Anti-corruption clauses in petroleum contracts: contractual design and compliance strategies through expert lenses

Anti-corruption clauses are key contractual tools in petroleum contracts that safeguard governance and sustainability in the context of domestic and cross-border energy projects. They manage legal and financial risks while promoting transparency and compliance with anti-corruption standards, essential for responsible investment and sustainable energy development. Despite their increasing use, empirical research on their function in practice remains scarce. This article addresses that gap through a qualitative study of anti-corruption clauses in petroleum contracts, based on 27 expert interviews across 14 countries. It examines how these clauses are drafted, negotiated, and enforced, and identifies best practices and challenges. The article also explores how international legal instruments, including anti-corruption treaties and soft-law standards, shape the design and enforceability of such clauses in the evolving global energy landscape. In the context of regional energy interconnectivity, these clauses underpin multi-jurisdictional infrastructure, such as pipelines, power entities, liquefied natural gas (LNG) corridors, and joint-development zones, by cascading clear obligations through transnational supply chains and consortia. In doing so, they help de-risk cross-border energy trade and safeguard the integrity of regional networks essential to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy.