Oil & Gas Law
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Maalouf Ashford & Talbot has been named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" in the United States for the past 5 years in a row (2011 - 2015).
In addition, Maalouf Ashford has been named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2015 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Brazil and China, as well as "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2014 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Brazil and China, and "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2013 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Brazil.
Below Please Find Independent Views of Maalouf Ashford & Talbot's Oil & Gas Expertise:
InterContinental Finance Awards - 2015 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2015 in Lebanon,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Brazil, China, and the United States.
Lawyer's World Awards - 2014 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2015 in the United States,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Brazil, China, and Lebanon.
Dealmaker Country Awards - 2014 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2014 in the United States,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Brazil, China, Lebanon, United Kingdom and Russia.
ACQ Law Awards - 2014 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2014 in the United States.
InterContinental Finance Awards - 2014 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2014 in Lebanon,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Brazil, China, and the United States.
Global 100 Awards - 2013 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2013 in the United States.
ACQ Law Awards - 2013 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2013 in the United States.
M&A International Law Awards - 2013 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2013 in the United States.
Lawyer's World Awards - 2013 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2014 in Lebanon,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and the United States.
ACQ Law Awards - 2012 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Energy Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2012 in the United States.
Corporate International Legal Awards - 2012 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2012 in Hong Kong
ACQ Law Awards - 2011 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2011 in the United States.
Corporate International Legal Awards - 2011 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2012 in New York.
Practice Areas
The Middle-East is currently in the midst of an historic period of economic growth and financial prosperity. We represent clients in all types of transactions related to the oil, gas and energy industry throughout the Middle-East, United States, China, Russia and the world. Our Oil & Gas practice group has developed a reputation for providing high quality and cost-effective representation in complex transactional, regulatory and litigation matters.
The group's Oil & Gas practice encompasses several broad areas including:
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
LNG is a core practice area at Maalouf Ashford & Talbot. Through our offices in New York City, Riyadh, Beirut, Sao Paulo and Hong Kong, we actively assist clients worldwide in all aspects of LNG matters. As a result, lawyers in our LNG practice group are widely recognized as the most experienced and respected LNG specialists in the world.
Maalouf Ashford represents developers, sponsors, contractors, lenders and equity investors in connection with LNG transactions worldwide including:
▪ Representing an EU based company in connection with the development of an offshore LNG receiving terminal project
in South America. The project involves the construction of large Floating Storage and Regasification Units (“FSRU”) and
provides for LNG receiving, storage and regasification service for a period of 15 years from the commencement of
commercial operation of the FSRU.
▪ Development of an integrated LNG facility involving supply, shipping, regasification, gas pipelines, electrical power generation,
water desalination and wastewater treatment in Indonesia.
▪ Construction of a 530km gas transmission pipeline from gas fields to an LNG facility off the coast of Western Australia and
development of an LNG facility with the capability of processing up to 6 million tonnes per annum.
▪ Representing large US based oil & gas company in connection with the development and construction of a 500 megawatt
natural gas-fired, simple-cycle power generation facility.
▪ Representing a South American oil & gas company in connection with the development of a US$470 million
gas pipeline project, a US$680 million LNG expansion project and US$550 million refinery debottlenecking project.
▪ Representing EU based oil & gas company in connection with a joint venture for the development of a liquefied natural gas
facility in Siberia.
▪ Representing a US based oil & gas company in connection with developing LNG receiving terminal and export terminal projects
in North America.
▪ Representing LNG project developers in structuring and negotiating project contracts and financing for liquefaction
and expansion LNG projects in Africa, Asia, the Americas, Australia and the Middle East.
▪ Representing France based company in the construction of an LNG receiving / regasification terminal in the EU.
▪ Representing a US based oil & gas company in connection with developing LNG receiving terminal and export terminal projects
in North America.
▪ Representing leading Japanese LNG buyers in their negotiation of new and amended LNG sale and purchase agreements.
▪ Representing clients in connection with long-term Sales and Purchase Agreements for supply of LNG.
▪ Representing clients in connection with long-term LNG Portfolio Supply Agreements.
