North Africa
Fenwick Elliott has extensive experience advising on major construction, infrastructure and energy projects in North Africa. Our work has ranged from major dam projects, disputes over LPG condensers to drilling for oil and the construction of oil pipelines and pump stations. We have worked on projects across North Africa as well as acted for clients throughout the region in a variety of projects both in the Middle East and in the UK.
As you would expect, the various contracts provide for a variety of contractual regimes, some governed by English law, but many governed by local laws or third country laws. The nature of our work means that we are familiar with the principles that need to be adopted when working on projects in civil law countries and we regularly co-counsel with local lawyers across the region.
Some examples of our work in North Africa include:
Crude oil pipeline and tanker terminal facility
Acting for an Argentinean/European Joint Venture contractor in a dispute with a joint venture employer in connection with an 800km crude oil pipeline and tanker terminal facility project in North Africa. Following the first part of a hearing before an ICC arbitration tribunal, we achieved a negotiated settlement for our client.
Dam project
We provided advice to a specialist engineering contractor in respect of a contract for the refitting of turbines and generators for a major dam project in North Africa. We also provided advice in relation to a dispute with its JV partner.
Propane gas condenser failure
Advising a state owned oil exploration and production company on claims against a supplier in connection with the failure of a gas condenser. Lost production and replacement costs to be claimed exceed USD8m.
Oil export pipeline project
Providing advice in connection with disputes to an EPC contractor responsible for the construction of the pumping stations on a North African crude oil export pipeline project.
Oil exploration project
Acting for a North African company on a project in the Middle East. Disputes arose, including in relation to money being withheld from the client, and as a primary issue there was a disagreement about which court in which country the disputes should be resolved in.