You are using an outdated browser and your browsing experience will not be optimal. Please update to the latest version of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Install Microsoft Edge

HOME
//
SERVICES
//
Energy

Energy

Key Contacts

Cambodia

Indonesia

Laos

Myanmar

Thailand

Vietnam

Jay Cohen

     +855 23 964 210

     [email protected]

Kobkit Thienpreecha

     +66 2056 5534

     [email protected]

Prisna Sungwanna

     +66 2056 5656

     [email protected]

Derrick Khoo

     +66 2056 5618 (TH) , +95 9 782 655 556 (MM)

     [email protected]

Kobkit Thienpreecha

     +66 2056 5534

     [email protected]

Charunun Sathitsuksomboon

     +66 2056 5541

     [email protected]

Tram Ngoc Bich Nguyen

     +84 28 6284 5668

     [email protected]

OVERVIEW

Powering Southeast Asia.

Tilleke & Gibbins’ regional energy team advises domestic and international clients in the oil and gas, power, and renewable energy sectors on all phases of major investments in Southeast Asia, including deal structuring, project financing, project development and construction, and operation.

We support the activities of domestic and international energy producers in onshore and offshore oil and gas exploration and related upstream and downstream operations, along with affiliated petrochemical and transportation operations. In the clean energy and renewables sector, we represent leading and exciting new companies in solar and wind energy, as well as important biomass and hydroelectric projects across the region. We also have extensive experience advising on cross-border energy transmission and energy storage projects across the region from start to finish.

We offer unparalleled advice on a full range of energy matters, including concession agreements, EPC contracts, environmental compliance, financing transactions, O&M agreements, production sharing agreements, supply agreements, public-private partnerships, and tax.

Case Studies
Thailand | Energy | Corporate/M&A

USD 4 Million Acquisition of 3.425 MW Solar Power Project

Advised the renewable energy branch of a power plant operator on its planned THB 138 million (approx. USD 4.39 million) acquisition of 100% shares in a 3.425 MW rooftop solar power project in Thailand.

Read More
Thailand | Energy, Corporate/M&A

Valeura Energy’s Acquisition of Oil Producing Assets in Gulf of Thailand from Mubadala

Advised Valeura Energy Inc. in relation to a sale and purchase agreement with Mubadala Petroleum (Thailand) Holdings Limited for certain oil producing assets in the Gulf of Thailand.

Read More

Experience

  • Represented a multinational supplier to the petroleum industry in the establishment of their Thailand operations. In establishing their base of operations in Southeast Asia, we developed a flexible approach to provide for continued growth of the business in the region, and to minimize tax exposure for the company.
  • Advised one of the largest biogas EPC contractors in Thailand on its fuel projects. The client develops, designs, finances, implements, and operates biogas projects, and we act as counsel on the full range of legal matters.
  • Assisted a Malaysian company in the oil and gas sector in an arbitration case before the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) in Ho Chi Minh City related to performance of contract in a well plugging and abandonment project.
  • Assisted a construction company specializing in wind and photovoltaic power stations to set up their operations in Thailand. Our team advised on BOI approval, including forms of legal entities for the project; relevant tax benefits and ramifications; import duties; customs; employment; licenses for construction and property ownership; government policy; availability of financial facilities; and competition.
  • Advised an engineering, construction, and petrochemical company in its pursuit of a renewable energy opportunity in Thailand. We assisted with land acquisition, contracting, permitting, environmental regulatory matters, financing, and construction contracting.
  • Advised a subsidiary of a major Chinese state-owned energy company on an engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning (EPCC) contract for an oil and gas pipeline compressor project valued at about THB 6.5 billion (about USD 198 million) in Thailand with one of Thailand’s largest oil and gas companies.
  • Assisted multinational oil and gas traders with assessing exposure to environmental regulations.
  • Advised a global supplier in the heavy industries sector on various matters relating to the supply and installation of a production platform, bridges, and a flare tower in development of a petroleum concession, with a focus on tax matters (total contract price was approximately USD 1 billion).
  • Advised a fully integrated oil and gas conglomerate on various tax matters, arising from the sale and distribution of petroleum products in Thailand, with a focus on tax and corporate restructuring.
  • Assisted a major U.S. oil company in obtaining a license for a 100% foreign-owned enterprise in LPG production in Vietnam.
  • Assisted a major U.S. oil company in negotiations and contracts for a four-party joint venture oil refinery in Vietnam.
  • Represented a major Japanese oil and gas/energy and infrastructure company in joint venture negotiations and licensing of a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage facility project in Vietnam.
  • Advised a fully integrated oil and gas conglomerate on advertising and marketing activities in Vietnam.
  • Represented a module builder in Project Zawtika, a natural gas extraction project off the coast of Myanmar (Burma), in its construction of processing platforms and living quarters. These modules were built at a Thai shipyard and are now in use in the field.
  • Assisted the Thai subsidiary of a leading Japanese energy equipment manufacturer in formulating standard form contracts for the client’s rooftop engineering, procurement, and construction installation business in Thailand. Our firm assisted the client in preparing agreements for solar rooftop projects, sales and supply agreements, purchase agreements, and commissioning agreements.

