Nadine Amr, Partner, Baker Botts
Nadine Amr is a partner with the Global Projects practice, based in the firm's London office. She advises clients on mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures and project development across the energy sector globally.
Nadine has been ranked as "Up and Coming" in Chambers Global (2024-2025), and is described in Chambers UK (2026) as "a complete professional" who is "very strong in all areas."
Nadine is active in the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN) and was one of the drafters of the AIEN's 2023 Model International Joint Operating Agreement, which updates and supplements one of the most widely used model form JOAs in the international upstream oil and gas industry.
Pablo Blanco, General Counsel, Repsol
Pablo Blanco was appointed secretary to the Board of Directors of Repsol, S.A. following the Board's resolution on April 26, 2023.
Mr. Blanco is the general counsel and a member of the Executive Committee at Repsol. He coordinates Repsol's legal counseling, corporate governance, and defense services, while defining policies, regulations, and processes for action to ensure that the company's undertakings are within the established legal frameworks. He also leads the Compliance Function and acts as chairman of the Ethics and Compliance Committee.
He joined Repsol as director of Regulation and Competition in 2005 and has headed the Legal Division of Exploration and Production (E&P) since 2008.
In 1999, he became a Spanish state attorney and was appointed director of Legal Services of the National Energy Commission in 2001.
Mr. Blanco holds a degree in law and business administration from the Universidad Pontificia de Comillas and is a solicitor of England and Wales (United Kingdom).
David Blumental, Head of Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure - Asia, Simmons & Simmons
David is a highly skilled practitioner specializing in cross-border mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, joint ventures, private equity investments, project development, and finance. With over 20 years of experience in China and the Asia-Pacific region, along with virtual native fluency in Mandarin, he adeptly bridges cultural and language gaps between Chinese and international parties.
In the energy, natural resources, and infrastructure sector, David excels as a seasoned advisor, guiding Asia-based and international clients through diverse cross-border transactions. His expertise includes upstream oil and gas, LNG project development, long-term offtake agreements, FPSO/FSO charters and operating agreements, and other energy transactions and M&A deals.
Joining Simmons in 2023, David has received well-deserved recognition for his exceptional skills, earning a prestigious Band 1 ranking by Chambers as a top practitioner in the energy and natural resources field.
Andrew Brocklebank, Head of Legal and Company Secretary, Adura
Andrew worked as a senior lawyer at Shell for 22 years, latterly as Managing Counsel for Shell’s UK Upstream Business. He was previously General Counsel and Company Secretary for the Brunei Shell JV companies and held several senior legal counsel roles with Shell in the Netherlands in M&A, New Business Development, Exploration and Technology. Andrew was appointed Head of Legal and Company Secretary for Adura Energy Limited (a Shell/Equinor IJV) on 1 December 2025.
Natalia Bodalo Lozano, Head of Legal – Refining and Energy Parks, MOEVE
Natalia Bódalo is Head of Legal of Energy Parks and Exploration and Production at Moeve, a position from which she plays a key role in supporting the company’s strategic transformation and long‑term sustainability ambitions.
With more than 30 years of experience in the legal sector, both in private practice and in‑house roles, she joined Moeve over two decades ago and has since built a distinguished career advising the company on complex, high‑impact matters across multiple jurisdictions, consolidating her reputation as a trusted strategic advisor to the business.
In her current role, Natalia provides comprehensive legal support to Moeve’s Energy Parks and Exploration and Production (E&P) businesses, operating in technically demanding, highly regulated and international environments. She has been a central figure in the implementation of Moeve’s 2030 strategy, Positive Motion, particularly through her leadership in the divestment of a significant portion of the company’s oil and gas assets. These transactions have been instrumental in accelerating Moeve’s transition towards a more sustainable energy model, aligned with its decarbonization objectives and broader ESG commitments.
Throughout her tenure, Natalia has led and advised on landmark projects of major strategic importance, including the development of the Medgaz pipeline linking Algeria and Spain, large‑scale E&P acquisition processes, and the management of complex onshore and offshore operations across Algeria, the United Arab Emirates, Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia. Her work spans the full life cycle of upstream assets, from exploration and development through production, divestment and decommissioning, as well as the current operation and future expansion of Energy Parks assets.
