Overview
Francisco Mendez is a partner in Mayer Brown's Mexico City and Houston offices. He is a member of the Global Oil & Gas group and focuses on advising global oil and gas and Mexican-based companies in connection with project development, merger and acquisition and business transactions in Mexico and Latin America. He has extensive experience in dealing with the formation of joint venture agreements, production-sharing contracts and the bid processes and related regulatory issues involving host government E&P contracts. Francisco works with clients on the structuring, documentation, and negotiation of oil and gas/energy transactions that range from host government arrangements, farm-in/farm-out, joint operating agreements, and mergers and acquisitions to the review and negotiation of master services agreements on both operator and oil field services provider sides, and a variety of the most typical agreements in the industry.
Previously, he spent close to 20 years at ExxonMobil Corporation as in-house counsel for Latin America, where he had advised the company on the opening of the oil and gas industry in Mexico to the private sector. As a part of this work for ExxonMobil, Francisco provided legal analysis of the changes to the Mexican Constitution, including the Enabling Legislation and regulations. Francisco was also involved in the formation of the Mexican Hydrocarbons Association, the first such industry association in Mexico.
Areas of Focus
Experience
- Representing Petronas in the negotiation and drafting of multiple farm-out agreements and joint venture and joint operating agreements in connection with 10+ deep water blocks. Also advised Petronas on the prequalification process of the bid rounds and with conducting corporate and regulatory work, as well as operations in general.
- Represented LUKOIL in the preparation and negotiation of farm-out agreements, joint venture and joint operating agreements and compliance in connection with deep water blocks offshore Mexico.
- Representing several infrastructure and energy services companies in the drafting and negotiating of joint venture contracts related to EPC work in connection with refineries, port terminals and cogeneration plants, all in Mexico.
- Representing an international oil and gas company on the regulatory aspects of acquiring gas stations in Mexico and the importation of hydrocarbons in Mexico.
- While at ExxonMobil, acted as lead counsel on significant upstream projects in Latin American countries outside of Mexico, such as Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Nicaragua, Peru, and Venezuela, in connection with joint bidding agreements, JOAs and areas of mutual interest with national oil and gas companies within Latin America.
- While at Exxon, acted as general counsel responsible for all downstream activities in Central America and the Caribbean, providing legal advice on fuels marketing (including gas stations, marine and airport terminals), and was responsible for two refineries located in El Salvador and Nicaragua, including a corporate restructure and divestments of downstream assets.
Perspectives
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October 042021
Events
Education
Panamerican University Law School, JD
Admissions
- Mexico
- Not admitted in Texas. Practicing under the supervision of firm principals.