Biography
Stephen Carlton is a Corporate M&A Partner based in Melbourne. He is a cross-border specialist, in particular in the Asia-Pacific region, focusing primarily on transactions in the energy and energy transition, renewables (including offshore wind), infrastructure, mining and metals and oil and gas sectors, as well as advising on foreign direct investment (FIRB) generally.
Stephen works on a broad range of corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets, corporate restructurings and general corporate advisory. He also has particular expertise on corporate governance in both private and public contexts, including complex shareholder arrangements and joint ventures, as well as advising on Corporations Act and ASX compliance and obligations.
Before moving to the Melbourne office, Stephen worked in the London office of White & Case, and is also qualified to practice law in England and Wales.
Experience
Representation of Equis Australia on the sell-down to and joint venture equity arrangements with Victoria's State Electricity Corporation (SEC) in connection with the 1200MW/24000MWh Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub in Victoria, proposed to be one of the largest batteries in the world, and the SEC's pioneer investment.
Representation of Gentari International Renewables Pte. Ltd., a clean energy solutions provider wholly owned by Petroliam Nasional Berhad ('Petronas') on its approx. US$590 million acquisition of a 29.4 percent interest in the Hai Long offshore wind project in Taiwan from, and shareholder arrangements with, Northland Power, a Canadian-listed renewable power producer.
Representation of AMP Power Australia on:
- the 100% acquisition of the 120MW Hillston Solar Farm Project in Hillston, in the Riverina region of south-western New South Wales from Overland Sun Farming; and
- the acquisition of the 'Renewable Energy Hub', multiple early-development solar projects located in South Australia.
Representation of Perdaman on the equity and joint venture arrangements with Global Infrastructure Partners, for the development and financing of the US$4.2 billion greenfield Karratha Urea Project in Western Australia. This project was named the Asia-Pacific Industrial Deal of the Year 2023 by Project Finance International.
Representation of China Molybdenum Company Limited (CMOC) in acquiring a 95 percent interest in the Kisanfu copper-cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo from Freeport-McMoRan Inc., for US$550 million in cash.
Representation of Mineros S.A. on the US$60 million acquisition of the Gualcamayo gold mine in the San Juan province in Argentina and earn-in agreement for the La Pepa gold exploration project in Chile.
Representation of Aberdeen Global Infrastructure Partners Fund II (abrdn) and Macquarie Capital's Infrastructure and Energy Capital division (Macquarie Capital) on the disposal of interests in Western Australian Schools PPP and ACT Law Courts PPP, and advised abrdn on the disposal of its interest in Perth Stadium to MM Capital Infrastructure Fund II, L.P.
Representation of a consortium consisting of Australian-based asset manager, QIC, and Dutch-based airport operator, Royal Schiphol Group, the winning bidders in a competitive auction for the A$600m acquisition of a 70% equity interest in Hobart International Airport.
Representation of Shutterstock, Inc., a leading global creative platform offering high-quality creative content for transformative brands, digital media and marketing companies, on its entry into a definitive agreement to acquire Envato Pty Ltd., a leader in digital creative assets and templates, for US$245 million.
Representation of Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd. on its US$602 million acquisition of a 2.6% interest in the PNG LNG Project from Santos.
