Rafael advises upstream and downstream Oil & Gas companies in several strategic matters to channel their investments through viable legal structures. Rafael is an expert in drafting and negotiation of oil and mining industry contracts, corporate structuring, project finance, operating agreements, local and cross-border M&A.

He works with major clients in the oil & gas and mining industry in Ecuador. He advises International Oil Companies (IOCs), independent companies and service companies in the structuring and implementation of projects in Ecuador, Cuba, Venezuela and Guatemala. Rafael advised several mining companies in their landing in Ecuador and development of exploratory projects.

Rafael has been recognized by leading law journals in the area of Energy and Natural Resources for several consecutive years. In 2016 he was winner of Latin Lawyer’s Deal of the Year (Regulatory).  As well, Rafael was appointed Director of the Ecuador chapter of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN) where he led and organized several events with different governmental authorities in the last years.

He is an expert in Administrative Law and has considerable experience in telecommunications regulatory matters. He currently leads the Energy and Natural Resources practice area of BUSTAMANTE FABARA.