Energy - Oil & Gas

Recent Articles

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  06/09/2024

  United Kingdom

  NSTA considers early identification of companies under investigation

  IntroductionThe North Sea Transition Authority (“NSTA”) has, to date, taken a relatively cautious approach to publishing information regarding regulatory compliance by individual companies – for example, by not identifying companies subject to sanctions investigations prior to conclusion of that process.  However, it has also indicated on several occasions that it can see the benefit in providing detailed and specific real life examples to help the industry understand precisely what it expects by way of regulatory compliance.  The NSTA is now considering a different...

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  01/08/2024

  Ukraine

  Ukraine approves new National Energy and Climate Plan

  On 25 June 2024 the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the National Energy and Climate Plan (NEC Plan) for the period up to 2030 as part of Ukraine's effort to achieve EU climate neutrality targets through a national energy climate plan that combines EU initiatives and national policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop the renewable energy sector.The NEC Plan, a strategic document aimed at harmonising Ukraine's energy and climate policies to ensure sustainable development and economic recovery, was developed as part of Ukraine's obligations within the framework of the Treaty...

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  26/07/2024

  Ukraine

  The Law on Mandatory Use of Liquid Biofuels in the Transport Sector entered into force

  The Law of Ukraine No. 3769-IX “On amendments to certain laws of Ukraine on the mandatory use of liquid biofuels (biocomponents) in the transport sector” (“Law on use of liquid biofuels”) was adopted by the Verkhovna Rada on 4 June 2024 and entered into force on 30 June 2024. The Law on use of liquid biofuels introduces amendments to the Law of Ukraine No. 1391-XIV dated 14 January 2000 “On alternative types of fuels”.RequirementsMandatory contentThe Law on use of liquid biofuels establishes that from 1 May 2025 a mandatory share of liquid biofuels (biocomponents)[1]...

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  25/06/2024

  Bulgaria

  Bulgaria re-launches Han Tervel Block oil & gas exploration tender

  The long-awaited Han Tervel tender procedure has been opened for bidding following the adoption of the Council of Ministers’ decision dated 23 August 2023 and its recent publication in the Official Journal of the EU.The deadline for submitting applications will be 17:30 EET (Bulgarian time) on 5 November 2024 and the deadline for submitting offers will be 17:30 EET (Bulgarian time) on 20 November 2024. The price of the tender documents will be BGN 10,000 (EUR 5,000) and the documents can be purchased from the Ministry of Energy.The recent extraction developments in the Black Sea and...

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  21/06/2024

  United Kingdom

  Finch: Supreme Court decision on environmental impact assessment regulations and the requirement to assess “scope 3” emissions

  The UK Supreme Court has handed down its much-awaited decision in R (on the application of Finch on behalf of Weald Action Group) (Appellant) v Surrey County Council and others (Respondent) (“Finch”). The case concerned a challenge to a development consent for an onshore oil and gas development on the basis that the relevant environmental impact assessment (EIA) did not consider indirect (commonly referred to as ‘scope 3’ or ‘downstream’) emissions from the combustion of eventually refined hydrocarbons produced by the development. The court’s decision –...

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  24/05/2024

  United Kingdom

  Oil, gas and commodities: Supreme Court overturns Court of Appeal on force majeure

  On 15 May 2024, the Supreme Court unanimously overturned the Court of Appeal’s decision that a ‘reasonable endeavours’ obligation in a force majeure clause could require a party to accept alternative, or non-contractual, performance.The Supreme Court clarified the law on force majeure clauses by relying on well-established English law principles and found that an obligation to use reasonable endeavours in the context of a force majeure clause would not require a party who wishes to rely on the clause to accept the other party’s offer of non-contractual performance.FactsCMS...

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