Practices

Energy

DNA’s distinguished energy practice comprises of commercially-minded lawyers with extensive experience and in the contentious and non-contentious space. Leveraging on our regional network, we offer our clients in-depth and expansive advice and representation across multiple jurisdictions. With our member firms, we are equipped to advise on all stages of the production chain, from planning, development and the execution phases of energy projects. Our services also extend to advisory, project finance, transactional due diligence and regulation, restructuring, acquisitions, competition, transportation, construction and environmental aspects of the transaction.

Significant non-contentious matters include:

Advised Equis Funds Group on the acquisition of a 47% interest in Runfar Gas, a developer and operator of natural gas distribution assets in China, including four operational and six late-stage construction gas pipelines across five provinces in China supplying piped natural gas to residential, industrial and commercial customers.
Advised Sindicatum Renewable Energy in its Triple-tranche Green Bond Offering. The transaction was listed as one of the top 50 landmark deals in 2018 involving Indian parties in India Business Law Journal’s Deals of the Year awards.
Advised the lead arranger in Islamic medium term notes of up to RM470 million in nominal value and junior bonds of up to RM120 million in nominal value by Telekosang Hydro One Sdn Bhd to finance the hydroelectric energy generating facilities in Tenom, Sabah, which comply with the ASEAN Green Bond Standards issued by ASEAN Capital Markets Forum and the Sustainable and Responsible Investment (SRI) Framework issued by the Securities Commission Malaysia.
Acted as lender’s Malaysian counsel for the loans of up to US$550 million granted to Medco Energi Global Pte Ltd to finance, inter alia, the acquisition of Ophir Energy plc.
Acted as Indonesian counsel for Consortium led by Sumitomo Corporation, PT Bhumi Jati Power Acting as legal counsel to PT Bhumi Jati Power (the project company) in relation to the development of the Tanjung Jati 5 & 6 (Jawa-4) expansion (2 x 1000 MW power plants).
Acted as Indonesian counsel for Consortium led by Marubeni Corporation, PT Cirebon Energi Prasarana Acting as legal counsel to PT Cirebon Energi Prasarana (the project company) in relation to the development of the Cirebon expansion Jawa-1 (1000 MW power plant).

Significant contentious matters include:

Representing PT Bayan Resources Tbk and Bayan International Pte Ltd in claims totalling US$796 million arising from alleged breaches of a joint venture agreement for the application of a patented technology to produce and sell upgraded coal from East Kalimantan in Indonesian Borneo.
Represented the electricity offtaker in the state of Sabah, East Malaysia, in Court proceedings with an independent power producer regarding disputes over the amount of capacity payments payable and amounts overpaid over the course of a 21-years power purchase agreement. The amounts in dispute are in excess of RM45 million.
Represented a coal fired independent power producer in an Indonesian arbitration (BANI) regarding the implementation of the Power Purchase Agreement between the IPP and a subsidiary of the state owned enterprise (PLN).

Chua Tju Liang

Director, Corporate & Finance / Head, Blockchain & Digital Assets

Mahesh Rai

Director, Dispute Resolution / Deputy Head, Construction & Engineering

Vincent Ariesta Lie

Partner / Mergers & Acquisitions / Energy / Infrastructure & Construction / Insurance / Japan Desk

Rahayu Ningsih Hoed

Partner / Real Estate / Mining and Energy / Mergers and Acquisitions / Litigation and Dispute Resolution / Competition Law / Employment / Construction / Infrastructure and Major Project / Hotel, Resort and Tourism...

Alexius Lee

Partner / Dispute Resolution / Engineering & Construction / Arbitration and Mediation / Infrastructure & Projects

Manuel Z. Gonzalez

Senior Partner / Head, Capital Markets / Head, Projects & Energy / Head, Anti-Trust and Competition

Gwyneth S. Ong

Partner, Corporate and Commercial Group / Co-Head, Capital Markets / Co-Head, Projects & Energy

Supasit Boonsanong

Partner, Corporate & Commercial

Charuwan Charoonchitsathian

Partner, Corporate & Commercial

More Partners

Singapore

Malaysia

Laos

Prisna Sungwanna

Accolades

Singapore | Drew & Napier

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
Projects & Energy 2024 – Tier 1; Tier 2 for 12 consecutive years (2023-2012)

