Extending Local Content Legal Framework Beyond the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry: A Case for Similar Framework in the Construction and Solid Mineral Industries

Job role localization is a strategic local content solution used by countries bearing natural resource stocks to maximize the long-term benefits of exploring and producing them. Currently, there is significant variation in how countries and organizations plan and implement local content and job role localization strategies; hence, this paper aims to gather, classify, and discuss relevant literature with a view to identify best practices for future application. After a multi-dimensional discussion of key terms relevant to the topic, the drivers and theoretical underpinnings of local content are examined, followed by an assessment of job role localization literature qualifying enablers and barriers to localization. A critical discussion on the means of evaluating local content policies summarizes the findings of this critical review.

The main purpose of this article is to examine Iran’s legal and contractual framework for their petroleum, oil and gas industry. Basically, the legal and contractual framework of the Iranian oil and gas industry has been classified into three periods. The first period is from the exploration and discovery of oil in Iran to nationalisation (1901-1951), the second period is from nationalisation to revolution (1951-1979), and the third period is from revolution to the present day (1979-20016).Because each period has its own features and importance two articles will examine this topic. The first period (from exploration to nationalisation, 1901-1951), and second period (from nationalisation to revolution, 1951-1979), has been examined in this article with legal and comparative analysis, and the third period (1979-2016) will be covered in a later article.It should be mentioned that each contractual framework was a turning point regarding to opportunities and circumstances that they have been in that time and also each of those petroleum contractual regimes were a step toward to contractual framework evolution in Iran.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the efficacy of Nigeria's oil and gas industry local content (LC) policy, with particular reference to how the policy has enhanced entrepreneurial activities and served as panacea to resolving some of the country's socio‐economic challenges within the oil‐producing Niger Delta region.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data were randomly obtained from a questionnaire sample of 120 indigenes in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states; and subjected to factor‐analysis using varimax rotation to identify the most crucial factors likely to influence the success of the policy. Cronbach's α was also applied to ascertain the reliability of the data and overall agreement amongst respondents.FindingsThe study reveals a general level of indifference amongst the respondents, and an insignificant level of entrepreneurial implication, regarding the LC policy. Notwithstanding, the need to create business prospects, jobs opportunities, and establish special quota arrangements to benefit indigenes of the oil producing host‐communities were found to be most crucial in their assessment of the policy's efficacy.Practical implicationsIt is expected that the policy should stimulate and open up more channels for budding entrepreneurial activities, job opportunities and wealth generation. These would mitigate situations of unwarranted militant activities, social disorder and disguised criminalities such as kidnapping and destruction of oil installations, resulting from perceived marginalisation, massive unemployment and poor living standards experienced within the region.Originality/valueThe study provides insights into how the LC policy, if properly harnessed and judiciously implemented, can generate win‐win outcomes for the nation, multi‐national oil companies, host communities and indigenous entrepreneurs.

The article examines the trade and economic cooperation between the two countries at the present stage. Given the fact that Turkey is actively expanding its presence not only in Kazakhstan, but also in Central Asia, this issue is of urgent importance.Turkish business is represented in various sectors of the Kazakh economy: construction, transport, and communications. At the same time, we note that Turkey invests in the strategic sectors of our economy. Joint-stock companies and joint ventures have been established that produce products for domestic and international markets. Over the years, a legislative and legal framework has been formed in all areas of cooperation. The Turkish presence is noticeable not only in Kazakhstan, but also in Central Asia. Ankara has managed to put economic and humanitarian cooperation between our countries on a solid foundation. Among the priorities of Turkey's "soft power" are joint projects in the oil and gas industry, education and culture

The Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act of 2010 prescribe local content requirements to promote the patronage of Nigerian products and services by operators in the oil and gas industry. Local content requirements however appear to violate obligations under the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) (1994) of which Nigeria is a member. This article examines provisions of the Act and Nigeria’s obligations under the GATT with a view to determining whether the provisions of the Act are in violation of GATT obligations, and whether those violations are covered by any of the exemptions under the GATT. The article finds that sections 10(1) (a), 11(1), 12 and 13 of the Act, which favor the use of local products and materials for projects in the oil and gas industry, contravene the national treatment obligations under Article III of GATT. The article also finds section 53 of the Act to be in violation of the obligation to ensure the general elimination of quantitative restrictions under Article XI:1 of GATT. However, the article suggests that GATT exemptions justify Nigeria’s application of local content measures in the industry. Nigeria can rely on Article XVIII of GATT to apply local content measures for the purpose of promoting economic development and improving living standards in the country. Besides, Nigeria can rely on Articles XII: 1/2 and XIX:1 of GATT to apply local content measures that restrict fabricated/welded metal products imports in order to prevent a serious decline in monetary reserves and also safeguard domestic producers of similar products from “serious injury” that may arise from the increased imports of such products. Keywords: GATT; Local content requirements; Nigeria; WTO obligations; Oil and gas industry.

Oil and gas production continues to be an important sector of Utah’s economy. Following a 25% loss in production between 2014 and 2015, Utah’s production continues to slowly rebound. Crude oil production in 2019 appears to be slightly ahead of 2018 production. Monthly production averages slightly over three million barrels, placing Utah among the top ten states in crude oil production. Along with the continuing increase in production, the state’s legal framework governing oil and gas continues to develop. This Article examines recent changes in Utah statutes and regulations along with new case law developments involving the oil and gas industry. In particular, this Article discusses a recent federal bankruptcy decision involving midstream agreements, the revision to a Utah statute that now requires mandatory reporting of unclaimed mineral interests, and recent revisions to Utah’s oil and gas regulations.

Since the discovery of oil and gas (O&G) in commercial quantities in 2007, Ghana has made some progress in passing several policies such as Local Content and Participation Framework, ostensibly to stem the effects of resource curse – connotes countries with more natural resources turned to be undeveloped than countries without natural resources. Put it differently, the country’s local content is meant to stimulate industry development by indigenizing the needs of the petroleum industry. However, the above aim is constrained by the country’s infrastructure deficit of about US$ 2.5 billion annually needed to provide the enabling environment for the growth of indigenous companies. The study, therefore, is to propose policy options for enhancing local content implementation through infrastructure development. To that end, the policy implementation in Angola, Brazil and Norway is reviewed, and the research participants are purposively sampled and interviewed. Consequently, the study found that the regulatory institutions and legal framework should be strengthened to attract private investment in infrastructure development. In addition, a special provision should be inserted in future petroleum contracts to support the Infrastructure Fund; through infrastructure-for-oil trade; and encouraging voluntary contribution from oil companies in exchange for reduced taxes into the Infrastructure Fund. The findings contribute to the existing literature in local content development by moving the discussion from training, local employment and goods and services targets to developing host country’s local infrastructure for sustainable development of indigenous and foreign businesses.