Negotiating International Petroleum Agreements

This course, led by Professor Nadorff, offers a comprehensive understanding of international petroleum agreements, focusing on negotiation strategies and the practical application of model agreements. The first class discusses how to establish optimal conditions for mutually successful international negotiations and mitigate ten common obstacles to that goal. The second class provides a robust theoretical foundation in international petroleum agreements,  equipping participants with the knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of global petroleum negotiations. This groundwork will enable the participantsto effectively engage in hands-on negotiations both a farmout agreement and a related Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) in the third and fourth classes. .
During this course participants will learn how model contracts are generated and structured so that they can better use, and not abuse, these critical industry precedents which serve as the beginning point of a wide range of complex and unique industry agreements. By negotiating from two key model contracts they will learn how to spot, and deal with commercial risk using  classic techniques described in class.  They will also so learn the key role of teamwork, preparation, culture and compromise in conducting successful negotiations. 
By the end of the course, participants will be well-equipped to recognize and mitigate commercial risk, making them more effective lawyers negotiators and other professionals in the high-stakes world of international petroleum agreements. The acquired practical skills and knowledge will be applied to real-world scenarios, preparing participants to handle complex commercial  international  petroleum contracts with confidence and competence.

This course is ideal for legal professionals, contract managers, and industry stakeholders involved in the negotiation and execution of international petroleum agreements. 

By the end of this course, participants will:

• Learn fundamental negotiating techniques as well as strategies to organize negotiations that are both productive and efficient, thus increasing the likelihood of success. 
• Acquire general knowledge about the wide range of petroleum contracts used in the industry, as well as more specialized knowledge about farmout agreements and joint operating agreements.
• Gain an understanding of the generation of model contracts as well as their purpose and proper use. 
• Understand the legal and commercial risks associated with international petroleum contracts.
• Gain practical experience in negotiating international petroleum agreements, including farmout agreements and joint operating agreements.