Muscat—Dentons has advised Oman Oil Company Exploration and Production LLC (OOCEP) on the extension of the Block 61 EPSA contract area. The agreements for this extension were signed today in Muscat by the Minister of Oil & Gas and the CEOs of BP and Oman Oil.

Block 61 is the location of the BP-operated Khazzan unconventional gas project, a US$16 billion investment. OOCEP, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Makarim Gas Development LLC (MGD), holds a 40 per cent interest in Block 61; BP holds the balance 60 per cent. BP and MGD anticipate a further US$5 billion investment to develop the extension, including numerous wells and surface facilities.

In support of OOCEP's General Counsel, Richard McLaughlin, Dentons advised on the overall contractual structure and assisted OOCEP in reviewing and negotiating the various project documents in line with a Heads of Agreement signed in February 2016.

Andrew Figgins, Partner and Head of Dentons' Energy and Projects team in Oman commented: "We are pleased to be able to apply our 35 years of experience in Oman, and our specialist oil and gas expertise, to support this world-class project."

The Dentons team advising OOCEP was led by Andrew Figgins, with support from associate James Lansdell.