Oil and Gas Operations: Upstream, Midstream, and Downstream

Introduction:

Within the energy markets, oil and natural gas are the most dominant fuels and have great importance to the world economy. This course, Oil and Gas Operations: Upstream, Midstream, and Downstream, is designed for professionals in the oil and gas industry and serves as a general research tool.

The course covers the three main segments of the industry:

• Upstream: Focuses on exploration and extraction.
• Midstream: Concentrates on transportation and storage.
• Downstream: Encompasses refining and marketing.

This structure allows participants to expand their appreciation of these segments.

The course will examine important aspects of exploration and production in the upstream segment, emerging trends, and prevailing issues. It will stress the growing reliance on data in upstream industry operations. An outline of this section will cover general oil and gas practices from exploration to production.

Next, the course will explain midstream oil and gas operations, focusing on the disadvantages within the entire oil and gas chain. Participants will engage with the midstream segment and learn relevant terms and concepts.

Finally, the course will address the downstream segment, including refining, marketing, and distribution. Participants will explore downstream analytics to understand the entire processes involved.

Objectives:

Upon completion of the Oil and Gas Operations: Upstream, Midstream, and Downstream course, participants will be able to:

• See the industry from a high-angle perspective concerning the oil business, including exploration, drilling, and production.
• Improve their perceptions of technical and economic efficiency in the upstream oil and gas business by utilizing advanced technologies.
• Acquire skills in petroleum economics, investment analysis, risk management, and project evaluation.
• Understand the economics related to fiscal regimes by assessing the terms and conditions of different countries.
• Navigate various upstream contract types worldwide, including concessionary, production sharing, service, and joint venture contracts.
• Communicate technical terms, concepts, and semantics appropriate to the industry effectively with colleagues and customers.

Training Methodology:

• Tactical exercises
• Outreach by industry improvement projects/persons
• Reports and visual presentations of projects
• Excursions (e.g., to petrochemical plants, oil production facilities, etc.)
• Case-based learning sessions
• Tests and evaluations in specific knowledge areas
• Field projects

Course Outline:

Unit 1: Overview of the Oil and Gas Industry

• Understanding the Oil and Gas Supply Chain
  • Basic structure of upstream, midstream, and downstream.
  • Interactions of various sectors.
  • Overview of the oil and gas sector.
• Key Players in the Industry
  • National and international oil corporations.
  • Service and government regulatory factors.
  • Service companies and their suppliers.
• Market Dynamics and Trends
  • Latest developments in the sectors influencing the market.
  • Political conditions affecting oil and gas.
  • Technological advancements in the energy sector.

Unit 2: Upstream Operations

• Exploration Activities
  • Search for oil and natural gas.
  • Use of geological maps and reconnaissance seismology.
  • Purpose of exploration wells, well logging, and reservoir estimation.
• Drilling and Well Completion
  • Overview of drilling coal bed modules.
  • Drilling methods in upstream operations.
  • Processes and technologies for completing oil and gas wells.
• Production Processes
  • General overview of oil and gas extraction.
  • Reservoir management and production techniques enhancement.
  • Challenges in upstream production operations.

Unit 3: Midstream

• Transportation of Oil and Gas
  • Overview of transportation systems (pipelines, tankers, rail companies).
  • Justification for effective transportation modes.
  • Safety and related parameters.
• Storage and Distribution
  • Warehouse storage and its importance in the supply chain.
  • Building distribution systems and management.
  • Adherence to supply-demand protocols.
• Processing and Refining
  • Overview of processing in midstream.
  • Functions of a refinery in processing resources.
  • Measures to ensure final quality during refining.

Unit 4: Downstream Operations

• Refining and Petrochemical Production
  • Introduction to major refining processes, technologies, and materials.
  • Main products obtained from refining crude oil.
  • Overview of petrochemical production and its significance.
• Distribution and Marketing
  • Overview of refined product distribution.
  • Marketing specific petroleum products.
  • Distribution through retail outlets and service stations.
• Environmental and Safety Considerations
  • Role of environmental regulations in downstream operations.
  • Safety and risk management.
  • New developments in pollution and waste management.

Unit 5: Integration and Future Trends

• Integration Across Upstream, Midstream, and Downstream
  • Importance of operational efficiency and integrated operations models.
  • Integration case studies within the oil and gas sector.
  • Challenges in managing diverse operations.
• Digital Transformation in Oil and Gas
  • Use of technology for operational improvement.
  • Role of data analytics and automation in optimization.
  • Future concepts in the digitalization of the oil and gas industry.
• Sustainability and the Energy Transition
  • Addressing sustainable development in the sector.
  • Shift towards sustainable energy forms and its influence on the industry.
  • Strategies for oil and gas firms during the energy transition.