Our practice advises domestic and international clients across the entire sector, integrating a legal and regulatory perspective with operational experience accumulated over more than 15 years of continuous practice in the Brazilian energy market. Our team combines complementary backgrounds, with experience in both specialized law firms and in-house legal departments, having followed the Brazilian oil and gas sector since its earliest days, including the inaugural bidding rounds of the ANP (National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels), the opening of the market, and the structuring of pre-salt production-sharing agreements.
We operate at the intersection of the traditional sector and emerging low-carbon sectors, advising exploration and production companies, natural gas market players, infrastructure operators, offshore and onshore service providers, investors, and financiers on business structuring, regulatory and contractual risk management, and engagement with public authorities.
We work in a multidisciplinary manner with the firm’s other practice areas, such as Tax Law, Compliance, Dispute Resolution, Environmental Law, Labor Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Financial and Capital Markets, enabling clients to receive integrated advice throughout the entire lifecycle of their projects and operations.
Our practice covers all three segments of the chain:
Upstream
The practice has accumulated experience ranging from transactions involving the acquisition and disposal of interests in E&P contracts, project finance, and bond issuances in the Nordic market, to assisting E&P companies in fulfilling their contractual obligations during the exploration, development, and production phases, in both concession and production-sharing agreements. We handle the negotiation and review of partnership agreements and joint operations, such as JOAs (Joint Operating Agreements), Gas Lift Agreements, and other standard AIEN contracts, and advise offshore and onshore suppliers, including subsea EPC contracts, chartering, and the operation of offshore units, whether in Petrobras bidding processes or with international oil companies (IOCs).
Midstream
We support clients in transactions involving the use of natural gas processing plants (UPGNs), access to the pipeline transportation system, LNG terminals, and related infrastructure, including integrated gas-to-power projects.
Downstream
Our experience includes advising on acquisitions of fuel terminals, equity interests in piped natural gas distributors, supply contracts and the sale of natural gas and derivatives, and support for both distribution and resale agents as well as large industrial consumers.
Services
Legal Advisory
Advice on regulatory, contractual, operational, tax, labor, and compliance matters in the oil and gas sector, supporting strategic decisions and the safe conduct of business.
Sector Regulation and Interaction with the ANP
Analysis and interpretation of ANP regulations, including resolutions, concession and production-sharing agreements, authorizations, and participation in bidding rounds. Advisory services on JOAs, farm-in and farm-out transactions, and other standard industry contracts.
Due Diligence and Risk Analysis
Conducting legal due diligence and assessments of regulatory, contractual, operational, and integrity risks in assets, projects, operations, and counterparties in the sector.
Structuring of natural gas projects and associated infrastructure
Advising on the legal and regulatory structuring of natural gas projects, including production, processing, transportation, storage, distribution, and integrated gas-to-power initiatives.
Industry Contracts (Upstream, Midstream, Downstream, and Offshore)
Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating standard industry contracts, including charter, service, offshore operations, and contracts for the storage, transportation, and sale of oil, natural gas, and derivatives.
Unitization Agreements and Joint Operations
We advise on the negotiation, structuring, and implementation of unitization agreements and other joint exploration arrangements, with a focus on contractual balance and regulatory alignment.
Sector-specific taxation and special tax regimes
Advising on import and export procedures, tax planning for projects in the sector, and support for the application of the Special Tax Regime for the Oil and Gas Industry (REPETRO), as well as other relevant tax incentives.
Dispute resolution
Domestic and international arbitration and strategic litigation involving E&P contracts, charter agreements, disputes with operators and consortium partners, and regulatory disputes before the ANP and other competent authorities.
Environmental law and permitting
Environmental licensing for offshore and onshore projects, management of environmental liabilities, remediation and decommissioning obligations, and coordination with IBAMA, state agencies, and the ANP in managing environmental conditions.
Legal and regulatory studies and opinions
Preparation of studies and issuance of specialized legal opinions on projects, new business ventures, and regulatory changes applicable to the sector.
Licensing and administrative proceedings
Representation in licensing procedures and administrative proceedings before regulatory agencies and other competent authorities.
