Events

This was the first in a three-part virtual seminar series Volterra Fietta are hosting throughout January and February. The second and third seminar will focus on the extraction of natural resources in space and the arctic region. As the world gears up to start the exploitation of mineral resources from the deep sea, this timely

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused almost every government around the world to enact public health regulations.  Many governments have also cited COVID-19 as the motivation for passing regulatory measures across a broad range of other policy areas.  These have included human rights, trade, refugee, foreign investment, humanitarian law. In addition, in relation to the pandemic,

By general consensus, the world needs to reduce its fossil fuel consumption and electrification is seen as the key means to achieve this. The European Green Deal aims to strengthen this trend, which will have profound geopolitical, legal and economic consequences. The Western Balkans are the largest potential source of flexible renewable electricity – hydropower

COVID-19 has exacerbated the already difficult situation in many war-torn countries. Civilians in States weakened by years of conflict or persons who are internally displaced have proven particularly exposed to risk. Border restrictions complicate the delivery of humanitarian relief. The pandemic may even create incentives for an escalation of hostilities. This topical seminar explored these

Vietnam might resort to international arbitration to settle its territorial dispute with China over maritime rights in the South China Sea, reports say.   In November 2019, Vietnam’s deputy foreign minister Le Hoai Trung had already indicated that Vietnam had not ruled out the option of initiating dispute resolution proceedings against China under the United

Joint Operating Agreements (JOAs) are a cornerstone of all upstream oil and gas investments where more than one investor is involved – which includes the quasi-totality of upstream oil and gas investment opportunities. The JOA, which is essentially a risk allocation model, sets out the fundamental and overarching relationship among the investors from exploration to

In addition to certain beneficial environmental effects, the COVID-19 pandemic has complicated the processes by which companies can conduct human rights and ESG diligence.  This panel discussed the impacts on human rights and ESG during the pandemic and how the pandemic might impact human rights and ESG diligence in the future. The speakers for this

The COVID-19 pandemic and resultant economic recession have significantly dampened activity and appetite for investment in the energy industry, notably in the hydrocarbon sector.  At the same time, while some States have used COVID-19 as a pretext to restrict or even expropriate investments in renewables, others see the situation more positively as an opportunity to

Canada day, 1 July 2020, marked the entry into force of the revised North American Free Trade Agreement, which is alternately called CUSMA or the USMCA.  This new treaty constitutes a substantial revision of the terms of trade and investment between its three North American partners, Canada, Mexico and the United States.  Our experienced speakers

Energy arbitrations include commercial and investor-State arbitrations in relation to energy assets or energy contracts.  The stakes involved can be very significant, often with macroeconomic consequences for the countries involved.  Energy disputes are also often politically sensitive. Energy disputes frequently involve complex technical issues with which arbitrators may, or may not, be familiar.  A major

Investment in offshore blocks has grown rapidly because of technological advances, new discoveries and the opening up of local markets.  Increasingly, energy companies are looking to develop and explore oil reserves that straddle, or might straddle, maritime borders.  Generally speaking, States have an interest in coordinating the development of shared reserves to maximise economic benefits. 

States all around the world have advanced overlapping claims over more than 200 maritime areas.  These disputed areas often contain very significant natural resources.  Recent technological advances have made these resources more accessible to investors.  However, offshore investments in disputed maritime areas still face a number of risks. Investors with rights regarding natural resources in

COVID-19 has brought about dramatic changes to the energy industry, including energy prices and values in all parts of the energy value chain.  Following Volterra Fietta’s highly successful seminar on “COVID-19 and Force Majeure under Oil and Gas Contracts”, this seminar continued to examine the consequences of COVID-19 and the associated economic recession on energy

There are many interesting and often challenging aspects to arbitration being undertaken in sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere arising out of commercial activities in that continent.  In particular, Africa has attracted and continues to attract huge inward investment in sectors including mining, extraction and processing of oil and gas, power generation and transport infrastructure.  Referral to

In the first quarter of 2020, several major Chinese and Indian importers of liquefied natural gas (LNG) issued force majeure notices to their LNG suppliers in reaction to the COVID-19 outbreak.  These notices were reportedly prompted by State measures, including sweeping lockdowns, which resulted in a dramatic decrease in domestic demand and logistical constraints at

The COVID-19 pandemic has already had devastating effects on States, populations and the world’s economy.  International organisations, States and individual experts are working tirelessly to contain the wide-ranging consequences of this pandemic.  However, it is not clear whether or how their tireless efforts are being coordinated.  Indeed, there is mounting evidence that a number of

Recently, States have implemented unprecedented measures to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.  They have imposed a range of measures on their populations, including social distancing, national lockdowns and other restrictions on movement.  They have ordered the temporary closure of non-essential businesses and requisitioned the premises of certain investors to attend vital needs.  Equally, States have