Sullivan & Cromwell is advising state-run China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd. on its first-ever international debt sale.

The world's largest coal company is selling $1.5 billion worth of bonds in three-, five- and 10-year tranches worth $500 million each. The notes are supposed to be issued this week on the Hong Kong stock exchange.

In a filing to the exchange, China Shenhua said the money raised would go toward debt repayment at its overseas subsidiaries and approved overseas projects.