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Goran Galic

Partner

Email

goran.galic@aoshearman.com

Phone

+618 6315 5946

Offices

Perth

V-CARD
Goran is an energy, resources and projects specialist.

He brings market-leading experience advising across the ‘pit to port’ spectrum of the energy and mining sectors, including on project acquisitions, joint ventures, developments and operations. He is involved in amongst the largest LNG and mining projects in Australia and globally. He is a lead partner on hydrogen and CCS regionally, and leads on amongst the first hydrogen and CCS mandates in Australia.

Additionally, Goran advises on regulatory and environmental aspects of energy and mining projects and brings considerable expertise in ESG/sustainability considerations and strategies relevant to the resources sector. He is an active member of our Sustainability Group.

Goran is sought for his deep sector expertise and solutions-focused approach. He is recognized by clients for his ‘client-centric [approach] and good big picture view of deals’ (Legal 500 Australia 2022) while another source adds that his ‘depth of energy & resources expertise is top of the market… [and that] it’s difficult to choose any other adviser as he has a genuine knowledge of the issues we face…’ (Legal 500 Australia 2022).

Expertise

Industries

Experience

Representative matters

  • SK E&S on the development of the Caldita-Barossa gas field in the Timor Sea, including with regard to upstream joint operating arrangements and negotiation of LNG processing services and transportation arrangements with Darwin LNG. This is the first Australian back-fill project and include amongst the first with associated CCS storage capacity.
  • Fortescue Future Industries on the drafting and negotiation of proposed green hydrogen and ammonia offtake arrangements with global foundation customers of the Gibson Island Green Ammonia Project, Queensland. This represents amongst the first such offtake arrangements in the Australian market.
  • LG Chem on its subscription for 7.5% shareholding in US-based Piedmont Lithium and negotiation of associated spodumene concentrate offtake arrangements. This was a key strategic investment aimed at security of feedstock supply.
  • ENGIE and Australian Gas Infrastructure Group as project sponsors of the Murray Valley blended hydrogen project in Victoria, including in relation to joint venture structuring, corporate power purchase arrangements. This is slated as Australia’s first blended hydrogen project. 
  • A group of Gas and Oil Company and Project Sponsors in relation to the development of the Ichthys LNG Project including on EPC, environmental and regulatory aspects of the Project. This remains the largest project financing to date and the first application of IFC Performance Standards and Equator Principles in relation to an Australian LNG project.
  • CPI International Minerals, a wholly owned subsidiary of China Power Investment Corporation, on the signing of the mining convention for CPIIM’s world-scale alumina project in the Republic of Guinea. This is the first mining convention signed in Guinea since the comprehensive overhaul of the country’s mining legislation, and constitutes a cornerstone for the complex USD6bn resource and infrastructure project.
  • ECAs and the international commercial lenders on all aspects of the EPCIC contract, and associated sub-sea installation arrangements, for the Coral Floating LNG Project, offshore Mozambique. This was the world’s first project financed FLNG project.
  • Alkane Resources and Australian Strategic Minerals on the establishment of a joint venture with Korean participant for the development and operation of patented smelter technology in respect of rare earth minerals. This was the first deployment of new technology to demonstrate market-first production and cost efficiencies.CWP in relation to its participation in the ‘Asian Renewable Hub’ and ‘Western Green Energy Hub’ green hydrogen/ammonia projects, including on project structuring and delivery models. These are each planned as the first ultra-scale Australian renewable energy projects generating ~50GW via upstream combined solar and wind.
  • PTTEP in relation to the proposed development of the offshore Cash-Maple FLNG project, including joint development and FEED arrangements with development contractor consortium.
  • Colomi Singapore on the development of the Colomi Iron Ore Project in Brazil including arrangements for access and expansion of rail and port infrastructure.
  • A confidential client in relation to EPCIC and O&M arrangements (term sheet and full-form agreements) relating to FPSO to be operated offshore Israel.
  • Commercial lenders in relation to the negotiation and drafting of Guinea Alumina Corporation’s mine infrastructure EPC and mining services contract relating to its proposed bauxite mining and alumina project in Guinea, Africa.
  • EMR Capital in relation to tendering for, and negotiation of, the undergoing mining services arrangements for the Golden Grove underground copper mine, following EMR’s acquisition of the project.
  • ECAs and commercial lenders in relation environmental and social issues relating to the Roy Hill Iron Ore Project, included lead role on a market first ‘gap analysis’ undertaken between Australian environmental and social laws and IFC Performance Standards and Equator Principles.
  • EMR Capital in relation to environmental liabilities associated with acquisition and (unique to Queensland) ‘chain or responsibility’ legislation associated with a proposed acquisition in Queensland.
  • Macquarie on various investments in carbon off-set projects and associated arrangements for management and trading of generated carbon credits.
  • Eurogarages in relation to environmental and contamination liability and regulatory issues associated with its acquisition of Woolworths’ fuel and convenience businesses.
  • Undisclosed Private Equity Fund in relation to the proposed acquisition of Orica’s New South Wales chemicals assets including advice on environmental and contamination liability and potential liability apportionment as part of transaction structure.
  • Alkane Resources in relation to the first Western Australian application for native title compensation, lodged in the Federal Court by the Tjirwal People, including as lead counsel on preparing, formulating and drafting arguments in response to applicant and State positions including on interpretation and effect of s.125A Mining Act 1978 (WA) on liability for compensation relating to mining tenements.

