NEVADA | PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Program Professional Framework

Certificate in Oil & Gas Project Strategy, Risk & Upstream Management

Program Overview

Upstream projects commit large capital years before first production, so much of their value is determined by early decisions on concept, contracting and risk. This programme covers stage-gate project frameworks from opportunity framing to FID, field development concept selection, cost and schedule estimate classes, quantitative risk analysis with Monte Carlo simulation, risk management aligned with ISO 31000, contracting strategies such as EPC and EPCM, project economics, and governance of execution through to handover. Examples draw on offshore and onshore developments in the Gulf, including in-country value requirements that shape procurement and contracting decisions.

Learning Outcomes

✓Apply a stage-gate framework to define the decisions and deliverables required at each phase up to FID.
✓Compare field development concepts using technical, economic and risk criteria.
✓Build a quantitative cost and schedule risk analysis using Monte Carlo simulation and interpret P50 and P90 outcomes.
✓Develop a project risk register and response plan consistent with ISO 31000.
✓Select a contracting strategy that balances risk allocation, cost and in-country value objectives.
✓Evaluate project economics and prepare a decision paper for an investment committee.

Target Audience

Upstream project managers and project engineers
Field development and planning engineers
Project controls and risk management specialists
Asset managers and investment committee advisers

Detailed Program Modules

01Upstream Value and Project Strategy

Upstream value chain and asset life cycle
Aligning projects with portfolio goals
Stage-gate frameworks and decision quality

02Field Development Planning

Integrating reservoir, wells and facilities
Concept selection and development options
Phased development and flexibility

03Estimating and Scheduling

Cost estimate classes and accuracy ranges
Schedule development and critical path
Benchmarking and early cost drivers

04Project Risk Management

Risk identification and the risk register
Quantitative cost and schedule risk analysis
Risk management aligned with ISO 31000

05Contracting and Execution Strategy

EPC, EPCM and alliance models
Risk allocation and contractor selection
In-country value requirements in GCC procurement

06Economics, Governance and Delivery

NPV, IRR and sensitivity analysis
Investment decision papers and FID approval
Execution governance, handover and lessons learned

Training Methodology

Interactive expert-led sessions grounded in workplace examples

Case studies and practical exercises drawn from the region

Group workshops with peer review of decisions and deliverables

Formative feedback against clear performance criteria

Applied Project & Assessment

Applied Project

Participants prepare a decision-gate package for a provided Gulf field development case: concept comparison, cost and schedule risk analysis with P50 and P90 results, a risk register, a contracting strategy and an economic summary for the FID decision.

Assessment

Short diagnostic at the start, practical tasks linked to each learning outcome, and evaluation of the applied project against published criteria.

University Certificate & International Accreditation

Professional Certificate accredited by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in Certificate in Oil & Gas Project Strategy, Risk & Upstream Management

International accreditation: European Health and Safety Agency (EHSA)