Hydrocarbon Lawyer

Expertise: Consultancy Level

Job Summary

The Hydrocarbon Lawyer in the Business Development Group will play a pivotal legal,

contractual, & regulatory role in shaping & managing partnerships. This role requires

a seasoned legal professional who can navigate complex regulatory landscapes, draft

& implement robust contractual terms, & ensure compliance across all partnership

activities. The Hydrocarbon Lawyer will collaborate closely with internal stakeholders

& external partners, providing expert legal & regulatory advice throughout the pretender, negotiation, & contract execution stages.

Beyond traditional legal functions, the Hydrocarbon Lawyer will be instrumental in

conducting due diligence on potential partners, assessing risk, & ensuring that all

agreements align with the Kuwait Constitution & Laws, KOC’s regulatory, commercial,

& technical standards.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in oil & gas law, excellent

coordination skills, & a proactive approach to compliance & risk management. This

role offers a unique opportunity to drive value through strategic partnerships while

upholding the highest standards of legal & regulatory compliance.

Role & Responsibilities

 Evaluate partnership models to ensure compliance with regulatory, technical, &

commercial standards.

 Provide legal & regulatory support during the pre-tender & tender stages, ensuring

that partnership agreements are legally sound & align with KOC’s objectives.

 Draft the Terms & Conditions for partnerships based on the approved business

model & in coordination with KOC stakeholders for technical, commercial, other

inputs, e.g., tax.

 Monitor & support the execution of T&Cs, including the establishment of Joint

Operating Companies (JOCs) where applicable.

 Advise on all matters related to partnership Terms & Conditions (contract

execution), including amendments, renewals, & relinquishments.

 Regularly review & update T&Cs to address contract amendments, renewal

processes, & evolving legal requirements.

 Advise on regulatory frameworks impacting partnerships, providing insights &

guidance throughout tender negotiations & contract execution.

 Conduct legal & reputational due diligence on potential partners, assessing their

compliance history, regulatory standing, & alignment with KOC’s standards &

goals.

 Support in establishing & maintaining a regulatory library for partnerships,

ensuring it reflects up-to-date legal & regulatory requirements.

 Coordinate with internal & external stakeholders to gather & review regulatory &

contractual policies relevant to partnership agreements.

 Monitor & enforce compliance across all partnership activities, ensuring

adherence to both KOC’s policies & external regulations.

 Review compliance reports generated by partners, addressing any issues or

misalignments in a timely manner.

 Ensure that all partnership agreements & activities align with regulatory standards,

providing risk management guidance as necessary.

 Liaise with KOC & external stakeholders to facilitate the development,

implementation, & compliance of partnership agreements.

 Provide ongoing advisory support to ensure the KOC remains compliant & wellinformed on regulatory matters affecting partnerships.

Knowledge & Experience

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent law degree from a reputable institution.

Preferred: A focus or coursework in international & Kuwait business law, energy law,

or environmental law is preferred. Additional certifications in Energy Law or Contract

Management compliance are beneficial.

Professional Experience:

20+ years as a practicing lawyer, with a substantial portion of that in the oil & gas

industry.

Additional Requirements

 Proven experience in drafting O&G contracts & management in complex, highstakes transactions, ideally involving Joint Ventures (JVs), production sharing

agreements (PSAs), or similar partnership models.

 Strong background in regulatory compliance & familiarity with national &

international regulations affecting the oil & gas industry.

 Prior experience with due diligence for partnerships, including legal &

reputational assessments of potential partners.

 Experience incorporating regulatory & policy considerations into legal

frameworks & partnership agreements is highly valued.

 Stakeholder management skills, with experience coordinating across internal

departments & with external partners.