The upstream petroleum (oil and gas) sector encompasses of exploration and appraisal, development and construction and production. For natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG), the definition of upstream includes processing and delivery to terminals or to the intakes of domestic gas transmission pipelines. If we analyze the upstream sector from the aspect of legal and regulatory aspect, the production of oil and gas in a country, brings conflicting issues that affects the interest of four major stakeholders. These are the government of the host state, the oil company, the communities hosting and works in the oil production process and the environment. To balance the conflicting interest of the above players, countries hosting oil production activities need to devise a requisite legal framework, for the efficient promotion and sound management of the petroleum production activities. The establishment of such rules and regulations gives major impact to the oil and gas industry. It can be stated that the rules and established basically causes burden especially to the oil company involved. We can analyze the burden and pressure caused through many aspects. One of them is rules regarding licensing authority and procedure. There is solid evidence that shows that the current regulatory framework in this matter imposes a significant burden on the upstream petroleum sector. Most of the process to obtain license is complex and consume a lot of time. For example, in Ghana, the licensing procedure is co-ordinated by Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) which has packaged Ghana’s upstream oil potential into blocks. Interested investors have to apply the Minister, who then refers the application to the GNPC, for evaluation and due diligence. A report is then issued which leads to negotiations and then a draft of petroleum agreement is then sent for the approval of