What is a Force Majeure Clause? A force majeure clause is a contractual provision that relieves parties from fulfilling their contractual obligations when an extraordinary event or circumstance, which is unforeseeable and beyond their control, prevents or delays performance. Force majeure defined and explained with examples. Force majeure: an unexpected, disruptive event that may excuse a party from performing duties under a contract. Force Majeure is derived from French Law, which means “Superior Force”. It is a clause in an agreement or contract whereby the non-performing party is exempted from any legal consequences if the non-performance of the contract is beyond the human’s control to fulfil the contract. Lukoil Force Majeure: Lukoil has declared force majeure at the West Qurna-2 oilfield in Iraq due to Western sanctions impacting its operations, potentially leading to a complete exit from the project if unresolved in six months.