Open AccessFiduciary Relationships in Oil and Gas Joint Ventures
Author(s) -
David MacWilliam
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
alberta law review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1925-8356
pISSN - 0002-4821
DOI - 10.29173/alr544
Subject(s) - fiduciary , duty , joint venture , joint (building) , business , law , fossil fuel , law and economics , economics , accounting , political science , commerce , engineering , architectural engineering , waste management
A party to a joint venture agreement in the oil and gas industry is often faced with the problem of determining whether or not he owes a fiduciary duty to his joint venturer. This article examines the many factual situations in oil and gas joint ventures which, could give rise to a fiduciary duty and concludes that the extent to which the fiduciary principle is applicable to various relationships involving interests in oil and gas has not yet been determined by the courts. As such, the author suggests that in addition to attempting to provide in the agreement for those circumstances which could give rise to a fiduciary duty, a party to a joint venture who desires to avoid a breach of a fiduciary duty should make full disclosure to and attempt to get the consent of the other contracting party.