Introduction to Petroleum Business
Industry Fundamentals & Commercial Aspects

Duration: 5 Days
Target Audience: New Hires, Non-Technical Professionals, Administrative Staff, Finance and Legal Teams, Government Officials, or Anyone Seeking a Foundational Understanding of the Petroleum Industry
Delivery Mode: Classroom / Virtual with Interactive Lectures, Discussions, and Simplified Case Studies
Level: Foundational

Course Overview

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the oil and gas business, covering exploration, production, processing, transportation, refining, marketing, and basic commercial concepts. It equips participants with an integrated view of the petroleum value chain, key industry drivers, and fundamental economic considerations.

Day-by-Day Outline

Day 1 – Overview of the Oil & Gas Industry

- History and evolution of the petroleum industry
- Industry sectors: upstream, midstream, downstream
- Global oil and gas reserves and major producing regions
- Key players: IOCs, NOCs, service companies
- Exercise: Build a simplified map of the oil and gas value chain

Day 2 – Exploration & Production Fundamentals

- Basics of oil and gas geology: source rocks, traps, reservoirs
- Exploration methods: seismic surveys, drilling basics
- Reservoir lifecycle: exploration, appraisal, development, production
- Concepts of reserves and recovery factors
- Workshop: Trace the journey from exploration to first oil production

Day 3 – Midstream & Downstream Operations

- Crude oil transportation: pipelines, tankers, terminals
- Natural gas processing and liquefaction basics
- Refining fundamentals: distillation, key products, margins
- Marketing of refined products and retail operations
- Exercise: Create a flowchart for a barrel of oil from wellhead to gas station

Day 4 – Economics & Commercial Fundamentals

- Oil and gas price formation: benchmarks (Brent, WTI)
- Basic concepts of CAPEX, OPEX, breakeven
- Revenue streams across the value chain
- Introduction to petroleum contracts and fiscal regimes
- Workshop: Simple project cash flow and breakeven calculation

Day 5 – Challenges, Opportunities & Industry Trends

- Environmental and sustainability considerations
- Energy transition and the role of oil and gas
- Emerging technologies: digitalization, enhanced recovery
- Career paths and professional development in the industry
- Capstone Discussion: Group debate on the future of oil and gas in a changing energy landscape

Expected Learning Outcomes

Understand the complete petroleum value chain
Grasp exploration, production, transportation, refining, and marketing basics
Recognize key commercial, economic, and contractual concepts
Discuss major trends and challenges facing the industry
Engage confidently with oil and gas professionals and stakeholders

Training Methods

- Classroom instruction and interactive discussions
- Case studies and exercises with real-world data
- Excel-based economic models and production forecasts
- Software demonstrations

Customization for Regional Needs

- Examples from regional onshore/offshore fields
- English delivery option available
- Integration with national regulatory framework

Trainer Profile

- Multidisciplinary instructors (reservoir, production, drilling)
- Regional NOC/IOC engineering advisors
- Guest speakers from petroleum economics and HSE backgrounds

Certification

Certificate of Completion and individual assessment report provided.