UK: energy boost

Offshore law firm Ogier has advised British gas and oil explorer and FTSE 250 listed Ophir Energy on its recent placing and rights issue, which has seen Ophir generate approximately £533 million.
According to the firm, the proceeds from these equity raises will be used to amplify Ophir's drilling programs in Tanzania, Kenya and Gabon as well as assist Ophir in acquiring future assets for its portfolio.
Paul Burton, Managing Associate at Ogier in Jersey commented: ‘The dual purpose (placing and rights issue) of the Jersey cashbox here demonstrates the flexibility of a vehicle which is able to meet PLC secondary fundraising requirements in a tailored way.  The ability to provide both Jersey legal input and corporate administration support to clients is key in these types of transactions.’
The Ogier Jersey legal team was led by corporate partner Marc Yates who was supported by Paul Burton, Sean Inggs and Laura Hendrick.  
The team worked alongside members of Linklaters in London.

Japan: new digs

Magic circle law firm Clifford Chance had advised MGPA on behalf of MGPA Asien Spezialfonds - which targets German-speaking institutional investors - on two property investments in Japan.
In a statement, the London-based law firm said that the investments comprise the acquisition of two Tokyo office buildings, South Shin Otsuka building in Otsuka and Shinjuku TX building in Shinjuku.
CC’s Tokyo team was led by Tokyo partners Eiichi Kanda and Leng-Fong Lai, supported by partner Miho Mizuguchi.

UK: go green

Non-profit organisations The Green Deal Finance Company has been advised by London law firm Linklaters has on its establishment and financing agreements.
According to the magic circle firm, the initial fundraising programme successfully closed this week. It includes £65 million of subordinated financing from key stakeholders in TGDFC, including industry participants, together with financing from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and a senior finance facility of £125 million from the UK Green Investment Bank.
Lead partner Bruce White commented: ‘The green deal programme is a key initiative of DECC, and were happy to advise on the establishment of the funding vehicle, TGDFC, and its successful fundraising.’

US: patent grab

International law firm Hogan Lovells has announced it has secured antitrust clearance from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) for client Arris’ proposed US$2.35 billion purchase of Google’s Motorola Home unit.
The clearance was the final step in the technology company’s acquisition, which is expected to close later this week.
Arris expects to gain close to 1,000 patents covering, among other things, technology used in video processing and digital rights management.
The Hogan Lovells team was led by Washington DC partner Logan Breed.

Saudi Arabia: building blocks

New York-headquartered law firm White & Case is advising Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) in connection with a US$2 billion sukuk issuance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to provide financing to its joint-venture subsidiaries Sadara Chemical Company (Sadara) and Sadara Basic Services Company (SBSC).
The move is part of a proposed US$20 billion financing plan for the construction of the Sadara petrochemical complex at Jubail Industrial City II, in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom.
The White & case team was led by partners Tom Bartlett (London), Euan Pinkerton (Riyadh) and Shibeer Ahmed (Abu Dhabi).