ECIJA is noted for having ‘a recognised track record in the hydrocarbon industry’ and has been involved in some of the country’s biggest hydrocarbon projects over the last decade. Beyond hydrocarbons, the group displays a ‘broad knowledge of energy and natural resources laws‘, with clients including large state-owned and private companies both in Ecuador and overseas. Gonzalo González, Bayardo Poveda, hydrocarbon sector expert and senior associate Gustavo Arrobo, and Álvaro Ordoñez are key figures in the team, the latter of whom ‘has extensive experience in the energy, electricity and mining sectors’ and leads the mining group at the firm. González has acted in significant work such as electric sectors throughout the region, and has advised on the execution of contracts, and experienced energy sector lawyer Poveda is an M&A expert, often working on public-private partnerships and cross-border acquisitions in the energy sector.

Commended for its ‘knowledge and experience in mining and environmental law’, Flor Bustamante Pizarro Hurtado Abogados regularly advises large mining companies looking to access the Ecuadorian market and assists them with their operations in the country. Roque Bustamante, who is prominent in both the gas and mining sectors, and Mario Flor oversee the team, in which ‘each member understands their role and responds accordingly’. The practice heads are supported by Claudia Bustamante at the associate level. Flor has been involved in many groundbreaking renewable energy projects in Ecuador, including hydroelectricity projects, and Andres Ycaza is noted by clients for having regulatory experience in the mining sector, including in the context of financing transactions. Elsewhere, Agustín Hurtado is key on the non-renewable side, especially in oil and gas, having acted for major oil operators in the country.

Pérez Bustamante & Ponce is engaged in both the public sector, with matters relating to mining regulation by the Government of Ecuador, and the private sector, with large oil and gas companies featuring as key clients. The group has a broad range of environmental regulatory knowledge, while more broadly, it handles regulatory, commercial and environmental matters related to hydrocarbons, electricity and mining, as well as in the renewables sector. The experienced senior team - consisting of Francisco Roldán-Cobo, Sebastián Pérez-Arteta, Jaime Zaldumbide, María Isabel Aillón  and Sebastián Cortez - was expanded further with the January 2025 promotion of Estefania Lopez-Verdu to the partnership, giving the firm considerable bench strength. Associate practice director María Paula Grijalva-Galárraga stands out for advice on land use in relation to power projects, including electricity and non-conventional renewable energy; also noted is recent senior associate Santiago Miño who has expanded the groups involvement in alternative energy and other sustainability projects. The April-2025 hire of specialist partner Rafael Pástor Vélez (plus three associates and four technical specialists) from his boutique law firm has significantly boosted the practice goup's environmental law capabilities.

Bustamante Fabara‘s team ‘is distinguished by its deep knowledge of the hydrocarbon sector and its strategic focus on mitigating regulatory and contractual risks’. While the group concentrates on oil and gas, it has also expanded its workload into hydrocarbons and solar energy. Practice head Rafael Valdivieso focuses on the downstream and upstream segments, and has ‘in-depth knowledge of the oil industry, especially participation contracts’. Gustavo Almeida, a key team member who was promoted to director in April 2025, adeptly handles a variety of matters in the hydrocarbons and electricity sectors, and often advises on services contracts within oil production and electricity projects, including hydroelectricity. Bruno Pesantes, who was also made director in April 2025, is a key contact for mining projects.

Robalino has a broad energy offering and regularly advises clients on contractual issues and financing transactions. Managing partner Javier Robalino is experienced in a wide range of energy matters, including oil and gas, which is a strength of the wider group. Indeed, Andrés Donoso, who leads the team, is an expert in oil and gas, with the ability to provide specific advice at all levels of the crude production and distribution chain. Elsewhere, senior associate Cristina Coello stands out for regulatory advice in the oil and gas space, but her work also extends to the mining and environmental spaces, including advice on environmental licenses issued by the Ministry of Environment.

Tobar ZVS is a popular choice for clients in relation to mining, energy, natural resources and infrastructure projects, particularly for contractual matters relating to such projects. César Zumárraga heads the team, which has ‘deep knowledge of the mining sector and extensive experience managing complex cases’. Zumárraga leads on the department's mining mandates at all stages of the life cycle. The deep bench in the team includes associate Juan Martín Alarcón, who concentrates on mining and renewable energy matters. The wider group is noted for its strong relationship with regulatory authorities and key players in the mining industry, and Domenica Arroyo, who often represents clients in administrative proceedings before mining authorities, is another key name at associate level. Juan Fernando Larrea is another key contact.

With over 20 years of experience in hydrocarbons and mining, AVL Abogados supports clients through all project phases, from exploration to export. The energy and natural resources practice is prominent in the electricity sector, advising on auctions, concessions and regulations for renewable and traditional energy.  It counts major international mining firms among its clients, and its expertise includes significant M&A and project financing projects. Practice heads include Rodrigo Borjas Callisto, who leads on oil, mining and infrastructure financing; Xavier Andrade Cadena, who is key in M&A and foreign investment; and Jorge Cevallos Carrera, who oversees the energy department, specialising in M&A, project finance and regulatory approvals for energy projects.

Dentons Paz Horowitz is a go-to firm for regulatory advice in the energy sector, particularly in relation to entering Ecuador’s renewable energy sector. Maria Del Mar Heredia heads the team and leads many of the team's matters in the renewable energy space. Firm co-founder Jorge Paz Durini is another standout team member, and draws upon his experience in tax to work on contractual matters with suppliers and in tax matters across the energy and natural resources spectrum.

Pino Elizalde Abogados is a popular choice for those looking to enter the Ecuadorian market and require assistance with matters such as licensing. The group also displays regulatory expertise, which the firm utilises to assist clients with navigating complex administrative procedures. The team is formed of multidisciplinary practitioners, including practice head Stevie Gamboa, who ‘combines sharp analytical skills with an impressive strategic mindset, making him a key asset in high-stakes negotiations’ and acts in energy-efficient real estate projects using clean energy. Name partner Daniel Pino is an experienced M&A practitioner and in 2024 leveraged these skills to assist with joint ventures for new mining projects.

Noboa, Peña & Torres, Abogados stands out for adeptly dealing with cross-border contracts for the construction and operation of power plants, such as services contracts. Senior associate Francisco Larrea leads the team and is key for the group's contentious work. Founding partner and multidisciplinary practitioner Patricio Peña Romero is another name to note for contractual issues. Peña and Larrea are well supported by senior associate Andrés Egas Terán, who joined the team in August 2024, and is equally skilled at assisting with energy projects in the public and private sector, including state-owned companies which own oilfields.

Spingarn advises on contractual agreements, predominantly in the non-renewable energy space such as mining and hydrocarbons. The practice continues to grow with the expansion into electrical infrastructure mandates. Sebastián Saá Tamayo oversees the team and is known for having knowledge of regulatory compliance, government negotiations and contractual structuring, while senior associate Lisseth Armijos Romero is notable for public procurement for renewable energy projects and related M&A.