Dean Tennant

Associate

Dean Tennant is an Associate in our Corporate & Commercial practice.

Dean Tennant

About Dean

Dean joined Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr as a Candidate Attorney in 2022 and was promoted to an Associate in 2024.

Areas of expertise

Experience

  • Advising local and international oil and gas companies on commercial and regulatory advice as well as compliance with the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, No.28 of 2002 ("MPRDA"), including, but not limited to, advice on TCP applications in terms of section 76 of the MPRDA; the conversion of Technical co-operation permits to Exploration Rights in terms of section 78 of the MPRDA, the conversion of exploration rights to production rights in terms of section 83 of the MPRDA; the renewal of exploration rights in terms of section 81 of the MPRDA; the transfer and assignment of exploration rights in terms of section 11 of the MPRDA; the amendment of exploration rights in terms of section 102 of the MPRDA; contributions to the Upstream Training Trust, acreage rentals and appeals against conflicting minerals rights and petroleum rights, across all aspects of their South African oil and gas operations.

  • Assisting with due diligence investigations and due diligence reports.

  • Advised Namibia-based national oil company on its acquisition of an oil-producing asset in Angola from Sonangol Pesquisa E Produção.

  • Advised on the sales of participating interest in Block 3B4B, scope of work included drafting of the farm-out agreement, obtaining Ministerial consents and approvals, and amendments to Joint Operating Agreement.

  • Advised on the sale of participating interest in Block 1, scope of work included drafting of the farm-out agreement, obtaining Ministerial consents and approvals, and drafting Joint Operating Agreement.

  • Advised TSX listed IOC on its acquisition of further interest in the Orinduik Block offshore Guyana.

Credentials

Eduction 

  • BA, LLB; University of Cape Town
  • Admitted as an Attorney: 2025

LANGUAGES

  • English

News

Key developments from the Draft Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Regulations
Oil & Gas

Key developments from the Draft Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Regulations

On 25 October 2024, the President assented to the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act 23 of 2024 (UPRDA). Although the UPRDA is not yet in force and awaits commencement on...

From queue to contest - Significant reforms to the acquisition of petroleum rights and permits
Corporate & Commercial Law

From queue to contest - Significant reforms to the acquisition of petroleum rights and permits

The Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act 23 of 2024 (Upstream Act) was enacted just over a year ago in October 2024. While industry waits in earnest for the Upstream Act to...

Publication of the Draft Regulations of the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act for public comment
Oil & Gas

Publication of the Draft Regulations of the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act for public comment

On 14 April 2025, the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Mr Gwede Mantashe, published the draft Regulations for public comment in GN.6123 GG.52507.

Legislation on the move: The President signs the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act
Oil & Gas

Legislation on the move: The President signs the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act

The Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Bill (now the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act. 23 of 2024) (Act) was finally assented to by the President on 25 October 2024...

The State’s energy champion: What the SANPC Bill is and where we are with it
Corporate & Commercial Law

The State’s energy champion: What the SANPC Bill is and where we are with it

On 14 October 2024 the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) (soon to be the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources) published an explanatory summary of the 2024...

The unpacking of a Strategic Integrated Project
Corporate & Commercial Law

The unpacking of a Strategic Integrated Project

Speaking at the third Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium in Cape Town on 19 March 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that investment in infrastructure is central...

Does non-compliance with section 129(2)(a) of the Companies Act render a resolution void without more?
Corporate Debt, Turnaround & Restructuring

Does non-compliance with section 129(2)(a) of the Companies Act render a resolution void without more?

A party to a contract must not be allowed to have its cake and eat it – such is the doctrine of approbation and reprobation, long recognised in our law. In Hlatshwayo v Mare and Deas...

Key developments from the Draft Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Regulations
Oil & Gas

Key developments from the Draft Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Regulations

On 25 October 2024, the President assented to the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act 23 of 2024 (UPRDA). Although the UPRDA is not yet in force and awaits commencement on...

From queue to contest - Significant reforms to the acquisition of petroleum rights and permits
Corporate & Commercial Law

From queue to contest - Significant reforms to the acquisition of petroleum rights and permits

The Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act 23 of 2024 (Upstream Act) was enacted just over a year ago in October 2024. While industry waits in earnest for the Upstream Act to...

Publication of the Draft Regulations of the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act for public comment
Oil & Gas

Publication of the Draft Regulations of the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act for public comment

On 14 April 2025, the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Mr Gwede Mantashe, published the draft Regulations for public comment in GN.6123 GG.52507.

Legislation on the move: The President signs the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act
Oil & Gas

Legislation on the move: The President signs the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act

The Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Bill (now the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act. 23 of 2024) (Act) was finally assented to by the President on 25 October 2024...

The State’s energy champion: What the SANPC Bill is and where we are with it
Corporate & Commercial Law

The State’s energy champion: What the SANPC Bill is and where we are with it

On 14 October 2024 the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) (soon to be the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources) published an explanatory summary of the 2024...

The unpacking of a Strategic Integrated Project
Corporate & Commercial Law

The unpacking of a Strategic Integrated Project

Speaking at the third Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium in Cape Town on 19 March 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that investment in infrastructure is central...

Does non-compliance with section 129(2)(a) of the Companies Act render a resolution void without more?
Corporate Debt, Turnaround & Restructuring

Does non-compliance with section 129(2)(a) of the Companies Act render a resolution void without more?

A party to a contract must not be allowed to have its cake and eat it – such is the doctrine of approbation and reprobation, long recognised in our law. In Hlatshwayo v Mare and Deas...

From vision to fruition.