Clifford Chance
Russell Wells is the Global Head of the firm's Energy and Resources Sector, co-head of the Energy Transition Group and co-head of the Worldwide Projects Group. He has almost 35 years of commercial, corporate and finance experience in the energy sector – including a large number of landmark transactions throughout the World. Russell has worked in our Hong Kong, London and Singapore offices.
Russell is ranked as Band 1 for his expertise in projects by Chambers UK 2023, and is ranked by Chambers Global for his work across Africa. Ranked as a Leading Individual for Oil & Gas by Legal 500.
- Temane IPP: Advising Globeleq, Africa’s leading independent power company and its consortium partners on the development and financing of the 450MW gas fired Temane power project in Mozambique. Africa Power Deal of the Year 2021, PFI Awards; African Power Deal of the Year 2021, IJ Global Awards
- Trans Adriatic Gas Pipeline: Advising the EBRD, EIB , SACE, BPI France, Euler Hermes and the commercial banks (led by MUFG) on financing of the development of the 878 km gas pipeline starting at the Greek–Turkish border near Kipoi and ending in Italy, connecting to the natural gas network of Snam Rete Gas.
- Tanzania LNG: Advising the joint venture parties (including Equinor and Shell) on the commercialisation of their gas discovery in Tanzania.
- Azura-Edo IPP: Advising a group of 16 commercial and DFI lenders on the complex financing structure for the US$1 billion 450MW gas-fired Azura-Edo power plant, Nigeria’s first fully privately financed independent power plant. Africa Multi-sourced Financing of the Year 2015, IJGlobal Awards
- TNOG: Advised the lenders and investors on the financing of the acquisition of a 45% participating interest in Nigerian oil licence OML 17 and related assets, through TNOG Oil and Gas Limited, from the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, Total E&P Nigeria Limited and ENI. African Hybrid Finance Deal of the Year 2021, IJ Global Awards
- TEMA: Advising the syndicate of lenders in respect of the financing of the Tema LNG terminal project in Ghana
News and client work
Contact details
- Clifford Chance, London
- +442070062628
- Email me
- Practice area Project development & finance, Global Financial Markets
- Sector Oil & gas, Energy & resources, Power & energy networks, Banks
Career and qualifications
- University of London, Queen Mary College; (LLB) 1987
- Joined Clifford Chance 1988
- Admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales 1990
- Partner in the Energy & Infrastructure Group since 1997
- Singapore office from 2002-2007
Awards and citations
- "Russell Wells has enormous experience and valuable insight on strategic points. Very user-friendly and accessible."
Legal 500 UK 2024: Projects, Energy & Natural Resources: Oil & Gas - "Russell Wells is a seasoned adviser with decades of experience."
Chambers UK 2024, Energy & Natural Resources: Oil & Gas - "He is very measured and has years of experience, which shows during difficult discussions."
Chambers UK 2023, Projects - "He is someone you can go to for a difficult deal. He is very measured, considered and has years of experience."
Chambers UK 2023, Energy & Natural Resources - "Russell is a consummate project manager with a deep understanding of precedent and problem solving."
Chambers UK 2023, Projects - "He is very measured and has years of experience, which shows during difficult discussions."
Chambers UK 2022, Projects - "He is someone you can go to for a difficult deal."
Chambers UK 2022, Energy & Natural Resources