Definitive Legal Counsel for Africa’s Premier Energy Jurisdiction
Nigeria stands as Africa’s leading petroleum producer and its most dynamic energy investment destination. The sector is undergoing a fundamental restructuring under the landmark Petroleum Industry Act (PIA)—a transformative regulatory overhaul designed to attract capital, optimize value, and steer the nation toward gas commercialization and energy transition. In this complex landscape, success demands more than legal compliance; it requires strategic foresight, deep industry mastery, and an unwavering ability to convert risk into advantage.
Our energy sector legal experts provide the sophisticated counsel required to navigate the new regulatory architecture, manage high-value assets, and secure investments across the entire hydrocarbon value chain. Our team enables clients to navigate PIA compliance and regulatory engagement with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), structure and negotiate complex joint ventures and farm-in agreements, secure financing for capital-intensive E&P and infrastructure projects, and manage complex disputes to stabilize operations. We are the partner of choice for those shaping the future of Nigerian energy.
The Nigerian oil and gas sector presents unparalleled opportunity alongside inherent complexity: evolving regulations, geopolitical nuance, and high-stakes commercial arrangements. Our core value lies in transforming this complexity into legal certainty and commercial advantage. We offer unparalleled expertise across the full hydrocarbon lifecycle—from deepwater exploration to downstream distribution—coupled with deep fluency in the contractual, fiscal, and operational realities under both the legacy petroleum regime and the new PIA framework. We are not just advisors; we are strategic partners invested in the longevity and profitability of your ventures.
Our counsel is trusted by the key actors shaping Nigeria’s energy landscape:
- International Oil Companies (IOCs)
- Indigenous Exploration & Production Companies
- The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC)
- Oilfield Service Conglomerates
- Midstream & Infrastructure Developers
- LNG Project Sponsors and Participants
- Financial Institutions, Lenders & Private Equity Funds focused on Energy
- Commodity Trading Houses
- Government & Regulatory Agencies
Our Service Offerings:
Upstream & Licensing
Navigating the heart of Nigeria’s petroleum wealth, from license acquisition to barrel production.
- Petroleum Prospecting License (PPL) & Petroleum Mining Lease (PML) applications and regulatory advocacy
- Negotiation and structuring of Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs), Joint Operating Agreements (JOAs), and Farm-in/Farm-out Agreements
- Regulatory consents and approvals for asset acquisitions, divestments, and mergers
- Unitization agreements and reservoir management counsel
- Marginal Field development and licensing round advisory
- Upstream petroleum tax and royalty advice under PIA regime
Midstream & Gas Commercialization
Enabling the strategic shift toward gas utilization, processing, and transportation.
- Gas Sale & Purchase Agreements (GSPAs) – domestic and export
- Gas Transportation & Processing Agreements (GTPAs)
- Pipeline and infrastructure development, sharing, and access agreements
- LNG project development, tolling, and offtake structuring
- Midstream license (ML) and permit applications under the PIA
- Gas Flare Commercialization Program advisory
Downstream & Trading
Securing value and managing risk in refining, distribution, and commodity trading.
- Refinery project development and operational agreements
- Product Storage, Distribution, and Supply Agreements
- Regulatory compliance for refinery, depot, and retail operations
- Crude and refined product sale, purchase, and exchange agreements
- Marine and logistics contracts
- Environmental, health, and safety regulatory compliance
Projects, Finance & M&A
Structuring and securing the capital for the sector’s most ambitious ventures.
- Project development, engineering, and construction contracts (EPC, EPIC)
- Complex energy project financing, reserve-based lending, and syndicated loans
- Mergers, acquisitions, and divestments across the value chain
- Joint venture restructuring and corporate governance
- Private equity and infrastructure fund investments
- Risk insurance and guarantee instruments
Disputes, Regulatory & Compliance
Protecting assets, stabilizing operations, and defending interests in contested environments.
- High-stakes international arbitration (ICC, ICSID, LCIA) on PSC disputes, cost recovery, and tax issues
- Litigation and alternative dispute resolution with host communities, regulatory bodies, and partners
- Regulatory investigations, compliance audits, and enforcement defense before NUPRC/NMDPRA
- Environmental liability and decommissioning disputes
- Anti-bribery & corruption (FCPA/UK Bribery Act) and corporate governance advisory
- Community engagement and ESG strategy development
Hendon Partners provides the commanding, commercially astute counsel required to not only navigate but to lead in Nigeria’s transforming energy sector. We partner with you to manage risk, capitalize on opportunity, and achieve definitive outcomes.
Contact our Energy, Natural Resources & Infrastructure Practice Group to secure your strategic advantage.