Energy, Oil & Gas – Pipelines & Midstream

Pipelines & Midstream Activities

Oil and gas pipelines and midstream energy infrastructure projects represent one of the most highly regulated and legally complex segments of the global energy sector. Transmission and transportation networks, storage facilities, LNG terminals and related midstream assets operate at the intersection of public law, energy regulation, international investment law and long-term commercial arrangements — frequently cross-border in nature, involving multiple jurisdictions, regulatory authorities and stakeholders.

Mermeroglu Legal provides comprehensive legal advisory services for pipeline and midstream energy infrastructure projects operating under diverse national and international energy regulatory regimes. The firm advises on crude oil and natural gas pipelines, transmission and transportation systems, storage facilities, LNG infrastructure and integrated midstream assets.

Through its international legal network, the firm supports project sponsors, pipeline operators, energy companies, EPC contractors, investors and financial institutions throughout the full lifecycle — from early-stage structuring, route planning and regulatory strategy to licensing, contractual implementation, tariff arrangements, risk allocation and dispute resolution.

Sector & Regulatory Focus

  • Crude Oil & Natural Gas Pipelines
  • LNG Terminals & Storage Infrastructure
  • Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)
  • Renewable Energy — Wind, Solar, Hydro
  • Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) Framework
  • EU Energy Regulatory Package
  • BOTAS & Turkish Energy Market Law (EPDK)

Pipeline & Midstream Project Structuring

Pipeline and midstream projects are typically developed through dedicated project companies (special purpose vehicles – SPVs) that function as the legal, regulatory and financial nucleus of the project. Effective SPV structuring is essential to ensure regulatory compliance, project bankability and long-term operational flexibility.

Mermeroglu Legal advises on SPV formation, ownership and governance structures, shareholder arrangements, financing interfaces and risk allocation mechanisms. Particular attention is given to aligning corporate structures with licensing requirements, public law constraints, lender expectations and long-term operational considerations — ensuring that project entities remain resilient throughout construction, operation, expansion and refinancing phases.

Energy Regulation & Licensing Frameworks

Energy regulation and licensing form the legal backbone of all pipeline and midstream infrastructure projects. Licensing regimes determine who may construct and operate energy infrastructure, under what conditions, at what capacity and subject to which tariff, access and compliance obligations.

Mermeroglu Legal advises on energy regulation and licensing strategies across multiple jurisdictions, including permitting processes, licence scope and duration, amendment and transfer procedures, regulatory compliance and interaction with energy authorities. Particular emphasis is placed on regulatory change, third-party access obligations, tariff regulation and operational transparency requirements — all with direct implications for commercial viability and financing.

Transportation, Throughput & Operational Agreements

Transportation, throughput, capacity reservation and operations agreements constitute the operational and commercial core of pipeline and midstream projects. These agreements govern how hydrocarbons are transported, how capacity is allocated and monetised, and how predictable long-term revenue streams are secured.

Mermeroglu Legal advises on the structuring and negotiation of transportation and throughput agreements, ship-or-pay and take-or-pay arrangements, tariff mechanisms, balancing and nomination systems, and operations and maintenance (O&M) contracts — ensuring that contractual frameworks are fully aligned with regulatory requirements, technical design and financing models.

Transit, Route & Cross-Border Coordination

Transit and route structuring is a decisive component of cross-border pipeline and midstream projects. Legal frameworks governing land access, expropriation, easement rights, environmental approvals and cross-border coordination directly affect construction feasibility, project timelines and operational continuity. Mermeroglu Legal supports clients in route planning, permit sequencing, stakeholder engagement and cross-border regulatory coordination.

Disputes, Risk Management & Arbitration

Pipeline and midstream projects are inherently exposed to dispute risk arising from construction delays, cost overruns, regulatory intervention, tariff disputes, capacity constraints, force majeure events and political or sovereign actions. The firm advises on dispute prevention at the structuring stage and represents clients in arbitration under ICC, ICSID and UNCITRAL rules, integrating enforcement considerations from the outset.

Service Areas

01

Renewables & Energy Transition

Legal advisory for wind, solar, hydro and hydrogen projects — covering regulatory licensing, PPA structuring, grid connection agreements, ESG frameworks and cross-border investment structuring for energy transition assets across Türkiye, the EU, Scandinavia and Central Asia.

02

Project Finance & Investment Structures

Energy projects require bankable contractual and corporate structures acceptable to multilateral lenders and commercial banks. The firm advises on aligning energy contracts, security packages, offtake agreements and regulatory permits with project financing requirements and investment protection frameworks.

03

Host Government & Concession Agreements

Cross-border energy projects often require host government agreements, concession contracts and stability arrangements. The firm advises on structuring and negotiating these frameworks, addressing stabilisation clauses, sovereign guarantees, regulatory risk allocation and enforcement mechanisms across jurisdictions.

Our Approach

Integrated Energy & Pipeline Legal Advisory

Mermeroglu Legal approaches energy, oil & gas and midstream infrastructure projects through an integrated legal model combining regulatory expertise, contractual structuring and dispute resolution capability. By aligning legal frameworks with technical, commercial and financing realities, the firm supports clients in developing, operating and protecting complex pipeline and midstream assets across jurisdictions.

  • Navigating multi-jurisdictional energy regulatory frameworks
  • Structuring bankable project companies and contractual frameworks
  • Managing cross-border risk from project development to enforcement

Discuss Your Energy Project

Contact us to discuss energy, pipeline or midstream legal matters and how we can support your project across jurisdictions.

Get in Touch →