LAWS6990 - Principles of Oil and Gas Law

Objectives

Acquire an introduction to the basic legal concepts relating to oil and gas exploration and production and an understanding of the characteristics of the key legal devices through which this activity is organised across the world.
Survey how both states and companies develop the legal tools to respond to key issues and policy concerns.
It is designed both for lawyers who wish to begin to develop a specialised competence in the field of oil and gas law, and for non-lawyers active in or in connection with the industry, who need an appreciation of the legal context in which its activities are carried on.

Content

On completion of the unit, participants should be able to: explain the specific legal problems posed by the physical characteristics of oil and gas; identify different approaches to the resolution of those problems, their strengths and weaknesses; analyse the specific issues presented by offshore oil and gas resources; compare the approaches of different states to the exploitation of their oil and gas resources, and the different legal vehicles used to support and control the involvement of private capital is involved in this task; identify the problems that may arise at each stage of the exploration, production and disposition of oil and gas, and to analyse their legal solutions; describe the methods by which the state obtains a financial return from oil and gas operations; outline the legal approach to any special environmental and occupational safety problems posed by oil and gas operations; and consider how legal regimes for oil and gas exploration and production may be evaluated in terms of political and legal risk.

Session

Semester 1 Intensive
13-14 & 16-17 May 2013

The timetable is subject to frequent changes. Please refer to the latest version of the Postgraduate Timetable.

Please note: International Law students may enrol in either LAWS6990 Principles of Oil and Gas Law or LAWS6933 Global Oil and Gas Contracts and Issues, but not both.

Assessment

1 x 7,500 Word Research Essay (75%)
1 x Take-Home Exam (25%)

Legal Professional Development (LPD)

You can credit this unit towards Legal Professional Development (LPD). Units of study that are part of Sydney Law School’s Postgraduate Program meet the necessary Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) of the Law Society of New South Wales and the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements of the New South Wales Bar Association. You may complete this unit of study by enrolling on a non-degree basis or on an audit basis only with no assessment via Single Unit Enrolment.

Courses this unit is available in

The University of Sydney - Sydney Law School