We possess all the necessary legal qualifications and expertise to provide services to governments and international oil companies. Our extensive experience and established network enable us to deliver professional solutions in this field.

We have honed our legal skills, particularly in relation to the fundamental concepts of current oil and gas law. Our knowledge encompasses the legal management of oil and gas exploration and production, supported by a robust network of industry contacts.

Our approach fosters contextual thinking, allowing us to develop a comprehensive understanding of the industry and its legal framework. We consider various perspectives and the requirements of the energy sector, from state entities discovering oil or gas reserves to experts involved in drilling, while also prioritizing ecosystem support and protection.

We handle all aspects of the petroleum industry, including upstream and downstream oil and gas operations, pipeline transportation agreements, power purchasing and related concession agreements, energy trading arrangements, and other energy-related contracts.

Co-operative Contracts:

• We recognize the commercial imperatives that drive the formation of joint ventures in the upstream oil and gas sector. We understand the distinctions between different cooperative agreements and can determine when specific contracts are most suitable. Our expertise includes a comprehensive analysis of the essential legal features of various agreements.
• We possess a thorough understanding of cooperative contracts used to govern commercial relationships between oil and gas companies when forming consortia for bidding on and developing oil and gas resources. Key terms covered include Area of Mutual Interest agreements, such as Confidentiality Agreements, Joint Bidding Agreements, Joint Operating Agreements, and Unitization and Unit Operating Agreements.
• We adeptly handle legal issues arising from defaults in party obligations under Joint Operating Agreements (JOAs), including dissensus, deadlock situations, sole risk scenarios, non-consent situations, and the contractual and insolvency law implications of such defaults.

Policies and Legal Aspects:

• Our expertise extends to the policy and legal aspects that underpin the exploration and development of a country’s hydrocarbon resources. We understand the relationship between policy and law formation, review the structure and function of National Oil Companies, and evaluate different petroleum licensing systems and production sharing agreements (PSAs).
• Additionally, we comprehend the geopolitical significance of energy security and its implications for both producers and consumers. In Lebanon, where international oil companies participate in the search for and development of oil and gas resources, we possess in-depth knowledge of the legal framework within which these companies operate. We ensure a fair fiscal regime that provides value to the state while incentivizing investors.
• We also consider international law’s perspective on offshore activities of producer states, including jurisdictional issues and potential disputes with neighboring countries. Furthermore, we explore the solutions presented by joint development agreements.

Governance and Petroleum Development:

• Understanding how governance influences petroleum development is another area of our expertise. Through comparative analysis, we critically assess key legal issues related to petroleum resource governance, including the resource curse, anti-corruption measures, transparency initiatives, and the impact of hydrocarbon resources on the state. We examine the role of law, regulation, and governance and evaluate various measures aimed at mitigating associated challenges.
• Given the high and major risks involved in the industry, regulation plays a vital role in managing health, safety, and environmental concerns. We specialize in designing robust health and safety risk governance regimes, considering not only the regulatory tools available to government and regulators but also the complex interplay between these tools and non-regulatory factors, such as market forces and commercial/economic tensions.

Decommissioning:

• Our advisory services encompass the most significant legal instruments and regulations pertaining to offshore installations’ decommissioning. We possess detailed knowledge of the current international, domestic, and comparative regulatory frameworks for offshore decommissioning.

Risk Allocation:

• The petroleum industry brings together powerful public and private actors, including states and transnational corporations. Recognizing the strategic importance and inherent risks involved, we understand how these risks are allocated among various stakeholders. We possess a deep understanding of the commercial and strategic imperatives that drive oil and gas contractual arrangements, drawing on relevant materials from the UK and other jurisdictions.