Blas Ichaso

Blas focuses his practice on corporate and regulatory matters including M&A, compliance and commercial contracting in the energy and infrastructure sectors, supporting clients on transactions involving energy assets in Venezuela and assisting major Venezuelan companies operating in regulated industries in developing compliance programs. Blas advises engineering, oilfield services companies and oil and gas operators in structuring their operations, complying with regulatory requirements to service and operate upstream assets, and negotiating EPC, services and exploration and production contracts. He also assists petrochemical companies with contractual and compliance matters. His work is informed by firsthand knowledge of Venezuelan oilfields and a detailed understanding of energy sector contracting, enabling him to provide operationally grounded advice.

• Assisted a global spirits company on the acquisition of a premium consumer rum brand in Venezuela, including supporting the drafting and negotiation of downstream manufacturing, licensing and authorized distribution agreements critical to post closing operations.
• Assisted clients in major transactions involving the acquisition of strategic energy and industrial assets in Venezuela, including regulatory due diligence and the analysis of permits, approvals and compliance matters critical to deal closing.
• Advised Corporación Digitel, C.A., a major Venezuelan telecom operator, in the structuring of its compliance program and other compliance matters.
• Assisted an international oilfield services company in the negotiation of complex oilfield services contracts worth USD 10 million with international oil companies active in Venezuela, mitigating contractual risk and addressing commercial, regulatory and execution stage considerations.
• Assisted a major oilfield services provider in designing and implementing a regulatory compliance roadmap to support operations in IOC operated fields, including engagement with authorities and alignment with international oil company contracting requirements.
• Advised multinational upstream oil and gas operators on the structuring and establishment of Venezuelan operations, including compliance with regulatory frameworks governing the operation of exploration and production assets and coordination of operational readiness requirements.
• Advised US and European investors on cross border regulatory and compliance due diligence involving mining and minerals sector companies operating in Asia, South America and Africa, coordinating multi jurisdictional analyses with Baker McKenzie offices.
• Assisted fintech clients operating across South America with US sanctions compliance matters, coordinating with Baker McKenzie’s Washington, DC office to provide regulatory clarity supporting ongoing operations and transactional activity.
• Assisted multinational petrochemical companies active in Venezuela with sophisticated contractual and compliance matters, including downstream commodities trading and operational agreements in a highly regulated environment.

• Caracas Bar Association
• Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN) – Member of the AIEN Host Government Agreement Drafting Committee
• The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law (FNREL), formerly known as the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation
• Institute for Energy Law (IEL)

• Pro bono advisor to the Mangrove Foundation, a nonprofit organization that develops high-impact educational and cultural projects across Venezuela, promoting access to education and cultural facilities in low-income and rural communities.
• Pro bono advisor to Manglarte, a nonprofit organization that supports local artists, organizes art installations, preserves artwork and documents art history in Venezuela under rigorous standards, preserving and promoting knowledge and recognition of the significant cultural legacy of modern and contemporary Venezuelan art.