Oil and gas in the Nigeria/Cameroon maritime boundary dispute: An alternative legal approach

The extension of coastal states' jurisdiction over marine resources up to 200 nautical miles and beyond has made many maritime areas rich in oil and gas the subject of overlapping claims by opposite and adjacent coastal states. Such resource-induced claims have given rise to offshore international boundary disputes which jeopardize the development and exploitation of the world's hydrocarbon energy resources.; The broad context of the thesis proposes joint development as an alternative to a boundary (where such boundary has proved difficult) and to unilateral exploitation by either of the parties, in the development and exploitation of the hydrocarbon resources located in disputed offshore border regions. By examining the legal issues whether there is a duty to cooperate in international law generally, and specifically in the exploitation of common petroleum deposits, the extent of such a duty and the status of joint development in international law, the thesis clarifies the legal foundation of the concept of joint development.; The specific context of the thesis tests the joint development approach in the Nigeria/Cameroon maritime boundary dispute.