Energy laws govern the use and taxation of energy, both renewable and non-renewable. These laws are the primary authorities (such as caselaw, statutes, rules, regulations and edicts) related to energy. In contrast, energy policy refers to the policy and politics of energy.

In the twentieth century, energy law focused mostly on natural gas regulation, but was expanded to include other areas of energy regulation as well. It also includes the legal provision for oil, gasoline, and "extraction taxes." The practice of energy law includes contracts for siting, extraction, licenses for the acquisition and ownership rights in oil and gas both under the soil before discovery and after its capture, and adjudication regarding those rights.

There is a growing academic interest in international energy law, including continuing legal education seminars,treatises,law reviews, and graduate courses.

Africa does not have a significant energy law.

Nigeria's government owns the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.