Projects, Infrastructure & Energy

Projects, Infrastructure & Energy

Our lawyers have considerable experience and expertise in structuring and negotiating large and complex projects across a range of industries, utilities and infrastructure, including the oil and gas, water, power, industrial and petrochemical sectors.

Hadef & Partners has a pre-eminent track record in acting for project sponsors and financiers in the UAE power and water industry, as well as advising in other groundbreaking public private partnerships (PPPs) and project funding structures in a range of sectors.

The UAE is a leading international energy producer and investor, and our team advises on projects and investments in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors (including projects and investments with a cross-border element).

In the upstream sector, we have experience of various forms of concession, licensing and production sharing agreements, joint operating and joint venture agreements, farm-ins, farm-outs and other forms of investment participation and unitisation arrangements. In the midstream and downstream sectors, we have advised on transportation and processing contracts, product sale and purchase agreements, marketing, distribution and agency arrangements, and energy storage transactions.

We have represented clients in some of the region’s largest projects including the GCC’s first cross border processed gas transmission project and the largest energy-related venture ever undertaken in the region. Our team has been involved in major transactions in various international jurisdictions including in the UAE, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Egypt, Oman, Qatar, Libya, Sudan, Malaysia, Pakistan, India, Vietnam, the United Kingdom, Norway, Papua New Guinea and the Falkland Islands.

Many of our lawyers have extensive experience working as in-house counsel to international oil and gas companies. As such, we offer a comprehensive start to finish service ensuring our clients’ business objectives are met whilst taking into consideration the requirements of other stakeholders throughout the life of the project.

We advise on:

  • formation of consortia into joint venture legal entities to acquire energy assets or to build, own, operate, finance, and develop energy projects
  • project finance and refinancing
  • evaluation, acquisition and disposal of oil and gas assets
  • various forms of production sharing agreements; operating and joint venture agreements; farm-ins; unitisations; transportation and processing agreements; crude oil and product sale and purchase agreements; joint marketing, distribution, agency, and fuel depot agreements; crude oil and product sales agreements; technical and commercial services agreements; project management services agreements and operation and maintenance services agreements; tariff agreements, tolling agreements, power purchase agreements, fuel supply agreements, and gas sale and purchase agreements/offtake agreements
  • various types of EPIC and EPC contracts for major construction activities for petroleum ventures
  • competitive tendering and probity
  • environmental compliance and surveying agreements
  • procurement of environmental licenses and approvals and the preparation and negotiation of requirements for Environmental Impact Assessments
  • the pursuit and defence of contractual claims before courts and tribunals

  • “Very experienced energy and infrastructure practitioners with deep bench depth.”

    Legal 500, 2022

  • Clients praise Hadef & Partners' “extremely wide-ranging and extensive knowledge in the international field,” pointing to the firm as a “stellar leader in the legal field in the UAE.”

    Chambers Global, 2022

  • Recognised Lawyer in Project Finance

    Whos Who Legal, 2021

  • ‘A very seasoned and knowledgeable team who have been working on the key projects for a number of years. ’

    Legal 500, 2021

  • One source endorses the firm for its "strength and depth in understanding the complex and untested areas of UAE law when taking projects into a space where, if it is the first of its kind, issues arise." The same interviewee adds: "They have access to people that most firms don't necessarily have."

    Chambers Global, 2021

  • “They cover absolutely everything in a very timely manner. You cannot get a more dedicated, brilliant firm.” Another source commented: “They are our good friends, we trust them and they're always there for us.”

    Chambers Global, 2019

  • “Clients frequently describe this as a ‘very sensible and experienced team’, noting that its lawyers are ‘personable and reliable’.”

    Chambers Global, 2018

  • A client says: “I'm impressed by their thorough approach and their client care - they're an established construction outfit.”

    Chambers Global, 2017

  • "They are proactive, able to think ahead and find solutions, and pay a lot of attention to detail."

    Chambers Global 2015

  • A trusted choice as local counsel, thanks to its in-depth understanding of the UAE market and deep bench of finance lawyers. Frequently advises corporate issuers on a range of bond, sukuk and share capital offerings.

    Chambers Global 2015

  • Hadef & Partners' projects practice has 'always delivered specialist local advice to international standards'. It is firmly rooted in the UAE.

    Legal 500 2014

  • Often a first port of call when clients or international firms require in depth advice on local banking and finance matters. Well versed in Islamic finance, infrastructure and projects and regulatory services.

    Chambers Global 2014

  • The breadth of their large-scale financing knowledge is great. It's among the handful of go-to firms in the UAE.

