2nd International Oil and Gas Conference
Managing Risk – Dispute Avoidance and Resolution
20–21 September 2007, One Birdcage Walk, London, UK

Objectives

• Receive a detailed overview on dispute processes, mechanisms and institutions involved
• Learn from practical case studies and experiences presented by senior industry people
• Understand the role and work of the courts and arbitration bodies in dispute resolution
• See how good corporate governance policies can help to avoid conflicts and disputes
• Find out what is being done about piracy and maritime crime

Technical Programme - click here 2 day programme (pdf file, 300k)

Message from the President:

This conference, previously held in 2004, will once again feature top speakers who will consider and discuss the global issues facing the oil and gas industry. The conference theme is risk avoidance and dispute resolution, detailing the appropriate types of dispute mechanism and providing practical examples of dealing with disputes in the oil and gas sector. The areas covered range from the pure commercial to the inter-state: maritime delimitation, cross-border transportation of oil and gas, investor-state disputes and investment treaty arbitration. Other fields to be addressed are good corporate governance, ethics and risk, and community engagement.

Speakers and chairmen include major figures from the industry; judges from the International Court of Justice in the Hague and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Hamburg; the Secretary General of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, The Hague; and the former Deputy Secretary General of the World Bank’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes in Washington DC, Antonio Parra. Mr Parra is one of the world’s leading experts on investment treaty arbitration. During his tenure of office, ICSID went from being a small arbitration forum to become the premier investor-state arbitration centre in the world. ICSID advanced from administering five cases worth some $15mn to a caseload of 90 cases worth well over $25bn. These distinguished speakers will be joined by industry experts sharing practical case studies and speakers from international law firms and other professional organisations.

Piracy is one of the significant risks facing the oil and gas industry – a problem that will be
considered by Captain P Mukundan of the International Chamber of Commerce’s Commercial Crime Services. For the last 20 years Captain Mukundan has specialised in the investigation, detection and prevention of onshore and offshore commercial and maritime crime. The conference will also enable delegates to network in three very special venues in London.

The conference itself is being held at One Birdcage Walk, designed by King James I. The building is regarded as one of the finest examples of traditional architecture in Westminster and is surrounded by notable landmarks: Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament. A pre-conference reception on the evening of 19 September will be hosted by the City of London Corporation at Haberdashers’ Hall – a magnificent Livery Hall in the City of London. On 20 September the American Arbitration Association is hosting a reception at the House of Commons – within walking distance of the conference venue.

Delegates and speakers from over 20 countries around the world attended the first
international oil and gas conference in 2004: from Britain, Europe, North and South America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. We hope you will join us for this international meeting and take the opportunity to learn how to avoid costly disputes in the oil and gas industry from practical case studies and experienced practitioners.

Dr Randall Gossen
President
World Petroleum Council

Organising Committee

Anthony Connerty
in most English Courts. He acts as counsel and sits as arbitrator in major international commercial arbitrations: ICC, LCIA, AAA, and ad hoc (including arbitration under the UNCITRAL Rules) in multimillion US dollar commercial disputes. He is a member of various international dispute resolution panels, including the American Arbitration Association, the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission, Beijing (CIETAC), and the UN's World Intellectual Property Organisation, Geneva. He acts as Counsel and Mediator in substantial commercial disputes. He has a particular interest in oil and gas. He has been a member of the Energy Institute for many years, and has lectured on dispute resolution in the UK, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia: in particular at World Petroleum events in Shanghai and Qatar. His articles on dispute resolution – and oil and gas – have been published in various journals around the world. He is the author of the Commonwealth Secretariat's Manual of International Dispute Resolution, published in 2006 by the Commonwealth Secretariat, Marlborough House, Pall Mall, London: Foreword by Sandra Day O' Connor, former Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

World Petroleum Council (WPC)
The principal purpose of the WPC is to promote the management of the world's petroleum (oil and gas) resources for the benefit of mankind. It aims to encourage the application of scientific and technological advances and the study of economic, financial, management, environmental and social issues relating to the petroleum industry. The WPC is recognised by all stakeholders as a proactive
leader for the petroleum industry that benefits society's expectations for sustainable energy. The WPC is the only global organisation that represents all aspects of the petroleum industry, with the purpose of providing: networking opportunities in a global forum; common understanding of issues and challenges; cooperation (partnerships) with other organisations; the promotion of science, technology, social issues, R&D, management and the environment; a showcase for the industry; a forum for developing business opportunities; communication, via information dissemination.

Energy Institute (EI)
The EI is the leading professional body for the energy industries, representing over 13,000 professionals both nationally and internationally. A Royal Charter membership organisation, the EI serves society with independence, professionalism and a wealth of expertise in energy matters,
creating a home for energy professionals and a scientific and technical reservoir for industry. It is licensed by the Engineering Council (UK) and the Science Council to offer Chartered, Incorporated and Engineering Technician status to engineers and scientists.

Sponsored by:

Supported by:

For further information on this event please contact:

disputes@world-petroleum.org