Course Summary

This two-day workshop explores geopolitical context within which oil and gas companies operate and how it affects daily business practices. This will be done, with a view toward understanding particular geographical locales and associated political risks. Regions to be covered include: United States, Africa, Latin America, and Middle East and Asia. Special emphasis will be placed on the rise of resource nationalism, as evidenced by the more than 100 national oil companies that currently exist. Moreover, political risk tools and strategies will be presented so that delegates learn concrete skills that they can use in their work.

Often, risks are assessed upstream, where exploration happens. Increasingly, companies have become alarmed at risks taking place midstream - specifically in the area of maritime shipping. In recent years, piracy on the high seas has become politically and financially costly for tankers and ships carrying oil and petroleum-related products. The course will explore these issues by reviewing the phenomenon of piracy, where it is most likely to happen, and also international efforts to address piracy. The stark reality is that most responses are reactive. Stopping piracy is the critical challenge.

A number of critical issues will be specifically addressed:

• Africa: How Nigerian rebels/maritime piracy affects oil production/transport geopolitics. How reforms to the national oil company are proceeding and what it means for you.
• Europe : How the events of late 2008 and early 2009 have affected security of supply - Russia and its relationship to its ex-satellite states. What does this mean for gas infrastructure going forward?
• Asia: China is the regional heavyweight and has made gains through its Go Abroad policy. Where is China and how is it out-competing Western oil companies? What does this mean in terms of geopolitics and strategy and public policy?
• Latin America: The region has drifted to the left with leaders such as Chavez and Morales controlling vast quantities of oil and natural gas. Which way are the political winds blowing? Will extra-legal nationalization continue or will companies be invited back in?

8 CPE credits awarded per day for this course.

Delivery Method: Group-Live

Who Should Attend?

All energy professionals involved in considering political risk mitigation strategies including executives, middle managers, analysts, in-house lawyers, project managers and government officials.

Course Contents

• Historical and contemporary overview of the geopolitics of oil and gas
• Understanding what political risk is
• Identifying specific above-ground political risks in the oil and gas industry
  • Politics and governance
  • Security
  • Reputation and social
  • Infrastructure and health
• Regional political risks
  • Africa - emphasis on West and Central Africa and emphasis on national oil companies
  • Latin America - emphasis on Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador and Venezuela
  • Middle East - emphasis on Gulf states and Iran
  • Asia - emphasis on the rise of China as a global actor and implications for the industry
• Political risk mitigation tools (strengths and weaknesses)
  • Political risk insurance
  • Security
  • Multi-stakeholder engagement
  • Internal policies
  • Portfolio diversification
• Addressing Rise in Maritime Piracy

The course includes exercises based on actual political scenarios and case studies. Delegates are also placed in teams to facilitate learning.