White & Case Advised Aramco in Pivotal Esmax Acquisition
White & Case Advised Aramco in Pivotal Esmax Acquisition
The global law firm White & Case played a key role in delivering legal counsel to Aramco, a foremost integrated energy and chemical powerhouse globally. This assistance was instrumental in facilitating Aramco's strategic endeavour to acquire full ownership of Esmax Distribución SpA (known as 'Esmax'), a retailer specialising in downstream fuels and lubricants based in Chile, known for its wide-ranging product portfolio. This strategic acquisition signals an important achievement for Aramco as it prepares to make its foray into the South American downstream retail market, marking a significant milestone in the company's journey.
Esmax's operations in Chile include retail fuel stations, airport operations, fuel distribution terminals, and a state-of-the-art lubricant blending plant. Aramco's investment in Esmax secures crucial outlets for its refined products and boosts its global retail expansion efforts.
This step is consistent with Aramco's overarching strategy of exploring fresh market prospects, which includes expanding the Valvoline-branded lubricants line. This expansion follows Aramco's acquisition of Valvoline Inc.'s global products business in February 2023. It's important to note that the completion of this transaction is contingent upon meeting standard conditions, including obtaining regulatory approvals.
The leadership of the White & Case team was entrusted to M&A partner Bill Parish, based in Houston. Complementing this leadership, the team featured several accomplished partners, including Sonia Abdul-Rahman and Ivan Paskal (both located in Dubai, as pictured), Hansel Pham (based in Washington, DC), Taylor Pullins (Houston), Strati Sakellariou-Witt (Brussels), and Clark Wohlferd (New York). Additionally, the team included a group of skilled associates, comprising Luisa Muskus, Carlos Díaz, Luis Leos, and Neil Clausen (all based in Houston), Giuseppe Tantulli, Tommaso Poli, Marios Gavriiloglou, and Diego Garcia (all located in Brussels), as well as Blair Trahan (Washington, DC).
