Hall Of Fame

Firms To Watch: Projects and energy

Kirkland & Ellis International Law Firm LLPC is a strong choice for financial institutions, hedge funds and private equity firms on transactional energy transition, infrastructure, power and water matters. James Clark joined the practice from King & Spalding LLP in October 2023.

Projects and energy in Saudi Arabia

Legal Advisors, Abdulaziz I. Al-Ajlan & Partners in association with Baker & McKenzie Limited

Leveraging its market leading banking and finance practice, Legal Advisors, Abdulaziz I. Al-Ajlan & Partners in association with Baker & McKenzie Limited has a market-leading practice for funding the construction of large-scale infrastructure projects. The firm’s active client base, which includes local and national banks and large developers, spans the real estate, chemicals, healthcare and government sectors. The practice is headed by project finance specialist Ian Siddell, who splits his time between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain; and George Sayen, a senior legal adviser who co-leads the practice in Saudi Arabia. Strengthening the firm’s banking work, Basel Barakat and Gavin Witcombe, an experienced mediator and arbitrator, provide traditional financing, transactions and structuring services to various developers.

Practice head(s):

Ian Siddell; George Sayen


Other key lawyers:

Basel Barakat; Gavin Witcombe; Fatima Alhasan; Delwar Hossain


Testimonials

‘Very responsive, friendly, solutions oriented and competent.’

‘Worked closely with the members of the projects and banking and finance team, who are knowledgeable and commercially aware of recent developments and approaches to transactions in Saudi Arabia.’

‘Excellent communication and responsiveness. Attend to all queries and requests in an efficient and timely manner.’

Key clients

Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden)


Banque Saudi Fransi


Samba Financial Group / Samba Capital


Saudi Binladin Group Company Limited


The National Commercial Bank


Arab National Bank


ACWA Power International


Al Rahji Banking and Investment Corporation


HSBC Saudi Arabia / The Saudi British Bank


The Saudi Investment Bank


Gulf International Bank B.S.C / GIB Capital


Arab Petroleum Investment Corporation (APICORP)


ABC Islamic Bank (E.C.)


Olayan Saudi Holding Company


Saudi Arabia Ministry of Finance


Saudi Electricity Company


SNB Capital Company


Work highlights


  • Acted as legal counsel to HSBC Saudi Arabia in relation to a SAR 10bn syndicated financing to Saudi Electricity Company (SEC).
  • Acting as legal counsel for Thakher Development Company and its major shareholder, Mohammed Alsubeaei & Sons Investment Company (MASIC), in relation to the circa SAR 4.357bn real estate financing for the purposes of a mixed-use development project in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
  • Acting for Tadawul-listed Methanol Chemicals Company (Chemanol) in relation to SAR 695m murabaha-based refinancing and expansion project financing facilities from Banque Saudi Fransi and Alinma Bank.

Abuhimed Alsheikh Alhagbani Law Firm (AS&H) in co-operation with Clifford Chance

Widely regarded as one of the market-leading firms in the Saudi Arabian market, Abuhimed Alsheikh Alhagbani Law Firm (AS&H) in co-operation with Clifford Chance combines a strong ground presence in Saudi Arabia with the competitive standards of an international firm. Yasser Al-Hussain heads the practice from Riyadh. Al-Hussian is a key individual in advising large financiers and developers like the Public Investment Fund and Ma’aden in financing energy infrastructure and industrial facilities in Saudi Arabia. At the senior associate level, Ali Moiz Ansari is a key figure to note.

Practice head(s):

Yasser Al-Hussain


Other key lawyers:

Ali Moiz Ansari


Testimonials

‘The on-hand availability of the projects and energy team is impressive, responding before our deadlines with a quality of work that goes unmatched by their competitors.’

Key clients

Saudi Electricity Company


The Public Investment Fund


Water and Electricity Holding Company (Badeel)


Standard Chartered Bank


Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden)


Ma’aden Phosphate Company


Work highlights


  • Advised Water and Electricity Holding Company (Badeel) as sponsor in respect of the senior finance facilities and the equity bridge loan facility for the Shuaibah 3 IWP Project.
  • Advised Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) in connection with the renewal of its revolving Murabaha facility for a period of five years and an upsize in the facility amount to SAR 11.25bn ($3bn) on renewed commercial terms.
  • Advised Ma’aden Phosphate Company in connection with the renewal of its SAR 500,000,000 revolving Murabaha facility for a period of 5 years on renewed commercial terms.

