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Energy & Natural Resources

Bloomfield has a vibrant Energy and Natural Resources Practice Group, which is at the forefront of energy and natural resources law practice in Nigeria.

With lawyers who have been described as ‘very adept in the industry’ and ‘knowledgeable in the energy sector’, we have been pivotal in providing legal advice on numerous transactions in the energy and natural resources sector as well as providing policy advice to government institutions on national policies on energy and natural resources. In relation to energy and natural resources policy, some members of our team advised the Federal Government of Nigeria on the gas sector, and specifically, on the development of a domestic gas supply policy and the gas sale and aggregation agreement template. A member of our team was also a part of the group of consultants who developed and drafted the derogation template (as far as the grid code in concerned), for grid connected Solar PVs, in Nigeria.

Our team also advised the World Bank in relation to a multi-dimensional case study on the Nigerian Power Sector, advised the Rural Electrification Agency (as part of a team) on the Rural Electrification Fund and is currently advising the governing institutions of the electric power sector under the auspices of the United Kingdom’s Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility Programme. 

Our energy and natural resources transactional experience permeates the oil and gas, power, renewables and the mining sectors.  We have advised International Oil Companies (IOCs) and indigenous oil companies on all aspects of the structuring and financing of the acquisition of oil and gas assets and on regulatory issues relating to their activities in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors.  Our power sector experience involves advising companies on the development of both off-grid and on-grid power plants, providing both transactional and finance advice and interfacing with regulatory agencies on behalf of our clients. The firm is also devoted to promoting the growth of renewable energy in Nigeria and has advised international companies on their entry into the renewables and solar home systems market in Nigeria and on the development of solar power plants in Nigeria. Further, we have provided advice on structuring the operations and financing of mining projects in Nigeria.

We bring unmatched creativity and unmistakable finesse to the table, in advising our teeming clients, made up of both domestic and foreign prominent investors, as well as government entities.

Our rare understanding of the Nigerian energy and natural resources industry, and our natural flair for always taking the initiative, fuels our efficiency in this area. Liaising with the firm’s banking & finance and projects & infrastructure practice groups as the need arises, we have provided transactional and regulatory support to domestic and foreign clients in the mining, oil and gas, power and renewables sector. We are the best hands in this terrain and remain available to help you.

