Roger Byrne

"Roger knows the Omani law and puts it into a commercial context. He's always available." - Global Guide 2025

Partner, Head of Region – Oman, Corporate Debt & Project Finance
Oman

Expertise

Roger Byrne is the Head of the Oman office and a banking and finance partner, based in Muscat. He leads the team of English and Arabic lawyers and has practice experience of more than 30 years, including over 16 years in the GCC. Roger is a thought leader in the legal industry of Oman and has been annually ranked in the Hall of Fame in Legal 500, and a 'Band 1 Lawyer' in Chambers & Partners.

Roger has advised on high profile banking, infrastructure and project finance matters and his clients comprise of leading regional and international banks, government / semi-government entities and blue-chip enterprises with a particular focus on industrial, energy and utilities, renewables, oil & gas sectors, mining and fisheries. He also advises issuers and issue managers on debt capital market transactions and sponsors establishing investment funds.

Upon qualification Roger spent a number of years at leading Australian Law Firm, Clayton Utz, where he was a partner for 10 years from 1992. Roger also worked for an Australian listed investment company and New York based investment bank with offices in Australia conducting private equity investments and corporate advisory services for clients conducting M&A and capital raising transactions.

Experience

Advised Bank Muscat on a syndicated USD 884 million term loan secured conventional and Islamic project finance facilities to Jindal Steel Duqm LLC (the Borrower) for the construction and operation of a 5 million tonnes per annum Direct Reduced Iron plant at Duqm.
Advised PFCL as project financier to ACME Global Green Hydrogen Limited in relation to its secured USD 515 million term facility for the design, building, owning, operating and maintaining of a 300 MT/day green ammonia renewable energy based (solar, wind and battery energy as storage system) project situated at Duqm, Oman.
Advised the project finance lenders under a USD 72.6 million secured term facility to Riyah Nimr Energy LLC sponsored by OQ Alternative Energy LLC and TotalEnergies Renewables SAS to build, own and operate the Riyah 2 100 MW wind power generation inclusive of relevant required auxiliary equipment and facilities.
Advised Qatari Diar Ras Al Hadd Developments SAOC (the joint venture between Qatari Diar and Omran) the developers of the 5-star, Chedi Hotel Resort and staff accommodation at Ras Al Hadd on its USD 86 million hospitality construction project and advising on the broader obligations under the Development Agreement from the Ministry of Tourism and Climate Affairs.

Testimonials

''Roger Byrne leads Addleshaw Goddard's Muscat office. Having been based in Oman for 16 years, he has advised on a long list of cutting-edge matters, including Shari'a-compliant financings and high-value syndicated lending facilities. He has further experience advising on banking regulatory work."
"He is capable, experienced and arguably the best banking lawyer in Oman."
"He is a prolific banking and finance lawyer whose work regularly sees him advise on high-value project finance facilities. He is experienced in acting on both conventional and Islamic finance mandates in this field.''
''Roger has a very high understanding of the law. His main quality is that he understands business. Roger is very hands-on. Roger is a lawyer who is always great to work with.'' - Chambers 2024.
''Unique expertise. Competitive fees. Quality work. Quick turnaround time. Value-added services. Approachable. Responsible.'' - Legal 500 2024.
''Strong knowledge of the law and Islamic finance. Good judgement and decision-making skills. Research and analytical skills. Drafting skills. Good communication and listening skills.'' - Legal 500 2024.
''Roger is a very knowledgeable, well-experienced and helpful legal professional.'' - Chambers 2025.
''He is very pragmatic, with a real ability to get things done. He has the uncanny ability to identify problems and solutions.'' - Chambers 2025.
''Roger has an outstanding understanding of the business and the commercial aspects of the deal. He is therefore always well positioned to add value to the transaction.'' - Chambers 2025.
''Roger knows the Omani law and puts it into a commercial context. He's always available.'' - Chambers 2025.

Professional Qualifications

Admitted as a Solicitor to the Supreme Court of Queensland
Subsequent admissions to the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Supreme Court of Western Australia, the Federal Court of Australia and the High Court of Australia