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OPS6975 Mastering Upstream Operations in Oil and Gas

$200.00
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The Executive Diagnostic and Governance Toolkit

Mastering Upstream Operations in Oil and Gas

Score your own function red, amber or green, find out which part is weakest, and walk into the next budget round able to defend what you want to fix. Built for leaders reviewing Oil gas and pipeline operations.

$199 one-time
30-day money-back guarantee Verified against latest insights, updated access provided within 24h

Each order is checked and updated against the latest insights before delivery. That is why access takes up to 24 hours rather than being instant.

What you walk out with
A scored, ranked picture of your own function, and a defensible answer to what to fix first.
1 You stop guessing where you stand.
You finish with a score, not an opinion: every part of your function rated red, amber or green, with the weakest ranked first. Evidence: a Quick Scan for the shape of it, then seven domain assessments of 30 scored questions each, 210 in all, rolled into one scorecard, plus a maturity radar and a current-versus-target gap analysis.
2 You can defend the decision.
You walk into the budget round with the gap named, the owner named and done defined, instead of a case built on instinct. Evidence: project charter, scope statement, RACI, requirements traceability and work breakdown structure, pre-filled in your domain's language.
3 The work actually moves.
The month after the decision is already built, so nothing stalls waiting for someone to design a form. Evidence: more than 60 project templates across all five PMBOK process groups, plus runbooks, SOPs, a KPI framework, audit checklists and a risk matrix. 55 to 65 files in total.
4 You use it the day it lands.
No blank templates to interpret. Every workbook opens with what it is, who uses it, when, how, a 1 to 5 scoring guide, what good looks like, and a worked example you delete and type over.
The Quick Scan is one sitting. You will know your weakest area before the day is out.
Nothing in it is generic project management: the build rejects any file that could belong to another course. Updated after you enrol, so it reflects where the work stands now. The 144-chapter course is included behind it, for the parts you want to go deeper on.
You’re accountable for production outcomes, but data flows are slipping beyond your control.

The situation this is built for

Every day, more decisions in exploration planning, well scheduling, and field data reporting happen outside your direct oversight. Tools are being adopted that bypass traditional approval chains. Field teams use informal channels to share reservoir insights. Third-party data integrations create blind spots in compliance and forecasting. You’re still responsible for results, but you’re losing visibility into how those results are achieved.

Who this is for

Head of Upstream Operations in an independent or integrated oil and gas company, responsible for exploration, drilling, production, and field team leadership across multiple assets.

Who this is not for

This is not for engineers seeking technical training, vendors selling digital solutions, or executives focused only on financial metrics. It’s for those who own operational execution and must maintain authority over how work gets done.

What you walk away with

  • Regain clarity in how exploration leads are sourced and validated
  • Strengthen control over data used in well planning decisions
  • Align field operations with corporate compliance and reporting cycles
  • Anticipate breakdowns in multi-team communication before they occur
  • Lead change without depending on external platforms or tools

How this maps to your situation

  • Diagnosing current operational workflows
  • Identifying decision bottlenecks and data gaps
  • Reinforcing leadership accountability
  • Designing adaptive, sustainable models

Before vs. after

Before
You manage upstream operations through fragmented data, inconsistent approvals, and growing reliance on informal channels.
After
You lead with clarity, owning the integrity of decisions, data flows, and team coordination across exploration and production.

What's included with your purchase

  • 12 modules with 12 chapters each (144 chapters)
  • Downloadable templates and worked examples for every module
  • Hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Delivery and format

  • Course and learning environment access provisioned within 24 hours of purchase
  • Hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access

Format: Text-based modules and chapters in the Art of Service learning environment, plus downloadable templates and worked examples for every chapter, plus the hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access.

Time investment: Approximately 3 hours per module, designed to be completed at your pace over 8–12 weeks.

If nothing changes
Without reassessing how work is coordinated and controlled, you risk losing authority over critical decisions, compliance outcomes, and field performance — even as accountability remains yours.

