DarrenMurphy

Partner

Melbourne + 61.3.9101.6822

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Darren Murphy has acted on major M&A and project development transactions in Australia and the wider Asia Pacific region for more than 25 years. He has particular experience in the upstream and downstream energy, mining, power and renewables, and technology sectors. His skills span traditional industries, in particular oil and gas and LNG (liquefied natural gas), as well as energy transition where he has advised on projects and transactions across solar, wind (onshore and offshore), hydrogen, biomass, geothermal, waste-to-energy, and energy storage.

Darren is involved across the life cycle of major projects, including project structuring, joint ventures, foreign investment regimes, title and tenure, upstream issues and exploration, government agreements, share and asset acquisitions, operating agreements, royalty interests, unitizations, farm-ins and farm-outs, onshore and offshore facilities, sales and offtake, power purchase agreements and derivatives, energy transportation, facility access rights, construction, abandonment and decommissioning, regulatory and operational issues, and investor protection.

He has lived and worked in the United States, Singapore, and Australia, including working in-house for a NYSE-listed energy company in Kansas City, Missouri. He is the Australia-Pacific Chapter Regional Director for the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN) and previously served as co-chair of the Energy Committee of AmCham Singapore and on the Singapore AIEN Committee.

Darren has received extensive recognition in legal directories with recommendations in Chambers Global, Chambers Asia-Pacific, and Best Lawyers in Australia across the areas of energy/projects and corporate/M&A. He is named the 2024 "Lawyer of the Year" Oil and Gas Law (Melbourne) by Best Lawyers in Australia.

Experience

  • Chevron acquires 25 fuel retailing sites in South AustraliaJones Day advised Chevron on its agreement to acquire 25 fuel retailing sites in South Australia from Viva Energy.
  • Risco Energy sells Tap Oil to independent energy companyJones Day advised Risco Energy Investments Limited in the sale of Tap Oil Pty Ltd, including its subsidiary Tap Energy Pty Ltd, to an independent energy company.
  • Lazard invests in Shawton Energy LimitedJones Day advised Lazard Asset Management in the acquisition by Lazard Global Sustainable Private Infrastructure Fund of a 50% shareholding in Shawton Energy Limited, a solar PV project developer, installer and operator with a portfolio of existing projects, and a substantial pipeline, that delivers renewable energy directly to commercial and industrial businesses.
  • Chevron and MOECO agree to explore advanced closed loop geothermal pilot in Hokkaido, JapanJones Day advised Chevron New Energies on its agreement with Mitsui Oil Exploration Co., Ltd (MOECO) to proceed with the pilot testing of advanced geothermal technology, specifically advanced closed loop (ACL) technology.
  • Esprey sells Delta Electricity to Sev.en Global InvestmentsJones Day advised Esprey Pty Ltd (a subsidiary of Ilwella) in the sale of Delta Electricity, which included a 1,320 megawatt power station at Vales Point, New South Wales and associated coal mine, to Sev.en Global Investments.
  • Macquarie agrees to acquire Suez Recycling and Recovery UK Group for approximately €2.4 billionJones Day advised Macquarie Asset Management in the execution of a put option agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Suez Recycling and Recovery UK Group for €2.4 billion.
  • Macquarie acquires Euston Solar FarmJones Day advised Macquarie in the acquisition of 100% of the shares in Euston Solar Farm Limited, a UK-based renewable energy developer focused primarily on the development of utility-scale solar plants.
  • Cohort Go sold to Flywire Inc.Jones Day advised Cohort Go, a leading fintech business headquartered in Australia, in the sale of the company to Nasdaq listed Flywire Inc., a global payments enablement and software.
  • Andrew Dzurak and Allectus Capital create leading quantum computing company, Diraq Pty LtdJones Day acted for Professor Andrew Dzurak and Allectus Capital, in the creation of a leading quantum computing company, Diraq Pty Ltd (formerly, SiMOS Newco Pty Ltd) whose founding shareholders consist of the University of New South Wales, Allectus Capital and Professor Dzurak.
  • Macquarie Asset Management acquires 50% shareholding in Island Green PowerJones Day advised Macquarie Asset Management ("MAM"), via Macquarie Green Investment Group Renewable Energy Fund 2 ("MGREF2"), in its acquisition of 50% of the shares in Island Green Power Limited, a UK-based renewable energy developer focused primarily on the development of utility-scale solar plants.
  • Japanese consortium led by Suntory partners with Anellotech to develop plastics recycling technologyJones Day advised a consortium jointly established by Suntory and other Japanese companies in connection with its partnering with Anellotech, Inc., a U.S.-based biochemical company, in the development of a plastics recycling technology.
  • PTTEP signs EPSA for Block 12 in OmanJones Day represented PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited, a publicly listed petroleum exploration and production company based in Thailand, in connection with its subsidiary, PTTEP MENA Limited, entering into an Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement ("EPSA") covering Block 12 onshore Oman.
  • Utility company negotiates gas sales and gas transportation agreements in multiple Australian statesJones Day is advising a utility company in negotiating gas sales and gas transportation agreements in multiple Australian states.
  • Sapura Upstream creates farm-in agreements and forms joint venture with Finder ExplorationJones Day represented Sapura Upstream with respect to its farm-in to three Australian offshore oil and gas permits and the associated formation of a joint venture with Finder Exploration Pty Ltd.
  • Corporate power buyer negotiates long term power purchase agreement with greenfield wind farm developerJones Day represented a corporate power buyer in negotiating a long term power purchase arrangement with the developer of a greenfields wind farm in Australia. The arrangements included an innovative proxy revenue swap.
  • Coronado Coal acquires Curragh coal mine in central Queensland, Australia, from Wesfarmers Limited for A$700 million (US$539 million)Jones Day advised Coronado Coal LLC in the acquisition of the Curragh coal mine in central Queensland, Australia, from Wesfarmers Limited for A$700 million (US$530 million).
  • Singapore-based Biomass Ventures secures investment from InfraCo Asia for development of biomass business in Sri LankaJones Day represented Singapore-based Biomass Ventures in securing an investment from InfraCo Asia for the development of a biomass business in Sri Lanka.
  • Pan Pacific Petroleum NL sold its interest in Ca Rong Du oil and gas project offshore Vietnam to Repsol ExploracionJones Day acted for Pan Pacific Petroleum NL in its agreement to sell its subsidiary that holds a 5% interest in Block 07/03 in the Nam Con Son Basin offshore Vietnam to Repsol Exploracion SA.
  • TonenGeneral Sekiyu combines with JX GroupJones Day advised TonenGeneral Sekiyu K.K. in connection with the business integration with JX Group, which forms the largest oil refiner in Japan.
  • Multinational conglomerate develops integrated energy hub in AsiaJones Day is representing the lead sponsor on the development, construction, and financing of a multi-fuel import facility proposed to be developed in Asia.

