Oil India Limited (OIL) successfully concluded the second edition of Amicus Petra, its Legal Meet for Oil and Gas Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), held on October 30–31, 2026, in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. The two-day conference brought together legal heads, senior law officers and industry experts from leading oil and gas organisations to deliberate on emerging legal, regulatory and commercial challenges confronting the energy sector.
The Meet witnessed participation from leading organisations, including ONGC, IOCL, BPCL, HPCL, GAIL, NRL, MRPL, EIL, ONGC Videsh, IGL and Petronet LNG, alongside officials from the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons. Representatives of leading law firms and online participants also joined the deliberations.
Inauguration: Justice Sanjay Karol highlights responsibility towards future generations
The Meet was inaugurated on October 30 by the Chief Guest, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjay Karol, who addressed the evolving responsibilities of institutions engaged in managing natural resources and the importance of preserving them for future generations.
Highlighting the responsibility accompanying the management and utilisation of natural resources, Justice Karol emphasised that economic growth and development must be balanced with the obligation to protect resources for posterity.
Referring to the principles of environmental stewardship and the public trust doctrine, Justice Karol observed:
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“We are the custodians of this reserve for future generations. Our duty is not only towards the present, but also towards posterity and those who will come forward to take the reins of this nation.”
He further emphasised the need to carry forward established legal principles, including the public trust doctrine, and take them to their logical conclusion. His address brought attention to the responsibility of institutions to ensure that the exploitation and management of natural resources remain informed by considerations of sustainability and intergenerational equity.
Dr. Kumudani Sharma, CGM & Head (Legal), OIL, delivered the welcome address and set the context for the deliberations. Souvenirs and mementoes were presented to the panellists and speakers during the inaugural session.
The two-day Meet comprised eleven sessions, including six presentations and five panel discussions, followed by interactions with the audience. The deliberations covered a wide range of legal and regulatory issues shaping the oil and gas industry.
The discussions examined the future direction of Amicus Petra as a platform for institutional collaboration and knowledge-sharing, alongside the evolving approach to dispute resolution and dispute management in the energy sector, particularly the role of arbitration and mediation in commercial disputes.
The regulatory framework governing the industry also received considerable attention, with discussions on the alignment of the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, PNG Rules and Model Revenue Sharing Contracts.
Other sessions examined the feasibility of alternative dispute resolution in human resource and service matters, intellectual property rights in the oil and gas sector, and supply-chain risks in the context of energy security, including force majeure and related contractual challenges.
The Meet also addressed strategies for handling arbitration claims, assessment of damages and determination of quantum, bringing into focus the practical challenges involved in managing complex commercial disputes.
Emerging areas of law and technology formed another important part of the programme. Delegates deliberated on the Digital Personal Data Protection framework and data privacy, cross-border disputes and investment treaty arbitration, as well as the growing significance of artificial intelligence and technology in the work of in-house counsel.
A guest presentation also formed part of the programme, complementing the broader discussions on the changing legal and commercial landscape of the energy sector.
The sessions provided a platform for legal professionals from participating organisations to exchange institutional experiences, examine common challenges and discuss approaches to strengthening legal preparedness and dispute management.
Valedictory Session
The Valedictory Session was addressed by Dr. Kumudani Sharma, CGM & Head (Legal), OIL, who brought the two-day deliberations to a close.
As a follow-up to the conference, a consolidated compendium capturing the key learnings and recommendations emerging from all eleven sessions will be circulated among the participating organisations.
The second edition of Amicus Petra reinforced the importance of sustained engagement and institutional collaboration among legal professionals in India’s oil and gas sector. By bringing together legal leadership from across the industry, the Meet provided an important forum for exchanging perspectives on dispute prevention, regulatory developments, contractual risk management and the future of legal practice in the energy sector.
