Mark Castillo-Bernaus

Energy / Oil & Gas

Middle East Petrochemical Project
Representation of a major Middle East state owned energy company with respect to the development of a US$ multi-billion petrochemical project in the Middle East (ongoing).

European Petrochemical Project
Representation of a major energy group with respect to its proposed development and financing of a multi-billion petrochemical project in Europe (ongoing).

Ras Laffan Petrochemical  Project
Representation of the Sponsors, QatarEnergy and Chevron Phillips Chemical Co, in connection with the US$4.4 billion financing of a world scale integrated polymers complex in Ras Laffan, Qatar, involving financing from commercial and Islamic facilities as well as ECA financing. One of the largest financings to close in the region in 2023. 

Amur Gas Chemical Complex 
Representation of the Sponsors, SIBUR Holding and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) on the US$9.1 billion financing of the Amur Gas Chemical Complex (Amur GCC) project in the Amur region, one of the world's largest and most advanced polymer production facilities. One of the largest downstream projects to close in 2021, involving Russian and Chinese commercial uncovered bank and international ECA covered financing.

Mozambique LNG
Representation of the Lenders, including several Export Credit Agencies and Development Financial Institutions, on the landmark US$25 billion project financing of Mozambique's first onshore LNG development, Mozambique LNG. This is the largest ever foreign direct investment into Africa. Awarded “Global Multilateral Deal of the Year” at the PFI Awards. 

Major Downstream Project 
Representation of the Sponsor in the development and financing of a multi-billion methanol and urea project in Russia.

Urea Plant Project 
Representation of the lenders and SACE in a project financing of a urea plant in Togliatti.

Refinery Project in Kazakhstan
Representation of a major Export Credit Agency in its financing of a refinery project in Kazakhstan.

Major IPP Project in South Africa
Representation of the lenders on the financing of a major US$multi-billion IPP project in South Africa.

Liwa Plastics in Oman
Representation of six Export Credit Agencies (Atradius, Hermes, K-Exim, K-Sure, SACE and UKEF) and a large syndicate of international and regional banks in connection with the development and financing of the US$6.4 billion Liwa Plastics Industries Complex in Oman.

Yamal LNG Project in Russia
Representation of over 13 lender groups, including several export credit agencies, in connection with the proposed financing of the multibillion Yamal LNG project in Russia.

Barzan Gas Project in Qatar
Representation of the sponsors, QatarEnergy and Exxon Mobil, on the US$10.3 billion Barzan Gas Project in Qatar. This deal was awarded 'Global Deal of the Year' by Project Finance Magazine and Middle East Oil & Gas Deal of the Year by Project Finance International.

Nord Stream Gas Pipeline
Representation of Nord Stream AG in connection with the financing of the US$9 billion Nord Stream gas pipeline through the Baltic Sea (including financing from commercial banks, Euler Hermes, UKF and SACE). This deal was awarded European Gas Deal of the Year by Project Finance Magazine.

Qatargas 2, 3, and 4 LNG
Representation of the sponsors, QatarEnergy and Shell on the US$6 billion Qatargas 4 LNG project financing, Qatar Petroleum and ConocoPhillips on the US$5.8 billion Qatargas 3 project financing (including financing from commercial banks, US Ex-Im Bank and JBIC), and Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil on the US$11.2 billion Qatargas 2 project financing (including financing from commercial banks, US Ex-Im Bank and SACE together with an Islamic facility). Qatargas 4 was awarded 'Middle East Oil & Gas Deal of the Year' by Project Finance Magazine, and Qatargas 2 – the largest energy project of any kind at the time – awarded Deal of the Year by Project Finance International.

Power & Renewables

Financing of a Battery Storage Facility in UK
Representation of Natixis in its financing of a battery storage facility in the UK.

Carbon Capture
Representation of a major IOC on its investments in carbon capture projects in the UK. 

Financing of a solar assets in Latin America
Representation of a major ECA in its financing of a portfolio of solar assets in Latin America.

Riyadh PP11 Power Project in Saudi Arabia
Representation of the Lenders on the financing and the subsequent two refinancings of the US$2.2 billion Riyadh PP11 independent power project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (including financing by way of commercial loans, Islamic financing instruments and export credit from US Ex-Im Bank). This deal was awarded the Middle East Power Deal of the Year by Project Finance magazine.

Saltend Power Project in UK
Representation of Investec and a group of lenders in connection with the financing of a 1200 MW CCGT project in Saltend, UK.

Nuclear Project in Europe

Representation of the Lenders of a financing of a nuclear Project in Europe.
Major IPP Project in South Africa - Representation of the Lenders on the financing of a major US$ multi-billion IPP project in South Africa.

Shuweihat 2 IWPP in UAE
Representation of the sponsors, ADWEA, TAQA, GDF Suez, Marubeni and Osaka Gas, on the partial bond refinancing of the US$2.3 billion Shuweihat 2 IWPP. This deal was awarded the Middle East Bond Deal of the Year by Project Finance International and Project Finance magazine.

Sergipe Thermoelectric Power Plant in Brazil
Representation of the Lenders, including Goldman Sachs, IDB Invest, IFC and SERV, on the US$1.8 billion financing of a 1,516 MW thermoelectric power plant in Brazil, involving both conventional lending and investment grade secured senior notes.   

Belwind Wind Farm in Belgium
Representation of the European Investment Bank on the €700 million financing of an offshore wind farm in Belgium. This deal was awarded Power Deal of the Year by Project Finance International and "Wind Power Deal of the Year" by Project Finance Magazine.

Mining and Metals

Emirates Aluminium Project (Phase I and Phase II) in UAE
Representation of the lenders, including commercial banks and export credit agencies US Ex-Im, COFACE, Euler Hermes and K-Exim, in connection with the financing of both Phase I and Phase II of the US$10 billion Emirates Aluminium Project in the UAE. This deal was awarded the Middle East Industrial Deal of the Year by Project Finance International.

Major Alumina Refinery in Guinea
Representation of the sponsors, BHP Billiton, Mubadala, DUBAL and Global Alumina, on the financing of the US$4 billion alumina refinery in the Republic of Guinea, involving over 9 development financial institutions, export credit agencies and commercial banks).