Jimmy Yim, SC - Recommended Lawyer for 8 consecutive years
Mahesh Rai - Recommended Lawyer for 6 consecutive years
Renu Menon - Recommended Lawyer for 3 consecutive years
Christopher Chong - Recommended Lawyer
Chua Tju Liang - Recommended Lawyer

"One of the strongest teams in the region."
"Outstanding in every respect."
"Jimmy Yim, SC and Mahesh Rai are top-class, and think outside the box for solutions."
"Comprehensive full-service firm with depth of expertise in a range of critical areas that are indispensable for our day-to-day operations. The firm brings a depth and breadth of knowledge to all key aspects of the disputes process."
"Christopher Chong is a singularly exceptional practitioner, who is well-rounded in terms of depth of legal knowledge, commercial acumen, client responsiveness, innovation and unmatched local knowledge. His dedication to his craft and in assisting us to find sensible, practical and mutually beneficial solutions is close to peerless. Chris is backed by a solid team, whether as a whole or individually, who are more than capable of pulling their own weight and delivering value to us in the context of the role they play."

IFLR1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms
Project Development 2024 – Tier 3 for 3 consecutive years
Energy and Infrastructure 2017 – Tier 2 for 4 consecutive years

“The firm has a strong track record in projects work especially in energy.”

asialaw Profiles
Infrastructure 2023/2024 - Highly Recommended for 5 consecutive years
Energy 2023/2024 – Recommended; Notable practice for 4 consecutive years

Indonesia | Makarim & Taira S.

Asialaw Profiles
Energy - Outstanding firm for 2 consecutive years (2019-2020) and Highly Recommended for 4 consecutive years (2015-2018)

Rahayu Ningsih Hoed - Elite Practitioner (2019-2020); Market Leading Lawyer (2017-2018)
Lia Alizia - Distinguished Practitioner (2019-2020)
Vincent Ariesta Lie - Rising Star Lawyer (2018-2019)

“Advanced knowledge in the Indonesian energy sector and precise advice for corporate documents.”
Vincent Ariesta Lie: “Vincent has very good legal knowledge both in corporate transactions and projects, and corporate litigation. He is the lawyer to go to anytime we need to consult on mostly anything. Even during times when an issue is not his primary expertise, he can give very good insights and enlightenment on the issues.”

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
Projects & Energy - Tier 1 for 4 consecutive years (2017-2020) and Tier 2 for 3 consecutive years (2014-2016)

Rahayu Ningsih Hoed - Leading Lawyer (2016, 2018-2019)

IFLR1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms
Energy & Infrastructure/Project Development - Tier 2 for 6 consecutive years (2015-2020)

Rahayu Ningsih Hoed - Highly Regarded Lawyer (2017-2020)
Vincent Ariesta Lie - Highly Regarded Lawyer (2019-2020); Notable Practitioner (2018)

“Excellent Jakarta-based law firm. Very responsive and collaborate in multi-jurisdictional teams very well.”
“They are reliable and provide excellent technical and practical advice in a difficult jurisdiction. They advise us on a broad range of issues including dispute resolution, regulatory compliance, employment law and transaction work in Indonesia.”
“Responsive, cost effective and good understanding of industry and regulatory issues.”
“Good teamwork.”
“The firm is very responsive and very commercial. When we need a quick response for a client, Makarim & Taira S. are always happy to oblige.”
“Makarim & Taira S. has provided excellent, sufficiently detailed and timely advice on our projects.”
“Fast response and very strong advisory capability.”
“Resourceful.”

Malaysia | Shearn Delamore & Co.

The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
Projects & Energy 2022 – Tier 2 for 9 consecutive years

Grace C.G. Yeoh - Recommended Lawyer for 9 consecutive years (2014-2022)
Rodney Gomez - Recommended Lawyer for 9 consecutive years (2014-2022)

asialaw Profiles
Energy - Highly Recommended for 6 consecutive years (2017-2022); Outstanding Firm (2016) and Highly Recommended for 3 consecutive years (2013-2015)

Christina S.C. Kow - Market Leading Lawyer for 3 consecutive years (2017-2019)
Grace C.G. Yeoh - Market Leading Lawyer for 3 consecutive years (2017-2019)

IFLR1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms
Energy – Tier 3 for 2 consecutive years (2022 and 2023); Tier 2 for 9 consecutive years (2014 – 2021)