How this compares to the alternatives

Unlike technical training or software demos, this course focuses on the leadership work of maintaining control, clarity, and consistency in complex upstream operations — without prescribing tools or platforms.

Also included: the full course, for when you want the reasoning behind a finding (12 modules, 144 chapters)

Depth reference. The diagnostic and the templates stand on their own; this is what to read when you want the reasoning behind a finding.

Module 1. Mapping the Current State of Exploration Planning
Establish a baseline of how prospect identification, geological screening, and portfolio filtering occur across your organization today.
12 chapters in this module
  1. How exploration leads are currently sourced across regions
  2. Understanding the inputs used in initial geological screening
  3. Documenting the stakeholders involved in target selection
  4. Tracing how seismic data informs early-stage decisions
  5. Reviewing how historical production analogs are applied
  6. Assessing the role of external consultants in prospecting
  7. Identifying where informal data sharing bypasses official channels
  8. Mapping the approval path for new exploration targets
  9. Evaluating consistency in reserve estimation methodologies
  10. Analyzing how regional priorities influence portfolio balance
  11. Reviewing how environmental constraints shape early planning
  12. Documenting how field team feedback is incorporated upstream
Module 2. Diagnosing Data Flow Breakdowns in Field Operations
Identify where delays, miscommunication, or data loss occur between central planning and field execution teams.
12 chapters in this module
  1. How daily drilling reports are compiled and distributed
  2. Tracking the flow of mud log data from rig to office
  3. Understanding how real-time data is used in decision calls
  4. Identifying gaps in communication during well control events
  5. Reviewing how production test results are validated
  6. Assessing how equipment failure reports reach engineering
  7. Mapping how safety observations move up the chain
  8. Documenting how shift handovers transfer operational context
  9. Evaluating the use of informal messaging in field coordination
  10. Analyzing how weather delays impact scheduling accuracy
  11. Reviewing how third-party contractor data is integrated
  12. Identifying where paper-based processes slow response times
Module 3. Assessing Decision Authority in Well Development
Clarify who approves key decisions in well design, completion, and tie-in planning across multidisciplinary teams.
12 chapters in this module
  1. How well trajectories are approved across departments
  2. Understanding the gate review process for drilling permits
  3. Documenting who signs off on casing and cementing designs
  4. Tracing the approval chain for hydraulic fracturing plans
  5. Reviewing how environmental clearances are coordinated
  6. Assessing how pipeline tie-in points are finalized
  7. Identifying where procurement decisions affect well timing
  8. Mapping how reservoir engineering inputs shape completions
  9. Evaluating how geosteering adjustments are authorized
  10. Analyzing how deviation requests are processed
  11. Reviewing how post-spud changes are communicated
  12. Documenting how multi-well pad sequencing is decided
Module 4. Evaluating Reservoir Data Integration Practices
Examine how geological, petrophysical, and production data converge to inform reservoir management decisions.
12 chapters in this module
  1. How core sample data is logged and accessed
  2. Understanding the workflow for log interpretation
  3. Documenting how pressure transient tests are scheduled
  4. Tracing how production decline curves are updated
  5. Reviewing how water cut trends influence forecasts
  6. Assessing integration of 4D seismic into models
  7. Identifying where manual data entry creates errors
  8. Mapping how reserve recalculations are initiated
  9. Evaluating how uncertainty ranges are communicated
  10. Analyzing how model updates affect field plans
  11. Reviewing how production allocation is calculated
  12. Documenting how gas-oil ratio shifts are monitored
Module 5. Auditing Compliance in Operations Reporting
Ensure operational data meets regulatory, safety, and corporate governance standards across reporting cycles.
12 chapters in this module
  1. How daily production volumes are verified
  2. Understanding the audit trail for flaring records
  3. Documenting how spill incidents are reported
  4. Tracing the validation of H2S monitoring data