Representative Experience

  • The Firm advised the World Bank Group (comprising of the IDRB, IDA, IFC, MIGA & ICSID) with a comprehensive analysis on electricity market issues pertaining to privatization related commitments and contingent liabilities related to different participants/stakeholders in Nigeria’s power sector.
  • Advising under the United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF) infrastructure on the capacity needs for each institution that governs the electricity market in Nigeria. These institutions include the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Transmission Company of Nigeria, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc and the Rural Electrification Agency.
  • Advised the Bureau of Public Enterprises (“BPE”) under the United Kingdom Nigerian Infrastructure Advisory Fund, an infrastructure consultancy funded by the Adam Smith Institute on its post-power sector privatization activities. The BPE is responsible for monitoring of the successor generation and distribution companies in Nigeria. The firm worked to ensure that the successor companies met their minimum performance targets set out in their Performance Agreement, and developed insolvency/administrations provisions for failing successor companies.
  • Advised the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (“NERC”) under the United Kingdom Nigerian Infrastructure Advisory Fund, an infrastructure consultancy funded by the Adam Smith Institute on business continuity policy and Regulations which is to ensure that there is business continuity in the electric power sector and to enforce certain rights and obligations of NERC, in connection with business continuity as provided under the primary legislation governing the electric power sector. The NERC is the primary regulatory body for the electric power sector in Nigeria.
  • The Firm is advising the Electo General Utilities Limited & the Lagos State Government on the elements of a legal due diligence and high-level risk performance issues pertaining to the operations of 5 Independent Power Plants who have been engaged by the Lagos State Government to provide power to selected offtakers in the state.
  • The Firm is advising Gosolar Limited in the development of solar power system in Nigeria managed and administered through Blockchain technology.
  • Advised the Transmission Company of Nigeria (“TCN”) under the United Kingdom Nigerian Infrastructure Advisory Fund, an infrastructure consultancy funded by the Adam Smith Institute on the consideration of the unbundling of the transmission company of Nigeria into a transmission services provider and a separate independent system operator.
  • The Firm is currently providing legal advisory services to Hydro Stream Solar One Limited and Hydro Stream Solar Jebba Limited for the development of a 150MW and 350MW solar photovoltaic power project in the Northern region of Nigeria, Niger State.
  • The Firm is currently providing legal advice to Power Corner Limited, a leading African institution offering reliable, sustainable and affordable energy services through off-grid mini-grids serving rural customers in developing countries.
  • The Firm is advising Sun Africa LLC, a solar power producer on its desired objective of expanding its business operations into the Nigerian power sector.
  • The Firm advised the ACME/Ogba Industrial Cluster (an arm of the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria) following their partnership with Geogrid Lightec Limited for the purpose of purchasing power under the NERC Eligible Customer Directive. The Firm on the regulatory requirements necessary to procure an eligible customer license from the regulators of the power sector.
  • Advising an indigenous energy company, Enaro Energy Limited, on its proposed interconnected mini-grid project with an electricity distribution company and specific communities; all in Lagos State, Nigeria.
  • Currently advising Engie Fenix Nigeria Limited (jointly owned by Engie (the largest independent power producer in the world) and Fenix), on its proposed off-grid renewable projects in Nigeria and neighboring countries.
  • Advising CWG Plc in connection with its role, as metering provider, in the Sura Market electrification project, in Sura Market of Lagos State. The transaction is being carried out under the auspices of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s new Energising Economies Initiative for the supply of, circa 1.5 megawatts off-grid electricity to the shopping/market complex.
  • Currently advising Electric Ategun Limited on its proposed off-grid wind energy project along the coastal areas of Victoria Island/Lekki Lagos State.
  • Currently advising MGIG Independent Power Generating Company Limited on the generation of solar power and the procurement of off-takers under the Eligible Customer Regime.
  • The Firm is currently advising Alten Energy in connection with the hybridization of a 404MW plant in Ghana into a hydro-solar hybrid plant; in addition to the review of a Power Purchase Agreement for the development and sale of solar energy in Ghana.
  • Advising Milhouse in connection with its development of a 17.5mw off-grid Coal fired Power Plant within the campuses of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The Firm successfully negotiated the Coal Power Purchase Agreement on behalf of Milhouse.
  • Advising Middle Band Solar One Limited and IFC on the 100MW solar PV Plant currently being developed by a consortium consisting of Nemoante, Gren Partners, Alten Energy and the IFC in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria.
  • Advised Alten Energy in relation to the development of a solar photovoltaic independent power plants with a combined capacity of 110MW in Kankan and Siguri, Republic of Guinea.
  • The Firm is currently advising the Lagos State Electricity Board in relation to a legal diagnostic analysis of the various power purchase agreements executed between the Lagos State Government and various independent off-takers within the Nigerian power sector.
  • The Firm advised on the purchase of power by a crucial Nigerian parastatal for the design and installation of a grid tied scalable industrial Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) for the agency’s operations.
  • The Firm is currently advising Milhouse Energy Services in relation to the development of a 60MW power project for the supply of power to a residential and commercial cluster of customers in the Agbara region of Ogun State.
