Hydrogen

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Hydrogen will be a key clean energy vector, connecting Australia's clean energy generation sources such as wind and solar to demand centres, whether domestic or abroad.  Abundant carbon, capture and storage opportunities also make blue hydrogen, produced from traditional generation sources with emissions being sequestered, attractive.

Thomson Geer has market leading experience acting on Australian hydrogen projects, including hydrogen production, hydrogen power generation and hydrogen fuelled transportation.  Our team advises across the full cycle of hydrogen projects, from initial project formation through to eventual monetisation.

Our team closely monitors the regulatory and policy developments impacting hydrogen.  In such a fast-evolving area we are well placed to assist clients navigate the regulatory landscape and move quickly.

Renewable energy

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Our lawyers understand and have experience in all facets of the development and operation of renewable energy projects in Australia, including onshore solar and wind and with respect to Australia's newly developed offshore wind regime.

We advise sponsors, financiers, developers, network operators, property owners, and service providers on all aspects of their renewable energy investments.

We have an excellent reputation for providing commercially-driven advice that results in ‘bankable’ projects.

Our strength is the diverse talent and experience of our team across all disciplines relating to renewable energy projects. As we are a full service commercial firm, with full service offerings in all Australian major cities, our team works closely and as one integrated team across energy, corporate, foreign investment, property, planning, environment and native title, construction, mergers and acquisitions, tax and structuring disciplines to provide comprehensive advice and solutions.

Electricity and battery storage

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We advise electricity generators operating in the wholesale national electricity market, regulated transmission and distribution businesses, and service providers operating in the electricity retail market. Our work includes advising on industry compliance issues and programs, including preparation for audits by industry regulators.  Our experience covers the National Electricity Market and regional markets.

As Australia develops renewable energy projects at rapid pace our grid is under immense pressure.  Battery storage and auxiliary services are a key solution to this challenge.  Our team acted on the world's largest battery storage project, and continues to advise on leading Australian battery storage deployments.

Oil and gas

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Thomson Geer has experience across the oil and gas value chain, from upstream exploration and production, to midstream transportation, commodity trading, downstream refining, petrochemicals and hydrogen.

We provide advice across the oil and gas life cycle, including joint ventures, joint operating agreements, project development, capital markets and finance transactions, approvals, transportation and supply, farm-ins/farm-outs, other forms of M&A, disputes and ultimately decommissioning.

Members of our team have experience working in the oil and gas team of leading international law firms and in-house at large energy companies, where they worked on complex cross border oil and gas transactions across the energy value chain. Unique market leading international experience in decommissioning and distress M&A in the oil and gas sector was developed.

With increasing regulation of Australia's oil and gas sector, including the economic regulation of domestic gas prices, our team closely monitors the changing regulatory landscape to be able to promptly advise on business impacts.

Our disputes lawyers advise and appear as counsel in litigation and international arbitrations on a broad range of oil and gas related disputes.

Mining and minerals

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Our team advises resources clients on the entire lifecycle of a mining project – from exploration to development and production, to mine closure.

They have deep sector knowledge in the markets and regulatory environment in which their clients operate, which aids in providing first class commercial and strategic advice to mining clients.

Our team recognises the shift from traditional mining to future facing minerals, including critical minerals and battery metals to support energy storage, as the energy transition accelerates.

They have extensive experience working with clients on all commercial, regulatory and advisory aspects of exploration, mining and infrastructure projects including tenure issues, project acquisition and structuring, commercial contracts, and native title and heritage.

They assist clients in drafting, negotiating and advising on sale and purchase agreements for exploration and mining projects (acquisitions and divestments), farm-in and joint venture agreements, split commodity/mineral rights agreements, royalty deeds, access and compensation deeds and operational contracts, such as mining services contracts, goods and services agreements, toll treating and offtake agreements.

Our team is skilled in negotiation of future act, expedited procedure and related native title matters and assist both project developers and traditional owner clients.

The team also acts in mining related litigation, including appearing in Warden's Court proceedings in Western Australia and the Land Court in Queensland, and works to efficiently and effectively resolve resource tenure disputes. 

Government relations and regulatory advice

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The energy resources sector is highly regulated and subject to government intervention at any time. We engage with authorities to help clients navigate the requirements to operate in the industry. Our partner public affairs consultancy TG Public Affairs is also able to advise on the political and policy issues that arise across the sector.