FUNDAMENTALS OF EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION (E&P) OF OIL & GAS
Understanding the Upstream Value Chain from Discovery to Production
Course Schedule
| Date | Venue | Fees (Face-to-Face) |
|---|---|---|
| 07 – 11 Dec 2025 | Kuwait | USD 3495 per delegate |
Course Introduction
The exploration and production (E&P) sector forms the foundation of the oil and gas industry. It encompasses the entire upstream value chain—from the initial geological surveys and seismic evaluations to drilling, extraction, and production optimization. Understanding this complex process is vital for professionals across technical and non-technical roles supporting oil and gas operations.
This intensive five-day training provides participants with a comprehensive overview of the E&P lifecycle. The course integrates geological, engineering, operational, and commercial aspects to build a foundational understanding of how hydrocarbons are located, extracted, and brought to market efficiently and safely.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
• Understand the full upstream lifecycle in oil and gas projects
• Recognize geological and geophysical techniques used in exploration
• Explain drilling operations, well design, and completion processes
• Identify production methods and challenges in various reservoir types
• Appreciate key safety, environmental, and economic considerations in E&P
Key Benefits of Attending
• To gain a solid understanding of how exploration and production operations work
• To bridge the knowledge gap between technical, business, and support functions
• To enhance collaboration between field teams and corporate staff
• To build a foundation for more advanced technical or managerial roles in E&P
• To support informed decision-making across upstream project lifecycles
Intended Audience
This program is designed for:
• New entrants to the oil and gas industry
• Engineers, technicians, and geoscientists in non-E&P disciplines
• Business, finance, legal, and supply chain professionals supporting upstream activities
• HSE officers, project managers, and regulators
• Professionals transitioning into upstream oil and gas roles
Individual Benefits
Key competencies that will be developed include:
• Understanding of subsurface exploration and reservoir evaluation
• Familiarity with drilling operations and well lifecycle
• Knowledge of surface production systems and processing
• Insight into risk management, safety, and regulatory factors
• Awareness of upstream project economics and development planning
Organization Benefits
Upon completing the training course, participants will demonstrate:
• Improved cross-functional collaboration in upstream operations
• Greater alignment of support functions with field activities
• Enhanced capability to evaluate project opportunities and risks
• Stronger compliance with environmental and safety standards
• A more informed and integrated workforce across the E&P value chain
Instructional Methdology
The course follows a blended learning approach combining theory with practice:
• Strategy Briefings – Exploration lifecycle, drilling systems, and production operations
• Case Studies – Real-world upstream project challenges and solutions
• Workshops – Basin modeling, well planning, and production simulation exercises
• Peer Exchange – Interactive discussions on upstream trends and best practices
• Tools – Geological maps, well schematics, reservoir models, and flow diagrams
Course Outline
Detailed 5-Day Course Outline
Training Hours: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Daily Format: 3–4 Learning Modules | Coffee breaks: 09:30 & 11:15 | Lunch Buffet: 01:00 – 02:00
Day 1: Overview of the Oil & Gas Industry and E&P Lifecycle
Module 1: Introduction to the Oil & Gas Sector (07:30 – 09:30)
• Upstream, midstream, and downstream overview
• Global supply chains and energy markets
• Key industry players and operations
Module 2: The E&P Lifecycle Explained (09:45 – 11:15)
• Stages: exploration, appraisal, development, production
• Risk factors and project timelines
• Offshore vs. onshore project comparisons
Module 3: Workshop – Mapping the E&P Process (11:30 – 01:00)
• Hands-on exercise linking stages to stakeholders
• Team presentations
Module 4: Hydrocarbon Formation and Accumulation (02:00 – 03:30)
• Petroleum geology fundamentals
• Source rocks, traps, and reservoirs
Day 2: Exploration Techniques and Reservoir Evaluation
Module 5: Geological and Geophysical Exploration (07:30 – 09:30)
• Seismic surveys, gravity, and magnetic methods
• Interpreting geophysical data
• Basin modeling and prospect generation
Module 6: Reservoir Evaluation and Appraisal (09:45 – 11:15)
• Core sampling, wireline logging, and well testing
• Estimating reserves: STOIIP and GIIP
• Reservoir modeling basics
Module 7: Workshop – Interpreting Seismic and Well Logs (11:30 – 01:00)
• Identifying structures and reservoir properties
Module 8: Exploration Risk and Economic Screening (02:00 – 03:30)
• Success probabilities, technical risk, and economic indicators
Day 3: Drilling and Well Engineering
Module 9: Drilling Engineering Basics (07:30 – 09:30)
• Types of wells: vertical, directional, horizontal
• Rig types and site preparation
• Drilling fluids and blowout preventers
Module 10: Well Design and Casing Programs (09:45 – 11:15)
• Casing, cementing, and pressure control
• Stuck pipe, kick detection, and wellbore stability
Module 11: Workshop – Well Planning Exercise (11:30 – 01:00)
• Designing a basic wellbore schematic
• Depth, casing, and mud program selection
Module 12: Safety and Environmental Considerations (02:00 – 03:30)
• Drilling safety protocols and HSE practices
• Environmental impact assessments
Day 4: Production Operations and Surface Facilities
Module 13: Production System Components (07:30 – 09:30)
• Wellhead, separators, gathering systems
• Artificial lift systems (ESP, gas lift, rod pumps)
• Surface vs. subsea production
Module 14: Reservoir Management and Enhanced Recovery (09:45 – 11:15)
• Waterflooding, gas injection, EOR methods
• Decline curve analysis and production forecasting
Module 15: Workshop – Production Optimization Case (11:30 – 01:00)
• Identifying bottlenecks and improving recovery
Module 16: Surface Facility Operations (02:00 – 03:30)
• Processing, storage, and transportation infrastructure
Day 5: Project Planning, Economics, and Industry Trends
Module 17: Field Development Planning (07:30 – 09:30)
• Appraisal to full-field development
• Concept selection and facility sizing
Module 18: Upstream Project Economics (09:45 – 11:15)
• CAPEX, OPEX, breakeven, and NPV
• Fiscal regimes and contract types
Module 19: Workshop – Project Feasibility Assessment (11:30 – 01:00)
• Economic evaluation of a field development plan
Module 20: Future of E&P and Energy Transition (02:00 – 03:30)
• Digital oilfields, AI, and automation
• Role of E&P in the energy transition
Certification
Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion in Fundamentals of Exploration & Production (E&P) of Oil & Gas, validating their foundational understanding of upstream oil and gas operations, technologies, and project management principles.