  • The Firm is currently advising an international solar renewables company, Energycity Corporation Limited and its Nigerian entity, Atanya Solar Limited on its entry into the Nigerian Renewables electricity and solar home systems market.
  • A Partner in the Firm was a member of the team providing legal and policy support to the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET) on contract management of its re-sale of electricity to the distribution companies.
  • A Partner in the Firm advised Siemens Nigeria Limited on the framework for metering, in connection with its acquisition of Azura Power.
  • Advised Tesla Power Solutions Limited (now Manx Energy) in connection with a Meter Installation Contract with the Ibadan Electricity Distribution PLC (“IBEDC”) in relation to IBEDC’s plans to undertake a roll-out of metering equipment on its electric power distribution network.
  • Advised Eko Distribution Company Limited on legal and regulatory compliance requirements in connection with the provision of embedded power and energy metering systems.
  • A Partner in the Firm was a core member of the team advising Chevron Nigeria Limited in the development of a 730MW IPP Project at Agura, Ikorodu.
  • A Partner in the Firm was a core member of the team that advised Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) Power on its proposed acquisition of interests in the Geregu Power Plc. and concession in relation to Shiroro Hydroelectric Plc.
  • Advised Tower Power Utility Limited in connection with its ongoing negotiations with IBEDC.
  • A Partner in the Firm was part of the team that advised Mainstream Energy in its successful bid to acquire the concession to manage the Kainji Hydroelectric Power Plc. which consists of the Kainji and Jebba hydro-electric generation plants.
  • A Partner in the Firm was part of the team that advised Total Exploration & Production Nigeria Limited in connection with its proposed 428MW combined cycle independent power plant project in Obite, Rivers State.
  • Currently providing legal advisory and transactional support services to the Nigerian Gas Company (“NGC”) in relation to the implications, requirements and potential impact of the Network Code on NGC’s business.
  • Undertaking on behalf of the Nigerian Gas Marketing Company Limited (“NGMC”), a comprehensive due diligence of the assets of NGMC in the Greater Lagos Industrial Area being operated by Gaslink Limited.
  • Advising a Confidential Client in connection with its activities to ramp up oil production at Oil Mining Lease (“OML”) 119.
  • Advising Lafarge Africa Plc on critical analysis of the legal and commercial elements of the contractual relationship arising from the Natural Gas Sale and Purchase Agreement executed with Accugas Limited.
  • Advising the NNPC in connection with the engineering, procurement and construction of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Pipeline & Stations Project.
  • Currently advising Niger Delta Exploration and Production Plc on the revamp of all the standard commercial and technical contracts between NDEP and third parties.
  • Currently advising an international consortium that is looking to acquire oil and gas assets from the Federal Government of Nigerian in the Marginal Fields Bid Round, 2020.
  • Advising the Nigeria Delta Exploration and Production PLC and its subsidiary company, ND Gas Limited, in respect to the procurement of natural gas from the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited (NPDC) sourced from its assets at OML 34. Additionally, the Firm is also advising NG Gas Limited on the sale of natural gas to the Ondo State Government as feedstock for the Ore Independent Power Plant.
  • Advising an international consortium in its participation in the 2020 Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company Limited (NPSC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), bid round for the rehabilitation of existing pipelines and construction of new pipelines and refined oil products storage depots through a Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) project delivery model, including, but not limited to the Escravos Terminal to Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited Crude Oil Pipeline.
  • Currently advising Puma Energy in relation to its participation in the Nigerian oil & gas sector, including advisory on real estate investments across Nigeria.
  • Currently advising Eroton Exploration and Production in connection with crucial legal, regulatory and environmental issues pertaining to its drilling and production activities on its off shore OML 18.
  • Currently advising Ejovi Dredging and Marine Services Limited on its operations as consultants to international oil companies in their upstream activities as well as its debt recovery efforts in respect of its support services to various companies in oil and gas industry in Nigeria.
  • Advised Forte Oil Plc. on a number of issues related to its operations and business activities in the downstream sector of the Nigerian petroleum industry.
  • Advised China Offshore Oil Engineering Co Limited (“COOEC”) on its provision of engineering, procurement and construction (“EPC”) services in connection with the development of an offshore gas gathering system and the construction of gas pipelines for the transportation of gas along a route of approximately 535 km off the coast of Nigeria for delivery at an onshore gas plant owned by Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals Free Zone Enterprise and Dangote Oil Refining Company Limited (“Dangote”).
  • Advising Guarantee Petroleum Company Limited in connection with its financial and technical arrangements with Sirius Petroleum PLC in respect of the Ororo Marginal Field.
  • Advising Cleofan Oil and Gas Limited on its acquisition of land and the construction of both Mini-LNG Plants in Ogun State.
  • Advised a Nigerian company (confidential client) on all legal aspects of the structuring, financing and acquisition of a Floating Liquefied Natural Gas vessel venture and its compliance with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, 2010 and the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003.
  • Retained as legal advisers to Mansfield Energy, a leading indigenous provider of oilfield services to the oil and gas industry.
  • Advised Total E& P Nigeria Limited on an industry wide matter (involving the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) affecting the major operators of offshore platforms and oil and gas exploration and production activities in Nigeria.

