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For decades, Vinson & Elkins’ lawyers have worked on diverse projects in Latin America, including landmark energy, infrastructure, and finance transactions and disputes. This work often crosses multiple borders and requires depth of experience in the client’s business sector.
V&E not only brings strong connections in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America, but also industry-specific experience on which our clients can rely. We further strengthen our global reach by collaborating with local law firms and business contacts. Our lawyers have counseled clients doing business in Latin America on energy transactions, international disputes, mergers and acquisitions, and structuring and financing complex and innovative projects.
Equinor (formerly Statoil) in its successfully completed $2.9 billion acquisition from Petrobras of a 25 per cent interest in the Roncador field, located in the Campos Basin in Brazil. The purchase price consists of an initial payment of $2.35 billion, plus additional contingent payments of up to $550 million
2007 to date, acting on a number of ICC arbitrations in connection with the design and construction of a major maritime project in Central America
Riverstone Holdings in the formation and $525 million line of equity commitment to Sierra Oil & Gas, Mexico’s first independent exploration and production company
A publicly-held Brazilian independent oil company on the acquisition of a 60% operating interest in the Polvo field and on the sale of its interest in the Solimoes oil basin
Pan American Sports Partners Company in the $400 million sale of the controlling interest in a Latin American sports network to FOX International Channels
EZCorp in the $50 million sale of its majority interest in Grupo Finmart, a provider of consumer loans to government agency employees in Mexico, to AlphaCredit
GasAtacama in negotiation of charter agreements for a floating LNG receiving, storage and regasification unit to be moored offshore of Chile, along with related LNG shipping and LNG purchase agreements
Transelec S.A. in connection with the development and project financing of a 188 km electric transmission line that delivers energy to the Caserones copper mine in Chile
AES Gener S.A. in connection with the development and $1.05 billion project financing of the Cochrane power plant in Chile, a 472 MW (net) pulverized coal-fired generating facility in Chile, with financing provided by JBIC, NEXI, K-Sure, and various commercial banks
Successfully represented El Paso International Company defending against Argentina’s application to annul the ICSID award in El Paso’s favor; the annulment was dismissed affirming our client’s award
Won an $80 million (net) arbitration award in Brazil on behalf of an energy company involving a power plant development project, and achieved a successful resolution after seeking to enforce the award in the U.S.
Representing a Central American public authority in an ICC arbitration (Miami seat) over a dispute arising from a contract
Represented investors in the power generation and transmission sector of a South American state in ICSID proceedings against the government for breach of legal stability guarantees
Represented two upstream investors in Ecuador in connection with government attempts at forced conversion of PSAs on four blocks to service contracts, and in relation to expropriatory tax legislation, and advising under production sharing agreements and relevant bilateral investment treaties
Acted on behalf of two investors in Venezuela in connection with government demands for “migration” of investor-controlled upstream operations to public-controlled entities, and advise under hydrocarbon venture agreement, foreign investment law, and relevant treaties
Successfully represented a U.S. company in a $1.5 billion arbitration arising out of a power plant project in Brazil
Successfully represented an energy company in a dispute involving an LNG project in Chile
Achieved successful contractual resolution for a complex, multinational case involving assignment of fiduciary duties for a joint venture in Trinidad and Tobago
At Vinson & Elkins, we bring decades of knowledge, skill, and experience to our clients’ most complex legal matters.
Discover our latest:
Client Alerts
LNG in Latin America: A Tale of Two Markets
Kilian de Cintré, Chris Taufatofua, Chris Strong and Ruairi McGill explore the challenges and opportunities in the LNG sector across Latin America and the Caribbean.
July 24, 2024 • Published by LNG Industry
July 24, 2024 • 1-minute read
Event Recaps
Overview of the Brazilian Energy Market Landscape
Vinson & Elkins and Machado Meyer Advogados discussed the Brazilian energy market landscape.
April 17, 2023
April 17, 2023 • 1-minute read
Awards & Rankings
The Legal 500 Latin America guide recognizes Vinson & Elkins in the Compliance and Investigations, Corporate and M&A, International Arbitration, Projects and Energy and City Focus – Houston categories.
October 31, 2023
October 31, 2023 • 1-minute read
Firm News
Vinson & Elkins announced today that it has expanded its corporate and finance practices in London with the addition of leading practitioner Chris Taufatofua, who joins the firm from Milbank.
October 16, 2023
October 16, 2023 • 2-minute read
Awards & Rankings
Vinson & Elkins Named Among Top Law Firms in Latin America by Latinvex 2022
Latinvex has selected Vinson & Elkins as one of Latin America’s top law firms in its overall 2022 rankings. Additionally, the firm has been recognized as one of the top law firms for arbitration, energy and FCPA fraud & investigations.
March 28, 2022
March 28, 2022 • 1-minute read
