Energy - Oil & Gas

Recent Articles

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  14/05/2024

  Hungary

  EU introduces criminal offences and penalties for sanctions violations

  Criminal offencesUnder the Directive, the following conduct constitutes a criminal offence when committed intentionally and in violation of restrictive measures or a national provision implementing restrictive measures:making funds or economic resources available directly or indirectly to, or for the benefit of, a designated person, entity or body;failing to freeze funds or economic resources belonging to or owned, held or controlled by a designated person, entity or body;enabling designated natural persons to enter into, or transit through, the territory of a EU member state;entering into or continuing...

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  13/05/2024

  Hungary

  UK's Accession to the 2019 Hague Convention to ensure enforcement of UK court judgments

  In January 2024, the UK acceded to the 2019 Hague Convention, which unequivocally permits the enforcement of UK court judgments, regardless of whether a jurisdiction clause is exclusive/symmetrical.The UK’s accession to the 2019 Hague Convention brings clarity and certainty regarding certain types of jurisdiction clauses and the enforcement of UK court judgments in other countries in the aftermath of the UK’s departure from the EU in 2020.As a reminder, prior to BREXIT on 31 December 2020, the UK through its EU membership was party to the Lugano Convention, which facilitated the enforcement...

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  29/04/2024

  International

  On your radar | Key employment issues to be aware of internationally

  We are delighted to share with you our latest and largest edition of On Your Radar, with contributions from 35 countries. As ever, you will find employment law updates covering a diverse range of topical developments, for example:Several countries report changes to their rules on hiring foreign workers – Hungary, Serbia and Romania.Belgium explains that companies with over 50 employees must appoint a person of trust who plays an important role in protecting employees against psychosocial risks in the workplace including sexual harassment. At a time when employers are looking for ways...

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  12/04/2024

  United Kingdom

  NSTA releases much needed guidance on measurement of carbon dioxide and the content of Carbon Storage Permit Applications

  The North Sea Transition Authority (“NSTA”) is responsible for offshore carbon storage licensing and permitting in relation to the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS). Following the successful initial carbon storage licensing round in 2022, there are now over 21 offshore carbon storage licences in the UKCS. Only a limited number of these relate to the Track 1 and Track 2 CCS cluster projects which are expected to be now working towards key investment decisions. There remains significant uncertainty surrounding what the NSTA expects to receive from carbon storage licensees (including the Track...

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  12/04/2024

  International

  Oil & Gas: English court restrains foreign JOA proceedings in breach of arbitration provision

  In The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited v Sunlink Energies and Resources Limited [2023] EWHC 3135 (Comm), the English Commercial Court demonstrated its willingness to ensure that a joint operating agreement’s arbitration provisions were preserved, and backed by real action by the court for a party seeking to circumvent them.BackgroundThe claimant, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (“SPDC”), and the defendant, Sunlink Energies and Resources Limited (“Sunlink”), were parties to a 2005 Joint Operating Agreement (the “JOA”)...

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  08/04/2024

  Hungary

  Hungary proposes ex-ante competition tool to regulate essential companies

  On 2 April 2024, the Hungarian Ministry of Justice submitted an omnibus act to the Hungarian parliament proposing the amendment of several Hungarian laws, including the Competition Act. This Proposal’s most noteworthy element is – based on the German example – expanding the Hungarian Competition Authority’s (HCA) toolbox by introducing a new ex-ante regime enabling the HCA to impose obligations on certain companies without first having to demonstrate a violation of the law.This following article summarises the Proposal’s new rules, potential consequences and next steps.PROPOSED...

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