“[L]awyer with notable experience in oil and gas projects”, “She is well versed in handling energy-related M&A, investment and joint ventures for both Chinese and global clients.” (2023)

“Joanne Du is well placed to advise clients on bidding processes and purchase agreements in the oil and gas industry. A client underlines: "She shows good judgement."” (2022)

Chambers Greater China Region 

Overview

Joanne Du is a partner of Mayer Brown LLP, and a Registered Foreign Consultant (New York, USA) of Mayer Brown. 

Joanne advises international and national energy companies, petrochemical companies, energy services companies, energy project funds, as well as other investors that focus on investment in the energy sector. She assists energy companies in their domestic and international investments, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, joint operations around the world. Her work includes the advice and assistance to the clients in the bid and tendering process, and on the investment assessment, strategy and structures, due diligence review, share acquisitions, asset acquisitions, investment and operation compliance, production sharing contracts, participation agreements, leases, concession agreements, joint studies, joint operating, farm-in/farm-out agreements, gas sales and distribution, LNG SPAs. She has been involved in a number of headlined transactions in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Azerbaijan, Vietnam, Cambodia, the United States, Canada, Africa, Middle East, and other energy centers around the world.

Joanne is an active member of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN). She passed the National Judicial Examination by People’s Republic of China.

Joanne speaks fluent English and Mandarin.

Areas of Focus

Practices
Industries

Spoken Languages

  • English
  • Mandarin

Experience

China Inbound/Direct Investment

  • Advise Fosun/ROC Oil on its acquisition of onshore gas project in China from EOG Resources.
  • Advise a US major energy company on its onshore gas project in China.
  • Advise a Hong Kong energy company on its acquisition of CBM/tight gas projects in China. 
  • Advise an American multinational manufacturer and marketer of chemical products on its petrochemical project in China. 
  • Advise a Eurasia oil and gas company in its Chinese joint venture investments with a Chinese company in the LNG terminal and LNG trading.
  • Advise a US major energy company on its potential investment in LNG terminal and LNG trading business in China.
  • Advise ExxonMobil on its gas project in China with CNPC.
  • Advise a US major energy company in its negotiation of a gas project with CNPC.
  • Represent SinoGas on investment, operational matters and gas sales and distribution of its CBM projects in China. 
  • Advise CNOOC on a range of commercial and legal issues under its Chinese CBM PSC with a foreign contractor.
  • Advise a US major energy company on the investment and operational matters of its gas project with CNPC in China.
  • Advise a US major energy company on the investment and operational matters of several offshore projects with CNOOC.
  • Advise a China Light and Power on its gas purchase agreement with CNPC from the Central Asia.
  • Advise on the proposed subscription by Temasek of shares of a large developer and producer of coal bed methane in China.

Cross Border Mergers and Acquisitions

  • Representation of a Middle East company on its corporate matters, commercial agreements, and mergers and acquisitions in several countries in Asia.
  • Advise CNOOC on its asset acquisition in Middle East from an international major oil and gas.
  • Advise an attempted acquisition by a Chinese NOC of large oil and gas assets owned by two international majors in Eurasia.
  • Advise a US major energy company on its matters related to its joint venture with the Chinese partner and potential claim assessments against its Chinese partner.
  • Advise Sino Gas on its investments in China CBM sectors, and acquisitions including two attempted Chinese domestic acquisitions and joint venture transactions, negotiations of shareholders agreements, shareholders loan agreement; and advise on daily operational matters and regulatory issues in China.
  • Advise a US services company on the plan and structure of its joint venture with Sinopec and advise on the negotiation of various issues under the joint venture agreements.
  • Advise CNOOC on its proposed acquisition of independent oil company owning largest oilfield offshore Africa (Ghana).
  • Advise CNOOC on its investment in the offshore leases owned by Nexen and Statoil of the Gulf of Mexico in the United States (prior to the equity acquisition of Nexen). 
  • Advise CNPC on its joint venture investment and operational matters in Argentina, Peru, and Equatorial Guinea. 
  • Advise IDG equity fund on its investment in Eagle Ford shale gas projects in Texas in the United States.
  • Advise a consortium of international investors led by Maju Investments (Mauritius) Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited in the acquisition of a majority stake in the US-based oilfield service company Frac Tech Holdings, LLC.
  • Advise the acquisition by PT Pertamina (Persero), Indonesia's state-owned oil and gas company, of BP West Java Limited from BP plc.
  • Advise an Asian national company in its bid and potential acquisition of participating interest in several projects owned and operated by Murphy Oil Company in Malaysia. 

LNG/Natural Gas Sale and Purchase Agreements

  • Advise Sinopec on its drafting, reviewing and negotiation of its long-term LNG SPAs with North American suppliers.
  • Advise CNOOC on the operational matters, implementations and enforcement of its long-term LNG MSA with a North American supplier.
  • Advise a Eurasia oil and gas company on its LNG supply to China, including a long-term LNG SPA with Chinese partners, heads of agreement, share acquisition and joint venture agreements for the LNG terminal and LNG trading.

Perspectives

News

Education

New York University, LLM

China University of Political Science and Law, LLB

Admissions

  • New York
  • Highly Regarded – Energy and Infrastructure, China – IFLR1000 (2021-2023)
  • Highly Regarded – Energy and Infrastructure, Hong Kong – IFLR1000 (2021-2023)
  • Highly Regarded – M&A, China – IFLR1000 (2021-2023)
  • Highly Regarded – M&A, Hong Kong – IFLR1000 (2021-2023)
  • Highly Regarded – Project development, China – IFLR1000 (2021-2023)
  • Highly Regarded – Project development, Hong Kong – IFLR1000 (2021-2023)
  • Highly Regarded - Energy, China – IFLR1000 (2022/23, 2023)
  • Highly Regarded - Energy, Hong Kong – IFLR1000 (2022/23, 2023)
  • Highly Regarded - Oil and Gas, China – IFLR1000 (2022/23, 2023)
  • Highly Regarded - Oil and Gas, Hong Kong – IFLR1000 (2022/23, 2023)
  • Leading Individual - Energy & Natural Resources (International Firms), China – Chambers Greater China Region (2022, 2023)
  • Leading Individual - Energy & Natural Resources (International Firms), China – Chambers Asia Pacific (2012-2021)
  • Leading Individual - Energy & Natural Resources (International Firms), China – Chambers Global (2012-2023)
  • Recognized - Energy and Natural Resources Law (International Firms), Beijing – Best Lawyers (2019)
  • “[L]awyer with notable experience in oil and gas projects”, “She is well versed in handling energy-related M&A, investment and joint ventures for both Chinese and global clients.” – Chambers Greater China Region (2023)
  • “Joanne Du is well placed to advise clients on bidding processes and purchase agreements in the oil and gas industry. A client underlines: "She shows good judgement."” – Chambers Greater China Region (2022)
  • "She shows good judgement." – Chambers Asia Pacific (2021)