Our People
Michael O'Connor is noted for his "excellent ability to convey the relevant law to a projects team."
Projects: Chambers Europe 2010
Michael O'Connor "can compete with the very best lawyers internationally." He is described as a "cerebral, clear and concise lawyer."
Energy and Natural Resources: Chambers Europe 2010
Michael O'Connor is singled out by clients as "responsive, hard-working and commercially minded."
Projects, Energy and Construction: European Legal 500 2010
"Michael O'Connor has a reputation for working formidably hard to ensure work is of the highest quality and delivered within deadlines."
Energy and Natural Resources: Chambers Europe 2009
Sources say that Michael provides "long-term, multifaceted and strategic advice."
Projects: Chambers Europe 2009
A "recognised expert in energy-related transactions."
European Legal 500 2008
"Michael O'Connor's expertise and knowledge of the energy industry is invaluable."
European Legal 500 2008
Enjoying "a very strong reputation" in the field, Michael O'Connor is "one of the leading energy lawyers in Ireland" who wins plaudits for his "open, frank and professional manner." Clients appreciate this "industrious, practical lawyer with good interpersonal skills," and highlight his experience and good connections in the field as real drawcards. "He is easy to deal with, investigates issues diligently and responds quickly when needed," said one interviewee.
Chambers Europe 2008
Michael O'Connor has "experience and knowledge of the local market and local precedents and is proactive in identifying additional opportunities," remark clients. He stands out for his energy expertise but also garners praise for his considerable project and project finance experience, both in Ireland and internationally.
Chambers Europe 2008
Michael is also recognised as a leading lawyer by other international legal directories, including Chambers Global, Euromoney Expert Guides, PLC Which Lawyer, Who's Who Legal and IFLR1000.
Expertise
Michael is a partner and head of the Projects, Energy and Construction Group at Matheson Ormsby Prentice which he founded in 1999. He has almost 20 years experience of advising on major national and international energy and infrastructure projects. He has extensive experience acting for regulators, governments, sponsors, funders and contractors on oil and gas field developments, major elecrtricity projects, gas and electricity market reform, renewable energy, gas and electricity trading, gas and electricity networks, privatisations, road and transport infrastructure. He is ranked by legal directories Chambers Europe, European Legal 500, PLC "Which Lawyer?" and IFLR 1000 as one of the leading project finance and energy lawyers in Ireland. Prior to joining Matheson Ormsby Prentice in 1999 Michael worked with Clifford Chance LLP.
Michael is a member of the International Bar Association and the Energy Institute. He is a frequent speaker at Energy and Natural Resources and Privatisations conferences and regularly contributes articles to Project Finance International and other specialist publications.
Education
Trinity College Dublin, Bachelor of Laws
University of Cambridge, Master of Laws
College of Law, Lancaster Gate, London
Qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales (non-practising)
Highlights
Energy and Natural Resources Mergers and Acquisitions
Michael has advised:
- Bidder in relation to bid for international zinc mining assets
- Realm Energy International in relation to the agreement which wil see Lan Leon Energy plc acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Realm
- Endesa S.A. in relation to its acquisition of 1,300MW of generation assets
- Bord Na Móna in relation to the acquisition of the Edenderry peat fired powerstation from E.O.N
- Electrabel in relation to its bid for major Irish portfolio of wind generation assets
- Vermilion Energy in relation to its acquisition of Marathon interest in Corrib gas field
Privatisations and Re-organisation of State Assets
Michael has advised:
- the Minister for Public Enterprise and Minister for Finance in relation to the privatisation of the Whitgate oil Refinery and Bantry Oil Storage Terminal
- Endesa S.A in relation to acquisition of portfolio of electricity generation assets from state owned Electricity Supply Board
- Bord Na Móna on the acquisition of a 115MW Peat Fired Power Station from EON
- the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in relation to the re-organisation of the National Oils Reserve Agency (NORA)
- Government of Jordan in relation to the proposed privatisation of Royal Jordanian Airways
- Government of Saudi Arabia in relation to proposed privatisation of Saudi Telecoms
- a bidder in relation to the privatisation of the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity sector
- the Minister for Transport in relation to re-structuring of Irish Airport Operator, Aer Rianta
- the Minister for Transport in relation to competition to operate new terminal at Dublin Airport
Energy Infrastructure
Michael has advised:
- Shannon LNG on all aspects of the development of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility and associated gas pipeline infrastructure at Ballylongford Co. Kerry
- Tynagh Energy Ltd on all aspect of the development, design, construction, financing and subsequent re-financing of 400 MW combined cycle gas turbine power plant
- Barclays Bank plc in relation to project financing of 343 MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine power plant at Huntstown Co. Dublin
- Barclays Bank plc in relation to project financing of Isle of Mann spur pipeline for transportation of natural gas
- Bank of Scotland in relation to project financing of major gas field development
- lenders in relation to structure and financing of several CHP facilities
- sponsors and banks in relation to the development and financing of several on-shore and off-shore wind farms
- developers in relation to several biomass projects
- international developers in relation to off-shore oil and gas arrangements including petroleum leases, farm-in agreements, joint operating agreements, drilling contracts and oil field services arrangements
- international oil companies on aviation fuel storage and transportation at several international airports
- international utility in relation to wave and tidal energy generation projects
- KBC/IIB Bank in relation to all aspects of project financing of 26 MW Altahullion Wind Farm in Northern Ireland
- Itochu on major aspects of two-train LNG project being developed and financed in the Persian Gulf including LNG SPAs, Equipment Procurement Contracts for Onshore LNG facilities and LNG Storage Facilities, Site Preparation Agreements, supply of Cryogenic Heat Exchangers and Refrigeration Compressor Equipment, Equipment Procurement and Fabrication Contracts for Offshore Platforms and Pipelines (including intrafield pipelines), and Drilling contracts
Energy Regulation and Reform
Michael has advised:
- the Commission for Energy Regulation and Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation in relation to the legislative and licensing requirements for the introduction of the All Island, Single Electricity Market
- the Commission for Energy Regulation and Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation in relation to the transition from the Irish bilateral electricity trading arrangements to the All Island, Single Electricity Market
- numerous new market entrants on the gas and electricity regulatory arrangements in Ireland in the context of the development, financing and construction of gas and electricity infrastructure
- one of the bidders (National Power) in connection with its bid for the privatisation of the Abu Dhabi water and electricity sector
Transport Infrastructure
Michael has advised:
- the Minister for Transport in relation to re-structuring of Irish Airport Operator, Aer Rianta
- the Minister for Transport in relation to competition to operate new terminal at Dublin Airport
- Cathró Consortium in relation to bid for Dublin Metro North, Public Private Partnership
- Line B1 Construction in relation to LUAS extension from Sandyford to Cherrywood
- bidder in relation to LUAS Operating Contract
- bidders in relation to several NRA PPP projects including M3 Clonee - Kells; N7/N8 and N 25
- Government of Jordan in relation to proposed privatisation of Royal Jordanian Airlines
