At Blackfriars LLP, we have a vibrant energy law practice representing an array of clients on transactions that span the gamut of the Nigerian energy industry. Lawyers in our energy practice have expertise in oil and gas law, petrochemicals, and electric power. We deploy our expert knowledge of Nigerian's oil and gas industry to help clients avoid and/or solve regulatory and operational issues in Nigeria's energy sector. Prior to joining Blackfriars LLP, two of our partners in the energy practice group worked as in-house legal counsel to three multinational oil and gas companies. We have acted as consultants to various Nigerian regulatory agencies in the drafting of legislation and regulations that led to the establishment of the Power Holding Corporation of Nigeria (PHCN). Given our holistic knowledge of Nigeria's oil and gas sector, especially the legal, legislative, regulatory and business dimensions, we are able to provide our clients with sensible and cost-effective advice to enable them improve and expand their operations.

We also provide strategic planning and consultative services to both regulated and non-regulated entities involved in major acquisitions, industry restructuring and competitive analyses in the Nigerian energy industry. Our energy industry clients range in size from local energy providers to international energy conglomerates. Our experience in energy and mining law practice spans the oil, gas and petrochemicals sector, electric power, mining, and environmental law practices.

Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals
Electric Power
Mining
Environmental Law

Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals

With many years of experience representing a wide range of local and international oil and gas companies, Blackfriars LLP regularly handles multinational projects, joint ventures, oil prospecting and mining leases, corporate restructurings, and structured financings related to oil and gas and petrochemical sectors of Nigeria. We recently advised on the privatization of two major downstream players in the Nigerian oil industry. Over the last two decades, the firm has assisted in the establishment of a good number of local corporations involved in lucrative modern Production Sharing Contract (PSC) arrangements with the Nigerian Government and/or indigenous E & P companies geared towards the exploitation and development of the vast mineral oil deposits and gas reserves located in the deep and shallow offshore regions of the Niger Delta basin within the West African sub-region. We continue to fully serve the needs of the multinationals and their local subsidiaries in Nigeria's oil and gas sectors.

Our pre-eminent position in West Africa's oil and gas practice has been cemented by new headways made by the firm on the upstream Gas Liquefaction and/or Utilisation Projects (LNG, LPG, Methane, and Butanisation), and the downstream Gas Supply and Distribution arrangements. Our expertise has been sought by clients on the competitive (or selective) bidding processes for the allocation of fresh oil acreages in Nigeria's deep offshore / Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Gulf of Guinea. Our lawyers continue to work with clients on exploration and production activities, refining and marketing of oil and its derivatives, pipelines and other related infrastructure, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gas to liquids (GTL) projects in West African countries.

Electricity

Blackfriars LLP is a major participant in Nigeria's energy sector. Following the partial deregulation of the electric power industry in Nigeria, and the establishment of the National Electric Regulation Commission (NERC), our lawyers have advised on transactions involving issues of power generation, distribution and transmission. We have also advised clients on the establishment of Independent Power Projects (IPPS). Our lawyers are experienced in negotiating and drafting agreements between private and public operators for the construction of power plants and production of electricity. We have advised clients on the management, operational, and financing agreements for Independent Power Projects (IPPs).

We have also participated as legal consultants and advisors to bidders engaged in competitive bidding, where we play significant roles in both the preparation and evaluation of the bidding documents. Our Lagos office has an active and highly regarded regulatory practice that has represented clients in a number of recent NERC proceedings involving issues of significance to the industry. These include application for certification as an Independent Power Provider (IPP), the state of the wholesale markets, changes in NERC's policy towards qualifying co-generators, NERC proposed regulation of financial institutions that participate in energy markets, and evolving policy towards national transmission networks. Nigeria's under-serviced market offers tremendous opportunities for investors particularly in the context of Nigeria's inadequate power generation and transmission.

Mining

Nigeria's mining industry has in the past decade undergone significant policy changes. With a new Mining law regime in Nigeria, we frequently provide updates and clear legal advice to clients on a variety of mining law issues in Nigeria. We liaise with Nigeria's Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and with the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) to help our clients achieve their goals. The MCO has exclusive responsibility to:

Consider, issue, suspend or revoke applications/mining Titles and Permits. Receive and dispose of applications for the TRANSFER, RENEWAL, MODIFICATION, RELINQUISHMENT of Mining Titles or EXTENSION of areas.
Under the provisions of Nigeria's new mining law, the right to search for, or exploit minerals in Nigeria, is obtained through one of the following mining titles:

Reconnaissance permit;
Exploration license;
Small-scale mining;
Mining lease;
Quarry lease; and
Water use permit.
Our lawyers are among the most experienced mining lawyers in Nigeria, experienced in helping local and international clients through the procedures necessary to the success of their mining operations and investments in Nigeria's solid minerals.