Overview
Merrick White focuses his practice on global oil, gas, LNG, refining and petrochemical project development. Merrick advises clients on all aspects of energy-related development projects and transactions, from the granting of upstream concession agreements to the acquisition and disposal of energy assets; the development of refineries, petrochemical projects, LNG, gas and oil production and transportation infrastructure; and the sale of oil, gas, LNG and petrochemical products.
Merrick works with clients on the legal, commercial, business development and engineering aspects of the Resources and LNG industries, particularly in Asia and Africa.
In addition to his legal qualifications, Merrick is a Chartered Chemical Engineer. He has spent over 25 years in Asia (including seven years in Jakarta, Indonesia) successfully developing major infrastructure projects, and 13 years in engineering and commercial roles with British Gas Exploration & Production, Gulf Indonesia and ConocoPhillips.
Read Merrick’s biography in Japanese here.
Results
Hydrogen and Carbon Capture
- Advising SunGreenH2 on the IP protection for and supply of proprietary Hydrogen manufacturing technology to 18 different hydrogen manufacturers located in Asia, Europe, Australia and the US
- Advising TransEra, a start-up development company, on the development of a CO2 capture project in Indonesia
- Advising a US asset manager on the provision of Ammonia terminalling services for a wind powered Hydrogen/Ammonia plant located in Canada
Oil and Gas M&A
- Advised Conrad on the conversion of the conventional Duyung PSC to the new Indonesian Gross Split PSC and the subsequent sale of a 15% Participating Interest in the PSC to Coro Energy*
- Advised Coro Energy in relation to the acquisition of an interest in the Bulu PSC in Indonesia*
- Advised Batavia Oil in relation to the acquisition of an interest in the Kakap Production Sharing Contract in Indonesia*
- Advised Ophir Energy on the acquisition of several upstream exploration and production assets in Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bangladesh from Santos*
- Advised Ramba Energy on the sale of various participating interest in the Lemang PSC, Indonesia*
Oil and Gas Developments
- Advised Conrad on all aspects of their gas field development, gas transportation agreements and cross-border gas sale for the Duyung PSC*
- Advised a Natuna Sea PSC Operator on its international and domestic gas sales and gas transportation agreements for sales from Natuna Sea gas fields to Singapore and Batam*
- Advised a US Major on their gas sales to Thailand and Malaysia and the gas field unitization for a development in Asia*
- Advised an Operator in relation to the facilities and export pipeline construction agreements for an offshore gas field development in Indonesia*
Drilling
- Advising an Operator on a rig sharing agreement for wells in Indonesia*
- Acting for a drilling company in relation to a dispute over a rig contract in Venezuela*
- Advising an operator on its drilling contract and rig sharing agreement for exploration wells in Indonesia and Vietnam*
- Acting for an Asian drilling company in relation to its rig contract negotiations in Asia*
- Advising several oil companies on their negotiations with drilling companies for rigs and other well services*
LNG
- Advised Equinor ASA (formerly Statoil), an international energy company headquartered in Norway, in connection with its long-term DES Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) sale to Osaka Gas Co., Ltd., a Japanese gas company based in Osaka, Japan, and its Singapore-based affiliate pursuant to a 15-year tripartite sale and purchase agreement.
- Advised Equinor ASA (formerly Statoil), an international energy company headquartered in Norway, in connection with its long-term DES Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) sale to Prism Energy International Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-based affiliate of SK E&S Co., Ltd., a South Korean energy conglomerate, pursuant to a 15-year LNG sale and purchase agreement (SPA).
- Advising multiple clients on Master Sale and Purchase Agreements, including the development of standard form agreements and the negotiation of counter party standard form agreements*
- Advising Anadarko’s Mozambique LNG project on all aspects of its LNG sales and shipping arrangements, including LNG SPAs with buyers in the Middle East, India, South East Asia, China and Japan*
- Advising an LNG company on its gas purchase, LNG production, LNG shipping, LNG Regasification and gas sales for an integrated LNG development in Asia*
- Advising an Indonesian LNG FSRU plant developer on its long-term and short-term LNG purchases, construction contracts for its FSRU, LNG break bulk and distribution and re-gasified LNG on-sale arrangements*
- Advising the developer of an Indian re-gasification project on its LNG regasification tolling agreements*
Refinery and Petrochemicals M&A
- Advising a bidder on the acquisition of Esso’s refinery and retail network in Malaysia*
- Advising an Indian oil refinery company on the sale of an interest in the refinery to an international oil trader, including advising on the purchase of crude oil, sale of refined products and commercial optimization of the refinery and refinery terminal arrangements*
- Advising Shell on the disposal of part of its chemical and storage business in Thailand*
Refining and Petrochemicals
- Advising an Indian oil refinery company on the sale of an interest in the refinery to an international oil trader, including advising on the purchase of crude oil, sale of refined products and commercial optimization of the refinery*
- Acting for the sponsor of a major Singapore greenfield petrochemical project on its feedstock and utility supply (steam, waste water and cooling water), product storage arrangements with third-party storage terminals and product sales arrangements*
- Advising a super-major on the separation of its Thai product storage and terminal business from its petrochemical business, the contractual arrangements for third-party use of the storage and terminals and the subsequent sale of the business*
- Acting for a Singapore petrochemical plant on its product sales and feedstock purchase arrangements*
- Acting for a super-major on the separation of part of its petrochemical business, including the development of facilities sharing agreements, and the subsequent sale of the separated business*
*Matter handled prior to joining McDermott Will & Emery
Recognitions
- Chambers Global, Band 1 Leading Lawyer in Singapore, Energy & Natural Resources, 2023
- Chambers Asia-Pacific, Band 1 Leading Lawyer in Singapore, Energy & Natural Resources, 2023
- Chambers Asia-Pacific, Spotlight Table in Singapore, Energy & Natural Resources: Oil & Gas, 2023
- Chambers Asia-Pacific, Band 2 Leading Lawyer in Indonesia, Projects & Energy (Expert based abroad), 2023
- Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, Leading Individual (Top 10) in Singapore, Energy, 2023
- Best Lawyers, Best Lawyer in Singapore, Oil & Gas Law, Energy Law, Project Finance and Development, 2023
- Who’s Who Legal, Global Leader in Oil and Gas, 2023
- International Financial Law Review, Highly Regarded in Singapore, Energy and Infrastructure and M&A in the Oil & Gas and Energy sectors, 2022
Community
- Member of the Institute of Chemical Engineers
- Member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators
Credentials
Education
Manchester Metropolitan University, LLB, 2005
University of Manchester, BEng, 1990
Admissions
England & Wales