Alexey Frolov mainly handles natural resources transactions, including those pertaining to the oil & gas industry. He is recommended by leading legal directories — including Chambers Europe, PLC Which Lawyer? and Who's Who Legal — and has been cited by his peers and clients for his fluent knowledge of natural resources law. Before joining the Firm in 2000, Mr. Frolov worked for an international oil company in Central Asia. He has also written articles for Financier Worldwide, Eastern Europe Reporter and Oil & Gas Law Journal.

Practice Focus

Mr. Frolov focuses his practice on corporate, commercial and natural resources law. His track record includes advising Western and Russian companies on acquisitions of oil, gas and mining assets, corporate restructurings, joint ventures and production sharing agreements. He also provides sound and insightful counsel on environmental liability issues in Russia and the CIS.

Representative Legal Matters

• Assisted Centerra Gold (KB) Inc. in the formation of a joint venture in respect of a Russian junior gold exploration and mining company. Centerra Gold (KB) Inc. will finance exploration expenditures of the joint venture.
• Represented China Investment Corporation in connection with its USD 300 million investment into a upstream oil and gas joint venture with respect to the Nobel Oil Group, based in Russia.
• Advised Weatherford International Ltd. on the approximately USD 450 million acquisition of TNK-BP International's Oilfield Services Division.
• Acted as Russian counsel for United Gold Company (a subsidiary of Alfa Group) on the latter’s projected strategic investment in High River Gold Mines Ltd., including legal due diligence of High River Gold Mines Russian mining assets.
• Advised West Siberian Resources Ltd, a Stockholm Stock Exchange listed independent oil company, in its merger with Alliance Oil Company. The combined market capitalisation of the companies amounted to approximately USD 2.5 billion.
• Advised ArcelorMittal on participation in an auction to acquire Elgaugol and Yakutugol shares (starting price USD 1.8 billion).
• Advising Barrick Gold Corporation on its due diligence into four Russian mining properties held by AIM-listed Highland Gold Mining Ltd., in connection with Barrick’s acquisition of a minority stake in Highland Gold Mining Ltd.
• Advised Sibir Energy Plc on a USD 50 million acquisition of Koltogor exploration blocks in West Siberia. 
•  Advised West Siberian Resources with respect to a listing upgrade at the Stockholm Stock Exchange including an extensive due diligence review of Russian oil & gas assets.
• Acted as Russian counsel for one of the world's leading producers of cement and aggregates in subsoil related issues to acquisitions and transfers of mineral rights under various mineral licenses.

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN)

Admission

Russia (2000)

Education

Harvard Law School  (LL.M.) (2006)
Moscow State Law Academy  (LL.B. Honors) (2000)
Moscow Linguistic University  (B.A. Honors) (1995)