Corrs Chambers Westgarth is widely praised as ‘the leading commercial and regulatory practice for international firms dealing in the energy and resources industries in PNG‘, with teams currently advising on multiple major infrastructure and energy projects. The group is also well known for handling corporate and real estate matters as well as disputes. Vaughan Mills, with over three decades of experience in the natural resources and infrastructure spaces and with some of the world’s largest oil and gas and mining companies as clients, leads the team. Ryan Warokra plays a key role, regularly advising on M&A, energy, and natural resources transactions, as well as corporate and regulatory matters. Associate Lisa Paka, based in Port Moresby, has experience advising local and international clients operating in the energy, tech, manufacturing, and retail sectors, among others. Associate Tobias Hill is noted for his support on commercial matters. Litigator Craig Phillips is also a key contact.

Dentons’ Port Moresby practice group has a long-established presence in Papua New Guinea and is noted particularly for its expertise in the banking, regulatory, energy, mining, and infrastructure projects spaces. Recent highlights for the team include advising in relation to Newmont Corporation’s acquisition of Newcrest Mining Ltd. With a strong reputation for handling financings, restructurings, and M&A, Wavie Kendino Leki leads the group as head of office. Stephen Massa is regularly called on by clients to advise on major projects and transactions in the energy, insurance, shipping, and construction sectors, among others, as well as in relation to contentious matters. Erik Andersen has been a partner at the firm for over three decades and heads the firm’s litigation practice. He regularly advises major energy and banking clients, as well as state-owned enterprises. Jason Brooks joined the department from Ashurst in May 2024, bringing with him considerable commercial litigation expertise. Brisbane-based managing associate Rachel Austin’s diverse practice covers M&A, restructuring, and equity capital markets. Senior associate Ethel Goina is also a key contact.

Allens has advised local, foreign, and international companies on matters in PNG for over half a century, with the group praised by clients particularly for its expertise in banking and finance matters. Practice head Richard Kriedemann primarily handles M&A matters, especially public company takeovers and schemes of arrangements. Paul Brittain, splitting his time between Brisbane and Port Moresby, has nearly three decades of experience in the finance sector acting for financiers, syndicates, sponsors, and borrowers. Sarah Kuman operates solely out of Port Moresby and is noted for her expertise in natural resources and power generation cases, particularly when it comes to the regulatory aspects of large-scale hydropower projects.