Eni S.p.A. - Shareholders’ Agreement with Publigas CVBA/SCRL in relation to Distrigas NV/SA and waiver of Publigas’ pre-emption rights

List of all recent work 

Further to advising Eni S.p.A. ("Eni") on its agreement with Suez-Tractebel SA ("Suez") for the acquisition, subject to certain conditions precedent, of a 57.24% interest in the Belgian energy company Distrigas NV/SA ("Distrigas"), Slaughter and May advised Eni on the shareholders’ arrangements entered into with Publigas CVBA/SCRL ("Publigas") on 30th July, 2008, defining Eni and Publigas’ relationship with regard to the future management of Distrigas. Publigas, which is owned by a number of Belgian municipalities and intercommunales, currently owns a 31.25% interest in Distrigas.

Simultaneous with the signing of the Shareholders’ Agreement, Publigas waived its pre-emption rights in relation to the 57.24% interest in Distrigas to be acquired by Eni from Suez.

Eni was advised by an integrated team of law firms which worked in conjunction with Eni’s legal department. The team of firms was led by Slaughter and May (in respect of corporate and commercial matters on the acquisition and related issues) and Bonelli Erede Pappalardo (in respect of antitrust and Italian law issues). Belgian law advice was provided by Altius.

Additionally, the integrated team included firms from the following jurisdictions: France (Gide Loyrette Nouel), Germany (Gleiss Lutz), The Netherlands (De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek) and Luxembourg (Elvinger, Hoss & Prussen).

Slaughter and May: Robert Byk (partner), Michael Corbett (associate), Lauren Fahy (associate)

Altius: Johan De Bruycker (partner), Alexis Goeminne (partner)