    • The following represents experience prior to joining Jones Day.

    Acted for Chevron and its partners PetroVietnam, PTT and Moeco, on the development of their US$4 billion Block B Project in Vietnam.

    Acted for a confidential bidder for ConocoPhillips' assets in Vietnam.

    Acted for a confidential bidder for certain ExxonMobil assets in Indonesia.

    Acted for Pertamina on its Central Java floating regas project.

    Acted for Höegh LNG, DSME EnR and Petromin on their PNG Floating LNG Project.

    Acted for a confidential SOE in developing a suite of pro forma services contracts for the Indonesian market.

    Acted for Inpex on its Masela Floating LNG Project in Indonesia.

    Acted for MedcoEnergi in relation to its North Sumatra Block A development.

    Acted for ConocoPhillips in relation to its US$9 billion acquisition of an interest in Origin Energy’s Queensland CBM assets, and the consequent formation of the APLNG joint venture.

    Acted for Tiger Energy Trading on a range of Indonesian coal sales agreements.

    Acted for an international E&P company negotiating a new Production Sharing Contract in Indonesia.

    Acted for Graceland (an affiliate of Wengfu) in connection with its commodities trading in Asia.

    Acted for Shell on a range of upstream oil and gas matters over many years in Australia, including in relation to its Crux, Echuca Shoals, and Prelude projects.

    Acted for the North West Shelf JV on both pipeline gas and LNG sales contracts.

    Acted as Australian counsel to TEPCO on its participation in the Wheatstone LNG Project.

    Acted for ASX-listed Central Petroleum, on a range of farm-out and joint venture transactions.

    Acted for DBNGP on its acquisition of the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline, and subsequent expansion of that pipeline, which involved in excess of US$1 billion in capital works.

    Acted for Aquila, Inc. for many years in relation to its acquisition of energy businesses in Australia, as well as the subsequent divestment of those businesses and other assets in Europe and the United States.

    View All

    February 2024 White Paper

    Clean Fuel of the Future: Policy and Legislation Shaping Australia's Hydrogen Industry

    October 2022 Commentary

    New Legislation Shaping Australia's Emissions Reduction Policy

    May 2022 Commentary

    Australia's Hydrogen Guarantee of Origin Scheme Enters Trial Phase

    April 2022 Commentary

    Evolving Carbon Markets: Australian Carbon Credit Units

    October 2021 White Paper

    Offshore Oil and Gas Field Decommissioning: Disputes and Other Challenges

    October 2021 Commentary

    Australia Introduces the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Bill 2021

    October 2021 Alert

    Australian Conservation Group Challenges EPA's Decision to Renew Coal-Fired Power Stations' Licences

    August 2021 Alert

    The Future of Gas in NSW

    July 2021 Alert

    Supreme Court of New South Wales Rules on Mineral Sales Royalties Default

    April 2021 Alert

    Australian Government Foreshadows Significant Reform to Australia's Offshore Oil & Gas Regulation
    View All

