The present work "Hydrocarbon Law" aims to contribute to a better understanding of the legal issues (both private and public law) arising at all stages of the exploration and exploitation of oil and natural gas.

The analysis is not limited to the existing national institutional and regulatory framework but also extends to issues of international law, EU law, civil and commercial law, administrative law, criminal law, and environmental law.

The work is structured into seven sections:

In Section I (Introduction), the international economic and geopolitical aspects of hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation are analyzed, along with the developments and prospects of this sector in Greece.

In Section II (Union Law), the initial focus is on the Union's competence in this specific sector, followed by an examination of the institutional framework of the Energy Community. Additionally, the EU's regulatory framework for safety in offshore oil and gas production activities is analyzed.

Section III (International Law) focuses on international law institutions (EEZ, continental shelf), the rights and obligations of the coastal state for the prevention and control of pollution within national jurisdiction areas, with special reference to the operation of floating oil and gas drilling platforms.

In Section IV (Concession Contracts), the administrative process for exploration and exploitation is analyzed before examining the general theory and application of concession contracts, the rent in these contracts, and the legal nature of the concession contract from the perspective of administrative law.

In Section V (Aspects of Legal Relations between State and Concessionaire), public-private partnerships in hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation are examined, as well as issues related to investment protection in this field and the Tax Law of Hydrocarbons.

Section VI (Issues of Liability) initially deals with civil liability and subsequently environmental liability during hydrocarbon exploitation and other related activities, followed by the insurance coverage of liability due to environmental pollution, and finally, aspects of the criminal treatment of such pollution.

Finally, in Section VII (Conflict Resolution and Dispute Resolution in Concession Contracts), the administrative dispute resolution is analyzed during the pre-contractual and contractual stages, the arbitration resolution of disputes between the state and the concessionaire, as well as issues of stability and adjustment in Greek hydrocarbon contracts.

This work is aimed at lawyers, legal professionals, students, and generally at anyone involved in the field of energy law and aspires to outline the entire web of relationships developed around the exploration, exploitation, transportation, and sale of hydrocarbons, liquids and gases (oil, natural gas, etc.).