    Chambers Global 2013

  • This local favourite is often a first point of contact for international firms and clients seeking UAE law advice on project financing transactions.

    Chambers Global 2013

  • Among the top UAE law firms for finance-related matters’, Hadef & Partners ‘scores highly in terms of quality, promptness of response and market knowledge’.

    Legal 500 2013

  • Jointly headed by Alan Rodgers in Dubai and James Farn in Abu Dhabi, the practice’s record in the power projects and infrastructure space has made it a logical choice for borrowers and lenders involved in international projects with a UAE law component.

    Legal 500 2013

  • Finalist for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2022

    Finalist for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2022

    By : The Middle East Legal Awards

  • Winner for Managing Partner of the Year

    Winner - Managing Partner of the Year 2020

    By : IFLR Middle East Awards

    Lawyer : Dr. Faraj Ahnish

  • Honourable mention for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2019

    Honourable mention for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2019

    By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

  • Shortlisted for UAE Real Estate & Construction Law Firm of the Year 2019

    Shortlisted for UAE Real Estate & Construction Law Firm of the Year 2019

    By : Chambers Middle East Awards

  • Highly regarded for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2019

    Highly regarded for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2019

    By : The Middle East Legal Awards

  • Shortlisted for Construction Team of the Year 2019

    Shortlisted for Construction Team of the Year 2019

    By : The Middle East Legal Awards

  • GAR100 Selected Firm 2019

    GAR100 Selected Firm 2019

    By : Global Arbitration Review – GAR

  • Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2018

    Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2018

    By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

  • Shortlisted for Infrastructure & Energy Team of the Year 2018

    Shortlisted for Infrastructure & Energy Team of the Year 2018

    By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

  • Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year – Large Practice 2018

    Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year – Large Practice 2018

    By : The Middle East Legal Awards

  • GAR100 Selected Firm 2018

    GAR100 Selected Firm 2018

    By : Global Arbitration Review – GAR

  • Energy & Natural Resources Firm of the Year 2017

    Energy & Natural Resources Firm of the Year 2017

    By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey

  • Projects and Project Financing Firm of the Year 2017

    Projects and Project Financing Firm of the Year 2017

    By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey

  • Most Responsive Domestic Firm of the Year 2017

    Most Responsive Domestic Firm of the Year 2017

    By : Asian MENA Counsel In-House Survey

  • GAR100 Selected Firm 2017

    GAR100 Selected Firm 2017

    By : Global Arbitration Review – GAR

  • Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2016

    Shortlisted for Regional Law Firm of the Year 2016

    By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

  • Most Responsive Domestic Firm in the UAE 2016

    Most Responsive Domestic Firm in the UAE 2016

    By : Asian-MENA Counsel – In-House Community Survey

  • Projects & Projects Financing Firm of the Year 2016

    Projects & Projects Financing Firm of the Year 2016

    By : Asian-MENA Counsel – In-House Community Survey

  • Energy & Natural Resources Firm of the Year 2016

    Energy & Natural Resources Firm of the Year 2016

    By : Asian-MENA Counsel – In-House Community Survey

  • Middle East Law Firm of the Year 2016

    Middle East Law Firm of the Year 2016

    By : Corporate Counsel Middle East Awards

  • Shortlisted as Regional Law Firm of the Year 2015

    Shortlisted as Regional Law Firm of the Year 2015

    By : The Oath Middle East Legal Awards

  • Shortlisted for Project Finance Deal of the Year 2015

    By : IFLR MIDDLE EAST AWARDS

    Lawyer :

  • Most Responsive Domestic Firm in the UAE 2015

    By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey

  • Highly Commended for Middle East Law firm of the Year 2015

    By : Corporate Counsel Middle East Awards

  • Middle East Water Deal of the Year 2014

    for Mirfa IWPP

    By : IJ Global Awards

  • Middle East Bond Deal of the Year 2013

    for Ruwais Power Company deal

    By : Project Finance Magazine Deals of the Year

  • Middle East Oil & Gas Deal of the Year 2013

    For Fujairah Oil Terminal deal

    By : Project Finance Magazine Deals of the Year

  • Restructuring Deal of the Year 2013

    By : IFLR Middle East

  • Honourable mention for Capital Markets 2013

    By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey

  • Honourable mention for Energy & Natural Resources 2013

    By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey

  • Honourable mention for Projects and Project Financing 2012

    By : Asian MENA Counsel In-house Survey

  • Project Finance Law Firm of the Year 2012

    By : ACQ Finance Magazine Global Awards