George J. Vlahakos

GEORGE VLAHAKOS serves as co-managing partner of the firm’s Houston office. George has extensive experience in a broad range of transactional and corporate governance matters across several industries. His practice includes representing public and private entities, investment banks and private equity firms in connection with initial public offerings, mergers and acquisitions, equity investments, and registered offerings and private placements of debt and equity securities. He has a particular focus on transactions related to alternative deal structures involving special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), umbrella partnership C corporation structures (Up-Cs), and publicly traded master limited partnerships (MLPs). George provides regular counseling regarding general corporate matters, securities laws, SEC reporting, and governance matters; frequently advising boards of directors and special committees in complex M&A transactions, matters involving conflicts of interest, and shareholder activism.

Throughout his career, George has worked with many clients across the energy value chain, including those engaged in energy-transition, power generation, upstream, midstream, downstream, and oilfield service-related activities.

George has been acknowledged in numerous industry publications and has been regularly recognized by Chambers Global for Capital Markets: Debt & Equity: Central United States (2022–2025) and Chambers USA for Capital Markets: Debt & Equity (Nationwide and Texas) (2021–2025). In the 2025 edition of Chambers Global, clients praised George for being a “great technical lawyer” and an “important part of our company.” He has been recommended by Legal 500 United States as one of the leading lawyers for Energy Transactions: Oil and Gas in the U.S. (2017, 2025). George has earned recognition from The Best Lawyers in America® for Energy Law (2026).

