MCM Abogados > Mexico City, Mexico > Firm Profile

MCM Abogados
GUILLERMO GONZÁLEZ CAMARENA NO 1900
OFICINA 203, PISO 2, COL CENTRO DE CIUDAD SANTA FE
DEL ALVARO OBREGÓN, MEXICO CITY 01210
Mexico

Mexico > Energy and natural resources Tier 2

A ‘high level of specialisation in the oil and gas sector’ is the hallmark of MCM Abogados, a boutique firm with a 10-year history in the market and a broad array of clients representing the major players in Mexico’s oil and gas landscape. The firm is a strong choice for companies needing advice on the design, development and financing of projects, with the team also advising on day-to-day matters, from corporate and regulatory issues to antitrust and dispute resolution matters, among other areas. Manuel Cervantes is one of three practice heads and ‘is particularly distinguished by his extensive experience’. His fellow practice heads are Mariana Hernandez, whose work during the course of 2022 significantly developed the firm's midstream and downstream hydrocarbon portfolios; and Jorge Cabeza, who is appreciated by clients for his ‘very deep and up-to-date knowledge of the regulatory and transactional aspects of the sector’. Associate Francisco Valencia provides key support - particularly as regards the upstream and downstream market segments.

Practice head(s):

Manuel Cervantes; Mariana Hernandez; Jorge Cabeza

Testimonials

As for the team, the highlight is its high level of specialisation in the oil & gas sector. The firm’s team has provided consistent support for several years now, showing an important understanding of the business and its objectives; their responses are quick and accurate, meeting the dynamic and urgent needs of the operation. His advice is regularly accompanied not only by theoretical aspects, but also by concrete precedents.

Regarding people, Jorge Cabeza stands out for his very deep and up-to-date knowledge of the regulatory and transactional aspects of the sector. Manuel Cervantes is particularly distinguished by his extensive experience and sensitivity regarding the relevant legal issues of the industry.

Firm with partners who complement each other in knowledge of the various regulations/regulators in the sector that allow clarity to make more effective analyzes and make better decisions.

They have no qualms about attending outside of regular hours, they are committed to taking care of the matter as their own and they anticipate noticing relevant issues that are not easy to identify.

The firm is distinguished by its deep knowledge of the industry and the sector; not only legal knowledge but also deep understanding of the business.

Manuel Cervantes has helped us navigate the complexities and obstacles to obtaining key permits and authorizations for the operation of the company; also to reach positive solutions and agreements with third parties.

High reaction capacity; competitive rates; great sense of empathy and alignment with the objectives of the company; and willingness to be an asset in managing the challenges they face instead of seeking leadership.

Manuel Cervantes; Mariana Hernandez and Francisco Valencia. Depth of industry knowledge; and seek to provide pragmatic solutions, avoiding negotiations and excessive deadlines for solving problems.

Key clients

Capricorn Energy

Perenco México

Petrolera Cardenas Mora – Cheiron Holdings

Lukoil Upstream Mexico

Pico Mexico

Saavi Energía

Schlumberger de México

ExxonMobil Mexico

Eni Trading & Shipping

Grupo México

Marlin Drilling

Halliburton

Vitol México

Huasteca Oil Energy

Armamex

Citla Energy

Renaissance Oil

TotalEnergies México

Fieldwood Energy Mexico

Vista Energy

Litasco

Versalis

Work highlights

  • Advised Lukoil on its acquisition of the Fieldwood portfolio in Mexico.
  • Advised Capricorn Energy on Mexican law matters resulting from a potential merger of its publicly traded parent company Capricorn with Tullow Oil.
  • Advised Saavi Energia on a project involving power generation mobile units with a value of $22.7m.

MCM Abogados is a firm of Mexican lawyers rendering integral legal services specialized in the development, structuring and finance of oil and gas, energy and infrastructure projects. Lawyers of MCM Abogados amount for more than  20 years of experience in the oil and gas industry and power sector, with experience under the prior and current legal framework.

Founded in 2012, MCM Abogados has grown to be an undeniable leader in the energy and oil and gas industry in the country. As part of the added value to its clients, and as a result of its high involvement in the sector, MCM Abogados has constantly served as a link between investors, promoting the creation of associations and alliances in area like fracking, oilfield operation, co-investments in drilling and oilfield maintenance equipment and technology, among others.

