Antoine Cousin
Biography
“Antoine Cousin has considerable expertise in infrastructure, oil and gas, and energy matters and regularly advises on work in Saudi Arabia. Earlier in his career, he spent a significant period of time practicing in the Kingdom, which has provided him with an in-depth understanding of the market.” - Chambers Global (2023)
“For complex projects with many challenging commercial considerations, it is always comforting to know Antoine will be involved. We enjoy working with Antoine and his team.” - Client quote, Chambers Global (2023)
Overview
Antoine has in-depth experience advising State-Owned Entities (SOEs), governments, sponsors and lenders on large-scale energy and infrastructure projects, PPPs and joint ventures. He has structured and led multiple award-winning projects in Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region in recent years.
He works on projects across a variety of industries and in particular: power and water; industrial and petrochemicals; and transportation projects.
Antoine has been based in the Gulf region for over thirteen years. He started his career in New York, where he spent five years, before practicing in Paris for six years and then in Riyadh for six years. He has been based in Abu Dhabi since 2015.
Antoine coordinates the firm's Global Energy/State-Owned Entities group. He has written extensively on project finance and PPPs and he is a frequent speaker at industry conferences, seminars and trainings.
Among other large-scale transactions, he led the White & Case team on and played a key role in the structuring of the US$12.1 billion Jazan Integrated Gasification and Combined Cycle (IGCC) Project on behalf of Saudi Aramco. The transaction was awarded "Global Deal of the Year" by Project Finance International (PFI) – the no. 1 international award.
Experience
Power Projects:
Saudi Aramco IPPs
Antoine has represented the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) on all of its power projects since 2010. These IPPs have a planned capacity of about 8,000 MW and project costs in excess of US$7 billion and include:
- The Tanajib Cogeneration & Desalination Project (ongoing);
- The Jafurah Cogeneration Project (ongoing);
- The joint Saudi Aramco/SEC Fadhili IPP on a BOOT basis (1,300-1,600 MW), which was recognized as "MENA Power Deal of the Year" by IJGlobal (2017);
- The restructuring of the Rabigh IWSPP and its US$1 billion Phase II expansion (closed in 2015);
- The multi-site 'Cogen IPP' on a BOOT basis (900 MW, closed in 2014), which was recognized as "Middle East Power Deal of the Year" by IJGlobal (2014); and
- The Phase II expansion of the multi-site 'Tihama' Cogen IPP (1,060 MW in aggregate, closed in May 2011).
Jordan's Solar Program
Representation of IFC, certain IFC B Lenders and other development finance institutions in connection with "Round 2" of Jordan's solar power program.
Industrial and Petrochemical Projects:
US$12.1 billion Jazan Integrated Gasification and Combined Cycle (IGCC) Project
W&C project leader on the firm’s representation of the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco), as seller, joint-venture partner and offtaker, on the divestment, development and operation of the US$12.1 billion, largest Integrated Gasification and Combined Cycle (IGCC) project worldwide, located in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Awarded "Global Deal of the Year" at the Project Finance International (PFI) Awards in 2021. It was also recognized as "MENA Hybrid Energy Deal of the Year" by IJ Global (2021).
Ma'aden Refinancing and Capital Increase
Representation of Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) on the conversion of project loans to Ma'aden Rolling Company (MRC), a joint venture between Ma'aden and Alcoa Corporation, into new shares in Ma'aden, and the associated restructuring of MRC. Recognized as "MENA Refinancing Deal of the Year" by IJGlobal (2019).
SAR 2.5 billion Farabi Yanbu Petrochemical Complex
Representation of the lenders (Banque Saudi Fransi, Samba Financial Group, The National Commercial Bank and The Saudi British Bank) on the SAR 2.5 billion development of the Farabi Petrochemical Complex in Yanbu, which will manufacture 650,000 metric tons p/a of petrochemical products. Recognized as "MENA Petrochemicals Deal of the Year" by IJGlobal (2018).
US$741 million Bahrain LNG Project
Representation of an international consortium on its successful bid to develop and finance the Bahrain LNG Project, a new LNG import and regasification terminal (as well as associated facilities and a floating storage unit (FSU)) in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Recognized as "MENA Midstream Oil & Gas Deal of the Year" by IJGlobal (2016) and "LNG Deal of the Year" by Project Finance International (2016).
US$2.1 billion Jazan Industrial Gas Complex
Antoine represented (as lead counsel) the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) on its US$2.1 billion Air Separation Unit (ASU) project in Jazan, which achieved financial close in June 2015. Once completed, the project will be the world's largest industrial gas complex. This transaction was recognized as "MENA Petrochemical Deal of the Year" by IJGlobal (2015), "Industrial Deal of the Year (Middle East and Africa)" by Project Finance International (PFI) in 2015 and "Global Finance Deal of the Year: Projects" by the American Lawyer.
Infrastructure Projects:
First Independent Sewage Treatment Plant PPPs
Representation of the National Water Company (NWC) and Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC), as procurers, on Saudi Arabia's first batch of independent sewage treatment plants (ISTPs). The first project of three (Dammam) will have a capacity of 350,000 cubic meters per day and will serve the western region of Dammam.
Saudi Water Distribution Sector – Management, Operation and Maintenance Contracts
Representation of the National Water Company (NWC) on the tendering of multiple Management, Operation and Maintenance Contracts across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (as part of the proposed restructuring of thr Saudi water distribution sector).
US$8 billion Riyadh Metro Project
Antoine is representing the FAST Consortium (comprising FCC, Samsung C&T, Strukton and Freyssinet) on its successful bid for the US$8 billion Riyadh Metro Project (package 3) and all related project development aspects.
US$1.4 billion Medina Airport PPP
Antoine represented IFC and the General Authority of Civil Aviation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (GACA) on the development and tendering of the Medina Airport on a PPP basis. This project was named "Middle East and Africa Infrastructure Deal" by PFI Magazine (2012); and it led White & Case to be named "Airport Finance law firm of the year" at the Jane's Transport Awards 2011.
US$5 billion Haramain High Speed Train Project
Antoine represented an international consortium (finalist) in connection with its bid for the estimated US$5 billion High Speed Train Project in Saudi Arabia (HHR Phase 2).
Mecca & Taif Water Project
Antoine represented SAUR on its successful bid for the Mecca & Taif Water and Wastewater Management Contract; and on its joint venture and O&M contract with Marafiq in the industrial zone of Jubail.
Nuclear Projects in the 21st Century, International Business Law Journal (Sweet & Maxwell), August 2009
Privatisation and PPP in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Major Projects and Emerging Investment Opportunities, Euromoney PPP Privatisation Guide, 2006