In addition, Natalia is responsible for the governance and legal oversight of multiple joint ventures involving both national and international partners. She provides ongoing strategic advice on contracting, operations and maintenance, major engineering and construction projects, and international arbitration proceedings. Her ability to combine deep technical expertise with a pragmatic business mindset has been instrumental in navigating complex negotiations and protecting the company’s interests in challenging environments.
A committed and inclusive leader, Natalia heads a diverse, multicultural legal team with strong international exposure. She places particular emphasis on talent development, resilience and adaptability, actively supporting her team through periods of transformation and change. Several members of her team have progressed into key roles within Moeve, contributing directly to the execution of the company’s strategic roadmap.
Widely recognised for her integrity, leadership and contribution to the legal community, Natalia participates actively in international forums and professional associations within the energy sector. Her experience, strategic insight, and value-driven leadership make her a key pillar of Moeve’s legal function and a role model within the organization.
Hywel Davies, Partner, Slaughter and May
Hywel Davies is a Partner at Slaughter and May, ranked by Chambers as Band 1 in Energy & Natural Resources — Oil & Gas, and described by peers as “one of the strongest lawyers operating in the UK upstream oil and gas business.” Hywel has advised on a number of the landmark transactions in this space, including the combinations that led to the creation of Harbour Energy, NEO Next, NEO Next+, ONE Dyas, Repsol Sinopec UK and Spirit Energy, as well as many large portfolio deals involving North Sea assets for a wide range of clients.
Dolores Devoto, Head of Legal – Oil & Gas Energy Management, Galp
María Dolores (Lola) Devoto is Head of Legal for Oil & Gas Energy Management at Galp, where she leads the legal team advising on the global trading and supply of oil, oil products, biofuels, natural gas and LNG. She also advises on shipping law and arbitration.
Prior to joining Galp in 2022, Lola was an in-house lawyer at Naturgy, where she mainly advised on the national and international wholesale supply and trading of natural gas and LNG. She previously practised as an associate in international tax planning at Baker McKenzie in Madrid.
Lola holds a Bachelor's degree in Law from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.
Andy Derman, Partner, Holland & Knight
Andy Derman is an energy attorney in Holland & Knight's Dallas office, where he concentrates his practice on oil and gas investment projects and cross-border transactions. Mr. Derman is the leader of the firm's International Energy practice. He is Board Certified in Oil, Gas and Mineral Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Mr. Derman provides strategic commercial and business advice, as well as legal and commercial support, related to acquisitions, divestments, trades and mergers; large infrastructure projects, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), gas to liquids (GTL), geothermal, midstream, water purification and refineries; nationalization/expropriation; anti-corruption/Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and sanctions; unitizations; onshore and offshore boundary disputes; exploration, development and production operations; production sharing contracts; negotiations; and dispute resolution, including litigation, arbitration and expert testimony.
Mr. Derman has assisted clients in more than 80 countries on six continents and offers clients a comprehensive understanding of oil and gas activities through experience with a broad spectrum of countries and companies. Prior to joining Holland & Knight, he served as in-house counsel and later an executive for a large international oil and gas company for nearly 20 years. In addition to traditional legal representation, Mr. Derman also counsels clients on business development and commercial matters, including the identification and capture of oil and gas opportunities.
Mr. Derman is a frequent teacher and lecturer at conferences, seminars and universities on oil and gas-related topics. For more than 30 years, he has taught the full scope of oil and gas contracts, including host government contracts (production sharing, concession, license and service agreements) and industry contracts (joint operating agreements, accounting procedures, confidentiality agreements, study and bidding agreements, lifting agreements, farm-in and participation agreements, unitization agreements, infrastructure contracts, LNG contracts, etc.).
