Module LAWM714 for 2019/0
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
LAWM714: Oil and Gas
This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.
Module Aims
The aim of the module is to develop your knowledge and understanding of some of the key commercial and related legal issues arising from the international oil and gas industry. More specifically, the module aims to provide an overall overview and general understanding of oil and gas and of its operation, of issues relating to exploration and production, of the various contracts and phases involved in exploration and production, of the environmental protection challenges entails in such operations of exploration and production. . The module convenor will assess the various topics to be presented on the basis of legal current trends and developments in oil and gas law as well as by drawing from the results of research in oil and gas and arbitration law.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. Demonstrate deep and systematic knowledge and understanding of the law relating to oil and gas and of the structure, purpose and complexity of arrangements used by the contracting parties in the course of oil and gas exploration and production operations; 2. Undertake complex critical evaluation of main legal rules, institutions and procedures relevant to oil and gas, using specialist literature and current research; demonstrate knowledge of the oil and gas related case law, of the key elements of related substantive and procedural matters and of a wide range of social and contextual implications of the area of oil and gas; 3. Understand the types of transactions used in upstream operations and beyond and the relationships between various aspects of oil and gas law and commercial practices; 4. Identify those types of commercial arrangements which are unique to the oil and gas sector and understand the relationship between legal rules, principles, arrangements and structures which are highly specific to the oil and gas sector; |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 5. Select and explain relevant information from primary and secondary legal sources and understand the methods and rationales for studying oil and gas law in context; 6. Identify the central legal issues and problems surrounding and arising from the petroleum operations covered in this modules and the range of approaches taken by various legal systems; 7. Demonstrate flexible and innovative ability to analyse complex legal problems, and to select a |
| Personal and Key Skills | 8. Manage relevant learning resources/ information/ learning strategies confidently and independently, and to develop own arguments and opinions at a very high/ professional level 9. Communicate knowledge and results effectively and accurately, orally and in writing, in a manner appropriate to the discipline and as per the current trends and needs of the legal job market; 10. Work independently and to manage time well in preparing for scheduled learning activities, exercises and assessments; 11. Communicate with and engage in debate effectively, confidently and autonomously, orally and in writing, in manner appropriate to the discipline/ in a range of complex and specialised contexts in relation to oil and gas 12. Clarify, plan and undertake tasks which may be allocated by tutor, confidently and independently, individually and with others, to reflect critically on the learning process and to make use of feedback effectively; 13. Identify, retrieve and use the full range of library-based and electronic resources efficiently and autonomously; 14. Work independently and effectively, and to manage time efficiently in preparing for scheduled learning activities and all assessments; 15. Demonstrate confident, independent and comprehensive learning ability required for continuing professional development, managing own requirements and contributing to the learning of others |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will include the following topics:
-Introduction to the basic concepts of oil and gas;
-Legal ownership and valuation of reserves and opportunities for exploration and production
-Introduction to the basic contractual issues; operation; assignment
-Discussion of methods to balance the interests of the parties involved
-Upstream activities
-Pre-authorisation phase
-Confidentiality agreements
-Authorisation phase; discussion of Exploration and Production Licences and Sharing Agreements
-Financing/funding of oil and gas projects
-Decommissioning
-Impact of new technologies and the international protection of new technologies
-Oil and gas operations and legal liability issues
-Pollution & environmental protection challenges
-Aspects of downstream activities
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | 267 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 33 | 11 x 3 hour seminars involving lectures with discussion activities, individual and group presentations |
| Guided independent study | 110 | Individual research, reading and seminar preparation |
| Guided independent study | 63 | Assessment preparation (presentation) |
| Guided independent study | 94 | Assessment preparation (essay) |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
