Xiaogang (Sean) Wang
Registered Foreign Lawyer
Sean focuses on project development/financing and energy M&A transactions, and has been consistently ranked by Chambers as a Band 1 lawyer in China’s energy and infrastructure area since 2020.
Sean’s clients include large Chinese SOEs including PetroChina, Sinopec, Shanghai Electric, State Grid and Harbin Electric, as well as major financial institutions such as China Development Bank, China Exim Bank, ICBC, Bank of China, China Construction Bank and Bank of Communications.
Expertise
Experience
Representative matters
1. PetroChina International in connection with the restructuring of its participating interest in Rumaila, the world’s third largest oil field, opposite BP plc. This is the largest assets restructure in the oil and gas industry.
2. PetroChina International in connection with its proposed acquisition of ExxonMobil’s participating interest in the West Qurna 1 oil field, and assuming the lead contractor role thereafter, the first undertaking by a Chinese oil major in a major oil field.
3. Shanghai Electric in its development and financing of a US$3 billion mine mouth greenfield power project (consisting of a 7.8 million ton coal mine and a 660MW IPP) in Thar block, Pakistan, which is the largest energy project in China’s Belt and Road Program.
4. China Exim, China Development Bank, Silk Road Fund and International Finance Corporation in connection with the development and financing of the US$1.69 billion, 720 MW Karot hydropower plant in Pakistan.
5. ICBC, Bank of China, China Construction Bank and China Agricultural Bank, together with 10+ international and regional lenders in connection with the US$3.4 billion Hassyan Coal-Fired Project in Dubai.
Sponsors / Acquirers
• PetroChina International in connection with:
o investment in Arrow, an LNG JV between PetroChina and Shell.
o proposed investment in an integrated upstream and downstream JV together with Petrobras in Brazil.
o the establishment of its first global R&D center in Dubai, U.A.E.
o acquisitions and dispositions of its participation interests in ongoing projects in various Mid Asia countries (e.g., Kazakhstan).
o investments and divestures in various Latin American countries, including Chile, Peru and Brazil.
• State Grid International Development Limited's 24% strategic investment in Independent Power Transmission Operator S.A., the Transmission System Operator in Greece.
• Kinetic Energy, a HKSE listed company, in its development of a diamond project in Angola.
• Bank of Communications Co., Ltd., in its acquisition of Banco BBM S.A. in Brazil, the first overseas acquisition conducted by the bank in its 140 years history.
• China Taiping in the development of the tallest residential tower in downtown Manhattan, next to the World Trade Center.
• China Machinery Engineering Company in its proposed acquisition of power transmission assets in Turkey.
• China Datang Telecom as borrower in relation to its 3 billion HK dollar quasi-leveraged financing to acquire certain shares in a telecom company listed in HKEX.
+V12• China Development Bank, China Construction Bank, HSBC, Standard Chartered and other commercial lenders in the US$2 billion VT 3 power project in Vietnam, to be developed by China Light and Power.
• ICBC, Standard Bank, Africa Development Bank and other commercial lenders in the US$1.7 billion financing of the 930 MW coal-fired power plant in Lamu county, Kenya, to be constructed by Power China.
2. PetroChina International in connection with its proposed acquisition of ExxonMobil’s participating interest in the West Qurna 1 oil field, and assuming the lead contractor role thereafter, the first undertaking by a Chinese oil major in a major oil field.
3. Shanghai Electric in its development and financing of a US$3 billion mine mouth greenfield power project (consisting of a 7.8 million ton coal mine and a 660MW IPP) in Thar block, Pakistan, which is the largest energy project in China’s Belt and Road Program.
4. China Exim, China Development Bank, Silk Road Fund and International Finance Corporation in connection with the development and financing of the US$1.69 billion, 720 MW Karot hydropower plant in Pakistan.
5. ICBC, Bank of China, China Construction Bank and China Agricultural Bank, together with 10+ international and regional lenders in connection with the US$3.4 billion Hassyan Coal-Fired Project in Dubai.
Sponsors / Acquirers
• PetroChina International in connection with:
o investment in Arrow, an LNG JV between PetroChina and Shell.
o proposed investment in an integrated upstream and downstream JV together with Petrobras in Brazil.
o the establishment of its first global R&D center in Dubai, U.A.E.
o acquisitions and dispositions of its participation interests in ongoing projects in various Mid Asia countries (e.g., Kazakhstan).
o investments and divestures in various Latin American countries, including Chile, Peru and Brazil.
• State Grid International Development Limited's 24% strategic investment in Independent Power Transmission Operator S.A., the Transmission System Operator in Greece.
• Kinetic Energy, a HKSE listed company, in its development of a diamond project in Angola.
• Bank of Communications Co., Ltd., in its acquisition of Banco BBM S.A. in Brazil, the first overseas acquisition conducted by the bank in its 140 years history.
• China Taiping in the development of the tallest residential tower in downtown Manhattan, next to the World Trade Center.
• China Machinery Engineering Company in its proposed acquisition of power transmission assets in Turkey.
• China Datang Telecom as borrower in relation to its 3 billion HK dollar quasi-leveraged financing to acquire certain shares in a telecom company listed in HKEX.
+V12• China Development Bank, China Construction Bank, HSBC, Standard Chartered and other commercial lenders in the US$2 billion VT 3 power project in Vietnam, to be developed by China Light and Power.
• ICBC, Standard Bank, Africa Development Bank and other commercial lenders in the US$1.7 billion financing of the 930 MW coal-fired power plant in Lamu county, Kenya, to be constructed by Power China.
Speaking Engagements
- Speaker, Young Lawyers Program, Shearman & Sterling, August 2020
Recognition
“Sean Wang is a lawyer with great passion and sophisticated legal capacity. He always responds in a timely manner and he has a commercial vision that is balanced with legal awareness.”
Chambers Greater China Region, 2024
“Sean is very experienced in the energy industry and can always think for the client”
Chambers Greater China Region, 2024
Awards
- Band 1 lawyer for Projects & Infrastructure (International Firms) in China, Chambers Greater China Region, 2024
- Band 1 lawyer for Projects & Infrastructure (International Firms) in China, Chambers Greater China Region, 2023
- Band 1 lawyer for Projects & Infrastructure (International Firms) in China, Chambers Greater China Region, 2022
- Band 1 lawyer for Projects & Infrastructure in China and Hong Kong, Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2021
- Band 1 lawyer for Projects & Infrastructure in China and Hong Kong, Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2020
Qualifications
Admissions
People's Republic of China (non-practicing), 1994
New York, 2001
New York, 2001
Academic
LL.B., China University of Political Science And Law, 1993
M.A., China University of Political Science And Law, 1996
J.S.M., Stanford Law School, 1999
Doctorate Studies, Stanford University, 2001
M.A., China University of Political Science And Law, 1996
J.S.M., Stanford Law School, 1999
Doctorate Studies, Stanford University, 2001
Languages
English, Mandarin Chinese
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.