Hydrocarbons (Petroleum and Gas) Law.

This Law determines the ownership and control of the State over petroleum and gas and regulates the preservation, use, exploration development and production of petroleum and gas in Afghanistan.
The Law provides for the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee for the management of petroleum and gas contracts and defines its internal organization.
The Ministry of Mines and Industries shall be responsible for the administration and implementation of this Law and its duties are specified in the text. The Law also establishes a Petroleum and Gas Registration office to register petroleum and gas operations and a Petroleum and Gas Data Bank.
Furthermore, the Law provides for contracts of petroleum and gas operations, which include exploration and production sharing agreements and services and production sharing agreements. Contractor’s obligations, conditions, etc. are defined in the text.
In addition, the Law provides for: possession manner and utilization of land; restricted areas; permission to operate on private land; grant of mineral licence in petroleum and gas operation areas; conditions for erecting pipelines; income tax of petroleum and gas; expropriation measures; etc.