Introduction

Disputes in the oil and gas industry are often complex, high-value, and cross-border in nature. Managing these disputes effectively—whether through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or litigation—is vital for protecting commercial interests and maintaining project continuity. This 12-day advanced training program, designed by Global Horizon Training Center, equips professionals in the energy sector with specialized knowledge and practical skills in arbitration and dispute resolution mechanisms, tailored to the unique operational and contractual contexts of the oil and gas industry.

Objectives

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

• Understand the legal and commercial framework of oil and gas contracts and typical dispute triggers.

• Identify and evaluate the most effective dispute resolution mechanisms in different scenarios.

• Apply negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and expert determination techniques.

• Navigate international arbitration institutions and rules (ICC, LCIA, ICSID, UNCITRAL, etc.).

• Draft enforceable dispute resolution clauses in energy contracts.

• Prepare, manage, and defend arbitration claims effectively.

• Understand the enforcement of arbitral awards across jurisdictions.

Organizational Impact

• Minimized financial and reputational risks in disputes

• Stronger contract management and legal foresight

• Reduced project delays due to unresolved conflicts

• Increased readiness for international arbitration proceedings

• Improved internal dispute resolution and governance structures

• Enhanced ability to negotiate and settle before escalation

Target Audience

• Legal Counsels and Contract Managers in Oil & Gas

• Project Managers and Commercial Directors

• Compliance and Risk Officers

• Engineers involved in procurement and EPC projects

• Government and regulatory officials in the energy sector

• Arbitrators, mediators, and dispute resolution professionals

Training Program Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Dispute Resolution in Oil & Gas

• Nature and types of disputes in upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors

• Risk allocation in oil and gas contracts

• Overview of dispute resolution mechanisms

• Industry-specific challenges in resolving conflicts

Day 2: Legal and Contractual Framework

• Key contract types: PSCs, JOAs, EPC, drilling, supply agreements

• Governing law, jurisdiction, and applicable rules

• Common dispute triggers in oil & gas operations

• Role of national oil companies (NOCs) and host government agreements

Day 3: Negotiation and Early Dispute Management

• Early neutral evaluation and settlement techniques

• Interest-based vs. position-based negotiation

• Case study: pre-arbitration negotiations in joint ventures

• Drafting dispute resolution escalation clauses

Day 4: Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

• Principles and process of mediation

• Choosing mediators and confidentiality rules

• Pros and cons of ADR in technical disputes

• Real case example: infrastructure mediation in the Gulf

Day 5: Fundamentals of International Arbitration

• Institutional vs. ad hoc arbitration

• Key institutions: ICC, LCIA, ICSID, SIAC, UNCITRAL

• Seat, venue, and arbitration rules

• Enforceability and the New York Convention

Day 6: Arbitration Agreements and Clauses

• Drafting effective arbitration clauses

• Pathological clauses and how to avoid them

• Multi-tiered clauses (mediation-arbitration)

• Clauses in production sharing and service contracts

Day 7: Case Management and Arbitration Procedure

• Constitution of the tribunal

• Statements of claim and defense

• Procedural timetable and preliminary hearings

• Interim measures and emergency arbitration

Day 8: Evidence, Hearings, and Expert Witnesses

• Document production and privilege

• Expert reports and witness preparation

• Cross-examination techniques

• Conducting technical hearings and virtual arbitration

Day 9: Awards and Enforcement

• Types of arbitral awards

• Remedies available (damages, restitution, declaratory)

• Recognition and enforcement under the New York Convention

• Challenges and annulments of awards

Day 10: Special Topics in Oil & Gas Arbitration

• Investor-State Disputes (ISDS) under ICSID

• Environmental and ESG-related disputes

• Gas pricing disputes and price review arbitration

• Corruption, bribery, and public policy defenses

Day 11: Mock Arbitration Simulation

• Roles assigned: claimant, respondent, tribunal, witnesses

• Pre-hearing preparation and filings

• Oral pleadings and witness examination

• Tribunal deliberation and summary award

Day 12: Strategic Risk Management and Lessons Learned

• Integrating dispute avoidance into contract and project planning

• Early warning systems and documentation best practices

• Case review of landmark oil & gas arbitration rulings

• Final reflections, action planning, and wrap-up