A&O Shearman‘s sizeable commitment to Southeast Asia encompasses a core team of energy and resources specialists in Singapore, covering M&A, projects, financing, disputes and other related areas, with a major presence in oil and gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), power, renewables and mining. The firm’s impressive client base features a range of lenders, corporates and sponsors as well as funds. Jason Humphreys heads the Singapore energy, infrastructure and projects team and has extensive experience in project development and project finance. Alun Evans sports an excellent track record in energy M&A across Southeast Asia, including the Philippines and Indonesia. Scott Lovell is further noted for LNG and gas projects. Following its merger with Shearman & Sterling, the team now includes Bill McCormack, Richard Porter, Emmanuel Jacomy and Kok Jin Ong.

King & Spalding LLP‘s senior bench was reduced by the relocation of Kelly Malone to the London office, and the departure of Richard Nelson to Mayer Brown International LLP‘s London branch, though energy transactions and projects remain at the core of the Singapore’s strengths with a particularly formidable record in LNG, oil and gas, and further capabilities in renewables and hydrogen. The firm is active across the upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas space, and has extensive experience in LNG offtake agreements, floating storage regasification units (FSRUs), LNG imports and LNG-to-power projects. It continues to advise a range of energy majors, national oil and gas companies and government-linked entities. Simon Cowled is hugely experienced in energy M&A and project development. Anthony Patten left the firm in September 2023.

White & Case Pte. Ltd. has maintained a large team in Singapore featuring a number of prominent partners. It continues to lead the market in renewable energy, including large-scale offshore wind energy projects, and is making a further impression in hydrogen projects. The firm remains a force in oil and gas, and LNG transactions through a host of marquee clients. Saul Daniel is co-head of the Asia Pacific energy industry group and has a strong track record in oil and gas joint ventures and the development and financing of upstream, downstream, and LNG projects. Matthew Osborne and Fergus Smith are established names in Singapore, noted for their experience in renewables and other energy projects around Asia Pacific; this includes major wind energy and hydrogen projects in the region.

Ashurst LLP experienced considerable change in 2023 with the departure of a team led by four partners, including  Daniel Reinbott, to the newly launched Singapore office of Baker Botts L.L.P. The firm has sought to replenish its senior ranks with the hire of former Shearman & Sterling LLP Singapore office managing partner Jean-Louis Neves Mandelli and former counsel Scott Baggett, who has joined as a partner. The UK-headquartered firm’s Singapore office has historically enjoyed a strong reputation in LNG and the wider oil and gas sector. The new team provides further expertise in energy transition projects, including gas-to-power, renewables, carbon capture and storage. It has strong links to sponsors, lenders and funds. Alfred Ng provides further senior expertise in energy sector financings, including project finance and acquisition finance.

Baker Botts L.L.P. made a bold launch in Singapore with the hire of a large team from Ashurst LLP, including leading LNG specialist Daniel Reinbott, partners Michael Harrison, Richard Guit and Andrew Roche, and special counsels Jessica Ham and Giles Ashman. Another addition is Lewis Jones, who has transferred to Singapore from London. The team is particularly known for LNG transactions and projects, and is a growing force in wider energy transition engagements. It also has close connections to energy majors, national oil companies and other government-linked entities, and advises some of the biggest names in the LNG arena.

Clifford Chance‘s substantial Singapore office has a major focus on energy projects and transactions. The firm is widely rated for its expertise in M&A and fund investments in the energy sector. Singapore partner Nicholas Wong was previously co-head of the firm’s global energy and infrastructure group, and leads the team jointly with corporate partner Melissa Ng, who has made a particular impression energy M&A across Asia Pacific, historically with an especially strong record in Indonesia. The firm has an impressive client list of project sponsors and developers, funds and investors, and lenders. It is further distinguished by having a dedicated construction team led by Matthew Buchanan, that has played a pivotal role in large-scale offshore wind projects, amongst many other engagements. The Singapore team frequently works alongside colleagues across Asia Pacific, including those in Perth and Sydney. Ross Howard is another key project finance partner with particular experience in Vietnam and Japan.

Gibson Dunn has a prestigious history in Southeast Asia, particularly in oil and gas M&A and project development. It continues to advise major oil and gas clients, increasingly so in relation to energy transition projects, particularly carbon capture matters. The Singapore energy team has a strong track record in Indonesia and Malaysia with unrivalled knowledge of the regulatory regimes in those jurisdictions. The firm is also making further progress in renewables thanks to the presence of Elaine Chao and Saptak Santra, who advise a number of big-name clients. Jamie Thomas is a senior figure in energy finance. Since publication, former practice head Brad Roach and Alexandra Jones departed in November 2024.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has an excellent record in oil and gas, mining and resources and has successfully pivoted to renewables and energy transition matters, including investments in offshore wind assets. It is also making a further impression in infrastructure projects, including toll road developments. The firm remains noted for LNG, including sale and purchase arrangements, and terminal use arrangements. Renewable energy specialist Glynn Cooper heads the Southeast Asia energy, resources and infrastructure practice. Adrian Cheng leads the Asia finance practice and has a long history in oil and gas financings, particularly in Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Philippines. Project finance specialist Rupert Baker, the former senior counsel and head of legal at SoftBank Group, was hired in 2022, and the firm welcomed oil and gas project development expert Anthony Patten from King & Spalding LLP in September 2023. Construction and project development specialist Adrian Wong joined the firm’s Formal Law Alliance partner Prolegis LLC.