▪ Representing clients in negotiating and carrying out LNG shipping arrangements and participants in
LNG spot, swap and other trading transactions.
▪ Representing clients in connection with structured financing for large scale LNG project secured by long-term LNG supply contracts.
Oil & Gas
Major U.S. transactions - including corporate acquisitions; sales and purchases of producing properties, pipelines, and other significant assets; restructuring; representation on due diligence, bids and related financing issues.
International energy transactions - including the drafting and negotiation of study groups, bidding groups, operating groups and other forms of association for the conduct of international oil and gas operations, as well as representing clients before relevant governmental entities within host countries
during the bidding, negotiation and performance of exploration and production contracts.
Exploration and production services - including the drafting and negotiation of leases, operating agreements, farm-out agreements, production purchase and sale agreements, exploration agreements and other routine oil and gas questions affecting daily business operations.
Environmental counseling and regulatory services - including compliance with federal and state guidelines, defense of enforcement actions, assistance in permitting and other administrative proceedings, site analyses, risk assessments and advice on the effect of the environmental laws on business transactions.
Production and Sale
On natural gas issues, the Firm has assisted clients in the following areas:
▪ Contract negotiation and drafting, with particular attention to price terms, take-or-pay issues, regulatory obligations,
processing rights and quality standards;
▪ Contracting with respect to processing and extraction rights, including ownership and control of lease separated
liquids, transportation of liquids and liquefiables through natural gas gathering and transportation facilities, and
contracts for processing with third parties and the appropriate distribution of proceeds;
▪ Reviewing, interpreting and ensuring compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements, including well
qualification, pricing, production-related cost analysis and enforcement matters;
▪ Ensuring that contracts provide for adjustments for deregulation, classification, contract renegotiation and antitrust
concerns; and the purchase and sale of pipeline assets and facilities.
On crude oil issues, the firm has assisted clients in the following areas:
▪ Contract negotiations, including sales and operating agreements;
▪ Ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, including federal pricing and tax requirements;
▪ Litigation, including contract and pricing disputes and claims by taxing authorities and royalty interest
owners, including governmental agencies; and
▪ The acquisition and sale of producing and undeveloped properties.
Transportation
With respect to transportation, the firm has assisted clients in the following areas:
▪ Representation of clients from all segments of the oil and gas industry in virtually every type of
transportation-related transaction;
▪ Counseling producers, pipelines, local distribution companies, end-users and marketers in the
development of innovative transportation and sharing arrangements;
▪ Representation of oil pipelines in negotiating and developing onshore and offshore transportation
facilities for both crude oil and refined products;
▪ Representation of shippers and transporters in connection with a variety of marine transport matters.
Refining and Marketing
Regarding refining and marketing, the firm has assisted clients in the following areas:
▪ Representing major integrated companies and independent refiners on refining and marketing matters;
▪ Assisting clients with contract negotiation, including marketing, processing, transportation and
supply agreements;
▪ Ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, including federal price rules, air and water quality;
▪ Standards, and rules governing imports of motor gasoline; and
▪ Assisting in the acquisition and sale of refineries and marketing operations.
Intellectual Property, Licensing & Technology Transfers
Maalouf Ashford & Talbot attorneys represent clients in all aspects of technology transfers and inlicensing transactions. Our attorneys and team of technical experts draft and analyze computer software, hardware, internet, telecommunications and related technical agreements. In addition, Maalouf Ashford & Talbot offers a full range of services regarding the registration of trademarks, service marks, patents, and copyrights.
Public Sector Privatization and Procurement
As the public sector plays a key role in the economy of many Middle Eastern countries, the Firm has significant experience in public sector procurement laws and regulations as well as government contracts.
The Firm has assisted and represented clients in government tenders related to oil & gas, utilities, defense, constructions, and transportations. Our attorneys have also represented clients in disputes with various Middle East government agencies and departments. Moreover, with the increasing importance of privatization in the Middle East, Maalouf Ashford & Talbot has significant experience in advising clients on privatization issues and assisting in the implementation of privatization projects.
