Upstream Oil and Gas

The book "Upstream Oil and Gas: Cases, Materials and Commentary" by Marc Hammerson is a comprehensive legal guide focused on the upstream oil and gas industry. Here is a detailed overview of the book:

Key Themes

1. Legal Framework: The book explores the extensive and complex interaction between public and private law in the petroleum industry, covering national and international laws that govern common industry transactions[1][4].
2. Ownership and Exploitation: It delves into issues such as ownership of petroleum, the law of capture, rights of exploitation, and the legal nature of exclusive licenses[2][4].
3. Industry Contracts: The book analyzes various types of contracts including exclusive licenses, joint operating agreements, unitization agreements, and gas sales agreements[4].
4. Decommissioning and Investor Protection: It also covers decommissioning, investor protection, and human rights based on the principal legal obligations of parties and governments[4].
5. Comparative Jurisdictions: The book takes exploration and production in the United Kingdom as its subject matter but also cites other jurisdictions for comparative study where the UK lacks decided case law[4].

Plot Summary

The book is structured to provide a thorough understanding of the legal aspects of the upstream oil and gas industry. It includes comprehensive commentaries on industry topics and links these with edited extracts from underlying legal texts. The reader benefits from both a full analysis of key legal issues and selected passages of text from legal sources[3][4].

Critical Reception

While there is no specific critical reception provided in the sources, the book is described as an essential resource for anyone involved in the upstream industry, including lawyers, bankers, financiers, business executives, accountants, and tax advisers[5]. The author, Marc Hammerson, is a partner in the energy group at Stephenson Harwood, specializing in corporate and project work in the oil and gas and power industries. His extensive experience advising energy majors and independent energy companies adds credibility to the book[4].

Author's Background

Marc Hammerson is a partner in the energy group at Stephenson Harwood, with extensive experience advising energy majors and independent energy companies on upstream and downstream oil and gas and power projects. This expertise ensures that the book provides practical and authoritative insights into the legal aspects of the industry[4].