Awards & Rankings

  • Bloomfield’s project development team is recognised for ‘excellent, top quality work provided by firm at all stages of the process. Top quartile work done by all members of the team on all elements of the engagement including general legal advisory, due diligence, project documentation, and finance documentation.’
    IFLR – 2020 Rankings
  • The Firm was voted the “Oil and Gas Team of the Year” at the 2019 edition of the ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards.
  • Bloomfield Law Practice ‘understands the industry and has been very involved in the development of the energy sector, and electric power in particular’; the Firm also provides ‘excellent, timely service’.
    The Legal 500 – 2019 Rankings
  • The Firm was voted the “Energy and Power Team of the Year” at the year 2018 edition of the ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards.
  • Members of the Firm’s Energy and Natural Resources practice are regularly recognized in Who’s Who Legal rankings for Nigeria.

Related services

Mining

Our location in a country and continent replete with mineral resources places us in a vantage position as the go to firm for both domestic and foreign stakeholders in the mining industry.

We have over the years leveraged on this to develop a well-honed understanding and remarkable participation in the mining sector as the legal adviser and representative of notable international mining companies.

Our practice covers all the transactional and legal aspects of the different stages of mining such as prospecting and exploration, development, production, marketing and transportation of different types of minerals such as gold, copper, ore, iron, diamonds, lead, zinc, coal, gemstones and rare metals across Africa. We also advise investors looking to invest in mining operations or financing same. We as well advise government entities on the regulation and control of mining activities, in their territories.

Our lawyers closely monitor regulatory developments in the industry and participate in trainings and stakeholder conferences to update their industry knowledge. We have continued to interface with industry associations as well as regulatory bodies over the years, to facilitate a solution-oriented representation for our clients.
 

Oil and Gas

Bloomfield’s Oil and Gas Practice is one of the leading practices in Africa. Our clients are governments, leading independent and national commercial oil corporations, oilfield service firms, sovereign wealth funds, private equity investors and other stakeholders in the industry.

Our advisory service cuts across the entire oil and gas value chain, as we help our clients develop the most appropriate and cost-effective solutions to their challenges.

We advise on acquisition of assets, financing and development of infrastructure, investments, divestments, and carry out legal and financial due diligence on different types of transactions, as well as on joint ventures in the oil and gas sector.

Beyond transactional advice, our oil and gas practice group is also focused on providing policy advice to government organisations on the development of oil and gas policies and regulations. Members of our team advised on the development of the domestic gas supply policy and were part of the team which drafted the Nigerian Gas Transportation Network Code.

The chair of our oil and gas practice is an outstanding energy lawyer who has distinguished himself in this sector over the years, earning descriptive accolades such as being ‘very adept in the industry and ‘the go to guy’. An authority in the oil and gas sector, he has not only influenced policies at the federal government level, but as well facilitates trainings and authors thought pieces on this area of law.
 

Power

It is no gainsaying that the power sector is a critical sector in the development of any economy.

To this end, we have built a practice that specializes in helping government and private actors creatively structure power deals, in a way that incentivizes investors in the sector, assures them of commercial viability thereby playing our part in ensuring a sustainable electric power sector in Nigeria.

Our Power Team advises on all legal, regulatory and transactional issues relating to power transactions, with a view to ensuring bankability of each project. We are able to holistically factor in the interests of lenders, project developers, finance institutions, and the country in drafting and negotiating contracts. We regularly interface with the government and regulatory bodies in the power industry, which makes us the right port of call for such matters.   

Our team members are thought leaders in the Nigerian power sector and have continued to advise government agencies on key policies in the power sector. Members of our team provided advise to the Presidency and its various privatization initiatives during the government’s post-power sector privatization activities. 

We are a trainer and facilitator of choice in trainings and conferences on power related topics over the years. 
 

Renewables

As the world continues to explore alternative and safer means of power generation, we at Bloomfield recognize the need for legal guidance and protection for the various actors in this sphere.

That is what our renewable team seeks to provide to all our clients. We provide strategic legal advice on the structuring of transactions in the renewable sector in keeping with national and international laws, standards and policies. We employ foresight and unparalleled innovation in the drafting and negotiation of contracts in this sector.

We advise investors, corporate organizations as well as government entities on the development and commercialization of renewable energy, project finance, regulatory requirements, Public Private Partnership agreements, power purchase agreements, acquisition and divestiture of renewable energy assets, taxation and environmental law compliance, and national and international policies.

It is our belief that renewable energy is the future of energy generation in our world and are poised to help our client’s access and strategically position themselves for this future, in the shortest possible time.  

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