Grace C.G. Yeoh - Market Leader for 5 consecutive years (2017-2021)
Rajasingam Gothandapani - Highly Regarded for 5 consecutive years (2017-2021)
Ng Swee Kee - Highly Regarded for 5 consecutive years (2017-2021)
Putri Noor Shariza Noordin - Notable Practitioner for 4 consecutive years (2018-2021)
Alexius Lee - Notable Practitioner for 4 consecutive years (2018-2021)

Philippines | MVGS

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
Projects and Energy – Top Tier firm for 4 consecutive years since 2018; Tier 2 firm in 2017 and Tier 3 firm from 2014 to 2016

Manuel Gonzalez – Leading Individual for 3 consecutive years since 2019; Recommended Lawyer since 2015
Mark Vergara – Recommended Lawyer (2019, 2021)
Rosalia Bartolome-Alejo – Recommended Lawyer (2019)

“Projects is one of the key areas of practice for Martinez Vergara Gonzalez & Serrano; the team advises banks and developers on some of the region's largest infrastructure, energy and natural resources projects. Project finance is the primary focus, though the firm also assists with a variety of other issues, including bidding processes, joint ventures, drafting agreements and navigating regulatory requirements. Manuel Gonzalez leads the group and focuses on financing public-private partnership projects, having advised publicly-listed companies on winning bids for infrastructure projects. Mark Vergara, who leads the banking team, advises on project finance issues and has acted as counsel for lenders in infrastructure projects, most notably in the context of toll roads and expressways.

IFLR 1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms
Project Finance 2022 – Tier 3 firm; Notable firm (2020)
Project Development 2022 – Notable firm for 3 consecutive years since 2020

Thailand | Tilleke & Gibbins

Chambers Asia-Pacific
Projects & Energy 2023 – Band 3 for 2 consecutive years

Supasit Boonsanong – Band 4

"Tilleke demonstrates strong familiarity with Thai issues that oil and gas companies face."
"Supasit's understanding of Thai government matters is a real asset to navigating transaction considerations."

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
Projects & Energy 2023 – Tier 2 for 3 consecutive years

“Supasit Boonsanong is the one of the best partners in this practice. He has good knowledge and a great relationship with his clients.”

IFLR 1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms
Project Development 2024 – Tier 2 for 6 consecutive years

Supasit Boonsanong – Highly Regarded
Charuwan Charoonchitsathian – Rising Star

Vietnam | Tilleke & Gibbins

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
Projects & Energy 2023 – Tier 4

Asialaw Profiles
Energy 2024 – Notable for 6 consecutive years

IFLR 1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms
Project Development 2024 – Tier 3 for 6 consecutive years

Cambodia | Tilleke & Gibbins

Chambers Asia-Pacific
General Business Law 2023 – Band 2 for 3 consecutive years

Jay Cohen – Band 2 for 2 consecutive years
David Mol – Associate to Watch

"The team at T&G are responsive and openly communicative with our business. Their advice allowed us to make commercially sound decisions."
"The quality of the advice produced by the Tilleke & Gibbins lawyers demonstrates an in-depth understanding of Cambodian law and practices as well as contract drafting and interpretation."

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
General Business Law 2023 – Tier 2 for 6 consecutive years

Jay Cohen – Leading Individual for 3 consecutive years
David Mol – Next Generation Partner for 6 consecutive years

“They have a deep understanding of the legal and policy environment in Cambodia. Very responsive to questions and inquiries.”

IFLR 1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms
Project Development 2024 – Tier 2

Laos | Tilleke & Gibbins

Chambers Asia Pacific
General Business Law 2023 – Band 2 for 2 consecutive years

Dino Santaniello – Band 2 for 4 consecutive years

"Their quality of service is high. Their main strengths are legal knowledge and professional service in providing legal opinions."
"Tilleke & Gibbins provide excellent standards of service and responsiveness. They never fail to deliver a consistently good standard of input."

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
General Business Law 2023 – Tier 1 for 6 consecutive years

Dino Santaniello – Leading Individual for 5 consecutive years

“I have worked with Tilleke & Gibbins on various client matters over the course of 10 years. I have always found the group to be responsive and willing to take on unique challenges. They take steps to learn about the client’s needs and provide a flexible response to suit such needs.”