Latham & Watkins LLP has a considerable presence in energy sector M&A and investment, along with bulge-bracket financings. With a background in conventional energy it has made a further impact in energy transition and renewables, covering oil and gas, LNG, traditional power and renewables such as wind, geothermal, and solar. Sidharth Bhasin and James Clayton-Payne are experienced figures in M&A, private equity investments, joint ventures, and other corporate transactions. Don Stokes is a seasoned name in project development and finance in the region and is particularly known for Vietnam LNG-to-power and renewable energy matters.

Mayer Brown‘s Singapore office has a longstanding emphasis on energy transactions and projects. Its experience covers a wide geographic region, including key frontier markets such as Myanmar, Pakistan, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia. Noted for its background in LNG and oil and gas, it has built a strong presence in renewables and energy transition projects, including large-scale wind power projects in Vietnam, solar projects in Bangladesh, and hydropower projects in Laos and Myanmar. The practice also continues to be a major player in LNG-to-power projects. ‘World class partner‘ Ben Thompson is a recognised name in project finance in Southeast Asia, including renewables and conventional power projects in Vietnam and Myanmar. ‘Client driven‘ Nick Kouvaritakis is global head of the LNG practice and operates in projects across the value chain. Sean Prior is another key partner.

Milbank has a strong reputation in energy and infrastructure that, coupled with its longevity and stability in Singapore, has earned it a significant market share of big-ticket engagements in the region. Although it has successfully transitioned to decarbonisation and renewables, it remains at the forefront of upstream and downstream LNG projects, especially in Indonesia; the Singapore team frequently works alongside colleagues in Tokyo on oil and gas, LNG and petrochemical projects. Indonesia remains the practice's primary market, though it has also landed significant engagements in Malaysia, the Philippines and the Mekong peninsula in addition to sporting a balanced mix of lender and sponsor clients. James Murray heads the projects, energy and infrastructure practice in Asia, having been based in Singapore since 2006. James Orme is an emerging talent in energy and infrastructure finance, and Jacqueline Chan is a key name in Indonesia energy M&A.

Norton Rose Fulbright has an impressive mix of conventional and renewable energy engagements. It typically handles a significant volume of matters from around Asia Pacific and beyond and continues to experience rapid growth in its renewable energy practice, especially in regard to solar and energy storage projects. Hydrogen and carbon trading initiatives are also burgeoning areas for the Singapore team, which represents a wealth of energy clients and lenders. Asia stalwart Stephen Begley has a background in offshore oil and gas, and has built a strong reputation in renewable energy projects. Ben Smith is noted for LNG and gas projects, and Nick Merritt is an experienced project and energy finance specialist with an extensive track record in the region. Andrew Digges is another key partner for energy projects in Indonesia and other Asia Pacific jurisdictions.

Pinsent Masons MPillay has successfully leveraged its global position in construction to grow its presence in renewables and energy transition. This includes key engagements in Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. It has achieved prominence in solar, wind, hydrogen, hydropower and geothermal projects, and represents a mix of sponsors and lenders. The immensely experienced James Harris has ‘deep knowledge of energy projects with experience across the region‘, and has landed a string of mandates in multiple areas of the renewables and energy transition fields; he leads the team jointly with dispute resolution specialist Sam Boyling. Corporate partner William Stroll provides further expertise in energy sector transactions, including equity investments, joint ventures and M&A deals. David Platt relocated to Dubai, however the team welcomed David Clinch who joined from Shearman & Sterling LLP in February 2024.

Akin is a major global player in the energy sector and sports an extensive client base and an impressive track record in energy transactions and projects, including oil and gas, LNG, conventional power, renewables and energy transition matters. Jooyoung Song joined as counsel in October 2022, bringing additional energy and project finance experience to the team, along with further connections to Korean export credit agencies and other Korean clients. Since publication, former practice head Paul Greening departed.

Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow maintains an active presence in energy transition and renewables, notably representing Korean and other North Asian clients in LNG sale and purchase agreements. The firm’s extensive geographic coverage has enabled the Singapore office to successfully target Indonesia, Thailand and other emerging markets. Sun Kyun Lim frequently teams up with colleagues in Seoul to advise Korean clients. Kim Hock Ang provides further expertise in project development and project finance, particularly in Southeast Asia, and is another expert in the LNG sector. Andrew Zaw is an established project finance specialist with a fine record across the energy sphere. Former Asia Pacific head of projects Martin David  retired in December 2022.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has made considerable progress over recent years, thanks in part to the efforts of the increasingly prominent Philip Morgan, who heads the energy and natural resources team in Asia and has an ‘expansive range of knowledge across the energy value chain‘. The Singapore office has extensive connections to energy majors, project sponsors and other regional businesses, and the practice continues to be active in oil and gas, LNG and energy transition, as well as mining and metals. The team is also commended for its knowledge of the hydrogen sector.

