International Oil & Gas Territorial Disputes & Conflict Resolution

Table of Contents

1. Abstract................................................................................................................................................... 2

2. Introduction: The South China Sea......................................................................................................... 4

3. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)............................................................. 6

3.1 Territorial Waters

3.2 Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

3.3 Continental Shelf

3.4 Islands, Rocks, Low-tide Elevations

3.5 UNCLOS and the South China Sea

4. Territorial Claims: Major Players .......................................................................................................... 7

4.1 China

4.2 Taiwan

4.3 Vietnam

4.4 Philippines

4.5 Malaysia

4.6 Brunei

4.6 Declaration on Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea

5. The Race for Oil & Gas........................................................................................................................ 10

5.1 China: Chinese National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC)

5.2 Taiwan: Chinese Petroleum Corporation (CPC)

5.3 Vietnam: PetroVietnam

5.4 Philippine: Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC)

5.5 Malaysia: PETRONAS

5.6 Brunei: PetroleumBRUNEI

6. Standoffs Between Countries ............................................................................................................... 14

7. Potential Resolutions ........................................................................................................................... 15

7.1 Exploration & Production Agreements

7.2 Downstream & Midstream Agreements

8. Conclusion ...........................................................................................................................................