Overview
Energy and resources is an essential driver of the Australian economy, with a long and exciting future.
We have helped some of the nation’s largest public and private companies manage risk throughout the lifecycle of their projects – from asset acquisition, joint venture formation and project start-up, though to asset commercialisation, operational phases, and decommissioning and rehabilitation.
Major projects typically involve significant investment of both time and money. Our involvement can span decades, from acquiring greenfields exploration projects and establishing project joint ventures, through to developing and commercialising, managing ongoing operations, and final decommissioning and rehabilitation.
Importantly, we approach our work knowing that successful projects commit long-term to supporting local communities, indigenous owners, and impacted landholders, as well as caring for the natural environment.
Led by Partner Bronwyn Clarkson – who is renowned for her specialist expertise and tenure practising in energy and resources law – our team provides end-to-end services for energy and resources clients. We also support projects across allied areas including property, planning, environmental law, front-end construction, workplace health and safety, corporate and commercial advisory, and litigation.
Our excellent client service, specialist expertise, and proven performance has seen us build long-standing relationships with some of Australia’s largest and most reputable petroleum and mining companies.
We are proud to be active members of the energy and resources industry – learning and sharing insights, and supporting organisations such as the Queensland Resources Council, the Queensland Petroleum Exploration Association, the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies, the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association, Energy & Resources Law Association and the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association.
Our expertise includes:
- Project and tenement acquisitions and divestments, including legal due diligence investigations
- Project decommissioning and rehabilitation, including financial assurance
- Permitting and approvals advice and management (including all state and federal based approvals and mining objections hearings)
- Infrastructure development, and access advice and negotiations (including road, rail, port and pipeline assets)
- Project commercialisation negotiations and advice (including commodity sales and marketing arrangements, royalties and streaming arrangements)
- Environmental permitting, and compliance advice and support (including incident management and prosecution defence)
- Waste management and compliance, including End of Waste Code
- Land access and compensation negotiations (including disputes and objections hearings)
- Water and associated water management, including water licencing requirements and Make Good Agreements
- Disputes and claims management (including insurance claims)
- Native title and cultural heritage negotiations and advice
- Joint venture negotiations and management
- Negotiations and advice on industry-specific commitments (including overlapping tenure and co-development arrangements, power purchase agreements, environmental offset agreements)
