‘s energy and project finance team is experienced in handling local and cross-border transactions on behalf of domestic and international banks and financial institutions within the energy and infrastructure sectors. Fatma Salah is experienced in dispute resolution within the energy sector, representing clients in matters across the Middle East and United States. Meanwhile, Mohamed Riad advises clients in high profile litigation and trade investigations.

Practice head(s):

Fatma Salah; Mohamed Riad

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

Saraya

CMS Law Firm

NORINCO International Cooperation Ltd

Sunshine Law Firm

Work highlights

  • Appointed by Chile’s ENAP Sipetrol to advise it in relation to awarded concession of West Amer Block in Gulf of Suez, Egypt. We are advising ENAP in relation to the Egyptian legal and regulatory frameworks, reviewing and commenting on concession agreements.
  • 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. The project will serve New Cairo, El Shorouk, Badr, Obour, and 10th of Ramadan cities.

Shahid Law Firm

Shahid Law Firm is experienced in all sub-sectors of energy, with significant experience in oil and gas and renewables, as well as a particular focus on alternative energies. Project development, project finance and M&A matters are particular areas of expertise for the team. Managing partner Girgis Abd El-Shahid leads the practice with a particular focus on energy-related disputes.

Practice head(s):

Girgis Abd El-Shahid

Testimonials

‘Excellent insight into latest developments in the Egyptian energy sector. The team has their finger on the pulse and is able to advise on new developments with great knowledge.’

‘Very responsive and diligent.’

Key clients

EDF International Networks

El Nasr Automotive Manufacturing Company (NASCO):

PTT Energy Resources Company Limited (“PTTER”)

Varel Egypt

Globeleq Africa Limited

The Egyptian National Railways Authority

New & Renewable Energy Authority

Engineering Automotive, Manufacturing Co. (“EAMCO”)

Work highlights

  • Advising Sandvik, an international company in the oil and gas sector, on Egyptian 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. Voltalia is developing a 25MWac solar PV power project under the Egyptian feed-in tariff programme.

Sharkawy & Sarhan Law Firm

The oil & gas and mineral resources department at Sharkawy & Sarhan Law Firm has been involved on a number of big-ticket energy transactions in Egypt, as well as supporting the day-to-day operations of international corporations, investment funds and commercial banks in Egypt. The team works on the full spectrum of energy matters for clients, including the employment, competition and corporate aspects of their operations. Heba Anwar Raslan leads the team, handling major M&A transactions with cross-border components.

Practice head(s):

Heba Anwar Raslan

Other key lawyers:

Farah Hatem; Farahnaz Abdelbary

Testimonials

‘Sharkawy & Sarhan are always so pleasant to work with – user friendly, efficient, knowledgeable and responsive. They know the market extremely well, are great technical lawyers and provide excellent anti-trust support as well. They know the energy market extremely well and provide insights that are very useful to my clients.’

Key clients

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development “EBRD”

TransGlobe Energy

Centmain Plc

Total S.A.

Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC)

Neptune Energy Group

Energean Plc

Geodrill

Qatar Energy Company

NOMAC Nile Energy

Work highlights

  • Advising TransGlobe Energy on Egyptian law aspects pertaining to the combination of TransGlobe Energy and Vaalco. Our role included advising on Egyptian law matters pertain to the Egyptian assets and the transaction documents, including the Arrangement Agreement.
  • Advising Qatar Energy Company (QP) on Egyptian law matters concerning acquiring stakes in several Egyptian oil and gas upstream assets.
  • Advising Centamin Plc on various legal matters pertaining to its mining activities and interests in Egypt. Our most recent work included advising on participating in the gold and precious metals exploration bid round 2020(1), as well as negotiating licensing agreements with the regulator.

Zulficar & Partners Law Firm

Zulficar & Partners Law Firm‘s international arbitration team represents prominent clients in the energy sector in the prosecution of complex international commercial and investment arbitration disputes, particularly within the oil and gas sector. The team is regularly engaged on drafting upstream and downstream concessions, as well as joint ventures, supply and services agreements and takeover disputes. Mohamed Abdel Wahab leads the practice as an expert in international arbitration within the oil and gas sector.

Practice head(s):

Mohamed Abdel Wahab

Other key lawyers:

Youssef Al Saman; Moustafa Alameldin

Key clients

Advanced Energy Systems “ADES”

Apache

Bawabet Al Kuwait Holding “BKH”

Egyptian Fertilizers Company “EFC”

KEXIM

New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA)

Taqa Arabia

ADSERO-Ragy Soliman & Partners

Launched in 2020, the energy, environment and natural resources group at ADSERO-Ragy Soliman & Partners maintains a growing presence in the Egyptian market, supporting private sector clients in their efforts to enter the mining industry as well as established names in their existing operations. The energy team is headed by counsel Malak Khalil, who advises clients across the oil and gas, renewables, energy and infrastructure sectors.

Practice head(s):

Malak Khalil

Other key lawyers:

Mohamed Abdelgawad

Testimonials

‘Professional, dedicated and friendly.’

‘Our work is related to the development of green and brown field projects in the fields of waste management, waste digitization, material and energy recovery from waste as well as circular recycling. In that sense, ADSERO has proven unmatched knowledge of the new WM Law and its Executive Regulation and we are very pleased with the work they have done for us.’

‘Malak Khalil has proven once and again her dedication, passion and support of our business objectives. Her work ethic is second to none and we are very pleased with the way that she handled our projects and the timings.’

‘Adsero is a lead player in the Egyptian market with high level professionals involved in energy practice with a very good knowledge of Egyptian energy legal framework and the energy market, as well as of local player with a view on international market.’