Energy

Cleary Gottlieb has a vibrant energy practice representing an array of clients on transactions that span the globe.

Lawyers in our energy practice have experience in oil, gas and petrochemicals; biofuels and renewable energy; and electric power.

Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals – With decades of experience representing a wide range of international oil and gas companies, Cleary regularly handles multinational projects, joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions and divestures, the issuance of bonds in the U.S. and international capital markets, corporate restructurings, project and lease financings, structured financings, and other petroleum and petrochemical related transactions.

We advise our clients on exploration and production activities, refining and marketing of oil and its derivatives, pipelines and other related infrastructure, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gas to liquids (GTL) projects, as well as on the myriad structural and contractual relationships used in the oil, gas and petrochemical industry. Our energy team also helps clients discover new ways to realize the value of energy resources and to devise and implement successful financings for every type and level of oil and gas industry activity.

Biofuels and Renewable Energy – As the energy industry has evolved, Cleary partners have adapted their practice to meet the growing needs of our clients. In recent years, the firm has handled an increasing number and variety of deals for developers, production facilities, utilities and other industrial companies in the biofuels and renewable energy sector, including solar energy operators and ethanol production facilities. We represent clients throughout the world in structured and project financings, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, capital markets transactions, as well as in regulatory matters relating to biofuels and renewable energy.

Electric Power – Cleary has worked on transactions in the United States and across the globe in all aspects of the electric power business, including power generation, distribution and transmission. Our Washington, D.C. office has an active and highly regarded regulatory practice that has represented clients in a number of recent FERC proceedings involving issues of significance to the industry. These include the state of the wholesale markets, changes in FERC’s policy towards qualifying cogenerators, FERC regulation of financial institutions that participate in energy markets, and evolving policy towards regional transmission organizations. The firm’s Brussels office coordinates all European regulatory work and has vast experience in issues relating to electric power. The firm works seamlessly in matters involving transatlantic issues.

Our industry expertise includes advising on the structuring, financing and ongoing regulation and operation of power plants operating thermal, geo-thermal, nuclear and hydroelectric facilities. We also assist clients with the structuring and negotiating of private sector participation in power projects in emerging market economies and in the creation and/or evaluation of bidding and concession frameworks.