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Maalouf Ashford & Talbot has been named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" in the United States for the past 5 years in a row (2011 - 2015).
In addition, Maalouf Ashford has been named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2015 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Brazil and China, as well as "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2014 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Brazil and China, and "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2013 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Brazil.
Below Please Find Independent Views of Maalouf Ashford & Talbot's Oil & Gas Expertise:
InterContinental Finance Awards - 2015 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2015 in Lebanon,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Brazil, China, and the United States.
Lawyer's World Awards - 2014 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2015 in the United States,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Brazil, China, and Lebanon.
Dealmaker Country Awards - 2014 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2014 in the United States,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Brazil, China, Lebanon, United Kingdom and Russia.
ACQ Law Awards - 2014 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2014 in the United States.
InterContinental Finance Awards - 2014 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2014 in Lebanon,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Brazil, China, and the United States.
Global 100 Awards - 2013 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2013 in the United States.
ACQ Law Awards - 2013 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2013 in the United States.
M&A International Law Awards - 2013 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2013 in the United States.
Lawyer's World Awards - 2013 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2014 in Lebanon,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and the United States.
ACQ Law Awards - 2012 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Energy Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2012 in the United States.
Corporate International Legal Awards - 2012 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2012 in Hong Kong
ACQ Law Awards - 2011 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2011 in the United States.
Corporate International Legal Awards - 2011 Maalouf Ashford & Talbot Named "Oil & Gas Law Firm of the Year" for 2012 in New York.
Practice Areas
The Middle-East is currently in the midst of an historic period of economic growth and financial prosperity. We represent clients in all types of transactions related to the oil, gas and energy industry throughout the Middle-East, United States, China, Russia and the world. Our Oil & Gas practice group has developed a reputation for providing high quality and cost-effective representation in complex transactional, regulatory and litigation matters.
The group's Oil & Gas practice encompasses several broad areas including:
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
LNG is a core practice area at Maalouf Ashford & Talbot. Through our offices in New York City, Riyadh, Beirut, Sao Paulo and Hong Kong, we actively assist clients worldwide in all aspects of LNG matters. As a result, lawyers in our LNG practice group are widely recognized as the most experienced and respected LNG specialists in the world.
Maalouf Ashford represents developers, sponsors, contractors, lenders and equity investors in connection with LNG transactions worldwide including:
▪ Representing an EU based company in connection with the development of an offshore LNG receiving terminal project
in South America. The project involves the construction of large Floating Storage and Regasification Units (“FSRU”) and
provides for LNG receiving, storage and regasification service for a period of 15 years from the commencement of
commercial operation of the FSRU.
▪ Development of an integrated LNG facility involving supply, shipping, regasification, gas pipelines, electrical power generation,
water desalination and wastewater treatment in Indonesia.
▪ Construction of a 530km gas transmission pipeline from gas fields to an LNG facility off the coast of Western Australia and
development of an LNG facility with the capability of processing up to 6 million tonnes per annum.
▪ Representing large US based oil & gas company in connection with the development and construction of a 500 megawatt
natural gas-fired, simple-cycle power generation facility.
▪ Representing a South American oil & gas company in connection with the development of a US$470 million
gas pipeline project, a US$680 million LNG expansion project and US$550 million refinery debottlenecking project.
▪ Representing EU based oil & gas company in connection with a joint venture for the development of a liquefied natural gas
facility in Siberia.
▪ Representing a US based oil & gas company in connection with developing LNG receiving terminal and export terminal projects
in North America.
▪ Representing LNG project developers in structuring and negotiating project contracts and financing for liquefaction
and expansion LNG projects in Africa, Asia, the Americas, Australia and the Middle East.
▪ Representing France based company in the construction of an LNG receiving / regasification terminal in the EU.
▪ Representing a US based oil & gas company in connection with developing LNG receiving terminal and export terminal projects
in North America.
▪ Representing leading Japanese LNG buyers in their negotiation of new and amended LNG sale and purchase agreements.
▪ Representing clients in connection with long-term Sales and Purchase Agreements for supply of LNG.
▪ Representing clients in connection with long-term LNG Portfolio Supply Agreements.
