Infrastructure & Project Finance

  • Advised a Saudi-owned buyer (Creative Energy Resources (CER)) on acquiring a stake in a 586MW Uch CCGT facility in Pakistan from an affiliate of GE Energy Financial Services. CER will build, acquire, own and operate power generation, transmission and distribution facilities in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region. The generation projects will be based on conventional, thermal, as well as renewable energy.
  • Represented a development consortium consisting of a multinational power company and a group of companies as lead counsel on the sale of a majority interest in a 450 MW Independent Power Project in Pakistan. The deal was closed in September 2006, as the largest acquisition in the power sector in Pakistan.
  • Representing an energy company and sponsors as lead counsel in charge of establishing an 84 MW Hydel Power Plant in Kashmir. Matters handled by the firm on this deal include the entire scope for establishing an Independent Power Project (IPP) in Pakistan, and reviewing/negotiating concession documents, principal project documents and financing documents. This was the first ever private sector hydel power plant in Pakistan and the first ever in the Kashmir region. It is also the first to be jointly financed in the private sector by the Asian Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank. The project value is approximately US$140 million.
  • Advised a Dubai-based master developer in drafting and finalizing a US$9.9 billion dredging contract, believed to be the largest dredging contract in history.
  • Representing the Lenders, in the United Kingdom, on a 225 MW Power Plant in Punjab. Existing matters include entire due diligence and advice in respect of the project, which is the first foreign funded thermal power plant to be established in Pakistan since 1997.
  • Acted for a joint venture comprising of international port operators with regard to the establishment of the first independent container terminal in Pakistan.
  • Representing the stakeholders (which shall include a well-known EU energy house, and a US gas/power house) as lead counsel on establishment of an LNG Import Terminal and Integrated Pipe-line and IPP Project in Pakistan. This integrated project will involve the import of between 200 to 400 mmcfd of gas in LNG form, to be transmitted by a pipeline to an IPP, initially at 650MW, to be stepped-up to 1700MW. This integrated project is at the conceptual phase, and we are currently structuring the consortium arrangement.
  • Advised a publicly listed UAE company regarding the establishment of a US$200 million float glass plant in Abu Dhabi. This involved advising the project sponsor in relation turn-key construction contracts, know-how and licensing agreements, shareholders agreements, project financing and transfer of technology documentation.
  • Advised a syndicate of prominent local banks on the financing documentation with regard to an AED750 million (approximately US$200 million) project financing in relation to the construction of Burj Dubai (the tallest building in the world) to a consortium of contractors awarded the construction contract for the project.
  • Acted as local counsel to a syndicate of lenders in respect of the US$1.1 billion refinancing of the Taweelah A10 Independent Water and Power Project (IWPP). The firm was the local counsel to the lender and oversaw all Abu Dhabi documentation with regard to the refinancing of the existing, on-going power project.
  • Acted as local counsel to a multinational oil company in respect of its successful attempt to enter the Upper Zakum concession. This was the first new concession participation in the Abu Dhabi hydrocarbon sector since 1980.
  • Acted as local counsel to a multinational aviation services company on the establishment of a regional office in Dubai through which to conduct its multi-billion dollar aircraft finance operations.
  • Advised a Dubai-based metals manufacturer with regard to its entering into a strategic joint venture participation to develop and operate the Sangaredi Refinery Project integrated bauxite mine and alumina refinery in the Republic of Guinea.
  • Advised a Dubai-based metals manufacturer with regard to the establishment of a US$5 billion aluminum smelter in Abu Dhabi.
  • Represented an energy company as Lead Counsel, in charge of the Project to establish an Independent Power Plant in Pakistan.
  • Represented a Pakistan-based energy company and project sponsors as Attorney in charge of the project to establish an Independent Power Plant in Pakistan.
  • Acted for a group of companies based in the UAE in the proposed establishment of a 135,000 tonnes per annum aluminum foil plant (will be the world's largest producer once full capacity is reached).
  • Acted for the Ruling Family of a U.A.E. emirate on the development of a resort.
  • Represented a Ras Al Khaimah public utility in respect of several supply agreements and other projects.