Energy and natural resources: Having advised some of the most landmark projects in the sector, MCM Abogados has acquired broad specialization and experience in the most important areas of the energy industry in Mexico. This includes the financing, structuring, awarding and development of several exploration and extraction contracts, including farmouts with Pemex Exploracion y Produccion.

The firm advised an operator in securing the Cardenas Mora Farmout Contract. This matter involved structuring the client’s participation in the bid, advising in legal and financing matters (bridge facility and RBL), as well as in different regulatory matters for the development of the contract.

MCM Abogados actively assists several operators of CIEPs (integral contracts for exploration and production) in their relinquishment process. This includes, in addition to the financial and legal assistance, the identification of certain risks in the relinquishment process. The firm is also currently the main legal services provider for companies operating several fields in the contractual areas resulting from several bids from the National Hydrocarbons Commission (Bids 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.4, and 3.1). This activity included advising in the legal transition stage, commercialization matters, transfer of the contractual area, incorporation of abandonment trusts, insurance and environmental matters, among others.

In midstream, the firm has been really active, advising clients in major projects called by Mexico’s Federal Government in the ports of Veracruz and Progreso, Yucatan, consisting in the reconfiguration of the ports and the construction and operation of fluids terminals. These matters involved a regulatory analysis of the hydrocarbons import, transport, storage and commercialization permits, as well as advising in the technical and financial capabilities of client.

As to the power industry, MCM Abogados has assisted several clients in its registration as Non-Supplier Trader with the Energy Regulatory Commission and the National Center for Energy Control. Clients of the firm are some of the traders actively performing transaction in the wholesale market in Mexico.

Government procurement: MCM Abogados is highly specialized in governmental procurement and public works procedures, providing integral services to its national and international clients in such projects, from their design, participation and implementation. The firm has been actively involved in the award of public contracts, with a great degree of specialization in the national and international regulatory framework, including the regulatory framework applicable to Pemex, CFE, CONAGUA and SCT. The firm specializes in different schemes in which private and public capitals are involved for infrastructure projects, including, Public-Private Partnerships.

Project finance: MCM Abogados has assisted several sponsors, as well as multilateral financing institutions and commercial banking in both project finance and structured financing. The members of MCM Abogados have broad experience in international finance transactions, such as loan and financial lease agreements, among other financial transactions, as well as in the design, negotiation, execution and closing of onshore and offshore security packages.

FCPA (anti-bribery practices): MCM Abogados has a broad experience assisting national and international clients in FCPA anti-bribery matters. The firm’s services on this matter are focused on the detection, prevention and risk handling of the client regarding corrupt practices, involving activities such as due diligence, training, interviews and the implementation of internal programs and guidelines in anti-bribery matters.

Dispute resolution and litigation: Members of the firm are practitioners in civil, commercial and administrative litigation in the oil and infrastructure sectors in Mexico, participating jointly with the client in the risks identification, strategy design, negotiation and dispute resolution, either by alternative means of dispute resolution or litigation. MCM Abogados has provided legal advice in national and international arbitrations and conciliation procedures before governmental entities, including Pemex. MCM Abogados has been involved in disputes among competitors in the oil field service industry in Mexico.

Antitrust: MCM Abogados has provided legal assistance in important pre-merger clearance related to the oil industry. Please supply the text in electronic format by email. All common electronic document formats accepted.

Department Name Email Telephone
Energy and natural resources Manuel Cervantes manuel.cervantes@mcmlawyers.com
Energy and natural resources Mariana Hernandez mariana.hernandez@mcmlawyers.com
Energy and natural resources Jorge Cabeza jorge.cabeza@mcmlawyers.com
Government procurement Manuel Cervantes manuel.cervantes@mcmlawyers.com
Corporate Mariana Hernandez mariana.hernandez@mcmlawyers.com
Corporate Jorge Cabeza jorge.cabeza@mcmlawyers.com
Project finance Mariana Hernandez mariana.hernandez@mcmlawyers.com
Land Use Agreements Jorge Cabeza jorge.cabeza@mcmlawyers.com
Dispute resolution and litigation Manuel Cervantes manuel.cervantes@mcmlawyers.com
Antitrust Mariana Hernandez mariana.hernandez@mcmlawyers.com
Photo Name Position Profile
Manuel Cervantes photo Mr Manuel Cervantes Managing Partner
Mariana  Hernandez photo Ms Mariana Hernandez Partner
Other fee-earners : 11
Total staff : 15
Partners : 2