Published Work

  • Emerging Asia powering ahead with decarbonisation agenda (November 2023)
  • Snapshot of Australia’s renewable energy market (November 2022)
  • Financing the gap: a blueprint for decarbonisation (November 2022)
  • COP26 APAC has come a long way on climate commitments (December 2021)
  • 'Review of Margaret River Resources Pty Ltd v Shire of Augusta-Margaret River & ors' (2001) 20 AMPLJ 126-132
  • 'Case note on Re Calder: Ex Parte St Barbara Mines Ltd' (2000) 19 AMPLJ 70-81

Speaking Engagements

  • Panellist, De-risking the CCS Value Chain to Encourage Further Investments, Australia and Southeast Asia Forum on CCS, Global CCS Institute, Perth 2024
  • Speaker, Managing Non-Technical Risks: ESG, Sustainability and Coexistence, SPE Asia Pacific Unconventional Hydrocarbons Symposium, Brisbane 2023
  • Speaker, Partnerships – Fuelling the Rise of the Green Hydrogen Economy, Connecting Green Hydrogen, Melbourne 2023
  • Speaker, Incentivising Hydrogen – A Look at Global Approaches, SPE Technical and Strategic Hydrogen Symposium, Perth 2023
  • Speaker, Greenwashing – New Frontiers and risks for the Energy and Resources Sector, ER Law Seminar Series, Perth 2023
  • Speaker, Hydrogen, Beyond the Term Sheet, Investing in Green Hydrogen, Singapore 2022
  • Speaker, Drafting for Certainty in a Still Uncertain Hydrogen World, Connecting Green Hydrogen, Melbourne 2022
  • Speaker, Decarbonising and Finance Energy Transition, Asia Pacific Loan Market Association, Singapore 2022
  • Speaker, The Winds of Change: How Climate Change Litigation is Raising the Temperature for Industry, Association of International Energy Negotiators, Perth 2022
  • Speaker, ESG factors in M&A and Fundraising, Allen & Overy Australian Corporate Academy, 2023
  • Speaker, ESG Trends and Developments for Corporates, Allen & Overy Australian Corporate Academy, 2022
  • Speaker, Climate Change and the Future of Energy – What is the Role of Carbon Trading?, Allen & Overy Energy & Infrastructure Webinar Series, October 2021
  • Speaker, Mining Rights Agreements, Legalwise, Perth 2016-2019
  • Speaker, Legal Issues Mining in Africa, International Bar Association Conference, Seoul, 2017
  • Speaker, The Relationship (and Interaction) between State Agreements and Legislation, Legalwise, Perth, 2017
  • Speaker, Legal Issues and Considerations with FLNG Developments: An Australian Perspective, Legalwise, Perth 2015
  • Speaker, Project Approvals in Western Australia, Legalwise Seminars, Perth 2013
  • Speaker, Managing Variations under Mining Services Contracts, Contract Mining Australia Conference, Perth 2013
  • Speaker, Avoiding Delays in Mining Project Approvals and Permits, Mining Projects and Approvals Conference, Perth, 2010
  • Speaker, Challenges in and Strategies for dealing with Concurrent Mining and Petroleum Operations - A Western Australian Perspective, Western Australian Mining Law Conference, Perth, 2009
  • Speaker, Managing Delays and Approval of Mining Projects in Western Australia, Western Australian Mining Law Conference, Perth, 2007
  • Lecturer, Mine Contracting Law, Curtin University School of Mines 2002-2003 
  • Lecturer, Mining Law, University of Western Australia Mining Law Workshop 2002

Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations

  • Member, Association of International Energy Negotiators
  • Member, ER Law/Australian Mining and Petroleum Lawyers’ Association
  • Member, Law Society of Western Australia
  • Member, State Committee, Australian Mining and Petroleum Lawyers’ Association 2006-2007 and 2011
  • Member, Mining Act and Regulations Committee, Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia 2006-2007 

Recognition

“Goran Galic is a very commercial, deal-savvy energy and resources lawyer who provides top-shelf advice and support in all aspects of the sector including project development, overseas mining joint ventures, and M&A deals in the space.”
Legal 500 Australia, Project Development 2021
“Goran Galic is noted for his role in long-term energy and utilities projects and complex regulatory matters, particularly relating to LNG.”
Legal 500 Australia, Energy (transactions and regulatory) 2022

Qualifications

Admissions

Foreign Registered Lawyer, England and Wales 2016
Admitted as a Solicitor, Victoria, Australia 2003
Admitted as solicitor, Western Australia, Australia, 1994

Academic

Master of Business Administration (MBA), University of Western Australia 2001

Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of Western Australia 1994

Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.