Global law firm White & Case LLP has advised Aramco, one of the world's largest integrated energy and chemical companies, on its planned acquisition of 100 percent of Esmax Distribución SpA (Esmax), a leading diversified downstream fuels and lubricants retailer in Chile, from Southern Cross Group, a Latin America–focused private equity firm. The transaction is subject to certain customary conditions, including regulatory approvals.
Aramco's acquisition of Esmax will be its first downstream retail investment in South America, and will enable Aramco to secure outlets for its refined products and help expand its retail business internationally. The acquisition will also further unlock new market opportunities for Valvoline-branded lubricants, following Aramco's acquisition of Valvoline Inc.'s global products business in February 2023.
The White & Case team was led by M&A partner Bill Parish (Houston). The team also included partners Hansel Pham (Washington, DC), Taylor Pullins (Houston), Strati Sakellariou-Witt (Brussels), Clark Wohlferd and Ivan Paskal (both in New York) and Sonia Abdul-Rahman (Dubai); and associates Luisa Muskus, Carlos Díaz, Luis Leos, Neil Clausen (all in Houston), Giuseppe Tantulli, Tommaso Poli (both Brussels/Milan), Marios Gavriiloglou, Diego Garcia (both in Brussels) and Blair Trahan (Washington, DC).
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