University of Aberdeen School of Law: LLM in Oil and Gas Law

LLM in Oil and Gas Law

Oil and gas were the mainstays of economic development in the last century. The legal framework within which those resources were produced was a vital component in the industry’s success.

The increasing focus on alternative energy sources does not mean, however, that this is a twilight industry and that there is no longer any development of the law.

To the contrary, the recognition that hydrocarbons will continue to play an important role for the foreseeable future in the context of increasing demand and reducing supplies means that new challenges will continue to confront the industry and those involved in its contractual and regulatory dimensions.

This masters programme aims to reflect this position and prepare lawyers for work in the developing context. The focus is thus not only upon current practice but also upon emerging trends.

In addition to the full LLM, involving four taught courses and a dissertation, students may also study for a Postgraduate Diploma in Oil and Gas Law, which does not involve a dissertation, or may elect to study individual components of the syllabus. Study on a full– or part-time basis is possible.

The remainder of this page gives more details of the programme, or you can download a PDF flyer by clicking here. Please be aware that this is a large file.

Syllabus

Oil and Gas Law: State Control

The course considers the means by which the state controls the exploitation of oil and gas reserves. Topics include licensing (both in the UK and other key jurisdictions), mature province initiatives and Production Sharing Agreements.

Oil and Gas Law: Contracting

The course discusses central issues in oil and gas contracting. Topics include the commercial context of contracting, Joint Operating Agreements, the management of risk , up– and downstream contracting and dispute resolution.

Electricity Regulation and Renewable Energy (This course will not be available in the 2009/2010 academic year)

The aim of the course is to develop a critical appreciation of some of the current issues in Renewable Energy Law. Topics include energy policy, mechanisms for promoting the use of renewables, the regulation and consent procedures for new renewable schemes, property issues and environmental regulation.

Oil and Gas Law: Regulation

The course examines the means by which domestic and international law regulates the industry. Topics covered include approaches to regulation, health and safety, public procurement and decommissioning.

Taxation of Oil and Gas

This course aims to ensure that students understand the law and practice for the UK oil fiscal regime, in particular petroleum revenue tax, ring fence corporation tax and the supplementary charge. Topics covered include Corporation Tax, Capital Gains, Oil Industry Accounting, Petroleum Revenue Tax, Corporation Tax ‘Ring Fence’ and Supplementary Charge, Interest and Financing, Capital Allowances and Exploration Expenditure Supplement, Abandonment and Decommissioning.

Principles of Environmental Regulation

The course examines the different approaches to environmental regulation. Topics include the precautionary principle, the polluter-pays principle and the preventative principle and the regulatory techniques used to secure compliance.

Marine and Coastal Law

The course considers International, European and UK marine and coastal law. Topics covered include the control and facilitation of development in coastal and marine waters and the preservation of marine species and habitats.

Programme Team

Mark Bowler Smith

Mr Smith is a qualified solicitor with extensive experience in practice and in business. He teaches and researches in the area of tax law.

Greg Gordon

Mr Gordon is a qualified solicitor with experience in practice with an international law firm. He teaches and researches on mature province initiatives, state control and oil and gas contracting.

Dr Kathryn Last

Dr Last teaches and researches principally the domestic and international law relating to cultural and natural heritage, including the regulation of the environment and the impact of development upon wildlife habitat.

Professor Roderick Paisley

Roderick Paisley, a practising solicitor, is Professor of Commercial Property law and has a particular interest in the law relating to pipelines and other aspects of energy infrastructure.

Dr John Paterson

John Paterson holds a PhD from the EUI on the regulation of health and safety risk in the oil industry, and teaches and researches on various aspects of state control and regulation of the industry.

Dr Aylwin Pillai

Aylwin Pillai holds a PhD from the University of Aberdeen. Her thesis examined Part 2 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, the community right to buy land in rural Scotland. Her main research interests are environmental law and property law.

Anne-Michelle Slater

A qualified town planner, Ms Slater teaches and researches planning, environmental and marine development law. She has a particular interest in marine planning and the control of pollution at sea.

Scott Styles

Mr Styles is assistant editor of Daintith and Willoughby, the leading book on UK oil and gas law. He has many years experience of teaching and researching oil and gas law, with a particular focus on regulatory matters and contracting.

Further information

For further information on the LLM, please contact the Programme Co-ordinators, Greg Gordon (g.w.gordon@abdn.ac.uk) and John Paterson (j.paterson@abdn.ac.uk).

For application and admission enquiries, please contact the Law School ’s Coordinator Graduate Programmes, Caroline Ransom:

Email: law-pg-enquiries@abdn.ac.uk

Telephone: +44 (0) 1224 272443 / Fax: +44 (0) 1224 272442

Post: School of Law, Taylor Building, Old Aberdeen AB24 3UB, United Kingdom