Oil & Gas Lawyers in Lebanon.
Legal assistance to operators, investors and service companies active in the Lebanese offshore petroleum sector.
Since the confirmation, from 2010 onwards, that Lebanon's exclusive economic zone in the Levant Basin holds significant recoverable oil and gas resources, our firm has advised industry participants on the regulatory, contractual and operational aspects of the country's emerging petroleum sector.
Legal framework
The Offshore Petroleum Resources Law No. 132/2010, enacted by the Lebanese Parliament in January 2011, sets the legal framework governing the exploration and exploitation of offshore oil and gas resources in Lebanon. It is complemented by the Petroleum Activities Regulations and the model Exploration and Production Agreement (EPA).
The Petroleum Administration is the central technical body in charge of pre-qualification rounds, licensing and the day-to-day supervision of operators, under the authority of the Ministry of Energy and Water and the Council of Ministers.
Our services
Through our presence in the sector and our ties with operators and regulatory bodies, we assist clients with a full spectrum of legal services, mobilizing sector-specific advisors and experts as needed.
- ◆Negotiation and drafting of contracts and agreements relating to petroleum and gas exploration, production, sale and licensing
- ◆Exploration and production agreements (EPA) with the Lebanese State
- ◆Joint-venture and joint-operating agreements
- ◆Farm-in and farm-out agreements
- ◆Service, drilling and supply contracts with operators and IOCs
- ◆Pre-qualification, licensing rounds and regulatory compliance
- ◆Health, safety and environmental (HSE) compliance frameworks
- ◆Local-content requirements, employment and immigration for expatriate staff
- ◆Tax and customs structuring for petroleum activities
- ◆Dispute resolution and international arbitration
Working with international operators
We routinely act as Lebanese counsel to international oil companies, service providers and financial investors, coordinating with their in-house teams and with international law firms on cross-border transactions. Our approach combines strict regulatory compliance with a practical understanding of how petroleum projects are actually delivered.