Editorial: Oil & Gas in Singapore

01 October 2007

The individuals listed on the following pages were all highly recommended for their work representing major, independent and state oil and gas companies, and financiers involved in the exploration, production, marketing and transportation of crude oil, natural gas and LNG. They advise on a variety of matters including upstream development, including exploration development and production, and downstream matters, such as distribution, pipelines, retail supply, transportation and sales. 

Ashley Wright joined Ashurst from Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy LLP in early 2007 and was well-received during our research: Wright polled more nominations than any other oil and gas expert. He gained invaluable insight into the sector during eight years as in-house legal adviser for BP where he advised on various upstream oil and gas operational and project issues. Sources noted that he’d “learnt the trade the hard way” and that his “work is of the highest standard”. Wright advises contractors, project companies, sponsors and lenders on financings, projects, acquisitions and disposals in the area. He was rated by one leading rival as his “main competitor”, while another noted he’s “the best oil and gas lawyer in the country”. 

Survey respondents remarked: “White & Case has an excellent reputation in the field,” a statement backed up by the performance of Brad Roach in the research. Roach is recommended as a “genuine oil and gas specialist” and his sponsor-based practice is said to be particularly strong. He is particularly prominent in the LNG arena where he is representing Indonesia’s largest listed independent exploration and production company, PT Medco Energi Internasional Tbk, in connection with the financing and development of the proposed 2 million tons per annum Donggi-Senoro LNG project in Sulawesi, Indonesia. He has also represented LNG Japan Corporation on the development and financing of the US$5 billion Tangguh LNG Project in Papua, Indonesia. On the development side of the industry he represented PT Medco Energi on the sale of a 21 per cent interest in the Simenggaris Block to UK-listed Salamander Energy and is also representing Murphy Oil Corporation on various transactions relating to potential investments in the oil and gas sector in Indonesia. 

Merrick White joined Clifford Chance Wong Pte Limited as a consultant in 2003. Prior to joining the firm he worked as a commercial negotiator for Gulf Indonesia and before that with British Gas in London. This, coupled with a background as a chemical engineer, gives him a valuable insight into the workings of the oil and gas industry and means that he “knows the business well”, according to rivals. White is reportedly “well known in the oil and gas industry in Singapore and Indonesia” and recent deals on which he has worked include advising on a US$100 million oil and gas field refinancing in Indonesia. He also advised Kodeco Energy Company on major gas sales to the Indonesian state-owned gas company, PGN, and to the Indonesian state-owned petrochemicals company, PKG. Among other matters, he is also advising Shell Company of Cambodia on the sale of its assets in the country. With such a respected practice, it is unsurprising that White was one of the chapter’s most consistently recommended individuals. 

Gavin Maclaren heads the South-East Asia practice at Allens Arthur Robinson and has extensive experience in the oil and gas, mining and power sectors. His work in Cambodia and Thailand was noted, and he has worked extensively for the Cambodian National Petroleum Authority in its negotiations with large multinationals over concessions. He has also advised clients including Chevron and BP in relation to operations in China. Further highlights include acting for Cambodia in its negotiations with Thailand regarding a boundary dispute involving approximately US$100 billion of hydrocarbon resources. Clarinda Tjia-Dharmadi is a member of the project development and finance group at Latham & Watkins LLP who was consistently recommended by some of the industry’s leading individuals. Tjia-Dharmadi has a significant practice relating to the Indonesian oil and gas sector where she is “very well connected”, according to sources. Highlights include working in the team advising the Republic of Indonesia, through its upstream implementation agency BP Migas, in relation to the development and financing of the US$2.6 billion Tangguh LNG project.

Alex Cull joined Norton Rose from Jones Day in early 2007 and is “an excellent oil and gas lawyer” according to sources. Rivals have “heard good things about him” and he’s worked on both upstream and downstream projects throughout the region as well as in Australia, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas. Respondents to our survey noted his expertise in natural gas on more than one occasion. May Oh at May Oh & Wee is the other lawyer we include; she polled a number of nominations from leading players on the international scene.

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