Norton Rose Fulbright wins big at Project Finance International Awards

• Global project finance team receives six awards

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has been awarded six accolades across energy, transport, infrastructure and utilities by Project Finance International (PFI) magazine, a leading publication for global energy and infrastructure finance news, data and analysis.

Simon Currie, global head of energy comments:

“PFI awards mean a lot to us and our clients. The successful projects cover the globe and demonstrate the ability of our projects team to close ground breaking deals. What excites me is that we have advised on projects right across the energy value chain - coal, gas and renewables.”

Nick Merritt, global head of infrastructure, mining and commodities comments:

“Our team continues to advise on the flagship transactions that often shape the sectors in which we operate. At a time of huge technological advance and change, we look forward to continuing to work with clients to ensure they are ready for what the future holds.”

The PFI Award winning transactions:

Asia Pacific Power Deal of the Year – Central Java IPP

Engaged by IFC to advise PLN as the state owned entity and offtaker in connection with the development of the 2,000 MW Central Java IPP project including transmission line connection to grid, fuel supply arrangements. This was the first project in Indonesia to qualify for a guarantee from the Indonesia Infrastructure Guarantee Fund (IIGF). The team was led by partners Jeff Smith and Nicky Davies.

North America Deal of the Year – Vista Ridge

Served as co-counsel to the San Antonio Water System in connection with a water supply project consisting of the production, treatment, delivery and sale of 50,000 acre-feet per year of potable water on a long term basis, based on the acquisition of water rights and the design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of new production wells, pumping stations, raw water collection and transmission pipelines, storage tanks and appurtenant facilities. The team was led by Clay Binford.

Middle East LNG Deal of the Year – Bahrain LNG

Advising on the onshore and offshore aspects of the project in particular the development, construction and shipping aspects, as well as on the financing. The project will be the first LNG receiving and regasification terminal in the Middle East developed on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis and is Bahrain’s first LNG project. With an initial capacity of 400 million standard cubic feet per day (expandable to double this capacity), it will be completed in early 2019. The team was led by partners Nick Prowse, Joanne Emerson Taqi, Charles Whitney and Chris Down.

African Oil & Gas Deal of the Year – OCTP Advising eni Ghana on the OCTP/Sankofa oil and gas development including advising on the Petroleum Agreement, agreements with the Government, gas sales arrangements and support arrangements with the World Bank. With a total project value of US$7.9 billion, this is a major foreign direct investment into Ghana. OCTP will provide domestic gas supply to national thermal power plants for more than 15 years, addressing energy requirements in urban and rural areas. Eni Ghana Exploration and Production Ltd is the Operator (47.222%) of the Project with Vitol Ghana Upstream Limited (37.778%) and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (15%) as partners. The World Bank has described the Sankofa Project as "top priority", as the long-term production of OCTP’s non-associated gas will underpin the growth of a domestic thermal power sector and accelerate Ghana’s industrial development. The team was led by partners Nick Prowse and Madhavi Gosavi.

African Power Deal of the Year – Amandi

Advising Endeavor Energy (Endeavor) as sponsor to Amandi Energy Limited (Amandi Energy) on the US$552 million Amandi Energy Power Plant (Amandi Project). The Amandi Project is a 200 megawatt (MW) combined cycle, dual-fuel power project in Aboadze, Ghana and is the only large scale base-load independent power generation project in sub-Saharan Africa to achieve financial close in 2016 on 14 December.

European Renewables Deal of the Year – Merkur

Advising Coriolis on its equity investment‎ in the offshore wind farm project Merkur. Coriolis is a joint investment vehicle formed by French state-controlled ADEME for their equity investment in Merkur and the capital investment arm of GE. The team was led by Klaus Bader and Anne Lapierre.

For further information please contact:

Meeta Vadher, Senior PR Manager
Tel: +44 (0)20 7444 3097; Mob: +44 (0)7595 886 276
meeta.vadher@nortonrosefulbright.com

Kate Farrell, PR Assistant
Tel: +44 (0)20 7444 3724; Mob: +44 (0) 7515 324 290
kate.farrell@nortonrosefulbright.com

Norton Rose Fulbright

Norton Rose Fulbright is a global law firm. We provide the world’s preeminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. We have more than 3500 lawyers and other legal staff based in more than 50 cities across Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.

Recognized for our industry focus, we are strong across all the key industry sectors: financial institutions; energy; infrastructure, mining and commodities; transport; technology and innovation; and life sciences and healthcare.

Wherever we are, we operate in accordance with our global business principles of quality, unity and integrity. We aim to provide the highest possible standard of legal service in each of our offices and to maintain that level of quality at every point of contact.

Norton Rose Fulbright Verein, a Swiss verein, helps coordinate the activities of Norton Rose Fulbright members but does not itself provide legal services to clients. Norton Rose Fulbright has offices in more than 50 cities worldwide, including London, Houston, Toronto, Sydney and Johannesburg. For more information, see nortonrosefulbright.com/legal-notices.