• VoltaGrid LLC, a U.S.-based clean energy innovator, in its strategic collaboration with Oracle Corporation to deliver more than 2,300 megawatts (MW) of ultra-low-emissions power infrastructure to support the energy demands of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure’s next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.
• A purchaser in its acquisition of a power generation facility in ERCOT.
• NuStar Energy L.P. in connection with its redemption of Series D Preferred Units for an aggregate net redemption principal of approximately US$518.7 million.
• NuStar Energy L.P. in connection with its offering of 14,950,000 common units for estimated gross proceeds of approximately US$229.5 million.
• The utility, Atmos Energy Corporation, in the issuance of Series 2023-A Senior Secured Securitized Utility Tariff Bonds valued at US$95 million, for the purpose of Atmos Energy Corporation recovering significant costs incurred as a result of Winter Storm Uri in February 2021.
• Venture-investment-firm Northpond Ventures in its add-on PIPE investment in Telesis Bio, Inc., which focuses on molecular biology automation solutions for multi-omic and synthetic biology applications.
• Energy Transfer, LP in a definitive agreement for the purchase of Lotus Midstream Operations, LLC in a transaction valued at approximately US$1.45 billion from an affiliate of EnCap Flatrock Midstream.
• Greene’s Energy Group, LLC in its sale to KLX Energy Services Holdings, Inc.
• American Electric Power in the issuance of Storm Recovery Bonds issued by the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority.
• VoltaGrid in its acquisition from Pilot Company of substantially all of Pilot Company’s CNG compression, CNG virtual pipeline, and CNG logistics platform assets, making VoltaGrid the largest vertically integrated portable power generation and clean fuels platform in North America.
• Ensign Natural Resources, LLC, a private equity portfolio company, in the sale of its Eagle Ford Shale oil and gas interests to Marathon Oil Company for US$3 billion.
• Stonepeak in the acquisition of a minority common equity interest and a preferred equity interest in CoreSite, a data center company with a significant presence in eight major U.S. markets, from American Tower for US$2.5 billion.
• The Conflicts Committee of USD Partners, LP in connection with USD Partners’ agreement to acquire entities owning the Hardisty South terminal assets from USD Group, LLC, exchange USD Group’s economic general partner interest (GP interest) in the partnership for a non-economic GP interest, and eliminate USD Group’s incentive distribution rights (IDRs) in the partnership for total consideration of US$75 million in cash and approximately 5.75 million common units.
• RBC Capital Markets, LLC in connection with the issuance of municipal storm recovery bonds by Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company through the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority.
• Sidley represented Bullpen Parlay Acquisition Company, an innovative special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) newly incorporated in the Cayman Islands, in its US$230 million initial public offering.
• Evolve Transition Infrastructure, LP, a publicly traded limited partnership focused on the acquisition, development, and ownership of infrastructure critical to the transition of energy supply to lower carbon sources and a portfolio company of Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners, in its agreement with HOBO Renewable Diesel, LLC (HOBO), a renewable fuel project developer, to fund HOBO’s initial project.
• I Squared Capital in a transaction in which affiliates of Blackstone and I Squared Capital are merging EagleClaw Midstream into Altus Midstream, a public company subsidiary of Apache Corp., in an all-stock transaction where affiliates of Blackstone and I Squared Capital together will own over 70% of the combined entity at the closing.
• NuStar Energy, L.P. in the sale of eight storage terminal locations in the Northeast and Florida to Sunoco, LP for US$250 million.
• Stratus Properties in its successful defense against a proxy fight by Oasis Management.
• Texas Pacific Land Trust on its reorganization into Texas Pacific Land Corporation (NYSE: TPL), with a market capitalization of approximately US$6.2 billion on the date of the reorganization.
• NuStar Logistics, L.P., a wholly owned subsidiary of NuStar Energy, L.P., in connection with a public offering of US$1.2 billion aggregate principal of 5.750% senior notes due 2025 and 6.375% senior notes due 2030.
• NuStar Logistics, LP in connection with its US$500 million aggregate principal amount of 6.00% senior notes due June 1, 2026.
• A private equity-sponsored oil field services company in connection with the sale of a manufacturing business.
• Legacy Reserves, Inc. and affiliates in connection with its restructuring of approximately US$1.4 billion of funded debt in the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas and successful emergence with a rights offerings.
• The Conflicts Committee of the Board of Directors of Tesoro Logistics GP, LLC (GP of Andeavor Logistics, LP) (ANDX) and MPLX, LP (MPLX) in a merger agreement whereby MPLX acquired ANDX in a unit-for-unit transaction representing an equity value of approximately US$9 billion and an enterprise value of US$14 billion for ANDX.
• Kimmeridge Energy Management Company, LLC, in its joint venture with Desert Royalty Company, LLC to create Desert Peak Minerals, creating the largest Delaware Basin pure-play mineral and royalty company, with over 70,000 net royalty acres on a 1/8th royalty-adjusted basis (NRAs) across eight counties in west Texas and southeast New Mexico.
• Legacy Reserves, Inc. in multiple financing transactions.
• A private equity-sponsored power generation company in a US$377 million private placement of secured debt.
• Cheniere Energy Partners, LP in a US$1.1 billion senior notes exchange offer.
• The Conflicts Committee of the Board of Directors of Tesoro Logistics GP, LLC (GP of Andeavor Logistics, LP) in the acquisition of a portfolio of logistics assets for total consideration of US$1.55 billion, including gathering, storage, and transportation assets in the Permian Basin.
• NuStar Energy, LP in connection with its acquisition of NuStar GP Holdings, LLC, creating a US$7.9 billion partnership.
• NuStar, LP in its issuance and sale of approximately US$590 million of newly created Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units in a private placement to certain investment funds.
• Cheniere Energy Partners, LP in a US$1,500,000,000 of 5.250% senior notes exchange offer.
• Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners in connection with its US$350 million investment in Sanchez Production Partners.
• The special committee of Antero Resources Corporation in connection with Antero Midstream GP, LP’s US$4.7 billion acquisition of Antero Midstream Partners, LP.
• Cheniere Energy, Inc. in connection with the merger of Cheniere Energy Partners, LP with a wholly owned subsidiary of Cheniere. As a result of the merger, all of the publicly held shares of Cheniere Partners Holdings not owned by Cheniere were canceled and shareholders received 0.4750 shares of common stock of Cheniere for each publicly held share of Cheniere Partners Holdings, and shares of Cheniere Partners Holdings will no longer trade on the NYSE American.
• Energy XXI Gulf Coast, Inc. in its acquisition by Cox Oil, LLC in a public M&A transaction for US$322 million in equity value and approximately US$550 million in enterprise value.
