People
Simon Fraser is a senior corporate partner based in our Abu Dhabi office, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and corporate structuring for major projects and strategic investments. He has practiced in the USA, London, the Middle East, Asia and Australia, and has more than 25 years’ experience structuring and executing complex cross-border transactions and projects for market leading clients around the world.
Simon represents sovereigns, corporate clients, family offices and investment banks on regional and international transactions and projects across a wide range of industries, with a particular focus in energy and resources (including renewables and petrochemicals), infrastructure, telecommunications, manufacturing and technology. He is recognised as a leading individual in major directories, including Legal 500 (“Hall of Fame”), Chambers and Partners and IFLR1000.
A commercial outcomes focused lawyer, Simon has extensive experience managing major complex international transactions and projects for clients, and also negotiating agreements with governments. His clients have included ADNOC, ADNOC Gas, Borouge, EGA, KPC, PIC, KPI, KUFPEC, BHP, Rio Tinto, Multiplex, Geltec, Venice Energy, ADES, Sojitz, Mitsui, MMG, Transmed and Santos.
Simon has held a senior commercial role with a large international power company in the United States, and has been seconded to BHP as general counsel for a business unit and member of the executive committee for the business.
Simon is ranked in the “Hall of Fame” by Legal 500 for Oil, Gas and Natural Resources transactions, and referred to as “very capable and highly experienced across all aspects of the sector”, and commended for being “very user-friendly, flexible and responsive to client requirements”, while also being “a pleasure to work with”, and “a key name of note.” He is included as a leading individual by Chambers and Partners for Corporate/M&A (Abu Dhabi-based), Corporate/M&A (Kuwait) and Projects & Energy (Kuwait), and by IFLR1000 for M&A. He has previously been recognised by Best Lawyers as a leading lawyer in Energy Law, Mining Law and Natural Resources Law in Australia, and Melbourne Mining Law “Lawyer of the Year” 2016. He is considered “a seasoned lawyer on sales and acquisitions, particularly when it comes to representing clients in the energy and oil and gas sectors”, noted as having “a very calm approach”, and “good at managing a large team and bringing forward a focal point”, while being “highly experienced in oil and gas matters.”
Bachelor of Laws, University of Western Australia
England and Wales
High Court of Australia
New York
Supreme Court of Western Australia
August 22, 2024
King & Spalding advises EGA on Majority Stake Acquisition in U.S.-based Spectro Alloys
February 16, 2024
King & Spalding Earns Strong Rankings in Chambers Global 2024 Guide
December 18, 2023
King & Spalding Expands Middle East M&A and Energy Practices with Addition of Partners Simon Fraser and Matt Hartsuyker
Prior to joining the firm, Simon advised:
ADNOC on all aspects of the reorganisation and consolidation of its gas businesses and establishment of ADNOC Gas, one of the largest gas companies in the world (now listed, value around $70bn) – IJInvestor Awards 2023 “Oil & Gas Acquisition of the Year.”
Major regional investor on all aspects of its bids to acquire (and ultimately its acquisition as a consortium member of) interests in each of (i) Saudi Aramco’s gas pipeline system within KSA (overall transaction value exceeding $15.5bn), and (ii) Saudi Aramco’s crude pipeline system within KSA (overall transaction value exceeding $12.4bn).
Sojitz on all aspects of the acquisition of a substantial interest in the Mirfa IWPP project in Abu Dhabi from Shuaa Capital, one of the first sales of an Abu Dhabi IWPP interest.
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August 8, 2024
Alternative Financing Models for Real Estate and Infrastructure in Saudi Arabia
August 22, 2024
King & Spalding advises EGA on Majority Stake Acquisition in U.S.-based Spectro Alloys
February 16, 2024
King & Spalding Earns Strong Rankings in Chambers Global 2024 Guide
December 18, 2023
King & Spalding Expands Middle East M&A and Energy Practices with Addition of Partners Simon Fraser and Matt Hartsuyker
Prior to joining the firm, Simon advised:
ADNOC on all aspects of the reorganisation and consolidation of its gas businesses and establishment of ADNOC Gas, one of the largest gas companies in the world (now listed, value around $70bn) – IJInvestor Awards 2023 “Oil & Gas Acquisition of the Year.”
Major regional investor on all aspects of its bids to acquire (and ultimately its acquisition as a consortium member of) interests in each of (i) Saudi Aramco’s gas pipeline system within KSA (overall transaction value exceeding $15.5bn), and (ii) Saudi Aramco’s crude pipeline system within KSA (overall transaction value exceeding $12.4bn).
Sojitz on all aspects of the acquisition of a substantial interest in the Mirfa IWPP project in Abu Dhabi from Shuaa Capital, one of the first sales of an Abu Dhabi IWPP interest.
See more
August 8, 2024
Alternative Financing Models for Real Estate and Infrastructure in Saudi Arabia
August 22, 2024
King & Spalding advises EGA on Majority Stake Acquisition in U.S.-based Spectro Alloys
February 16, 2024
King & Spalding Earns Strong Rankings in Chambers Global 2024 Guide
December 18, 2023
King & Spalding Expands Middle East M&A and Energy Practices with Addition of Partners Simon Fraser and Matt Hartsuyker
Bachelor of Laws, University of Western Australia
England and Wales
High Court of Australia
New York
Supreme Court of Western Australia