White & Case

White & Case has a strong historical position within the Saudi Arabian project and energy market, notably advising the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Aramco, NEOM and many other state agencies. Backed by the bench strength of partners in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and London, Alec Johnson and Waad Alkurini anchor the firm’s office in Riyadh. Johnson specialises in advising sponsors, lenders and procurers on a variety of projects, with a focus on energy infrastructure, while Alkurini brings experience to advising financial institutions and borrowers on financing transactions based on both conventional and Shari’ah structures, including restructuring and syndicated financing.

Practice head(s):

Alec Johnson; Waad Alkurini


Testimonials

‘Great team.’

‘Excellent lawyers.’

Key clients

Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco)


Red Sea Development Company


NEOM Company


Public Investment Fund (PIF)


The Lenders to Advanced Polyolefins Company


Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC)


Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC)


Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC)


National Center for Privatization & PPP


Work highlights


  • Representing the project company in connection with the financing of a greenfield facility powered by renewable energy sourced from wind, solar and battery storage for the production and export of hydrogen to global markets to be located in the Middle East.
  • Advised a consortium of nine Saudi and regional banks in connection with the SAR 6.1bn Islamic project financing of Advanced Polyolefins Industry Company’s new petrochemicals complex located in Jubail Industrial City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  • Advising Saudi Aramco on the structuring, tendering, development and financing of a 320MW Jafurah cogeneration power project to provide power and steam to support the Jafurah field development program in Saudi Arabia; and a 185,000 m3/day Zuluf water treatment plant to support water injection for the Zuluf onshore oilfield project in the Arabian Gulf.

Al-Enezee Legal Counsel in association with EKP

BLK Partners, the recent combination of the two firms, EKP and MBLLF, brings practice area strength to Saudi Arabia. The firm is experienced in advising government procuring entities and project sponsors in project financing projects. Additionally, the firm provides dispute resolution services for construction matters. Hadi Melki leads the practice. Melki is a specialist in advising in public-private partnerships for infrastructure projects for various industries, particularly industrial development and mining.

Practice head(s):

Hadi Melki


Testimonials

‘Hadi Melki has key PPP expertise, which remains unparalleled in Saudi Arabia for a regional firm. ’

‘Hadi Melki is available, professional and has a great quality of work.’

 

Key clients

Saudi Fal Company


Derayah LLPC

Headquartered in Jeddah, Derayah LLPC – Saudilegal is an independent Saudi Arabian law firm regularly instructed by both local and international clients and international law firms on transactions and legal issues related to energy and chemical infrastructure projects. Ali Abedi heads the practice. Abedi, an experienced practitioner in both projects and corporate and M&A, currently advises on such matters as ACWA Power and Air Products’ agreement with Saudi Aramco to form a gasification and power joint venture.

Practice head(s):

Ali Abedi


Other key lawyers:

Dana Halwani


Testimonials

‘The Derayah team is knowledgeable, creative, practical, available, thorough and very helpful.’

‘Ali Abedi stands out for projects in the energy market.’

Key clients

Air Products


ACWA Power


Marubeni Corporation


Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa)


Al Jomaih Energy & Water Company Limited


Work highlights


  • Acted as advisors to ACWA Power and Air Products on their agreement with Saudi Aramco to form a gasification and power joint venture.
  • Acted as advisors to Japan’s Marubeni Corporation and the UAE-based Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa) on the planned Marjan cogeneration independent steam and power plant (ISPP) and Tanajib desalination plant.
  • Advised the consortium of Marubeni Corporation and Al Jomaih Energy & Water Company Limited (Al Jomaih) on various legal aspects of the 300MW Rabigh Solar PV Independent Power Project (IPP).

Faisal Adnan Baassiri Law Firm in association with Ashurst LLP

Faisal Adnan Baassiri Law Firm in association with Ashurst LLP brings expertise to projects and energy work, harnessing the international strength of teams in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and London. David Charlier, based in Dubai, is an expert in advising funders on financing the construction and operation of major infrastructure projects. In November 2023, the firm received its licence to practice in Saudi Arabia. Project finance partner Bilal Rana, who handles complex PPP matters in Riyadh, and the Jeddah-based Saudi Arabian managing partner and energy and infrastructure transaction specialist Faisal Adnan Baassiri both currently act on large government privatisation projects involving ports in across the nation.

