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Read articlePractice area
Oil & Gas
A sector where the contracts are long, the regulation is dense, and the counterparties are sophisticated.
Overview
What this work involves
Nigeria's petroleum sector operates under a detailed statutory framework, and the commercial arrangements within it are correspondingly complex: service contracts, supply and offtake, joint operations and local content obligations.
We advise companies operating in and supplying to the sector on their commercial agreements and regulatory obligations. Where a matter calls for specialist technical input we say so, and work alongside the right specialists rather than stretch beyond what serves you.
What we help clients with
The work, set out plainly.
Commercial contracts
Service agreements, supply and offtake, logistics and equipment contracts, and the risk allocation within them.
Regulatory advisory
Obligations arising under the applicable petroleum legislation and regulator requirements.
Licensing support
Assisting with applications, renewals and compliance reporting.
Local content
How Nigerian content obligations affect contracting and structuring.
Joint ventures and consortia
Documenting arrangements between participants, including governance and cost sharing.
Sector disputes
Contractual and commercial disputes arising from energy agreements.
Typical matters
Examples of instructions in this area.
These illustrate the kind of work this practice area covers. They are not descriptions of specific client matters.
- Reviewing a service agreement with an international operator
- Advising on obligations under petroleum sector regulation
- Documenting a consortium arrangement for a bid
- Advising on local content in a contracting structure
- Supporting a licence or permit renewal
Frequently asked questions
Questions we are asked most often.
We advise businesses across the value chain, including service and supply companies contracting into the sector, subject to conflict checks in each case.
The legislation reorganised significant parts of the sector's regulatory and fiscal framework. Its practical effect depends on the specific arrangement, the licence or lease, and subsequent regulations. General statements are unhelpful here. The analysis has to be done against your actual documents.
Nigerian content requirements affect matters such as the use of Nigerian companies, employment and procurement, with reporting attached. How they apply depends on the activity and contract value, and they are best considered at structuring stage rather than after award.
Where our capacity allows, yes. Tell us the deadline at the outset and we will be straightforward about whether it is achievable.
These answers are general.
They describe how things usually work, not how they will work in your situation. Requirements
and timelines change. Please take advice before acting.
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