Energy

We act for international mining companies, lenders and energy sector developers.

The Firm’s mining experience includes nickel, gold and coal mining projects, having been involved with major mining projects in Pakistan and Afghanistan. We assist with the filing and pre-contractual formalities for proposals for mining concession agreements, compliance with contractual obligations, monitoring licenses and environmental permits, and the acquisition of mining titles.

We partner with our clients to identify and achieve their purpose to establish and maintain long-term relationships. We provide strategic, practical advice and transactional services to effectively and efficiently meet client goals, drawing on the areas of our expertise that our clients need.

Recognised as a leading corporate law firm in the oil and gas sector, we are extensively involved in the three major components of the oil and gas industry, namely, upstream (exploration and production), midstream (storage and transportation) and downstream (fuels and lubricants, marketing and refining, retail and chemicals).

Working with the private sector and government, we have actively been involved in the legislation of laws relating to the oil and gas sector, thereby catering to the sectors’ expanding global, technical and economic needs. Further, we provide regular reviews and advice on the legislation regulating the petroleum sector and are frequently involved in procuring various petroleum licenses and gas allocations.

We act for various multinational entities undertaking oil and gas exploration, development and production in Pakistan. We also structure projects on behalf of oil and gas exploration, services and E&P companies.

We understand the industry’s challenges from multiple angles and combine our expertise and knowledge to provide a complete legal package fitting our client’s unique needs and objectives. Our team offers insight into the legal framework governing the industry and advises on applying for exploration and exploitation licenses, assistance with bid proceedings, and the negotiation of services agreements.

We advise on the entire life cycle of oil and gas projects, including refinery and pipeline construction, oil transportation agreements and disputes affecting the sector. We also provide regular review and advice regarding the applicable legislation regulating the petroleum sector and have been involved in procuring various petroleum licenses and gas allocations and drafting various consortium arrangements in the petroleum sector.

The electricity and power market is changing significantly across the Middle East and South Asia region. There is an extreme shortage of power in many parts of the region. A complex set of variables ranging from transmission and distribution constraints, resource availability, costs and technological advances are shaping our current and future generation, transmission and distribution needs. Government projections over the coming years clarify that substantial investment in these sectors will be essential, creating new opportunities for local and international power developers, related industries and customers.

Our experience began with the 1200 MW Hub Power Project. Since then, we have represented sponsors and/or lenders in almost all of the power projects in Pakistan. We have an extensive track record assisting power project sponsors, investors and developers. We regularly provide advice on generation, transmission and distribution projects. Our clients include power developers, facility owners, fuel suppliers, and domestic and international lending agencies.

Our expertise includes assisting in project structuring, tax planning, regulatory compliance, EPC contracts, project and conventional debt and equity financing, and site lease and acquisition. We have significant experience in acquisitions and divestitures in the power industry and regularly negotiate a wide range of supply and sales contracts, off-take and power purchase agreements as well as other physical and financial contracts, operating agreements, interconnection arrangements with transmission and distribution grids, fuel supply and related arrangements.

We represent the interests of our clients in negotiations with the Private Power and Infrastructure Board, NTDC and fuel suppliers and before the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority and all other relevant regulatory authorities.

We have been involved in most of the renewable energy projects in Pakistan. We are well placed to advise developers, investors, and sponsors investing directly in the sector. While conventional energy sources will remain a large part of Pakistan’s energy mix, the share of clean, renewable energy is growing quickly and will continue to grow aggressively.

Participants in Pakistan’s burgeoning renewable power and renewable fuels industry benefit from our timely and expert advice on various issues important to this sector. We have acted for clients in a variety of renewable power sectors, including, among others, hydro, wind, solar, biogas, biomass, biowaste, biofuels, and geothermal.

Navigating the corporate/commercial, regulatory and taxation landscape can be daunting for renewable power developers in Pakistan. Our lawyers have been key advisors at every step of the way, specifically retained to acquire project finance, access government incentives/programs, clear regulatory hurdles, acquire permits, complete environmental assessments, zone real estate, acquire and lease land and property, devise tax-efficient structures (including renewable power incentives like flow-through financing structures), drafting and reviewing project documents, negotiating project agreement such as EPC contracts, operation and maintenance agreements and supply and off-take agreements, and assisting with all aspects of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures.

Our lawyers have acted for and have strong connections with the federal and provincial regulatory authorities and power distribution and transmission entities. We possess a comprehensive knowledge of power authorities’ renewable power tariff and procurement processes.

Practice areas

• Bagasse
• Hydropower
• Solar power
• Wind power