Olawuyi, SAN, unveils book on role of natural gas in energy transition 

Damilola Olawuyi, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), says there is a need for legal guides to meet the projected growth in the demand for natural gas.

Olawuyi, an energy law expert and global vice-chair of the International Law Association, said this at his book launch held over the weekend.

The book, titled ‘The Palgrave Handbook of Natural Gas and Global Energy Transitions’, highlights legal guidelines in the quest for energy transition.

Olawuyi said the book was written out of the need to provide in-depth knowledge of the transformative implications of the ongoing global energy transitions for natural gas markets across the world. 

He added that the book will provide the risk mitigation strategies and contractual techniques — focusing on resilience planning, low-carbon business models, green procurement, climate-smart infrastructure development, transparent climate disclosures and reporting, gender justice, and other sustainability safeguards — that are required to maximise the full value of natural gas.

“Like Nigeria, many natural gas-rich countries across the world are introducing new legal requirements, contractual mechanisms, and industry guidelines in order to meet the projected exponential growth in demand for natural gas in light of the energy transition, in a safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible manner,” he said.

“Failure to understand and comply with such emerging standards could pose significant legal, business and transition risks for clients, and their lawyers alike, and may result in complex litigation.”

On his part, NJ Ayuk, executive chairman of the African Energy Chamber and chief executive officer of Centurion Law Group, commended the author.

He said the book makes a powerful case for the role of natural gas in pursuing just energy transitions.

“[The book is] a thorough look at the regulatory, financial, and business measures necessary for gas-producing nations to capitalise on their natural resources,” Ayuk said.

“They give us success stories to consider and rightly challenge us to consider the part women play in our evolving energy industry. 

“The result is a compelling read that, I believe, makes a powerful case for pursuing just energy transitions.”

Also commenting on the book, Kim Talus, McCulloch chair in energy law and director of the Tulane Center for Energy Law, said the book is timely. 

“In-depth studies on the gas sector transition in various parts of the world will guide market actors, governments, and experts. Clearly, this book is what can be called a ‘must-read,” Talus said.

The 619-page book provides readers with the latest legal, policy, technological, fiscal, contractual and sustainability innovations in natural gas markets in response to ongoing global energy transitions.

With case studies from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, South America, Australia, and the Middle East, the book highlights the important roles of natural gas in global energy transition, and how gas-rich countries such as Nigeria can leverage their comparative advantages as safe, reliable, and environmentally sustainable suppliers of transition fuel.