World Petroleum Legislation: Frameworks That Foster Oil and Gas Development

Abstract

In this article the authors draw upon the experience of the World Bank in encouraging petroleum investment in its member countries to analyze the essential elements of international-standard legislative frameworks for petroleum exploration and production operations. The basic components of Petroleum Law, Regulations, and Model Contracts are examined with a view to explaining the principles and rationale for each essential element of successful legislative frameworks while recognizing that there is room for a myriad of variations and innovation depending on the hydrocarbon endowment, real or perceived, of each host government.