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MODULE DESCRIPTOR
Module Title
UK Oil, Gas and Renewable Energy Law
Reference LL4019 Version 3
Created August 2023 SCQF Level SCQF 10
Approved May 2019 SCQF Points 15
Amended August 2023 ECTS Points 7.5

Aims of Module
This Module aims to provide a comprehensive overview of key current legal issues in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) relating to the oil, gas and renewable energy industries, at the same time providing an in depth review of the main actors and their respective interests. In this regard, the law has the task of arranging complex relationships and of ensuring that the legitimate interests of all stakeholders are protected. The Module will primarily look at these issues from the standpoint of English and/or Scots law, but at times a comparative approach with other jurisdictions will be taken.

Learning Outcomes for Module
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:
1 Demonstrate a sound understanding of the evolution and complexities of the UKCS Licensing/Leasing regime as it relates to oil, gas and renewable energy;
2 Critically appraise the legal and commercial basis of the contractual arrangements of the oil, gas and renewable energy industries in the UKCS;
3 Identify and critically analyse the legal rights and responsibilities of the key actors under different types of industry arrangements;
4 Critically evaluate legislation addressing marine, atmospheric and ecosystem pollution by oil, gas and renewable energy industries in the UKCS.

Indicative Module Content
Overview of World Petroleum Agreements; Ownership of Oil & Gas; UKCS licensing; Introduction to Oil and Gas industry Contracts - JOA, LOGIC Contracts; Standardisation of oil and gas contracts; The emergence of the Oil and Gas Authority; The role of the Crown Estate and Marine Scotland in Offshore Leasing; Renewable Energy and sustainability issues; Pollution and Environmental Regulation; Health and Safety in the UKCS; Decommissioning of offshore oil and gas installations.

Module Delivery
This is a lecture and seminar based module. Lectures provide core module content. Seminars develop associated higher level skills through student centred learning.

Indicative Student Workload Full Time Part Time
Contact Hours 36 N/A
Non-Contact Hours 114 N/A
Placement/Work-Based Learning Experience [Notional] Hours N/A N/A
TOTAL 150 N/A
Actual Placement hours for professional, statutory or regulatory body    

ASSESSMENT PLAN
If a major/minor model is used and box is ticked, % weightings below are indicative only.
Component 1
Type: Coursework Weighting: 100% Outcomes Assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4
Description: Written coursework exercise worth 100% of the overall module grade.

MODULE PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTOR
Explanatory Text
Component 1 comprises 100% of the module grade. To pass this module a D grade or above is required.
Module Grade Minimum Requirements to achieve Module Grade:
A A
B B
C C
D D
E E
F F
NS Non-submission of work by published deadline or non-attendance for examination

Module Requirements
Prerequisites for Module None.
Corequisites for module None.
Precluded Modules None.

INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY
1 Heffron, Raphael J. 2015, Energy law: An introduction. Springer
2 Daintith, T. Finders Keepers, 2010, How the Law of Capture Shaped the World Oil Industry RFF Press
3 GAO, Z., 1998. Environmental regulation of oil and gas. The Hague: Kluwer Law International.
4 Gordon, G., Paterson, J., and Usenmez, E., (3rd Edition) 2018, Oil and Gas Law: current practice and emerging trends, Edinburgh University Press. Volume I: Resource Management and Regulatory Law Volume 2: Commercial and Contract Law Issues
5 Kemp, Alexander G., 2012, The official history of North Sea oil and gas Vols. 1&2, Routledge.
6 Lowe, J.S., 2014, Oil and gas law in a nutshell (6th Edition) USA: West Academic Publishing.
7 Twidell, J. and Weir, T., 2015. Renewable energy resources. Routledge.

Robert Gordon University, Garthdee House, Aberdeen, AB10 7QB, Scotland, UK: a Scottish charity, registration No. SC013781