The Legal 500 > Europe, Middle East & Africa > Kazakhstan > Energy and natural resources

As a recognised leader in the energy and natural resources sector in Kazakhstan, Dentons primarily focuses on mining and oil and gas issues. Highly experienced managing partner Aigoul Kenjebayeva leads the group and acts for oil and gas companies and governments on various high-profile oil and gas matters including upstream, midstream and pipeline acquisitions, greenfield project structuring work and product sales arrangements. Victoria Simonova handles energy projects including oil and gas projects and pipeline matters; while counsel Daniyar Toigonbaev advises on power and natural resources projects, and senior associate Ruslan Nurbekov specialises in M&A and commercial issues.

Kinstellar LLP is active in the energy and natural resources sectors, and has a strong reputation, which attracts a high-profile list of blue-chip clients in the oil and gas, mining, and conventional and renewable power generation industries. The team was recently strengthened by the arrival of group head Almas Zhaiylgan from Dentons in 2018, who is an expert in a range of energy and natural resources work. Joel Benjamin has experience in corporate and commercial deals, while Lena Makarenko focuses on subsoil, energy, M&A, project finance, capital markets and corporate law mandates.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is one of the leading firms in the energy and natural resources sector in Kazakhstan, and is primarily noted for its work on energy and infrastructure projects, M&A and joint ventures. The practice is also active in EBRD-led financings. The highly experienced Aset Shyngyssov heads up the Kazakhstan energy practice, and handles notable transactions in the oil and gas and energy sectors, while fellow co-head Klara Nurgaziyeva focuses on energy projects and M&A. The group is further supported by lawyers in London, Moscow and China.

Unicase Law Firm advises the government of Kazakhstan and large national and international companies on a range of issues relating to the energy and natural resources sectors, and has notable experience in de-risking renewable energy investments. The practice regularly assists companies with alternative energy projects, and handles environmental liability and compliance issues. Saniya Perzadayeva is an expert in infrastructure and PPP projects, energy and renewables issues, and banking and finance work. Group head Raushana Chaltabayeva has experience in traditional and renewable energy issues, green economy developments, and infrastructure and PPP regulations.

AEQUITAS provides advice to clients across a diverse range of matters including labour and antitrust issues and subsoil user procurement mandates. The group has recently added several Chinese clients to its roster and is regularly instructed on market entry reviews of projects in the renewable energy sector. Managing partner Olga Chentsova and Natalya Braynina jointly lead the practice, and advise clients in the oil and gas and natural resources sectors.

Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP advises the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan on a wide range of issues in the oil and gas sector, and has led complex negotiations with international oil companies relating to the Kashagan and Karachaganak oil and gas fields. Askar Moukhitdinov oversees all work in Kazakhstan, and newly promoted counsel Nurlan Mukhitdinov is an expert in Kazakh corporate, tax, subsoil and environmental laws.

Deloitte TCF, LLP advises clients in the oil and gas, energy and mining sectors, and specialises in M&A, corporate structuring issues, and obtaining licences, permits and consents. Practice head Agaisha Ibrasheva focuses on M&A, corporate law, project finance issues, and subsoil use for the oil and gas sector. Newly promoted director Olessya Kirilovskaya has substantial knowledge of legislative issues including oil and gas and environmental regulations.

SIGNUM Law Firm advises on complex issues in the natural resources and energy sectors, with particular expertise in cross-border M&A deals and regulatory matters involving foreign investors exploring investment opportunities in Kazakhstan. Managing partner Sofiya Zhylkaidarova is 'outstanding' and 'a market leader' in the oil and gas and mining industries. Other key practitioners include Liza Zhumakhmetova, who focuses on commercial, corporate and M&A mandates; and Abylkhair Nakipov, who advises clients in the oil and gas and pharmaceuticals industries on contracts and regulatory compliance issues.

White & Case LLP acts for clients in the energy and natural resources industries, and participates in key legislative initiatives surrounding energy and natural resources in Kazakhstan. The group regularly advises clients on Kazakh subsoil legislation, and has extensive experience in cross-border deals, where it leverages the firm's offices in London, Dubai, Moscow and China. Group head Maxim Telemtayev counts companies from the energy, mining, oil and gas, and banking sectors on his client roster, and counsel Marat Ibragimov  has contributed to the drafting of the new subsoil use code of Kazakhstan.

Baker & McKenzie - CIS, Limited acts for foreign clients making investments in Kazakhstan and local companies, and has in-depth knowledge of local laws alongside experience in cross-border transactions; the group regularly works with the firm's network of foreign offices. Clients stem from the power, mining and oil and gas industries and instruct the team on licensing regulation work, real estate and construction matters, trade compliance issues and domestic litigation. Azamat Kuatbekov is head of the Almaty office's energy and natural resources practice, which also fields Nurgul Abdreyeva, who is active in cross-border transactions and regulatory advice.

Olympex Advisers LLP is key name for subsurface resource work in Kazakhstan, and regularly advises the state, as well as local and international companies. Managing partner Diyar Yereshev advises clients in the oil and gas and subsoil industries.

Based in Almaty, Sayat Zholshy & Partners has expertise in contracts, litigation, government audits, licences and permits, antitrust issues, taxation and M&A. Amir Begdesenov is a key contact for power resources clients, and works on natural resource consumption issues; he also assists companies  operating in the oil and gas, exploration, production, manufacturing and transportation industries. Dmitriy Chumakov  is also recommended for energy and natural resources mandates.