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Benjamin Ruffet Dubai Associate
Benjamin Ruffet Dubai Associate
Benjamin Ruffet
Associate
[email protected]
DETAILS
Practices
Global Projects
Industries
Energy
Details
Overview
Overview Admissions & Affiliations Experience
Practices
Global Projects
Industries
Energy

Overview

Benjamin Ruffet is an associate in our Global Projects practice based in Dubai. His practice focuses on the development of large-scale energy, infrastructure and natural resources projects, including conventional and renewable power, mining, and transport infrastructure.

Benjamin advises sponsors, developers, contractors, lenders and governments across the full lifecycle of international project development -- from bid stage and structuring, to construction and operation. He has particular experience in emerging markets, notably across Africa and the Middle East, and is also highly familiar with the OHADA legal framework, advising on corporate governance and project-related commercial matters.

Prior to relocating to the Middle East, Benjamin was based in Beijing, where he advised Chinese state-owned and private enterprises on outbound investments into Africa, including in the mining, infrastructure and energy sectors. His practice is characterized by his ability to bridge Chinese, African and international stakeholders on complex, multi-jurisdictional transactions.

Benjamin works fluently in English, French and Chinese.

Admissions & Affiliations

  • New York State Bar

Education

  • Master of Laws, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law 2015
  • Master of Laws, Université de Paris I Panthéon–Sorbonne 2014
  • Bachelor of Laws, Université de Paris I Panthéon–Sorbonne 2013

Experience

  • The Republic of Guinea on the US$15bn Simandou project, the world's largest mining and related rail and port infrastructure project.*
  • Limak on its EPC contract for the €2.5bn Antalya–Alanya Motorway public-private partnership ("PPP") project in Türkiye.*
  • A syndicate of lenders in connection with the due diligence of a 1500 MW open cycle gas turbine project in Abu Dhabi.*
  • A syndicate of lenders (international development banks) in connection with the due diligence of a 200MW wind farm in Egypt.*
  • An international sponsor in relation with its BID for the development of a gas landfill energy conversion project in Dubai.*
  • National Bank of Fujairah in connection with the due diligence on a portfolio of C&I solar projects to be developed in the UAE.*
  • A Chinese company on an EPC contract for the first biomass power plant in West Africa (review and drafting of contractual documents, negotiations with project owner and main subcontractor for biomass boilers).*
  • A Chinese company on the drafting and negotiation of a PPP contract for the construction and concession of a major highway in Senegal.*
  • A Chinese contractor on the renegotiation of a major EPC contract with the employer (the state of Guinea) following serious damages to the works (road).*
  • A Chinese mining company on the potential development of an alumina refinery in Guinea and its joint venture with international mining companies.*
  • A Chinese company on its acquisition of an interest in the concessionaire of a free trade zone in Djibouti.*
  • A Chinese mining company on the implementation of its mining concession in Guinea.*
  • Chinese companies on various corporate and commercial law issues, in particular OHADA law (corporate governance, secured transactions, etc.).*
  • Advising Finder Energy on the negotiation and drafting of a FEED contract, FPSO conversion agreement and O&M arrangements for an FPSO project in Timor-Leste.*
  • Advising Envision on the drafting of a BESS contract (split structure with onshore and offshore contracts and a framework agreement), the contract was to be used as an international template for BESS projects.*

*Prior to joining Baker Botts