Oil and Gas Foundations is a comprehensive 3-day deep dive into the global Oil & Gas landscape. Designed for non-technical professionals, students, investors, regulators, and energy enthusiasts, this course bridges the gap between technical industry knowledge and strategic business understanding — with a particular focus on the African market context.

Format	Live virtual sessions via Zoom or Google Meet
Duration	3 Days — 1 hour per session
Frequency	Hosted once a month
Certificate	Certificate of Completion awarded upon finishing all sessions
Open To	Students, non-technical professionals, investors, regulators, energy enthusiasts
Contact	+1 365-654-9225  |  info@pentoragroup.com  |  pentoragroup.com

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the full industry lifecycle, from Upstream exploration and production through Midstream transportation to Downstream refining and delivery.
• Identify and explain the roles of key market players, regulators, and stakeholders within the global Oil & Gas sector.
• Understand strategic business and regulatory dynamics that govern the energy industry.
• Apply contextualized insights to analyse the African Oil & Gas market and its unique opportunities and challenges.
• Make more informed decisions as investors, professionals, or policymakers operating in or adjacent to the energy sector.

Day 1 — The Oil & Gas Industry Lifecycle: Upstream

Session Overview

This foundational session introduces participants to how oil and gas are discovered and produced. Participants gain an end-to-end understanding of the Upstream segment, which forms the basis of all subsequent industry activity.

Topics Covered

1.1  What is the Oil & Gas Industry?

• Global significance of oil and gas in energy, trade, and geopolitics
• Overview of the three industry segments: Upstream, Midstream, Downstream
• Key terminology and concepts for non-technical learners

1.2  Upstream: Exploration

• How geological surveys and seismic data guide exploration
• Onshore vs. offshore exploration
• Licensing, concession agreements, and exploration rights

1.3  Upstream: Drilling & Production

• The drilling process: wildcat wells, appraisal wells, and development wells
• Types of reservoirs and how hydrocarbons are extracted
• Production sharing contracts (PSCs) and joint ventures
• The African context: major Upstream producing nations (Nigeria, Angola, Libya, Ghana, Mozambique, etc.)

1.4  Key Upstream Players

• International Oil Companies (IOCs): ExxonMobil, Shell, TotalEnergies, BP, Chevron
• National Oil Companies (NOCs): NNPC, Sonangol, Sonatrach, GNPC Independent exploration companies and oilfield service firms

 

Day 2 — Midstream, Downstream & Market Players

Session Overview

Building on Day 1, this session takes participants through what happens after oil and gas are extracted — how they are transported, refined, and delivered to end consumers. The session also examines the strategic landscape of market actors and regulators.

Topics Covered

2.1  Midstream: Transportation & Storage

• Pipeline networks: onshore and subsea pipelines
• LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas): what it is and why it matters
• Shipping and tanker logistics
• Storage infrastructure: tank farms, strategic petroleum reserves
• Midstream in Africa: pipeline projects, LNG terminals (e.g., FLNG in Mozambique, NLNG in Nigeria)

2.2  Downstream: Refining & Distribution

• The refining process: crude oil to usable products (petrol, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene, petrochemicals)
• Types of refineries and refining complexity Retail fuel distribution and marketing
• Petrochemicals and value-added products
• Downstream challenges in Africa: refinery deficits, fuel import dependency, subsidy regimes

2.3  Strategic Understanding of Market Players

• OPEC and OPEC+: structure, membership, production quotas, and market influence
• Global oil pricing mechanisms: Brent, WTI, and how prices are set
• Trading companies, commodity traders, and financial instruments (futures, hedging)
• African trade flows and export destinations

2.4  Regulators & Governance

• Role of national petroleum regulators (e.g., NUPRC in Nigeria, PURA in Ghana)
• Environmental regulators and HSE (Health, Safety & Environment) standards
• Fiscal regimes: royalties, taxes, profit-sharing, and government take
• International frameworks: IEA, World Bank energy initiatives, COP climate commitments

 

Day 3 — The African Market & Strategic Insights

Session Overview

The final session applies everything learned to the African energy landscape, exploring opportunities, structural challenges, investment dynamics, and the energy transition. Participants leave with practical, contextualised knowledge they can use in their professional and investment decisions.

Topics Covered

3.1  Africa’s Oil & Gas Landscape

• Africa’s proven reserves and production overview
• Key oil-producing regions: West Africa, North Africa, East Africa
• Emerging frontiers: Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda-Kenya corridor
• Resource curse vs. resource blessing: governance and economic outcomes

3.2  Investment & Finance in Oil & Gas

• How upstream projects are financed: equity, debt, reserve-based lending
• Risk categories: geological, political, regulatory, and commercial risk
• International investment frameworks and bilateral agreements
• How investors evaluate oil and gas opportunities

3.3  Energy Transition & the Future of Oil & Gas in Africa

• Global decarbonisation trends and net-zero commitments
• Africa’s energy access deficit and the role of gas as a transition fuel
• Renewable energy vs. fossil fuels: policy debates and regional positions
• Just Transition: balancing economic development with climate responsibility

3.4  Practical Application & Synthesis

• Case study: Analysing a real-world African Oil & Gas project
• Role-play scenario: regulatory review, investor pitch, or community impact assessment Q&A with facilitator
• Course wrap-up, key takeaways, and certificate issuance

Assessment & Certification

Participants are evaluated on attendance and engagement across all three sessions. A Certificate of Completion is awarded to participants who attend all three sessions and actively participate. The certificate is issued by Pentora Group and recognises foundational competence in the Oil & Gas industry.