PROFESSIONALS

RELATED INSIGHTS

July 2, 2025
The second in a three-part series on the recent European blackout and its implications for Thailand, this article assesses the likelihood of a similar event occurring in Thailand, considering the country’s current energy infrastructure and its increasing reliance on renewables.
Read More
June 25, 2025
In April 2025, a massive power outage plunged Portugal, Spain, and parts of southwestern France into darkness for up to ten hours. As Thailand advances its energy transition by increasing renewable integration and regional interconnections, the European blackout serves as a stark reminder of the grid vulnerabilities that still exist. In this first article of a three-part series, energy specialists from Tilleke & Gibbins examine the root causes of the outage in the Iberian Peninsula.
Read More
May 28, 2025
Tilleke & Gibbins attorneys in Vietnam have contributed the 2025 edition of Doing Business in Vietnam, a comprehensive Q&A-style resource from Thomson Reuters Practical Law that provides essential insights for companies navigating business operations in Vietnam. The guide presents a detailed overview of the country’s legal framework and regulatory environment, reflecting recent updates in Vietnamese legislation and practice. This annually updated guide offers key information on the following areas: Legal system: Structure of the Vietnamese judiciary and the role of codified law. Foreign investment: Conditions for market access, licensing requirements, foreign ownership restrictions, and investment incentives. Business vehicles: Formation and operation of legal entities, including limited liability companies, joint-stock companies, and representative offices. Employment: Employment contracts, social insurance, labor rights, and procedures for hiring foreign nationals. Tax: Overview of corporate income tax, personal income tax, value-added tax, and other tax obligations. Intellectual property: Procedures for protecting and enforcing patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other IP rights. Data protection: Compliance requirements under Vietnam’s data privacy laws, including the Personal Data Protection Decree. Competition law: Antitrust rules and regulatory oversight under the Law on Competition. Anti-bribery and corruption: Legal framework and enforcement practices aimed at curbing corrupt activities. E-commerce and digital business: Regulations governing online platforms, digital content, and cross-border services. Marketing and advertising: Laws and guidelines on advertising standards and consumer protection. Product regulation and liability: Safety requirements, product liability issues, and roles of relevant authorities. Doing Business in Vietnam is part of Practical Law’s global series of legal guides designed to support international practitioners and businesses. To access the most recent edition of the Vietnam guide, visit the Practical Law website and sign up for a free trial.
Read More
May 2, 2025
Attorneys from Tilleke & Gibbins have updated the latest edition of Doing Business in Thailand, a Q&A-style guide from Thomson Reuters Practical Law that offers an overview of key legal considerations for companies operating in jurisdictions worldwide. The contribution outlines the country’s legal and regulatory framework for foreign investment and business operations and reflects the latest legislative developments. The chapter addresses the following core topics: Legal system: Structure of the courts and the codified nature of Thai law. Foreign investment: Business restrictions under the Foreign Business Act, sector-specific regulations, exchange control rules, and investment incentives. Business vehicles: Overview of partnerships, private and public limited companies, and other legal entities. Employment: Labor protections, employment contracts, foreign worker requirements, and termination procedures. Tax: Corporate and personal income tax, indirect taxes, and tax obligations for residents and non-residents. Intellectual property: Registration and enforcement of patents, trademarks, designs, and copyrights. Data protection: Key provisions of the Personal Data Protection Act and related compliance obligations. Competition law: