This CDGA training course will highlight:

• Variety of instrumental (operational) contracts in the upstream sector
• Negotiation techniques and the role of counsel
• Dispute resolution mechanism and how to draft an effective arbitration clause
• Understanding of model service contracts
• Appreciation of international model contracts i.e. AIPN

At the end of this CDGA training course, you will learn: 

• Detailed analysis of key oil and gas contracts
• Negotiation techniques and the role of counsel
• Analysis of international model oil and gas contracts
• Commonly occurring causes of disputes and to gain knowledge on International Dispute Resolution Framework and Institutions: how to negotiate arbitration clauses
• Problems and pitfalls in contract negotiations

This CDGA training course is suitable to a wide range of professionals but will greatly benefit: 

• Commercial and business development managers within national and international oil and gas companies looking to improve their oil and gas contract negotiation skills and overall commercial performance
• Legal advisors involved in negotiating or renegotiating oil and gas contracts
• Government representatives, policy makers, and regulators looking to increase their oil and gas contracts knowledge
• Insurance and risk managers looking to reduce the legal and contracts risks for their companies
• Executives, professionals, and academics looking to increase or specialise in the area of oil and gas contracts

This interactive CDGA training course will provide the participants an ideal opportunity to improve and sharpen their skill sets in planning, negotiating and managing oil and gas contracts through interactive session with role playing, case studies, discussion groups and scenario building and the high-point of the training course being a simulation exercise of oil and gas contracts negotiation involving interactive role play by the participants. The objective of the interactive role play is to enable participants to apply the knowledge and understanding gained at the workshop to negotiate a more effective oil and gas contracts. This will help participants gain practical insights into managing the risks and enhancing their rewards.

Organisational Impact

For professionals involved nationally and internationally in the oil and gas industry, this course offers a unique opportunity to rapidly increase your understanding of the legal issues involved in oil and gas contracts and to improve your negotiation techniques and skills in drafting a variety of related contracts.

Therefore, your organisation will benefit from this CDGA training course by:

• Gaining expertise and improving knowledge and skill sets of personnel dealing with oil and gas contracts
• Awareness and comparison of model oil and gas contracts from other key oil producing countries and how it compares with your own practice to work out best contract strategies
• Understand the risk factors in oil and gas contracts and how to mitigate them before they affect profits and bottom lines
• Enhancing internal capacity to manage key contractual risks
• Better managing claims and disputes and avoiding adversarial approaches
• Enhancing contract personnel negotiation skills

Personal Impact

Attendees will gain by participation in this training course as a result of:

• A unique opportunity to rapidly increase your understanding of the legal issues involved in oil and gas contracts
• Improving your negotiation techniques and skills in drafting a variety of related contracts
• Managing and mitigating risks associated with oil and gas contracts
• Ensuring smooth contract administration
• Choosing most appropriate form of dispute resolution
• Enhancing your ability to negotiate and manage claims and disputes with confidence

Day One: The Legal Framework & Contract Law  

• The Legal System including sources of law
• Mandatory elements of a legally enforceable contract    
• English Contract Law: Contract Formation and Contract Terms and Conditions
• Legal Jargons and Definition of Terms
• English contract Law: interpretation of contract terms
• Rescission
• Damages: Compensatory, Consequential and Incidental Damages, Liquidated
• Specific Performance
• Injunctive Relief
• International Oil & Gas Industry and its Key Players
• Terminologies & Introduction to the oil Industry

Day Two: Fundamentals of Oil & Gas Contracts 

• Nature of Ownership in Oil and Gas; The Law of the Sea and Sovereignty over Natural Resources
• Developments of Contractual and Fiscal Arrangements in the Oil and gas Sector
• Structure Used in Regulating the Oil and Gas Industry
• Infrastructure development
• Boundary disputes
• Host country legislation
• Characteristics of oil and gas contracts
• Commercial realities of the oil and gas business 
• Drafts and drafting
• Fundamental legal principles
• Cultural and language issues
• Fundamental Legal Principles
• The Essentials of Negotiation
• Types of negotiation
• Issues to be negotiated
• The negotiation processes
• Style, strategy, and tactics
• Persuasion- the role of argument

Day Three: Agreement with Resource Holders I

• Leases
• Service agreements
• Concessions/Licensing
• Agreements Between Co-Ventures (JOA)
• Joint Bidding Agreement (JBA)
• Area of Mutual Interest Agreement (AMI)
• Joint Operating Agreement (JOA)
• Unit Operating Agreements (UOA)

Day Four: Agreement with Resource Holders II & Agreements with Suppliers and Contractors 

• Production Sharing Agreements (PSA)
• Key Characteristics of Production Sharing Agreements
• Determining the Structure Style of a PSCs
• Comparisons of Model PSCs
• Agreements with Suppliers and Contractors
• Standardisation of contracts
• International Service Contracts
• LOGIC Standard Contracts (Model Contracts)
• Review of the key LOGIC contractual provisions
• Reducing Risk through Effective Use of Force Majeure Clauses
• Understand the purpose and risks this clause is intended to mitigate
• Avoiding common Force Majeure pitfalls
• Protect yourself from abuse and misuse of this clause
• Mechanics and drafting tips of exercising Force Majeure rights

 Day Five: Dispute Resolution & International Arbitration Option in Oil and Gas Contracts 

• Dispute resolution in oil and gas business
• Preventing costly litigation through effective use of ADR option
• Types of dispute resolution vehicles
• Assessing litigation vs. arbitration options
• Mediation considerations
• Considerations for selecting effective mediators and Arbitrators
• Selecting arbitration and mediation rules of procedure
• Drafting effective dispute resolution clause

CDGA attendance certificate will be issued to all attendees completing a minimum of 80% of the total course duration.