▪ Representing clients in negotiating and carrying out LNG shipping arrangements and participants in
LNG spot, swap and other trading transactions.
▪ Representing clients in connection with structured financing for large scale LNG project secured by long-term LNG supply contracts.
Oil & Gas
Major U.S. transactions - including corporate acquisitions; sales and purchases of producing properties, pipelines, and other significant assets; restructuring; representation on due diligence, bids and related financing issues.
International energy transactions - including the drafting and negotiation of study groups, bidding groups, operating groups and other forms of association for the conduct of international oil and gas operations, as well as representing clients before relevant governmental entities within host countries
during the bidding, negotiation and performance of exploration and production contracts.
Exploration and production services - including the drafting and negotiation of leases, operating agreements, farm-out agreements, production purchase and sale agreements, exploration agreements and other routine oil and gas questions affecting daily business operations.
Environmental counseling and regulatory services - including compliance with federal and state guidelines, defense of enforcement actions, assistance in permitting and other administrative proceedings, site analyses, risk assessments and advice on the effect of the environmental laws on business transactions.
Production and Sale
On natural gas issues, the Firm has assisted clients in the following areas:
▪ Contract negotiation and drafting, with particular attention to price terms, take-or-pay issues, regulatory obligations,
processing rights and quality standards;
▪ Contracting with respect to processing and extraction rights, including ownership and control of lease separated
liquids, transportation of liquids and liquefiables through natural gas gathering and transportation facilities, and
contracts for processing with third parties and the appropriate distribution of proceeds;
▪ Reviewing, interpreting and ensuring compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements, including well
qualification, pricing, production-related cost analysis and enforcement matters;
▪ Ensuring that contracts provide for adjustments for deregulation, classification, contract renegotiation and antitrust
concerns; and the purchase and sale of pipeline assets and facilities.
On crude oil issues, the firm has assisted clients in the following areas:
▪ Contract negotiations, including sales and operating agreements;
▪ Ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, including federal pricing and tax requirements;
▪ Litigation, including contract and pricing disputes and claims by taxing authorities and royalty interest
owners, including governmental agencies; and
▪ The acquisition and sale of producing and undeveloped properties.
Transportation
With respect to transportation, the firm has assisted clients in the following areas:
▪ Representation of clients from all segments of the oil and gas industry in virtually every type of
transportation-related transaction;
▪ Counseling producers, pipelines, local distribution companies, end-users and marketers in the
development of innovative transportation and sharing arrangements;
▪ Representation of oil pipelines in negotiating and developing onshore and offshore transportation
facilities for both crude oil and refined products;
▪ Representation of shippers and transporters in connection with a variety of marine transport matters.
Refining and Marketing
Regarding refining and marketing, the firm has assisted clients in the following areas:
▪ Representing major integrated companies and independent refiners on refining and marketing matters;
▪ Assisting clients with contract negotiation, including marketing, processing, transportation and
supply agreements;
▪ Ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, including federal price rules, air and water quality;
▪ Standards, and rules governing imports of motor gasoline; and
▪ Assisting in the acquisition and sale of refineries and marketing operations.
Intellectual Property, Licensing & Technology Transfers
Maalouf Ashford & Talbot attorneys represent clients in all aspects of technology transfers and inlicensing transactions. Our attorneys and team of technical experts draft and analyze computer software, hardware, internet, telecommunications and related technical agreements. In addition, Maalouf Ashford & Talbot offers a full range of services regarding the registration of trademarks, service marks, patents, and copyrights.
Public Sector Privatization and Procurement
As the public sector plays a key role in the economy of many Middle Eastern countries, the Firm has significant experience in public sector procurement laws and regulations as well as government contracts.
The Firm has assisted and represented clients in government tenders related to oil & gas, utilities, defense, constructions, and transportations. Our attorneys have also represented clients in disputes with various Middle East government agencies and departments. Moreover, with the increasing importance of privatization in the Middle East, Maalouf Ashford & Talbot has significant experience in advising clients on privatization issues and assisting in the implementation of privatization projects.
