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More than 80 lawyers from Qatar’s energy sector have attended the sixth International Legal Forum hosted by RasGas at its West Bay headquarters. |
The forum, which has become a popular event among local lawyers, was held in partnership with Qatar Petroleum, Qatar Petroleum International, RasGas, Qatargas
Operating, and ExxonMobil Qatar.
RasGas chief executive officer Hamad Rashid al-Mohannadi, ExxonMobil Qatar president and general manager Bart Cahir, and RasGas general counsel and corporate secretary Dr Marwan M A Musleh delivered introductory and welcoming remarks during the forum.
Globally-renowned legal experts addressed issues, laws, and regulations relevant to the energy sector at the forum, which serves as a platform for the debate and exchange of legal knowledge among energy lawyers in Qatar.
Topics on this year’s agenda also included competition and anti-corruption laws, arbitration laws, developments in e-commerce and cyber security laws in Qatar, global developments in the LNG industry, and legal developments in Qatar.
Young Qatari lawyers, who were recently employed in Qatar’s energy industry also benefitted from views of the experts and by exchanging ideas, reflections on case studies, and capitalised on networking
opportunities.
Presentations were made by legal experts from both international and local organisations such as Al-Ansari & Associates, ictQATAR, Clifford Chance LLP, and Ernst & Young.
In addition, the forum included presentations by lawyers from Exxon Mobil Corporation’s Compliance Group, Qatar Petroleum, and
RasGas.
“The International Legal Forum successfully gathered industry specific experts from all over the world in a single venue for the sixth time with the aim of fostering learning and constructive discussion between energy lawyers in Qatar,” said QP corporate manager Ahmad
al-Abdulmalik.
He added: “We are proud to be part of this unique initiative and are very grateful for the support from our chairman and managing director the Minister of Energy and Industry HE Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada, our co-sponsors, and all of those in attendance.”
Musleh said: “RasGas strongly believes in the importance of this forum and we were delighted to host the event once again at our West Bay headquarters. The forum has many benefits but first and foremost, it is an ideal platform for the exchange of international industry and legal knowledge among energy lawyers in Qatar, particularly the new graduate Qatari hires.”
“Exposing young Qatari lawyers to international expertise as well as providing them with an opportunity to showcase and develop their own advocacy skills instils confidence, contributes to their understanding of global trends both in the energy industry and in the law and stimulates the development of a set of skills critical to a successful legal career. This is one of many examples through which our company backs its commitment to support the Qatar National Vision 2030 human development pillar,” Musleh added.
ExxonMobil Qatar general counsel Anthony Smith said: “ExxonMobil Qatar is pleased to once again join QP, QPI, RasGas and Qatargas to support this important legal forum.”
He added: “We are fully committed to exploring ways through which all stakeholders in Qatar’s energy industry can have substantive and meaningful discussions, including the legal sector.”
QPI general counsel Albertus Alfridijanta said “This event will produce a necessary exchange of knowledge and expertise within the local legal community.”
Similarly, Qatargas general counsel and board secretary Jason Tunnicliffe noted that “This is a great opportunity for the Qatargas Legal team to take advantage of high quality sessions on diverse legal and
regulatory issues.”
“It is particularly pleasing that our Qatari lawyers and national graduate trainees get exposure to high calibre local and international presentations, which will help them achieve the professional competencies they require to progress through the ranks,” Tunnicliffe said.