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Projects and infrastructure

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Cescon Barrieu

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With experience in advising at all stages of the project lifecycle, Cescon Barrieu has a strong track record acting for sponsors, banks, investment funds and borrowers in complex, cross-border project finance transactions. The team is also recognised for its expertise in project development and transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures and restructuring, involving regulated assets. Drawing on its ‘in-depth knowledge of the market’, the practice provides ’agile and precise’ advice to clients across a range of sectors, including energy, oil and gas, transport and social infrastructure. The team is led from Rio de Janeiro by project finance and development specialists Maurício Teixeira dos Santos and Rafael Baleroni. Amanda Arêas is regularly engaged by banks, financial institutions, investment funds, and public entities for assistance with financing transactions. Diogo Ribeiro joined from Giamundo Neto Advogados in April 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘They have a strong multidisciplinary team with extensive experience in international project finance. They provide quick and accurate advice on all our questions with regards to corporate, contractual and regulatory matters for distributed energy projects in Brazil.’

  • ‘They are very committed and available to resolve all our questions and concerns promptly. As a foreign lender that had no precedents in distributed energy financings in Brazil, we had many more questions than local investors, and the investment strategy to make efficient foreign loans in Brazil is challenging. It has been a pleasure to work with Amanda Arêas and Diogo Câmara, they have been helpful and business-oriented, helping us in complex negotiations with our clients and their legal counsel. ’

  • 'Extremely knowledgeable and experienced regarding the offshore oil & gas industry in Brazil.'

  • ‘Amanda Arêas is great. She is very hard-working and attentive, can keep up with the pace of the operation very well and is always on top of things. She is very responsive, seeks solutions and conveys confidence. She also has a good technical background.’

  • ‘The service provided is of exceptional quality and the team offers strategic and innovative legal solutions. Since the beginning of our partnership, we have been able to count on highly specialised advice, characterised by agility, precision and in-depth knowledge of the market.'
  • 'I would like to highlight the work of Amanda Arêas, partner and leader of the firm, whose strategic vision and commitment to excellence make all the difference. Her management skills and innovative approach ensure that the team is always aligned with the best practices in the sector.'

Key clients

  • COPEL – Cia Paranaense de Energia
  • BNDES – Brazilian Development Bank
  • Enel X Brasil S.A.
  • Enel Brasil
  • Seadrill Ltd.
  • AES Brasil
  • Atlas Brasil Comercializadora de Energia
  • Elecnor
  • IDB- Inter-American Development Bank
  • EDP Brasil
  • VLI S/A
  • Nova Transportadora do Sudeste S.A. - NTS

Work highlights

Advised Atlas Brasil Comercializadora de Energia S.A. on the R$1.25bn project finance of the Luiz Carlos solar complex, with a total installed capacity of 661.2 MW, of which 396.9 MW will be produced and marketed to Votorantim Cimentos S.A. under a self-production energy structure.
Advised Yinson Production Offshore on the $1bn project finance via international bond of the FPSO Anna Nery.
Advised Iguá Saneamento S.A. on the R$1.85bn project finance to support the partial payment of the concession fee related to an infrastructure investment project in the sanitation sector in the State of Sergipe.

Practice head

Maurício Teixeira dos Santos; Rafael Baleroni

Other key lawyers

Ana Carolina Calil; Alexandra Costa; Matheus Vieira; Amanda Arêas; Diogo Câmara; Nicholas Ciglioni< Diogo Ribeiro