| Alberta oil sands and Nigeria oil sands are both similar not only in their history of government ownership, but also in their geological history and their properties. Because of these similarities, the legal issues that pervade the management of Alberta oil sands will also arise in the development of Nigeria oil sands and Alberta's legal responses can provide a model for the adoption of a legal regime in Nigeria.;Three legal issues permeate oil the sands development cycle from exploration to reclamation and they are: the acquisition of oil sands interests, environmental and conservation concerns and royalty treatment and practices and they form the subject matter of this thesis.;In Alberta, the issue of acquisition of oil sands interests determines the right of the lessor and the lessee and the nature of right that each possesses and can exercise. Environmental and Conservation concerns have led to the development of laws and regulations to protect the resource from wanton exploitation, while at the same time protecting the environment from abuse. The royalty regime outlines the method by which the province reaps adequate returns from oil sands production without hampering the rapid development of the resource, which by its nature is a high risk venture.;These three issues bring into focus the various Alberta statutes relating to the management of oil sands and their examination provides a basis for how the Nigeria oil sands can be developed. This legislation provides the framework for effective legal management of oil sands development in Alberta. This thesis examines how far these provisions can be adapted to Nigeria so as to make the development of Nigerian oil sands a resounding success.;This study will, by extension, encourage the development of oil sands resources and the promotion of sustainable and environmentally sensitive development, while also highlighting the maximization of returns beneficial to all stakeholders by advocating for appropriate royalty. |