Daniel Heilbron Chrispim, Head of Legal – Upstream, Galp
Daniel Heilbron Chrispim is Head of Legal for Galp’s global upstream business, with experience across joint ventures, regulatory, commercial and transactional matters, with a focus on Brazil and sub-Saharan Africa. Daniel offers a vital comparative lens through his experience in the Brazilian upstream, where Galp has deep roots and where consolidation dynamics present both similarities and striking differences with the North Sea.
Julieta Fernández Madero, Head of Legal – E&P, Repsol
Julieta Fernández Madero, Legal Director for Exploration & Production at Repsol in Madrid. Julieta has over 25 years of experience in the international energy sector, spanning major oil and gas companies and specialist law firms. She began her career in Buenos Aires advising energy clients at leading boutiques before joining YPF as Senior Legal Counsel. After relocating to Madrid, she led Repsol's LNG Legal Services and subsequently held progressively senior positions within the E&P legal function across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, before being appointed as head of Legal in Repsol E&P in 2023 with responsibility for the legal function supporting Repsol's entire upstream business.
Joana Marques da Cruz, Head of M&A Legal, Galp
Joana Marques da Cruz is Head of Legal for M&A at Galp, where she leads the legal team advising on mergers and acquisitions – including structuring, negotiating and executing domestic and cross-border transactions, joint ventures, strategic partnerships and post-transaction integration – across Galp's business areas. Her recent upstream oil and gas transaction experience includes advising on Galp's strategic partnership with TotalEnergies in Namibia, involving the exchange of stakes in the Mopane and Venus offshore blocks, and on the completion of Galp's 10% stake divestment in the Area 4 concession in Mozambique's Rovuma Basin to XRG (ADNOC).
Before joining Galp in 2022, Joana was a Banking & Finance in-house lawyer at Novo Banco, advising the Group Treasury and Financing Department on financial markets, funding, hedging and treasury matters, and supporting the Board of Directors on regulatory and contractual commitments, including those associated with Lone Star Funds' acquisition of Novo Banco and the commitments undertaken by the Portuguese State with the European Union. She previously practised as a Banking & Finance associate at Uría Menéndez in Lisbon, where she also advised on capital markets, financial intermediation and M&A transactions.
Joana holds a Bachelor's in Law and a Master's in Law and Business from Católica University of Portugal and pursued recently an Executive Master in Finance at Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics, where she was awarded the "Women in Finance" scholarship.
José Luis Muñoz, M&A Director, Repsol
José Luis Muñoz is the Director of M&A and Upstream Business Development, and a Board Member at Neo Next Plus.
He brings over 20 years of international experience in the energy industry, with a proven track record of leading high-impact strategic projects.
In recent years, José Luis has played a pivotal leadership role in the creation and establishment of Neo Next Plus, driving its growth through a series of key corporate transactions. He possesses deep expertise and an extensive track record in the North Sea region, shaped by his previous role as CEO of Repsol Sinopec UK and his service as a Board Member of the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA).
Alexey Nikulin, Senior Legal Counsel, ADNOC Gas
Alexey Nikulin is a senior legal counsel with ADNOC Gas based in Abu Dhabi, where he is the legal focal point for the international joint-ventures that govern the liquefaction and marketing of natural gas and products to the international markets.
Prior to ADNOC Group, Alexey was based in Madrid, where he worked on international upstream projects and joint ventures, as part of CEPSA/MOEVE’s Legal Department.
Prior to CEPSA, Alexey was a senior lawyer with Shell Group, where his focus was on development of large-scale projects, joint-ventures, new business development and high-stake commercial negotiations. During his tenure with Shell Group, Alexey worked on international transactions worldwide, including out of the Netherlands and while on a long-term international assignment to Brunei Darussalam.
Alexey is an active member of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN) and was an AIEN Europe Chapter Director in 2024/2025.
Catherine Wasse, Commercial and Business Development Manager, Shell UK
Catherine Wasse is Commercial & Business Development Manager for Shell UK. During her 20-year career in the energy sector, she has held technical, strategic and commercial roles across the UK, the Netherlands and Malaysia. Her experience spans business development, portfolio strategy and acquisitions and divestments, helping shape investment and portfolio decisions across Shell's upstream business.