21 August 2007

International seminar to examine state-business oil disputes

The unexpected and prolonged explosion of oil and energy prices has triggered a host of politically charged disputes between producing host states and international oil companies raising questions of investment security, rule of law and sovereignty over natural resources.

Six world-leading lawyers from the USA and the United Kingdom, specialising in oil, gas and energy arbitration and mediation, will tackle the issues raised through these disputes as a a one-week oil and gas arbitration seminar later this month organised by the University of Dundee’s Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy.

The seminar, at the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews from August 27th to 31st , will examine the recent and current international oil and gas dispute issues which have affected many of the world’s oil-producing states. There have been prominent disputes between governments and private oil companies in Russia, Venezuela, Bolivia and Ecuador, among others.

The seminar focuses on dispute resolution between oil companies and host states, reflecting the trends of the current resource cycle and host states wanting to renegotiate terms.

Delegates will have the unique opportunity to discuss sensitive questions relating to disputes between oil companies and host states, including contract- and investment protection treaty-based arbitration, but also mediation and other issues drawing from past and current situations.

The seminar, titled `Specialised Arbitration and Advocacy Skills in International Oil and Gas Disputes’ will be chaired by leading arbitrator, Mr James M. Gaitis.

Among those taking part will be:

• former United Nations Inter-regional Advisor on Petroleum and Mineral Legislation and CEPMLP’s Jean Monnet Chair, Professor Thoms Wälde
• CEPMLP’s Director of Research and Professor of International Energy Law and Policy, Professor Peter D. Cameron
• Co-Chair of International Dispute Resolution Practice at Crowell & Moring LLP, Mr Arif Hyder Ali
• Chair of King & Spalding LLP’s International Arbitration Practice Group, Mr R. Doak Bishop
• Mr William H. Knull, Co-Chair of the International Arbitration Group of Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP.

For more information on the seminar, please contact:
Hugh Gunn
Seminar Co-ordinator
Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy
University of Dundee
Email: c.seminars@dundee.ac.uk
Tel: +44 1382 385871
Fax: +44 1382 385854
www.cepmlp.org

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk