On September 15, Noppramart Thammateeradaycho, counsel, and Dutsadee Dutsadeepanich, associate—both from Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution group—will appear in a webinar titled “Commercial and Investment Arbitration in the Oil and Gas Sector,” presented in conjunction with the Thailand Arbitration Center, the Singapore-Thai Chamber of Commerce, and Peter & Kim of Singapore. Dutsadee will moderate for the session, while Noppramart will be joined by three other experts from the legal industry and academia. Through their presentations, the speakers will discuss recent challenges in the oil and gas industry and how these pressures have led to an increase in complex commercial and investment arbitration as a dispute resolution mechanism. One specific area of focus will be gas price review arbitration, though the speakers will also provide an overall view of the role of arbitration in the oil and gas sector, as well as how parties in the industry can incorporate arbitration into their dispute resolution strategies moving forward. The webinar, which will be in English, will be held via Zoom 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. ICT. Please submit the registration form (free) to attend.

On August 25, Joseph Tomkiewicz, partner and co-chair of Tilleke & Gibbins’ regional energy practice, joined the first day of the three-day Future Energy Asia 2021 forum to moderate a strategic session titled “Big Ideas: Clean Energy, Role of Oil & Gas, Innovations That Shape ASEAN’s Energy Transition.” Joined by leading companies in the oil and gas sector, including PTTEP, Baker Hughes, and Venture Global, Joseph led a session that handled questions about innovations such as the rapid growth of renewables amidst COVID-19 in ASEAN. During the session, he directed and fostered discussion of ASEAN’s drive toward fuel diversification, energy security, and decarbonization. Joseph and the panelists also analyzed strong demand growth for cleaner practices in the power and industrial sectors, considered how players in the energy industry are reshaping their strategies and focus, and highlighted innovations they have seen in policies, financing, technologies, and business models. The session showcased the development and innovation in today’s energy sector, and initiated discussions among high-level professionals in the industry.

On August 19, Tilleke & Gibbins and the Thai Listed Companies Association (TLCA) jointly hosted a Thai-language webinar to address the regulatory environment surrounding import procedures and permit applications for health products. In the first part of the session, Kasamesunt Teerasitsathaporn, partner in Tilleke & Gibbins’ dispute resolution group, provided an overview of the Customs Act, explained penalties imposed under the act, identified lists of prohibited and restricted goods, shared examples of products that require a declaration of permit documentation, and highlighted notable Customs Act provisions relating to health products. In the second part of the session, Dr. Atthachai Homhuan, director of the firm’s regulatory affairs practice, related some interesting case studies involving a wide range of health products, including medical equipment, pharmaceutical products, contact lenses, and other goods. Dr. Atthachai ended the presentation with practical advice to companies about managing their importation operations in compliance with the Customs Act. A full video recording of the webinar (in Thai) can be viewed on the Tilleke & Gibbins YouTube Channel.

On August 19, Sher Hann Chua, a consultant in Tilleke & Gibbins’ Bangkok and Yangon offices, presented a session to the Thailand chapter of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) titled “An Overview of Intellectual Property: What to Focus on in the Contract and the Field.” Moderated by Joseph Tomkiewicz, partner and co-chair of Tilleke & Gibbins’ regional energy practice, the session focused on the intellectual property (IP) rights and issues that are most relevant to the oil and gas industry. In discussing IP rights and how they function in the energy sector, Sher Hann presented an overview of trademarks, patents, industrial designs, and copyright, before emphasizing the crucial role that IP plays in major commercial transactions such as mergers and acquisitions. She also analyzed classic IP pitfalls that parties makes when working with others under a contractual arrangement, and providing practical tips on how to avoid these missteps.