Omar Samji is a partner in Shearman & Sterling’s Mergers & Acquisitions practice and Energy Industry Group.

His practice focuses on strategic transactions, private equity investments, joint ventures, and project development for clients in the energy industry, with a particular emphasis on energy transition, low carbon energy, energy-related infrastructure, and midstream transactions.

Omar was recognized as a “Most Effective Dealmaker” in 2020 (Texas Lawyer).  Clients describe Omar as a "very measured" lawyer who delivers "fantastic results” (Chambers USA).

Mergers & Acquisitions

• DTE Energy in its acquisition of M5’s Louisiana midstream assets for $2.65 billion
• DTE Energy in its acquisition of a 30% stake in Stonewall Gas Gathering for $275 million
• DTE Energy in its acquisition of M3’s Appalachia midstream assets for $1.3 billion
• Phoenix Park Energy Marketing in connection with its acquisition of Twin Eagle’s energy trading business
• Rangeland Energy in its sale of Rangeland Energy II to Andeavor
• Rangeland Energy in its sale of Rangeland Energy I to Inergy
• Titan Energy in its sale of substantially all its assets and wind down of operations
• Energy infrastructure company in its acquisition of gasification business from major independent energy company
• Castleton Commodities International in its acquisition of energy assets in New Mexico
• Atlas Pipeline Partners in its acquisition of private equity backed TEAK Midstream for $1 billion
• Atlas Pipeline Partners on its acquisition of private equity backed Cardinal Midstream for $603.4 million
• Access Midstream Partners on its acquisition of midstream assets from Chesapeake Energy Corporation for $2.16 billion
• MidAmerican Energy Company (Berkshire Hathaway Energy) in its acquisition of the Topaz solar project from First Solar
• MidAmerican Energy Company (Berkshire Hathaway Energy) in its acquisition of a 49% interest in the Agua Caliente solar project from NRG Energy

Joint Ventures and Equity Investments

• Energy services utility holding company in the formation of a joint venture which will develop, own and operate renewable energy projects, and in the joint venture’s acquisition of two fuel cell projects in New York
• The Energy & Minerals Group (EMG) in forming a $600 joint venture with Tailwater Capital 
• Oryx Midstream, a portfolio company of Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners, in its joint venture with Rattler Midstream
• Frontier Midstream IV, a portfolio company of Energy Spectrum Capital, in its joint venture with Concho Resources
• OGE Energy in forming a joint venture with CenterPoint and ArcLight creating $11 billion master limited partnership
• American Energy Partners in forming a $4 billion joint venture with Energy Transfer Partners
• American Energy Partners in forming a $500 million joint venture with Regency Energy Partners
• Investment banking and securities firm in connection with a $95 million secured term loan and revolving credit facility
• Targa Resources Partners in forming two joint ventures with Sanchez Energy
• Rangeland Energy in forming a joint venture with Delek Logistics Partners
• Rangeland Energy in securing three private equity commitments totaling over $600 million
• eSolar in its issuance of preferred equity to, and related technology licensing arrangement with, GE Energy

Professional Affiliations

• Member, Institute for Energy Law advisory board
• Member, Texas Journal of Oil, Gas & Energy Law advisory board
• Past member, Law360's Energy editorial advisory board

Awards & Accolades

• Texas Lawyer, named a “Most Effective Dealmaker” (2020)
• Chambers USA, recognized as an “Up and Coming” lawyer in Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional) – Nationwide (2020)
• Legal 500 US, recommended in Energy Transactions (2015)
• Law360 “Rising Star” (2013)

Speaking Engagements

• Energy Restructurings and the Impact on Midstream Companies, panelist for Energy Infrastructure Council's Webinar (September 15, 2020)
• Buying Assets Out of Bankruptcy, moderator for IPAA’s Industry Insights Webinar (July 29, 2020)
• Texas Journal of Oil, Gas, and Energy Law Symposium (February 21, 2020)
• Current State of the Energy Market, Lessons Learned and the Way Forward (January 25, 2018)
• The Institute for Energy Law’s 67th Annual Oil & Gas Law Conference (February 18-19, 2016)
• Deal Making in the Oil and Gas Industry, The Center for Professional Education, Inc.’s SEC Conference (December 8, 2015)
• 2015 Regional Energy Conference: Navigating Turbulences in Global Energy Markets (October 15, 2015)
• Risks and Opportunities for Energy Companies and Investors (May 7, 2015)
• Turmoil in the Oil Patch (April 29, 2015)
• Alternative Funding Sources for Energy Companies, Mergers & Acquisitions Conference, Institute for Energy Law (April 14, 2015)
• Key Fiduciary Duty Issues in Specific M&A Scenarios, Mergers & Acquisitions / Acquisitions & Disposals Conference, Institute For Energy Law (May 28-29, 2014)
• Success Strategies and Key Lessons for Young Lawyers, Business Development, Marketing and Networking Strategies (February 28, 2014)

Publications

• Key Considerations for Midstream Contracts in Today’s Distressed Environment, State Bar of Texas Newsletter – Currents (Summer 2020)
• 4 Title Protections in Upstream Oil & Gas Acquisitions, Texas Lawyer (July 14, 2014)
• Obstacles to foreign development of shale gas, EPmag.com (November 1, 2013)