• A real estate investment trust in its offering of Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock.
• Issuer in its US$625 million-registered direct offering of convertible senior notes.
• The holding company of a master limited partnership in a synthetic secondary offering of common shares.
• A master limited partnership in its public offering of 11,500,000 units representing limited partner interests.
• A 50/50 sponsor of a master limited partnership and a master limited partnership in its initial public offering.
• A master limited partnership in its issuance of 8 percent Series B Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units.
• A master limited partnership in a private placement of US$300 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.625% senior unsecured notes.
• A master limited partnership in its issuance of US$600 million 4.30% unsecured senior notes.
• A master limited partnership in its follow-on offering of common units representing limited partner interests worth US$240 million.
• A master limited partnership in its issuance of 8% Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units.
• The holding company of a master limited partnership in its US$720 million initial public offering of 36,000,000 common shares representing limited liability interests.
• A master limited partnership in a private placement of US$250 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.625% senior unsecured notes.
• A master limited partnership in a US$500 million at-the-market program.
• A private equity firm in its investment in an exploration and production portfolio company.
• An oilfield services company in its acquisition of a water services company.
• A private equity firm in its formation of a portfolio company, which will focus on the acquisition and development of onshore oil and gas properties across the Permian Basin and the Rockies.
• An oilfield services company in its acquisition of frac fluid heating companies.
• An industrial container manufacturer in its acquisition of a provider of cargo and waste management rental equipment and a provider of contained material handling equipment in a separate transaction.
• A publicly traded electrical services provider in its acquisition of all outstanding common stock of another publicly traded electrical services provider.
• A master limited partnership in connection with the drop-down of midstream assets for approximately US$1.5 billion to another master limited partnership.
• A master limited partnership issuer in connection with a US$300 million public offering of senior notes.
• A master limited partnership issuer in connection with a US$225+ million public offering of units.
• A master limited partnership issuer in connection with a US$475 million public offering of senior notes.
• A master limited partnership with the sale of midstream assets to an unrelated master limited partnership for approximately US$200 million.
• A master limited partnership issuer in connection with a US$420 million public offering of senior notes.
• A master limited partnership issuer in connection with a US$280+ million public offering of common units.
• A master limited partnership issuer in connection with a US$335+ million public offering of common units.
• A master limited partnership issuer in connection with a US$250 million public offering of senior notes.
• Underwriters in connection with the formation and US$300 million initial public offering of an NYSE-listed fertilizer master limited partnership.
• E&P master limited partnership in connection with a US$85+ million public offering of units.
• A master limited partnership issuer in connection with a US$750 million public offering of senior notes.
• A master limited partnership issuer in connection with a US$395+ million public offering of common units.
• The conflicts committee of the board of a master limited partnership in connection with its US$330 million purchase of midstream assets from its parents.
• Underwriters in connection with a US$1.8 billion public offering of senior notes.
• A master limited partnership issuer in connection with a US$420+ million public offering of common units.
• A master limited partnership issuer in connection with a US$450+ million public offering of senior notes.
• One of the world’s largest automakers in the acquisition of one of the nation’s leading independent auto finance companies in connection with a US$3.5 billion all-cash transaction.
• A master limited partnership issuer in connection with a US$330+ million public offering of common units.
• A public company in connection in its US$6.8 billion merger with another public company.
• A master limited partnership in connection with a US$425 million public offering of senior notes.
• An issuer in connection with a US$550+ million initial public offering of an NYSE-listed, master limited partnership.
• E&P master limited partnership in a US$75 million PIPE offering.
• Underwriters in connection with the formation and US$189 million initial public offering of an NYSE-listed, publicly traded E&P partnership.
• Larger unitholder in privately negotiated sale of approximately US$130 million in common units of NASDAQ-traded limited liability company.
• Counsel to the Special Committee for EGL, Inc., a publicly traded company that initially entered into a going-private transaction with a management-led group, but later terminated that agreement, paid a break-up fee, and was acquired by CEVA, an affiliate of Apollo Management.
• An E&P issuer in connection with a US$120+ million initial public offering of a NASDAQ-listed, publicly traded limited partnership.
• An issuer in connection with a US$375+ million initial public offering of an NYSE-listed, publicly traded limited liability company.
• An E&P master limited partnership issuer in connection with its formation and a US$85 million 144A Regulation D equity private placement.
• Underwriters in connection with a US$500+ million initial public offering of an NYSE-listed, publicly traded partnership.
• An issuer in connection with a US$108+ million initial public offering of an NYSE-listed, publicly traded company.
• Underwriters in connection with the formation and US$275 million initial public offering of a NASDAQ-listed, publicly traded partnership.
• Issuer in connection with the formation and US$100+ million initial public offering of an NYSE-listed, publicly traded partnership.
• M&A counsel to Landry’s Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: LNY) in its agreement to purchase the Golden Nugget Casino in downtown Las Vegas from Poster Financial Group, Inc.
• Underwriters in connection with the formation and $150+ million initial public offering of an NYSE-listed, publicly traded partnership.
• Assistance in takeover litigation in Delaware Court of Chancery involving public company cash-and-stock merger, termination rights, and material adverse effect clause, Frontier Oil Corp. v. Holly Corp.
• A Trustee in a Rule 144A offering of US$30 million convertible senior subordinated notes.
• The underwriter in the US$140+ million public offering common stock of an NYSE-listed corporation.
• Underwriters in connection with public equity and debt financings, including master limited partnerships.

Some of the above matters were handled prior to joining Sidley.

• Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, Executive Leadership Program Certification, 2024
• Houston Bar Association
• State Bar of Texas
• The Periwinkle Foundation
  • Board of Directors (2003–2006)
  • Advisory Board (2006–present)
• Founding Member, Young Texans Against Cancer (YTAC)