Oil, gas and mineral deposits are a substantial part of the wealth of many countries, not least in developing and emerging market economies. Harnessing some part of that wealth for fiscal purposes is critical for economic development: in few areas of economic life are the returns to good policy so large, or mistakes so costly.

Preface 1. Introduction Part 1: Conceptual Overview 2. Theoretical Perspectives on Resource Tax Design 3. Principles of Resource Taxation for Low-Income Countries Part 2: Sectoral Experiences and Issues 4. Petroleum Fiscal Regimes: Evolution and Challenges 5. International Mineral Taxation: Experience and Issues 6. Natural Gas: Experience and Issues Part 3: Special Topics 7. Evaluating Fiscal Regimes for Resource Projects: An Example from Oil Development 8. Resource Rent Taxes: A Re-Appraisal 9. State Participation in the Natural Resources Sectors: Evolution, Issues and Outlook 10. How Best to Auction Natural Resources Part 4: Implementation 11. Resource Tax Administration: The Implications of Alternative Policy Choices 12 Resource Tax Administration: Functions, Procedures and institutions 13. International Tax Issues for the Resources Sector Part 5: Stability and Credibility 14. Contractual Assurances of Fiscal Stability 15. Time Consistency in Petroleum Taxation: Lessons from Norway