A Review of the Legal Framework on Production Sharing Agreements in the Oil and Gas Industry:

Abstract

This research paper analyses the existing laws and regulatory frameworks in the oil and gas sector with a particular focus on Uganda’s oil and gas industry. This research analyses the background of the country’s oil and gas industry with specific reference to the adaptation of the Production sharing agreement (PSA) model in as far as oil and gas contracts are concerned. The research commences by undertaking an in-depth analysis of the basic laws, regulatory, policy and institutional frameworks concerning the management and administration of the oil and gas sector. The research then focuses on the legal framework on the PSA model pertaining to the ownership of the resources, the issuing of licenses and concessions, in as well as efforts undertaken to safeguard the effects of signing PSAs on aspects of environmental protection. This research is also designed to critically analyze the weaknesses and strengths of the current legal regime as well as identifying the gaps in laws relating to the applicability of PSAs and measures being taken to tackle such gaps in the regulatory framework of the country and exploring the ways in which aspects of transparency and effective management of the oil and gas industry are concerned. The research paper also discusses if other factors such as the different stakeholders like media houses, civil societies, non-governmental organizations and International Oil and gas companies have a had a role to play in influencing the PSA model as the most appropriate choice of the Ugandan oil and gas contracts. Conclusively the research puts forward recommendations regarding how the gaps in the legal framework on the PSA model should integrate or regulate the identifiable influences of other stakeholders in Uganda’s oil and gas industry.