Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer advises Sumitomo Corporation on pioneering energy joint venture with Energy Development Oman

Leading global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has advised Sumitomo Corporation, a global integrated trading and business investment company, on its joint venture with Energy Development Oman (EDO), Oman’s national energy company, to establish Oman’s first integrated energy supply chain management company in Duqm.

The joint venture will drive national-level demand for energy aggregation for the first time, accelerate local content development, create opportunities for SMEs and Omani professionals, and position Duqm as the country’s logistics and manufacturing hub for the energy sector.

The Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer team was led by Head of Middle East Corporate Chris Walters, supported by Corporate partner Anna Szyndler, senior associate Nicola Halliday, and associate Alex Hamilton. The wider team included Projects, Energy and Infrastructure partner Phil Hanson and senior associate Adel Shageev, Disputes partner Nick Oury and senior associate Jason Han, and Competition, Regulation and Trade partner Kyriakos Fountoukakos and associate Kian O’Connell, from the firm’s Dubai, Singapore and Brussels offices.

Head of Middle East Corporate Chris Walters commented: “We are proud to have supported long-standing client Sumitomo Corporation on this joint venture, which marks a significant evolution in Oman’s energy ecosystem. This deal reflects our strong cross-border and cross-disciplinary capabilities, alongside our deep knowledge of the Middle East markets and energy sector.”

The signing took place during the Duqm Economic Forum 2025, organised by the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), in the presence of H.E. Eng. Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals.