Oil & Gas in the CIS
With several economies in the CIS benefiting from rich natural resources, it is no surprise that this chapter is one of the largest in this publication. Russia and Kazakhstan provide the vast majority of inclusions, but Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are also represented.
Baker & McKenzie performs very well in this chapter, with four inclusions in four jurisdictions. Svitlana Romanova in Kiev “is a safe pair of hands” when it comes to oil and gas advisory work and disputes. Azamat Kuatbekov previously managed the legal department of Kazakoil and advises on disputes, acquisitions and financing matters in Almaty. Alexey Frolov in Moscow is “resourceful and experienced” and advises on natural resources asset acquisition and production sharing agreements. Daniel Matthews is the managing partner of the Baku office and focuses on oil and gas financings.
Salans also earns four listings. The managing partner of the Almaty office is Aigoul Kenjebayeva. She is “extremely well-regarded” and represents a number of international oil and gas companies. Yuliya Mitrofanskaya is “great for oil and gas disputes” and Abai Shaikenov is “excellent” and works on transactions and financings in the oil and gas sector. James Hogan manages the Baku office and he “has an incredible depth of experience”, which includes advising over 40 international oil and gas companies on exploration, production and subsoil rights across the CIS.
Three practitioners are included from Grata Law Firm. In Almaty, senior partner Tlek Baigabulov is “a font of knowledge on subsoil law” and Rashid Gaissin is “reliable and knowledgeable”. Umid Aripdjanov in Tashkent is the head of that office’s commercial law group. He offers “unfailing quality” in the drafting of contracts and advising on investments and projects in the natural resources sector.
Marla Valdez at SNR Denton in Almaty is “an authority” on oil and gas law and is an external advisor to the Kazakhstan Petroleum Association. Doran Doeh in Moscow has been working on Russia-related matters for the past 20 years and has “an impressive track record”.
Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP earns two listings. Aset Shyngyssov is the managing partner of the Almaty office and is “highly skilled when it comes to oil and gas transitional work”. Jonathan Hines is based in Moscow, where he has worked on transactions and disputes for entities such as StatoilHydro, ExxonMobil and Caspian Pipeline Consortium.
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP earns two inclusions, both in Moscow. Alexey Kondratchik “has extensive experience in energy projects” in Russia and other countries in the CIS. Richard Wilkie, who is in charge of the Moscow office, is “well known” for his work representing major Russian oil and gas companies in transactions and financings.
Aequitas also has two lawyers listed and the firm has a long-standing relationship with international oil giant ExxonMobil as well as with Tengizchevroil LLP. Olga Chentsova is the firm’s managing partner and is “extremely well-informed and practical”. Natalya Braynina is “responsive, smart and a pleasure to work with”, according to our sources.
Steven Wardlaw of Baker Botts LLP is based in Moscow and is “especially highly regarded”. His clients include Lukoil, Yamal LNG and Hydril Company LP. John Sheedy, also in Moscow, has over 20 years’ experience in this field and advises on matters such as production sharing agreements, transportation agreements and joint ventures.
Kenneth Mack is the managing partner of Chadbourne & Parke LLP’s office in Kazakhstan and is “a respected player”. He has acted for the likes of China National Petroleum Corporation and major oil companies from the US, France and Asia. At the same office, Victor Mokrousov is a “first-class” lawyer.
Macleod Dixon LLP has a pair of lawyers in this chapter. In Almaty, Maxim Telemtayev manages the firm’s Central Asia operations and is called “versatile” and “user-friendly” by our sources. Aydin Jebrailov is based in Moscow and specialises on transactional and regulatory advice in the natural resources sector and he is “highly sought after” for his “shrewd advice and reputation”.
MGB Law Offices has recently completed a production sharing contract for a project in Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia and Kazakhstan. “Top-notch” Ismail Askerov has over 20 years’ experience and Elchin Mammadov is “esteemed” for his work advising on the issuance of securities in connection with the Azeri/Chirag/Guneshli Early Oil Project.
Jennifer Josefson is the head of White & Case LLP’s CIS oil and gas group and based in Moscow. She is “resourceful” and “eminently qualified” and has advised clients such as TNK-BP, a major international exploration and production company and Hess Corporation. Marat Ibragimov is in Almaty and is “matchless” in his experience of advising international companies on Kazakh natural resources.
A number of individual practitioners are recognised for their expertise and experience. LMP Law Firm’s Christina Maciw is in Kiev and she has advised companies such as Kulczyk Oil Ventures, Export Development Canada and various international companies on the establishment of oil and gas ventures in Ukraine. Magisters’ Olga Khoroshylova in Kiev has “broad experience” and has advised on production sharing agreements, licensing and contractor service agreements. In Kiev, Sofya Zhylkaidarova at Signum Law Firm is “astute and commercially-minded”, especially when it comes to advising on subsoil use.
Robert Patterson from Vinson & Elkins LLP’s Moscow office is “an outstanding energy transactions lawyer” who has represented Oman Oil Company, the majority shareholders of OAO NOVATEK and Cairn Energy PLC. Also in Moscow, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s Jacky Baudon “has an impressive client list” and is “prudent and hard-working”.
Aicholpon Jorupbekova is included from Kalikova & Associates in Bishkek and she is “very hands on” and “provides shrewd advice”.
Alum Bati, founding partner of Wicklow Corporate Services Limited in Baku, has a “distinguished record” and the firm’s clients include State Oil Fund of the Azerbaijan Republic, Total, ExxonMobil and Caspian Geophysical. The “terrific” Anar Baghirov is included from Bhm Baku Law Centre, of which he is the director.