The British Academy for Training and Development offers this training program in “Legal Systems for Oil and Gas and Their Contracts Globally” to meet the increasing need to understand the legal and regulatory frameworks governing the energy sector internationally.

The oil and gas sector is one of the most legally complex industries due to the overlapping interests of states and multinational companies, which lead to agreements, licenses, and contracts that require precise knowledge of various legal systems at both national and international levels.

This program focuses on analyzing the legal structure of oil contracts and reviewing the most commonly used contractual models worldwide, in addition to studying the legislative, tax, and regulatory aspects related to exploration, production, and distribution of oil and gas.
The program offers a comprehensive perspective that enhances participants’ ability to deal with the legal challenges of oil contracts and provides them with conceptual and practical tools to understand the legal and strategic dimensions of the modern energy sector.

Who Should Attend?

• Legal affairs professionals working in oil and gas companies.

• Specialists in international contracts and agreement drafting in the energy sector.

• Government employees responsible for regulating natural resources.

• Lawyers and legal consultants interested in the energy industry.

• Academics and researchers in international law and energy resources.

Knowledge and Benefits:

After completing the program, participants will be able to master the following:

• Understand the legal and regulatory foundations governing the oil and gas sector at both local and international levels.

• Distinguish between the different contractual models used in the oil and gas industry and analyze their legal components.

• Learn the mechanisms for dispute resolution in energy contracts, including international arbitration and its legal impact.

• Grasp the regulatory frameworks related to environmental, tax, and health legislation in the energy sector.

• Analyze the impact of international policies and multilateral agreements on exploration and production contracts.

Fundamental Principles of Legal Systems in the Oil and Gas Industry

• International Legal Framework for the Energy Sector

  • The relationship between national sovereignty and international legislation.

  • Cross-border energy agreements.

  • Governing principles for resource extraction.

• Comparative Legal Systems for Oil and Gas

  • Differences between legal frameworks in producing countries.

  • Recent legislative trends in the energy sector.

  • The role of legislative and regulatory authorities.

• Ownership and Legal Rights in Subsurface Resources

  • The difference between public and private ownership of resources.

  • Granting concessions and licenses.

  • Legal controls for resource allocation.

Main Contracts in the Oil and Gas Sector

• Concession Agreements

  • Legal characteristics of these agreements.

  • Obligations of the state and the investor.

  • Developments in concession regulation.

• Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs)

  • Legal structure and components of the contract.

  • Distribution of shares and revenues.

  • Key clauses in these agreements.

• Service Contracts

  • Differences from concession agreements.

  • Responsibilities of executing companies.

  • Common models in developing countries.

Regulatory and Legislative Aspects in the Energy Sector

• Environmental Legislation

  • Companies’ environmental obligations.

  • International standards for environmental compliance.

  • Legal consequences of violating standards.

• Taxes and Government Fees

  • Tax structure of oil contracts.

  • Challenges in imposing taxes on foreign investors.

  • The relationship between taxes and international contracts.

• Labor and Occupational Safety Laws

  • Requirements for worker protection.

  • Companies’ responsibilities towards employees.

  • Legal penalties for violating safety requirements.

Arbitration and Dispute Resolution

• Types of Disputes in Oil Contracts

  • Disputes between states and companies.

  • Legal and commercial sources of disputes.

  • Impact of disputes on project stability.

• International Arbitration in the Energy Sector

  • Specialized arbitration centers.

  • Legal rules governing arbitration.

  • Specificities of energy disputes.

• Enforcement of Arbitration Awards

  • The role of the New York Convention of 1958.

  • Challenges in enforcing awards.

  • National sovereignty and its impact on enforcement.

International Cross-Border Laws and Policies

• International Organizations and Their Role in the Oil Sector

  • OPEC and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).

  • Legal impact of organizational decisions.

  • The effect of collective policies on national legislation.

• Bilateral and Multilateral Agreements

  • Agreements between governments and companies.

  • Protection of foreign investments.

  • Interaction between international and domestic law.

• Future Legislative Trends

  • The impact of the shift towards clean energy.

  • Integrating environmental standards into contracts.

  • The role of legislation in addressing climate change.