Energy and natural resources in Kazakhstan

Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP's presence in the energy and natural resources industries in Kazakhstan sees it regularly handle mandates concerning oil and gas, uranium mining and gold mining. Dispute resolution is a notable bedrock of the work undertaken by the firm, as are non-contentious mandates; Askar Moukhitdinov, who divides time between Almaty and Nur-Sultan, is experienced in debt and equity financings, as well as negotiations of gas sales contracts and servicing agreements. Elsewhere in the network, Eric Gilioli (New York/Milan) has been acting for the Republic of Kazakhstan for almost 15 years. His wide-ranging expertise includes M&A, commercial contracts and contentious matters. Counsel Nurlan Mukhitdinov is another name to note at the firm. In 2020, it acted for PSA LLC and Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan (acting on behalf of the Republic of Kazakhstan) in an arbitration connected with a production sharing agreement for the exploration and exploitation of the oil and gas field known as Karachaganak.

Dentons has been a major player in the energy and natural resources industry in Kazakhstan for over 25 years. It has an outstanding reputation in oil and gas, uranium and solid mineral mining projects. Clients turn to the firm for advice on farm-outs, joint ventures and consortium agreements, well services and drilling contracts, M&A and procurement issues. Recent work included advice to clients on non-performance of obligations under subsoil use contracts because of Covid-19. Elsewhere, Ruslan Nurbekov and Birzhan Zharasbayev assist clients with issues arising from renewable energy and conventional power generation projects. Daniyar Toigonbaev leads the energy and natural resources practice. Aigoul Kenjebayeva is another key individual.

Kinstellar LLP acts for many of the largest and most active companies operating in areas such as oil and gas, mining power, renewables and other natural resources. The team is led by counsel Almas Zhaiylgan, who has over 20 years of experience in the mining and oil and gas industries. Noted for his work on upstream exploration and production projects, Zhaiylgan advises on farm-out agreements, joint operating agreements and joint ventures, among other matters. Adlet Yerkinbayev is an expert in matters such as domestic and cross-border M&A, debt and equity capital markets transactions and restructurings. Joel Benjamin and senior associate Lena Makarenko also play a key role in the group.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP has a first-rate reputation in energy and natural resources projects in Kazakhstan and other neighbouring countries. Under the leadership of Aset Shyngyssov, its team is able to advise on M&A, financing arrangements, equity capital markets transactions, tax issues and dispute resolution. In 2020, Shyngyssov and Karina Ilyussizova were among the advisers to VTB Bank PJSC on the provision of circa $200m to KazTransGas as part of a debt refinancing. Bakhytzhan Kadyrov, Asem Bakenova and Marat Mukhamediyev are other practitioners of note at the firm.

Unicase Law Firm is able to provide a full service to clients in relation to energy and natural projects in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. Its team handles the structuring, development, financing and implementation of projects, as well as advising on the development of new legislation. The firm is notably active in the renewable energy sector, where it is supporting the Kazakhstan government’s goal of developing its renewable energy supply. Elsewhere, oil and gas and mining are other areas of activity. The practice is led by Saniya Perzadayeva. Raushana Chaltabayeva, Zhanar Abdullayeva, Ayana Unerbayeva, Nurlan Kubenov and Sanzhar Amangeldy are also recommended.

AEQUITAS' team has experience of advising clients on mineral exploration and production contracts with the Kazakh government. The practice specialises in subsoil use and its clients include leading mining and processing companies. Practitioners are also able to advise on Islamic finance and alternative financing instruments. The firm has recently become a member of the global law network TerraLex. Almaty-based partners Yelena Manayenko and Nurlan Sholanov and managing partner Olga Chentsova work with a number of international clients across different areas of the energy and natural resources sectors.

BOND STONE acts for small and mid-sized subsoil use companies and subcontractors operating in the mining industry. It is able to assist subsoil users with a variety of issues associated with starting a mining business, including regulatory and licensing requirements. The firm recently won a number of new clients, including Kusha Madan Consulting Engineers, KIABI and CARGEX. The practice is led by Almaty-based managing partner Sanat Ablakov and Nur-Sultan-based practitioner Yerzhan Shatenov.

Agaisha Ibrasheva, who heads up the practice at Deloitte TCF, LLP, is a well-known name among clients in the oil and gas sector. Prior to joining the firm, she worked in-house at several of the biggest oil companies in Kazakhstan. Ibrasheva assists clients with structuring M&A deals, subsoil use and environmental issues, among other areas. Olessya Kirilovskaya and Dariga Tokpayeva are other key practitioners in the group, which also handles the drafting and negotiation of commercial agreements, licensing and permits and employment matters. Elsewhere, the firm is increasingly active in the renewables industry.

White & Case Kazakhstan LLP's clients benefit from the firm's ability to combine local market knowledge with a wider understanding of global best practices in the energy and natural resources industries. Maxim Telemtayev is the names to note in Nur Sultan. He works with other offices in the firm's network to provide support on corporate, capital markets, project development and finance. Telemtayev is working with practitioners in the London office to assist Nostrum Oil & Gas Plc with a $1.1bn restructuring of notes. Pavel Kornilov joined Kinstellar LLP.

Sayat Zholshy & Partners has an excellent reputation in the oil and gas and mining sectors in Kazakhstan, as is reflected by its work for foreign investors, suppliers of technology and equipment, and providers of transportation services to businesses operating in the energy arena. The firm is able to advise clients on the implementation of large projects by leveraging the experience of practitioners in areas such as corporate, antitrust, tax and dispute resolution. Having worked on projects including the construction of a 500kV transmission line connecting Western and Northern Kazakhstan, it now works with major national companies such as Premium Oil Trans, KMG Engineering and Alautransservice. The practice is led by Almaty-based partner Amir Begdesenov. Gulmira Abenova was promoted to of counsel in January 2021.