Accolades
Sidley Representation Wins “Deal of the Year” at PFI Americas Awards 2023
December 19, 2023
NextDecade Corporation’s debt for the construction of three liquefaction trains at its Rio Grande LNG export facility won “Deal of the Year” at Project Finance International’s 2023 PFI Americas Awards.
Sidley represented GIC, a global investment firm that manages Singapore’s reserves, in connection with its commitment to NextDecade Corporation’s Phase 1, US$18.4 billion LNG project. Phase 1 will construct the first of three liquefaction trains at NextDecade’s 27 million tonnes per annum Rio Grande LNG facility in Brownsville, Texas. The project financing is the largest greenfield energy project financing in U.S. history. NextDecade is an energy company focused on more sustainable LNG and carbon capture solutions.
The Sidley team was led by M&A and Private Equity partners Asi Kirmayer and Ayo Badejo, and included Rachel Fridhandler, Christian Bennardo, and Alisha Tupchong (M&A and Private Equity); Ram Burshtine and Shen Mei Bolton (Global Finance); Zack Pullin and Andrew Smith (Tax); and James Mendenhall (Global Arbitration, Trade and Advocacy).
Sidley represented GIC, a global investment firm that manages Singapore’s reserves, in connection with its commitment to NextDecade Corporation’s Phase 1, US$18.4 billion LNG project. Phase 1 will construct the first of three liquefaction trains at NextDecade’s 27 million tonnes per annum Rio Grande LNG facility in Brownsville, Texas. The project financing is the largest greenfield energy project financing in U.S. history. NextDecade is an energy company focused on more sustainable LNG and carbon capture solutions.
The Sidley team was led by M&A and Private Equity partners Asi Kirmayer and Ayo Badejo, and included Rachel Fridhandler, Christian Bennardo, and Alisha Tupchong (M&A and Private Equity); Ram Burshtine and Shen Mei Bolton (Global Finance); Zack Pullin and Andrew Smith (Tax); and James Mendenhall (Global Arbitration, Trade and Advocacy).
Contacts

Capabilities
Suggested News & Insights
Sidley Represents New Catalyst in Strategic Partnership With Ferghana Investment PartnersFebruary 11, 2026Sidley Represents Great Lakes In Its US$1.5 Billion Acquisition by SaltchukFebruary 11, 2026Shareholder Engagement in Flux: Recent Developments and Practical ImplicationsFebruary 10, 2026Sidley Represents SanegeneBio in up to US$1.5 Billion Licensing Agreement With GenentechFebruary 10, 2026Understanding Demands on Clients Helps Firms Give Turnkey AdviceFebruary 10, 2026Sidley Advises Ariel Investments in Its First Close of Project LevelFebruary 9, 2026
- Stay Up To DateSubscribe to Sidley Publications
- Follow Sidley on Social MediaSocial Media Directory




