Refining, Petrochemicals & Processing

A standout in the sector, Akin combines the resources of a global elite law firm with an intimate understanding of the oil & gas industry. With a boots-on-the-ground understanding of every phase of the oil & gas value chain, we assist with transactions around the world at the intersection of midstream & downstream facilities.

Our lawyers have been involved in the development, construction and financing of refineries and petrochemical plants, as well as in massive mergers & acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures (JVs) and structured transactions. We are also well versed in all the key federal and state regulations regarding natural gas, oil and liquids.

We regularly handle complex arrangements involving both refined and chemical products, including:

Agreements related to crude oil, heavy fuel oil, diesel, refined products, petrochemicals, specialty chemicals and exports
Projects related to methanol, gas-to-liquids, ethylene cracker, ethane export, isobutane and opportunity zone energy infrastructure
Project development involving pipeline connections and port facilities
Engineering, procurement & construction (EPC) and front-end engineering and design (FEED) contracts
Purchase and sale agreements involving feedstock and products.

The team works closely with our energy regulation lawyers to ensure that every deal complies with shifting requirements from federal and state authorities.

Representative Matters

Advised a subsidiary of Vitol on the $2.3-billion takeover of African downstream oil business Vivo Energy Plc.
Represented 7-Eleven in its $21-billion acquisition of the Speedway chain of gasoline stations from U.S. oil refiner Marathon Petroleum. As part of the agreement, 7-Eleven acquired approximately 3,900 Speedway stores located in 35 states. The arrangement includes a 15-year fuel supply agreement for approximately 7.7 billion gallons of gasoline per year.
Advised Vitol SA (acting by its subsidiary Petrol Ofisi) on the acquisition of 100% of the shares in BP Turkey Refining Limited and BP Petrolleri A.Ş. BP’s subsidiary BP Turkey Refining Limited holds a 51% stake in the ATAS Anadolu Tasfiyehanesi AS JV, a key storage facility in Turkey.
Counseled a public company in a cross-border transaction for the offtake and supply of more than 5,500 barrels per day (bpd) of recycled lubricating oils in partnership with a supermajor oil company.
Represented Sasol in its $2-billion sale of a 50% stake in its Lake Charles Chemical Plant to form a JV with LyondellBasell.
Advised a sponsor in the development of a U.S. Gulf Coast petrochemical facility.
Counseled Vivo Energy, in connection with its strategic acquisition of ENGEN’s downstream business in nine countries in Africa, in a share and cash transaction. The transaction expanded Vivo Energy’s retail service station network from 15 to 23 countries in Africa.
Advised Vitol Group and Vitol Investment Partnership on their $2.6-billion proposed acquisition of Royal Dutch Shell’s Australia downstream businesses.
Helped a manufacturing and distribution company expand an existing refinery for used oil, including negotiating for protection against liability for an area-wide groundwater contamination plume. We also defended the client in an enforcement action relating to polychlorinated biphenyl contamination in its raw material streams, reaching a favorable settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that included extended time for corrective action and the use of innovative projects (fuel switching of its fleet) to reduce civil penalties.

*List includes matters completed by Akin lawyers prior to joining the firm.

Representative Matters

Advised a subsidiary of Vitol on the $2.3-billion takeover of African downstream oil business Vivo Energy Plc.
Represented 7-Eleven in its $21-billion acquisition of the Speedway chain of gasoline stations from U.S. oil refiner Marathon Petroleum. As part of the agreement, 7-Eleven acquired approximately 3,900 Speedway stores located in 35 states. The arrangement includes a 15-year fuel supply agreement for approximately 7.7 billion gallons of gasoline per year.
Advised Vitol SA (acting by its subsidiary Petrol Ofisi) on the acquisition of 100% of the shares in BP Turkey Refining Limited and BP Petrolleri A.Ş. BP’s subsidiary BP Turkey Refining Limited holds a 51% stake in the ATAS Anadolu Tasfiyehanesi AS JV, a key storage facility in Turkey.
Counseled a public company in a cross-border transaction for the offtake and supply of more than 5,500 barrels per day (bpd) of recycled lubricating oils in partnership with a supermajor oil company.
Represented Sasol in its $2-billion sale of a 50% stake in its Lake Charles Chemical Plant to form a JV with LyondellBasell.
Advised a sponsor in the development of a U.S. Gulf Coast petrochemical facility.
Counseled Vivo Energy, in connection with its strategic acquisition of ENGEN’s downstream business in nine countries in Africa, in a share and cash transaction. The transaction expanded Vivo Energy’s retail service station network from 15 to 23 countries in Africa.
Advised Vitol Group and Vitol Investment Partnership on their $2.6-billion proposed acquisition of Royal Dutch Shell’s Australia downstream businesses.
Helped a manufacturing and distribution company expand an existing refinery for used oil, including negotiating for protection against liability for an area-wide groundwater contamination plume. We also defended the client in an enforcement action relating to polychlorinated biphenyl contamination in its raw material streams, reaching a favorable settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that included extended time for corrective action and the use of innovative projects (fuel switching of its fleet) to reduce civil penalties.

*List includes matters completed by Akin lawyers prior to joining the firm.