An analysis of the historical relationship between the petrostate, state oil company and international oil company in the context of the resource nationalism phenomenon and its consequences to the existing contractual frameworks . Negotiating techniques and contractual stabilizing mechanisms are explored in order to identify the main parameters and conditions necessary to optimize the interaction between these key players in the international oil industry. Quantitative and qualitative aspects of the contracts are identified in order to recommend new paradigms for a more harmonic future in the oil industry.