Law college hosts seminar on energy infrastructure projects

The Energy and Environmental Law Forum at Qatar University (QU) College of Law (LAWC) has hosted a two-day seminar organised by Sultan al-Abdulla and Partners (SAP) law firm and Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP (BLP), of London and Abu Dhabi, in conjunction with Qatar International Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration.

On first day, the seminar focused on developing key energy infrastructure projects in the GCC, in particular water projects as well as alternative energy. It was attended by LAWC Dean Hassan Okour, SAP managing partner Sultan al-Abdulla, Energy Forum director Rudiger Tscherning, energy consultants, senior environmental consultants, project developers, legal counsel from the energy and construction industry in Qatar, LAWC faculty and students.

The seminar, which was moderated by Tscherning, included a presentation by Richard Davies, of BLP, that focused on disputes in power and water projects and how to avoid risks, followed by Salman Mahmood of SAP who provided an overview of the legal system in Qatar as it related to energy projects.

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The second day’s sessions, which were moderated by Sultan al-Abdulla, included a presentation by Minas Khatchadorian, executive director Qatar International Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration, on “The salient features of the FDIC Silver Book and the developments thereof”, followed by BLP (London) member Nazir Dewji, who discussed salient features of partnership in relation to the delivery of major infrastructure projects. BLP (Abu Dhabi) member Charles Lilley presented the last topic of the day entitled “Alternative dispute resolution methods which are being applied to avoid claims”. 

Commenting on the event, Tscherning said: “It is refreshing to have had such a thorough discussion from lawyers and non-lawyers from the energy industry about the very real opportunities and challenges lying ahead for Qatar and the region’s energy infrastructure development. It is important to focus on a medium to long term timeframe. The regulatory environment that exists in place now will influence future energy projects for a long time. It is important to establish clear frameworks for energy management planning and the associated considerations for environmental sustainability now to plan for the next phase of major projects. What may appear as a risk or challenge today can in fact be an advantage in five years’ time such as the energy and water efficiency of buildings or energy conservation during project development and completion.”

Okour remarked that it was very encouraging that such reputable law firms as SAP and BLP had looked to the Energy Forum for a collaboration on this seminar. He stressed the benefit of bringing the law closer to professionals of non-law disciplines, identifying it as a major area of future service of the Energy Forum and Qatar University to the economic development of the State of Qatar. 

Okour encouraged attendees to participate in the upcoming professional and academic events organised by the forum, such as the Clean Development Mechanism workshop on May 24, the forum’s launch conference and Future Energy Summit which will take place at QU’s Ibn Khaldoon Hall on May 27-28.

source: Gulf Times