    Additional Publications

    • December 2023
      The Australian Energy chapter in Global Legal Insights 2024 edition
    • September 2020
      The Australian Chapter in the Renewable Energy Laws and Regulations 2021
    • October 2016
      Oil & Gas Annual Review 2016 - Singapore

    Speaking Engagements

    • November 22, 2023
      Speaker: "Low Carbon Ammonia - Project Structuring and Offtake Workshop".
    • October 30, 2023
      Speaker: "Energy Transition: Regional Opportunities (Asia Pacific)"
    • June 23, 2022
      Chair and Panelist: "Energy sector developments and opportunities in Australia"
    • May 4, 2022
      Panelist: "Gas in the Energy Transition," Energy Resources Law Association Conference
    • October 20, 2021
      Panelist: Developments in the Australian Energy Sector and the Implications for International Arbitration
    • September 8, 2021
      Legal Training Seminar: "Practical Issues for Nominee Directors"
    • August 3, 2021
      Chair of Panel: "Carbon Capture and Storage in Asia Pacific"
    • February 11, 2021
      Legal Training Seminar: "Joint Venture and Other Shareholder Disputes"
    • February 4, 2021
      Panelist: "Joint Venture Organization and Management"
    • October 14, 2020
      Chair of Panel: "Issues Management: Independent reviews and inquiries"
    • September 1, 2020
      Co-author of Australian Chapter for International Comparative Legal Guide – Renewable Energy 2021
    • March 4, 2020
      Legal Training Seminar: "Protecting Investment Interests Abroad"
    • February 26, 2020
      Panelist: "What you need to know about arbitration in commercial joint ventures"
    • July 25, 2019
      Presenter: "Energy and Resources Disputes: Trends and Analysis"
    • March 7, 2019
      Presenter: "Long-Term LNG Contracts and Market Developments, Melbourne Petroleum Club"
    • August 23, 2018
      Chair of Panel: "Insights and Perspectives on the Australian Resources Sector"
    • March 1, 2018
      Host and presenter: Seminar and workshop: "Negotiation Skills for Oil and Gas transactions"
    • January 10, 2017
      Seminar Panelist: "2017: What Lies Ahead for Asia?"
    • September 2016
      Legal Training Seminar: "Limitation of liabilities and penalties in Oil and Gas contracts"
    • March 6, 2016
      Presentation: "Decommissioning in Asia Oil & Gas" - Seminar hosted by Society of Petroleum Engineers
    • May 31, 2016
      Presenter: "Production Sharing Contracts in Indonesia and Malaysia" - Training Course in Upstream Oil & Gas Law hosted by Petroleum Institute of Thailand
    • September 2015
      Legal Training Seminar: "Pre-emption and Change of Control in Oil and Gas Joint Ventures"
    • June 2015
      Legal Training Seminar: "Director's Duties in a Joint Venture Context"
    • November 20, 2014
      Panelist: The American Lawyer 2nd Annual Singapore Legal Summit - "Indonesia Foreign Investment: Through the Lens of Energy (Coal, Mining and Oil & Gas)"
    • November 20, 2014
      Moderator: The American Lawyer 2nd Annual Singapore Legal Summit - "Energy, Resources, and Infrastructure Practice Trends"
    • August 11, 2014
      Presenter: "Exploring Contracting in Floating LNG Projects", 9th Annual LNG World
    • March 20, 2014
      Presenter: "Development of Oil and Gas Resources in SEA" - Underlying Legal & Commercial Arrangements, SMU School of Law
    • May 8, 2013
      Panelist: Indonesia-Focused Panel, Indonesian Petroleum Association (IPA) Annual Convention
    • July 31, 2013
      Presenter: AmCham - "US Shale Gas Plays and Export LNG projects: Executive Update"
    • September 2013
      Presenter: Indonesian Oil and Gas, Offshore Convention: Indonesia 2013
    • February 21, 2012
      Presenter: "Investing in Indonesia – Oil & Gas Seminar"
    • December 2011
      Presenter: "Legal, Structuring and Regulatory Aspects of Floating LNG Projects", World Deepwater Summit & Expo China 2011
    • November 30, 2011
      Presenter: Outlook for floating LNG projects remain positive"
    • August 22, 2011
      Shale gas in China and Asia Pacific
    • June 2011
      Floating LNG – Legal, Structuring and Regulatory Considerations, 6th FLNG Asia Pacific Summit
    • May 2011
      Commercial and legal issues – Financing and developing Oil & Gas Sector projects (Upstream and Downstream), Indonesia - China Investment Forum
    • March 2, 2011
      New opportunities in oil and gas sector in Asia
    • October 20, 2010
      Prudent Operator & Gross Negligence in its application in oil & gas contracts internationally and in Indonesia, Indonesian Petroleum Association
    • July 8, 2010
      International Petroleum Contracts, E&P Sharing Contracts & Agreements 2010

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