Case Details

Universal Compression International Holdings, S.L.U. v. Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (ICSID Case No. ARB/10/9)

Subject of Dispute:

Oil and gas enterprise
Economic Sector:

Oil, Gas & Mining
Instrument(s) Invoked:

BIT Spain - Venezuela, Republica Bolivariana de 1995
Applicable Rules:

ICSID Convention - Arbitration Rules

(a) Original Proceeding

Claimant(s)/Nationality(ies):

Universal Compression International Holdings, S.L.U. (Spanish)
Respondent(s):

Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Venezuelan)
Date Registered:

April 12, 2010
Date of Constitution of Tribunal:

November 3, 2010

Composition of Tribunal

President:

J. William ROWLEY (British, Canadian) - Appointed by the Chairman of the Administrative Council
Arbitrators:

Brigitte STERN (French) - Appointed by the Respondent(s)
Guido Santiago TAWIL (Argentine, Portuguese) - Appointed by the Claimant(s)

Party Representatives

Claimant(s):

King & Spalding, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.
Norton Rose, S.C., Caracas, Venezuela
Respondent(s):

Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle, New York, NY, U.S.A.
Procuraduría General de la República, Caracas, Venezuela
Language(s) of Proceeding:

English,Spanish
Status of Proceeding:

Concluded
Outcome of Proceeding:

January 3, 2019 - The Tribunal issues a procedural order taking note of the discontinuance of the proceeding pursuant to ICSID Arbitration Rule 43(1).

(a) Original Proceeding

Published Decisions

Decision on the Proposal for the Disqualification of two Members of the Arbitral Tribunal

Order of the Tribunal Suspending the Proceeding

Order of the Tribunal Taking Note of the Discontinuance of the Proceeding

Available on the ICSID Website

Decision on the Proposal for the Disqualification of two Members of the Arbitral Tribunal (May 20, 2011) English (Original)

Order of the Tribunal Suspending the Proceeding (September 16, 2013) English (Original)

Order of the Tribunal Taking Note of the Discontinuance of the Proceeding (January 3, 2019) English (Original); Spanish (Original)

(a) Original Proceeding

Date	Development
April 12, 2010	The Secretary-General registers a request for the institution of arbitration proceedings.
November 3, 2010	The Tribunal is constituted. Its members are: J. William Rowley (Canadian/British), President; Brigitte Stern (French); and Guido Tawil (Argentine).
November 4, 2010	The Claimant files a proposal for disqualification of an arbitrator; the proceeding is suspended.
November 12, 2010	The Respondent files a proposal for disqualification of an arbitrator.
November 22, 2010	The Respondent files observations on the proposed disqualification.
December 6, 2010	One of the arbitrators furnishes explanations in regard to the proposed disqualification.
December 13, 2010	Each party files observations on the proposed disqualification.
January 26, 2011	Each party files further observations on the proposed disqualification.
February 7, 2011	The Claimant files observations on Respondent’s proposal for disqualification of an arbitrator.
February 18, 2011	The arbitrator furnishes explanations in regard to the proposal for disqualification in accordance with ICSID Arbitration Rule 9(3).
February 25, 2011	The Respondent files additional observations on the proposed disqualification.
May 20, 2011	The proposed disqualification of the two arbitrators is declined; the proceeding is resumed.
July 27, 2011	The Tribunal holds a first session in Washington, D.C.
August 31, 2011	The Claimant files a memorial on the merits.
December 30, 2011	The Respondent files a counter-memorial on the merits.
January 31, 2012	The Tribunal issues Procedural Order No. 1 concerning production of documents.
March 12, 2012	The Claimant files a reply on the merits.
May 29, 2012	The Respondent files a rejoinder on the merits.
June 21, 2012	The Tribunal holds a pre-hearing organizational meeting with the parties by telephone conference.
July 9, 2012 - July 13, 2012	The Tribunal holds a hearing on merits in Washington, D.C.
July 20, 2012	The Respondent files a proposal for disqualification of arbitrator J. William Rowley. The proceeding is suspended in accordance with ICSID Arbitration Rule 9(6).
July 2, 2013	The Respondent withdraws its proposal for disqualification of arbitrator J. William Rowley. The proceeding is resumed.
September 16, 2013	Following the agreement by the parties, the Tribunal suspends the proceeding.
August 17, 2016	The suspension of the proceeding is extended until February 10, 2017, pursuant to the parties’ agreement.
February 7, 2017	The suspension of the proceeding is extended until March 31, 2017, pursuant to the parties’ agreement.
January 3, 2019	The Tribunal issues a procedural order taking note of the discontinuance of the proceeding pursuant to ICSID Arbitration Rule 43(1).