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Our industries

Oil and gas

We advise on complex legal, commercial and technical issues associated with upstream, midstream and downstream developments.

Recognised as Pakistan’s leading corporate law firm in the oil and gas sector, we are extensively involved in the three major components of the oil and gas industry, namely, upstream (exploration and production), midstream (storage and transportation) and downstream (fuels and lubricants, marketing and refining, retail and chemicals).

Working with the private sector and government, we have actively been involved in the legislation of laws relating to the oil and gas sector, thereby catering to the sectors’ expanding global, technical and economic needs. Further, we provide regular reviews and advice on the legislation regulating the petroleum sector and are frequently involved in procuring various petroleum licenses and gas allocations.

We represent Sui Southern Gas Company Limited and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited and act for various multinational entities undertaking oil and gas exploration, development and production in Pakistan. We also structure projects on behalf of oil and gas exploration, services and E&P companies.

We understand the industry’s challenges from multiple angles and combine our expertise and knowledge to provide a complete legal package which meets our client’s unique needs and objectives. Our team offers insight into the legal framework governing the industry and advises on applying for exploration and exploitation licenses, assistance with bid proceedings, and the negotiation of services agreements.

We advise on the entire life cycle of oil and gas projects, including refinery and pipeline construction, oil transportation agreements and disputes affecting the sector. We also provide regular reviews and advice concerning applicable legislation regulating the petroleum sector. We have procured various petroleum licenses and gas allocations and drafted various consortium arrangements in the petroleum sector.

Contact one of our lead oil and gas partners, Yousaf Khosa or Hasnain Naqvee, today.

Practice areas

Legislation

We have been instrumental in laying the foundation and implementing the modified constitutional structure and division between the Federal and Provincial Governments concerning ownership and legislation of mineral oil and natural gas. We were closely involved with drafting the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority Ordinance 2002 and the regulatory framework concerning the oil and gas sector.

Downstream

Downstream sector activity presents a number of challenges owing to regulation, competition and volatile market pricing. We have provided expert advice to Pakistan State Oil (PSO), which is Pakistan’s largest energy company and is currently engaged in the marketing and distribution of various POL products including Motor Gasoline (Mogas), High Speed Diesel (HSD), Furnace Oil (FO), Jet Fuel (JP-1), Kerosene, CNG, LPG, Petrochemicals and Lubricants. The Firm has also drafted distribution agreements for marketing oil work with SSGC and SNGPL.

Midstream

We have extensive knowledge of every aspect of the midstream business, from project inception to product delivery. We strive to consistently and efficiently deliver inventive solutions to the unique problems encountered in the midstream sector.

Upstream
  • Structuring oil and gas exploration projects and matters related thereto. We assist with bid proceedings and advise on seeking exploration and production licenses and negotiates drilling services agreements.
  • We deal with all aspects of E&P company operations, even when volatile. We can deal with land rentals, government royalties, interpretation and extension of the relevant license/lease periods, reservoir communication(s), drilling and fields’ services agreements, human resource matters and joint venture disputes.
  • Further we work with E&P contractors and drilling companies in negotiations of their drilling and drilling services contracts, corporate, safety, security, insurance, access and HR matters, in addition to, import and export of drilling equipment tools and their licensing, warehousing, inland transport and all other regulatory compliances required.
  • Representing its clients at various forums regarding gas pricing including the DG (Gas), DGPC, OGRA, High Court and before the Ombudsman.
At a glance
  • British Petroleum, Occidental Petroleum, Premier Oil, KUFPEC, Orient Gulf Investments Limited, Tarim Resources, China National Oil Company, Orient Petroleum, Paige Petroleum and various other oil and gas companies in connection with the exploration, development and producing oil and gas concessions.
  • Dansk Camp Supply and Nordic Camp Supply ApS of Denmark in connection with the acquisition, testing, transportation and export of petroleum products to NATO forces in Afghanistan and to US military forces in the region.
  • Government of Pakistan, drafted the regulatory framework for the Oil and gas industry for the Government of Pakistan leading to the formation of the Natural Gas Regulatory Authority and its revision leading to the creation of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority.
  • Indus Refinery Limited, represented client, one of the largest private sector Greenfield refineries being set up in Pakistan.
  • Premier Oil plc and Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company, and various other oil and gas exploration and development companies in all their matters relating to Concession Documents, Gas Sale Agreements and regulatory matters.
  • Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited in various corporate and regulatory matters and in the sale of its Liquefied Petroleum Gas business.
  • Sui Southern Gas Company Limited and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, drafted the regulatory framework for the privatisation of natural gas transmission and distribution sector in Pakistan including the Natural Gas Regulatory Authority Ordinance 1997.
  • Sui Southern Gas Company Limited in all major transactions and contracts relating to the development of its transmission and distribution network, sale of its Liquefied Petroleum Gas Division and the Meter Manufacturing Division.
Publications and articles

News/Insight

  • RIAA Wins Pharmaceutical Tax Exemption Case

    The Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (Karachi Bench) recently issued a significant judgment in favour of our client, a leading pharmaceutical multinational, concerning the applicability of a pharmaceutical tax exemption under SRO 551(I)/2008. The dispute centred on whether medicated shampoos and c...


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  • RIAA Barker Gillette Achieves Top Legal 500 Pakistan Rankings

    RIAA Barker Gillette has secured leading rankings in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2026, reinforcing its position as Pakistan's premier full-service law firm. The firm achieved Band 1 rankings across four core practice areas, with multiple partners recognised as leading practitioners.


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  • RIAA Advises Global Explosives Firm on Mining Sector in Pakistan

    RIAA Barker Gillette has advised a global leader in commercial explosives and blasting technology on its potential entry into the mining sector in Pakistan. The client, a publicly listed multinational with operations spanning multiple continents, is assessing opportunities to manufacture emulsion explosives, supply products including ammonium nitrate, boosters and detonators, an...


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  • Top rankings in Chambers Asia Pacific 2026

    We are delighted to once again be recognised as a leading law firm in Pakistan in the Chambers Asia Pacific Guide 2026, published by Chambers and Partners.

    The Chambers Asia-Pacific Guide is widely respected for its thorough evaluation and identification of the leading law firms and lawyers in the Asia-Pacific legal market. Chambe...


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  • RIAA Secures DAAB Decision in Major Dispute on Key Indus River Project

    RIAA Barker Gillette has secured a significant victory before a Dispute Avoidance/Adjudication Board (DAAB) in a complex dispute concerning FIDIC price adjustment mechanisms under Sub-Clause 13.7 of the General Conditions in FIDIC’s 2017 Red Book. The decision awards almost USD 4 million in recovera...


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What clients say...

  • Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025

    "RIAA Barker Gillette has always had the most apt ability to handle, manage and steer complex and difficult matters in the right legal direction."

  • Legal 500 2025

    "We have worked with RIAA on a number of complex multi-jurisdictional matters. Throughout, they provided not only exceptional local advice but proved excellent at collaborating with firms across the world. They were instrumental in developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy."

  • Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025

    "Our operation is complex and has many nuances, and they have helped us navigate all of them promptly and professionally."

  • Legal 500 2024

    "Very professional firm, able to provide clear, concise and constructive advice. Proven very astute in formulating overall strategies of engagement."

  • Chambers Asia-Pacific 2024

    "RIAA is highly professional, meeting tight deadlines with the utmost proficiency. They have always come up with out-of-the-box solutions."

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