Article 23 of the UAE Constitution states that natural resources (including oil and gas) within each emirate are public property of that emirate. Consequently, the industry is regulated by a variety of legislation, including:

Federal Law No. 14 of 2017 on Trading in Petroleum Products (regulating the trade of petroleum products) 

Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 on Value Added Tax (imposing a 5% VAT on taxable supplies of goods and services) 

Abu Dhabi Income Tax Decree of 1965 

Abu Dhabi Law No. 7 of 1971 (establishing the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)) 

Abu Dhabi Law No. 2 of 1973 (regulating oil ports) 

Abu Dhabi Law No. 4 of 1976 (regarding gas ownership) 

Abu Dhabi Law No. 4 of 1976 (the Gas Ownership Law, granting ADNOC the right to exploit gas resources in Abu Dhabi through joint agreements and projects with third parties) 

Abu Dhabi Law No. 8 of 1978 (on the conservation of petroleum resources) 

Abu Dhabi Law No. 1 of 1988 (establishing the Supreme Petroleum Council) 

Dubai Law No. 19 of 2009 (establishing the Supreme Energy Council in Dubai).

 

The United Arab Emirates is a party to the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, as well as numerous bilateral investment treaties with other countries.

What are Government Entities Regulating the Oil and Gas Industry and Their Authority? 

The energy sector in the UAE is federally regulated by the Ministry of Energy and Industry, which establishes policies and legislation to ensure a secure, sustainable, and competitive energy supply across the UAE.

 

However, oil and gas resources are regulated more specifically within each emirate:

In Abu Dhabi, the Supreme Petroleum Council establishes and oversees the implementation of general and financial policies regarding local oil and gas resources. The council also serves as the board of directors for ADNOC.

 

In Dubai, the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy is responsible for developing policies aimed at fostering new energy sources.

In Sharjah, the Sharjah Petroleum Council is in charge of regulating the oil and gas industry and granting concessions.