Chapter 17: International Oil and Gas Law

The search for petroleum drives oil and gas companies from the familiar confines of their home countries out into the world. The worldwide scope of the exploration for the production of oil and gas has led to the rise of international and multinational petroleum companies—companies that are nominally based in a home country but operate throughout the world. Today, almost all major oil companies have a presence in most oil-producing regions, and many mid-size and smaller petroleum companies operate in more than one country.

Each host country has its own specific laws and regulations that apply to oil and gas development in that country. Still, it is possible to describe some common approaches and concepts that apply to international petroleum law. The United States has also passed certain laws that apply to the international operations of U.S. companies. This chapter describes some of the legal issues affecting international oil and gas development, as well as the laws that will apply to U.S. companies operating internationally.