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Posted Jan. 30, 2018

What Can You Do With An LLM In Energy Law?

LLM in Energy LawThe energy industry is big business and if you're planning on studying an LLM in Energy Law then you'll be part of this constantly growing and evolving sector.

LLM in Energy Law

Different LLMs in Energy Law will have different focuses and this can have a big impact on your future plans. Your choice will depend on what you're considering as a career whether it's in the oil and gas industry or if you wish to be part of creating environmental governmental policy. 

Some LLMs in Energy Law will have a strong element of the law and legal issues surrounding the use of Natural Resources particularly those courses held at universities in oil-producing countries or areas which often will focus solely on the oil and gas industry. Most of the LLMs available in Norway, for example, concentrate on the oil and gas industry as does the LLM course at the University of Aberdeen and the University of Texas. Other Master of Laws courses will have a focus on the law governing the environmental impact of the energy industries or on developing governmental policies for the energy industries. There are courses that will offer an international legal view of the energy industries and International Natural Resource Law. 

Depending on what emphasis you have chosen for your LLM in Energy Law there are a number of different directions you can go in. Many Energy Law graduates will enter the energy industries in a legal capacity, particularly in oil and gas exploration and production. There is a need for Energy Law graduates in every part of the exploration and production of all natural resources as well as the developing renewable energy sector. Companies involved in the emerging oil and gas fields require substantial legal advice and you could find yourself being required to advise at every stage of planning new productions, setting up agreements with landowners all the way to the safe disassembly of old equipment. 

Other LLM courses in Energy Law will equip you with the skills to work with international organisations and pressure groups, advising governments and companies in the energy industries to adopt environmentally friendly methods. This may involve the promotion of renewable ways to generate electricity or it may involve promoting methods to reduce energy consumption. Many Energy Law graduates go on to work for national governments and international public bodies advising and creating policy on the exploration, production, creation and consumption of energy. 

Energy Law LLM courses are often closely related to Environmental Law LLMs and when you are deciding on an LLM to study you should think carefully about which direction to go in. Some courses are more suited for working directly with an oil and gas company and others are aimed at those students who which to work for organisations dealing with environmental issues. With the international element of the energy industries, you have the chance to both study and work around the world. There are lots of different directions an LLM in Energy Law can take you so make sure you do your research before you apply for that LLM course.

6 reasons to study an LLM in Energy Law

Here are six reasons why you should consider studying Energy Law.

1. It’s relevant – you will be specialising in a field that will stay relevant for the next 1,000 years – if not longer! Providing, of course, we do not find new ways to destroy the natural resources!

2. It’s interesting – topics studied as part of this course, such as energy regulation, oil and gas law, and environmental law will require extensive research hours and the presentation of a final thesis for degree obtainment. By studying an LLM in Energy Law you will get to study the importance of controlling and regulating energy use and how to repair situations in which energy use has been poorly managed. 

3. It’s essential – if you look at the way the rate that globalisation is progressing, with the world shrinking into a global village, saving resources such as oil and natural gas among other non-renewable resources is a primary need. More than ever there needs to be some conservators in the guise of LLM Energy Law students to help preserve the environment.

4, It’s an up-and-coming field – being a lawyer in this new and exciting field will give you a chance to shine in this pioneering new field.

5. It’s specialised – as a discipline Energy Law has not been around very long, and initially there were very few firms that took this field on themselves. But with the growing propensity around the environmental and energy resources depletion, Energy Law has become a growing hiring area for firms all around the world.

6. It shows you care – it is a viable career option for one simple reason, because you care. You care about the environment, the resources, and it hurts to see them being misused so grossly by the likes of the big bad companies who release their toxins into the ocean. You can be the beacon that shines high to protect the people and the environment by choosing this specialization and in that way help to really make a difference.

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