International Approaches to Hydrocarbon Development in Disputed Zones: Unitization and Unit Operating Agreements

This book analyses the legal obstacles associated with the advancement of unitization processes and procedures at an international level. Using case studies in international (cross-border) unitization and joint development agreements, the book uses regional examples from the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. It also touches upon case studies related to ongoing disputes from the South China Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Gulf of Guinea. Focusing on best practices which have influenced the development of the unitization concept, the book looks at the formulation of different models and agreements, and their potential impact on unexplored hydrocarbon resources, particularly in cases where unitization is necessary. The book will be of interest to practitioners, scholars and students in the field of natural resource law, international law and unitization.

Table of Contents:
Part I: Concepts and Principles 1. General Introduction 2. Cross-Border Unitization and Joint Development Part II: Regional Cross-Border Border Developments 3. Exploitation of Transboundary Hydrocarbon Reservoirs: Rules in the Americas 4. Cross Border Unitization and Joint Development Zones: Case Studies from Africa 5. European Cross Border Unitization Agreements: A Case Study of the UK, Norway and the Netherlands 6. Unitization in the Middle East Oil and Gas Sector Part III: Ongoing Disputes 7. International Boundary Disputes in Africa: Perspectives from Africa’s Great Lakes Region 8. Joint Development of Petroleum Resources in the East and South China Seas 9. The Mediterranean Sea Part IV: Conclusion and Recommendations 10. Negotiating Risk-Free Unitization and Joint Document Agreements: Summary and Options for Policymakers

About the Author :
Eduardo G. Pereira is a globally recognized scholar specialising in natural resources and energy law. He has been active in the natural resources and energy industry for more than 15 years and is an international expert on oil, gas and energy contracts and regulations with practical experience in over 50 jurisdictions. He holds positions as a full-time, part-time, honorary, adjunct, research fellow and/or visiting scholar in a number of leading academic institutions around the world. He is also the author/editor of several leading oil and gas textbooks. Marianthi Pappa is an associate professor at the University of Nottingham. She specializes in international law of the sea, and energy and natural resources law. She holds an LLB from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, and an LLM in oil and gas law and a PhD in international law of the sea, both from the University of Aberdeen. Before joining academia, she practiced law in Greece and Cyprus in finance and energy. Marianthi is a fellow in the UK Higher Education Academy. She also delivers training workshops to governmental and business organizations on boundary disputes and energy law. Damilola S. Olawuyi is an associate professor of energy and environment law at Hamad Bin Khalifa University College of Law; a visiting professor at Columbia Law School and China University of Political Science and Law; a senior visiting research fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies; and a Herbert Smith Freehills visiting professor at Cambridge University. He holds a doctorate (DPhil) in energy and environmental law from the University of Oxford and an LLM from Harvard University and the University of Calgary. He is also the Chancellor’s Fellow and Director of the OGEES Institute, Afe Babalola University.