Framework Law No. 4/2000 on Petroleum Activities.

This Framework Law, consisting of 95 articles divided into 11 Titles, establishes the basic law for petroleum activities. It determines that all reserves and deposits of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons existing underground of the terrestrial space and under the marine area formed by the territorial sea, the archipelagic waters and the coastal areas, outside the territorial sea are owned by the State in accordance with international law and that all oil operations developed in the territory of Sao Tome and Principe, as well as the tax regime of these activities are subject to their discipline.
All oil operations developed in the territory of Sao Tome and Principe, as well as the tax regime of these activities, will be subject to the provisions of this Law. No individual or collective person, including landowners, may perform oil operations, without being previously authorized by the State. Any person authorized by the State to perform oil operations has the right to occupy the areas necessary for the execution of these operations, inside or outside the area covered by their petroleum control. The State has the right to perform oil operations, either directly or through a duly authorized state oil company. The State may also authorize commercial companies to carry out oil operations. The government may grant the exclusive of mining rights to the state oil company to which the powers of use, enjoyment and management of state property of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons contained in this law would be attributed.