Rafael represents financial institutions, multilateral agencies, state and privately owned companies, sponsors, and investors in transactions, disputes and regulatory matters in the oil & gas, offshore, maritime, and energy sectors.
His expertise includes structured, project, and asset-backed financings; M&As, asset purchases and divestments, joint ventures, privatizations; debt restructuring and special situations; project development, disputes and commercial contracts (construction, offtake and supply, operation and maintenance, charter, services agreements, etc.). His ESG & Impact practice focuses on sustainable finance and energy transition.
He was an international associate at one of New York’s most prestigious firms in 2010.
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) – Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ)
Specialist in Oil & Gas Law (Merit-based scholarship from the Brazilian Oil Agency) and in Regulation of Gas Markets (Florence School of Regulation)
Master of Laws (LL.M.) – University of Chicago Law School
Master in International Law – Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ)
Chambers and Partners Brazil and Global 2026 – Project Development, Project Finance, Oil & Gas
Legal 500 Latin America 2026 – Hydrocarbons
IFLR 1000 2025 – Banking, Project Finance, Project Development, Transport, Oil & Gas
Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN)
International Bar Association (IBA), Oil & Gas Committee
Legal Committee of Norwegian Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), former chair and vice-chair
Oil, Gas and Biofuels Law Committee of the Rio de Janeiro Bar Association
Special Committee for the Development of the Merchant Navy of the Rio de Janeiro Bar Association
Author of +50 legal publications on Oil & Gas Law, International Law and Project Finance