Regulatory framework under the Trade Competition Act. Anti-bribery and corruption: Relevant legislation and enforcement mechanisms. E-commerce and digital business: Legal regime for online transactions and digital platforms. Marketing and advertising: Consumer protection laws and regulations affecting advertising and marketing practices. Product regulation and liability: Safety standards, liability regimes, and roles of enforcement authorities. Practical Law, a legal reference resource from Thomson Reuters, publishes a range of guides for hundreds of jurisdictions and practice areas. The insurance and reinsurance guide is a valuable resource for legal practitioners, covering numerous jurisdictions worldwide. To view the latest version of the guide, please visit the Practical Law website and enroll in the free Practical Law trial to gain full access.
Read More
AWARDS & RANKINGS
December 17, 2025
Tilleke & Gibbins is pleased to announce that Jay Cohen and John Frangos have been recognized in the Lexology Index: Client Choice 2026 report as two of the world’s leading practitioners in their respective fields. Jay Cohen is recognized for his work in franchising, while John Frangos is cited for outstanding work in investigations. The Client Choice awards highlight lawyers who stand out for excellence in client care and the quality of their service. Established in 2005, Client Choice is distinctive in that winners are selected solely based on nominations from corporate counsel. Only one lawyer per practice area is recognized in each jurisdiction. This recognition reflects sustained commitment that Jay and John have shown to delivering practical, client-focused advice and achieving strong outcomes across complex and often sensitive matters. The full Lexology Index: Client Choice 2026 results are available on the Lexology website.
Read More
December 12, 2025
Tilleke & Gibbins has maintained its strong market position in the newly released Chambers Asia-Pacific 2026 rankings, with six Band 1 honors in core practices and consistently strong performance across the entire region. In addition to the exceptional practice-area rankings, 33 lawyers were recognized across 11 practice areas.
Read More
December 1, 2025
Tilleke & Gibbins is pleased to announce that the firm has been honored with two awards at the 2025 Lexology Index Awards in London, this time picking up both the Thailand and Vietnam Country Awards. Formerly known as the Who’s Who Legal Awards, the Lexology Index Awards celebrate outstanding achievements by firms and individuals identified through Lexology’s extensive global research process. Tilleke & Gibbins’ continued success in this forum reflects the exceptional expertise and dedication of its team, whose commitment to delivering the highest caliber of legal services continues to set a benchmark in the industry. The firm extends its gratitude to its talented professionals and valued clients for their continued trust and support. A full list of the winners of the 2025 Lexology Index Awards is available on the Lexology website.
Read More
November 20, 2025
Tilleke & Gibbins is pleased to share that Asia Business Law Journal (ABLJ) has released its A-List of Thailand’s Top 100 Lawyers and its exclusive Legal Icons list for 2025. This year, Darani Vachanavuttivong has again been named a Legal Icon, recognizing her as one of the most distinguished professionals in Thailand’s legal community. In addition, nine other Tilleke & Gibbins lawyers have been named among Thailand’s Top 100 Lawyers. The full list of honorees is: Alan Adcock Charunun Sathitsuksomboon Chusert Supasitthumron (new ranking) Athistha (Nop) Chitranukroh Darani Vachanavuttivong (Legal Icon) Kobkit Thienpreecha Nuttaphol Arammuang Pimvimol (June) Vipamaneerut Thawat Damsa-ard Tiziana Sucharitkul The ABLJ A-List is compiled through extensive research, including nominations and feedback from in-house counsel worldwide and international law firm partners who focus on Thailand. The editorial underscores the demand for lawyers with unmatched expertise, a dedication to quality, and a proven ability to deliver strategic, innovative solutions. To view the full list and the accompanying editorial analysis, please visit the ABLJ website.
Read More