Oil, Gas Experts Discuss Negotiation Techniques

A two-day NHC-AIPN capacity building workshop rounded off in Yaounde on November 8, 2013.

Experts in the oil and gas sectors in the country now have what it takes to better negotiate fruitful contracts for the benefit of socio-economic development. This follows a two-day capacity building workshop jointly organised by the National Hydrocarbons Corporation (NHC) and the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN) which held in Yaounde on November 7 - 8, 2013.

After going through paper presentations and plenary discussions on topics like Gas Sales Agreement, Gas Transportation Agreement, Joint Operation Agreement and Lifting Agreement, the over 75 participants from diverse administration at term said things would never be the same again. According to Bernard Bayiha, Advicer No. 1 at NHC who represented the Executive General Manager, the workshop took place against a backdrop of the implementation of Major Accomplishments Policy promoted by the Head of State, Paul Biya.

"Proof of such importance is the number of gas projects completed or being developed in Cameroon, including those already in operation for the supply of natural gas to the 216 megawatt power plant at Kribi and the distribution of gas to industries in Douala on one hand, and on the other hand, projects on the process of development such as the construction of a gas liquefaction plant at Mboro, South of Kribi, and the construction of a chemical fertilizer production plant in Limbe," he noted.

Lauding the initiative to organise the workshop, one of the resource persons, France-based Bertrand Montembault of Herbert Smith Hills, said it permitted them to handle complex issues on negotiating contracts in the oil and gas sectors. "We would love to have more and more Africans to participate in the AIPN because there was a tremendous input from participants and I think there is a strong desire from the participants to learn more. The seminar was a real success because most of the attendees told me they were wishing to adhere to the AIPN which will be a great pleasure," he said.