HFW Singapore LLP has a major focus on the energy sector, including LNG transactions and mining projects, with much of the practice centering on disputes. Chanaka Kumarasinghe has a background in the offshore oil and gas sector, including contracts for both the construction and charter of FPSOs. Peter Zaman specialises in energy and resources, commodities, derivatives, structured products, and climate finance. Dan Perera and Adam Richardson provide further advisory and disputes expertise in energy matters, including the LNG sector.

Hogan Lovells Lee & Lee has a major presence in offshore wind power projects, including large-scale developments in Taiwan, Vietnam and across Southeast Asia. Singapore managing partner Alex Wong heads the projects and infrastructure group, focusing on renewable energy projects in Taiwan and Southeast Asia. Samantha Campbell left the firm for an in-house position in January 2023.

Clyde & Co Clasis Singapore has brought together a sizeable team that covers a range of energy-related matters. Following the arrival of Ton van den Bosch from Addleshaw Goddard in 2022, the Singapore office has worked on a series of offshore oil and gas projects. Renewables is another forte for the team that includes experienced construction, shipping, insurance and dispute resolution specialists.

CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang (Singapore) LLP‘s Singapore energy, projects and construction practice draws on the varied expertise of a core group of partners and associates. The global firm has one of the largest energy and climate change teams in the world, with the Singapore team representing a series of energy majors, national oil companies and government-linked companies from the region. Noted for its expertise in the upstream oil and gas industry in Indonesia, it is making a further impression in green hydrogen projects, solar projects and the decarbonisation of LNG value chains. Marc Rathbone heads the energy and climate change group in Asia Pacific, remains active in the oil and gas sector, and has driven forward the Singapore team’s efforts in clean energy and energy transition engagements, including rooftop solar and offshore projects. Lynette Chew and Kelvin Aw co-head the infrastructure and construction disputes group, while Singapore managing partner Toby Grainger has extensive experience in natural resources transactions.

K&L Gates Straits Law LLC continues to develop its status in the LNG and renewables sectors, despite the departure of former department head Lian Yok Tan to Squire Patton Boggs in May 2023. Marius Toime has stepped up to lead the team and former White & Case Seoul local partner Sarah Park has joined to bolster the team in Singapore, bringing additional connections to Korean corporates and financial institutions. The group has an impressive mix of state-owned company and multinational clients, especially Indonesian businesses.

Linklaters has developed a strong record in renewables M&A, along with project finance in the renewables and energy transition arena. The Singapore office has an impressive client list of corporates and financial institutions and has worked on a series of solar and wind project financings across Asia Pacific. Promoted to the partnership in May 2023, Mark Veitch heads the construction team and has extensive experience in offshore wind and energy transition projects. Philip Badge is a leader in financings, including big-ticket project financings in India. Counsel Xylia Sim is another key figure for project development and project finance.

McDermott Will & Emery Singapore LLP‘s team has a rich history in the oil and gas sector and is gaining a foothold in energy transition transactions and projects, including key roles in Indonesia’s efforts to meet its net zero emissions targets, which is a particularly key jurisdiction for the Singapore team. Clarinda Tjia-Dharmadi is Asian chair of the transactions practice and has an illustrious record in Indonesia power and natural resources deals; she is now closely involved with energy transition matters in Indonesia. Ignatius Hwang left the firm for an in-house position in 2022 and Merrick White joined Watson Farley & Williams LLP at the beginning of 2024.

Morrison Foerster (Singapore) remains noted for LNG and renewable projects, despite the April 2023 departure of Tessa Davis to an in-house position. The Singapore group continues to be active in energy acquisitions and disposals, leveraging the firm’s global expertise in clean energy and renewables. ‘Exceptional lawyer‘ Per Lindberg was promoted to the partnership in January 2023 and continues to be recognised for major LNG and clean energy projects.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP has a particular focus on renewable energy projects in India thanks to the recent hire of partner Karthik Kumar and of counsel Lynette Lim from Jones Day in September 2022. The firm is also noted for offshore wind projects in North Asia. Projects and construction partner Jon Thursby focuses on large renewable energy projects across the region.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP has broad expertise in renewables, upstream M&A, LNG and energy transition. Kunal Kapoor is an established figure in offtake prepayment financings, particularly for traders, having joined the firm from Dentons Rodyk in January 2023, though his background extends to renewables and energy transition matters. Corporate partner Damian Adams is another key member of the team.

Wikborg Rein has an ‘in-depth understanding of the energy industry‘, having built a significant presence in offshore oil and gas projects. With ‘top-tier choice‘ Ina Lutchmiah relocating to Singapore from London in 2019, as managing director of the office, she has led significant growth in offshore drilling and LNG matters across Asia Pacific and beyond. Amongst a number of major engagements.