Practice head(s):

Bilal Rana; Faisal Baassiri; David Charlier


Key clients

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)


Vision Invest


Sojitz Corporation


Itochu


National Centre for Privatisation and PPP


EWEC


TAQA


Saudi British Bank


Work highlights


  • Acting as counsel to funders on the financing of the expansion, construction, operation and maintenance of a container terminal operated by DP World at Jeddah Islamic Port.
  • Advising the NCP and Mawani on a partnership with a private sector participant for the privatisation of the operations of multiple port concessions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, assisting on all legal elements of the procurement process, from inception of procurement to signing of the concession agreements.

Khoshaim & Associates

Khoshaim & Associates leverages the expertise of its banking and finance practice to advise high-profile clients, most notably Saudi Aramco, NEOM and various local banks on matters involving project development and finance. The practice is headed by Zeyad Khoshaim, who specialises in conducting the financing and refinancing of infrastructure projects, such as malls and bridges. Hamdan Van Den Brule supports the practice with his experience of public private partnerships, construction contracts and private procurements, while Karim Wali brings strength to acting for lenders and borrowers on a wide range of finance transactions.

Practice head(s):

Zeyad Khoshaim; Hamdan van den Brule; Karim Wali


Testimonials

‘The Khoshaim team has the needed legal skills to advise on legal matters in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They are diverse in nature, and have the strong connections with businesses and governmental entities.’

Key clients

Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco)


NEOM


Vision Invest


Banque Saudi Fransi


Riyad Bank


The Saudi Awal Bank


Ministry of Health


Al Balad Development Company


Al Rajhi Bank


JP Morgan Securities PLC


Tatweer Buildings Company (TBC)


Work highlights


  • Successfully advised the senior lenders in respect of the financing, development, construction, operation and maintenance of the Helios green hydrogen project at NEOM in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

King & Spalding in Affiliation With the Law Office of Mohammad Al-Ammar

The corporate, finance and investments team at King & Spalding in Affiliation With the Law Office of Mohammad Al-Ammar is well-equipped to support clients on large energy infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia. Some of the practice’s notable clients include NEOM, EDF and the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company. Based in Abu Dhabi, Tim Burbury leads the team and is well versed in advising on bids to finance, design and operate both renewable and conventional power projects. At the associate level, Sam Muir, also based in Abu Dhabi, is a name note. In May 2023, James Clark left the firm.

Practice head(s):

Tim Burbury


Other key lawyers:

Sam Muir; Dan Feldman; Brendan Hundt


Key clients

NEOM


Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company


Electricity de France (EDF)


Mubadala Investment Company


Misk Foundation


Norton Rose Fulbright

Norton Rose Fulbright has great experience in advising Saudi Arabian and regional banks in conducting public private partnerships and general legal matters for large infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia. While the firm conducts a significant amount of work from its London and Dubai offices, practice head David Johnston is based in Riyadh, where he advises on a large variety of infrastructure works, including renewable energy, car parks and water production projects.

Practice head(s):

David Johnston


Testimonials

‘Broad experience in PPP projects across a variety of industries and sectors. Good depth of expertise on the ground in Riyadh.’

‘David Johnston is particularly excellent – super responsive and provides pragmatic and commercially focused advice.’

‘The team is responsive, knowledgeable and possesses a vast amount of experience handling precedent transactions that was extremely helpful in completing our legal due diligence on multiple transactions.’

‘The entire team was exceptional on the recent transaction we worked on together with the team.’

Key clients

Emirates District Cooling (Emicool)


Al Fransi Bank


Bank Al Jazira


Saudi Awwal Bank – SAB (previously SABB)


ACWA Power


Jinko


Metitio


Power & Water Utility Company for Jubail & Yanbu (Marafiq)


Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank


National Bank of Kuwait


Ahli United Bank


Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank


Work highlights


  • Advising in relation to financing arrangements provided by The Saudi British Bank to Shuaibah Three Water Desalination Company in relation to the Shuaibah 3 power generation and seawater desalination project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  • Advising the lenders’ counsel on the Rabigh-4 independent water production (IWP) project.

Law Firm of Hassan Mahassni

Law Firm of Hassan Mahassni engages in a wide range of projects and energy matters. Recently, the practice worked on the construction of power plants, desalination plants and refuelling stations. Emad Zahrani and Faisal Linjawy lead the practice. Zahrani regularly advises bidders and shareholders on construction projects, while Linjawy brings to projects his experience in joint ventures and corporate restructuring.

Practice head(s):

Emad Zahrani; Faisal Linjawy