  5. Reviewing how safety stop-work orders are logged
  6. Assessing how regulatory forms are completed
  7. Identifying where reporting deadlines are missed
  8. Mapping how compliance data reaches headquarters
  9. Evaluating how third-party inspections are tracked
  10. Analyzing how well status changes are documented
  11. Reviewing how maintenance backlogs affect compliance
  12. Documenting how regulatory correspondence is managed
Module 6. Optimizing Field Team Communication Structures
Improve coordination between central offices, field supervisors, and remote crews to reduce operational delays.
12 chapters in this module
  1. How morning meeting agendas are set in field camps
  2. Understanding the use of radio vs digital comms
  3. Documenting how emergency drills are scheduled
  4. Tracing how work permits are issued and closed
  5. Reviewing how material shortages are escalated
  6. Assessing how crew rotations affect continuity
  7. Identifying where language barriers create confusion
  8. Mapping how safety alerts reach all personnel
  9. Evaluating how downtime reasons are categorized
  10. Analyzing how feedback from rig hands is collected
  11. Reviewing how local leadership resolves conflicts
  12. Documenting how off-shift coverage is arranged
Module 7. Strengthening Asset Performance Reviews
Improve the quality and actionability of monthly and quarterly performance assessments across producing assets.
12 chapters in this module
  1. How production variance is investigated
  2. Understanding the structure of monthly review meetings
  3. Documenting how KPIs are calculated and reported
  4. Tracing how underperforming wells are flagged
  5. Reviewing how workover recommendations are prioritized
  6. Assessing how uptime metrics are verified
  7. Identifying where data lags affect decisions
  8. Mapping how peer comparisons are used
  9. Evaluating how assumptions are challenged in meetings
  10. Analyzing how action items are tracked post-review
  11. Reviewing how external benchmarks are applied
  12. Documenting how performance targets are reset
Module 8. Improving Drilling and Completions Oversight
Enhance visibility into drilling performance, cost tracking, and completion effectiveness across multiple rigs.
12 chapters in this module
  1. How drilling progress is reported daily
  2. Understanding the use of AFE vs actual cost tracking
  3. Documenting how bit performance is evaluated
  4. Tracing how NPT events are categorized
  5. Reviewing how directional drilling deviations are handled
  6. Assessing how frac stage efficiency is measured
  7. Identifying where supply chain delays impact ops
  8. Mapping how rig handover reports are completed
  9. Evaluating how drilling lessons are shared
  10. Analyzing how contractor performance is scored
  11. Reviewing how deviation approvals are documented
  12. Documenting how post-job reviews are conducted
Module 9. Aligning Exploration and Production Teams
Bridge the gap between long-term prospecting efforts and short-term production demands.
12 chapters in this module
  1. How exploration timelines are communicated to ops
  2. Understanding how discovery announcements affect staffing
  3. Documenting how appraisal plans are coordinated
  4. Tracing how pilot projects inform development decisions
  5. Reviewing how resource estimates are reconciled with reserves
  6. Assessing how production data feeds back to geoscience
  7. Identifying where misalignment creates delays
  8. Mapping how joint technical sessions are scheduled
  9. Evaluating how data ownership is defined
  10. Analyzing how risk assessments are shared
  11. Reviewing how budget cycles align exploration and E&P
  12. Documenting how knowledge transfer occurs between teams
Module 10. Securing Operational Data Integrity
Ensure data used in planning, reporting, and compliance is accurate, traceable, and protected from manipulation.
12 chapters in this module
  1. How data entry roles are defined in field offices
  2. Understanding access controls for production databases
  3. Documenting audit trails for key operational metrics
  4. Tracing how data corrections are approved
  5. Reviewing how backup procedures are tested
  6. Assessing how unauthorized changes are detected
  7. Identifying where spreadsheets replace formal systems
  8. Mapping how data ownership is enforced
  9. Evaluating how version control is managed
  10. Analyzing how data governance policies are enforced
  11. Reviewing how external data is validated
  12. Documenting how data retention policies are applied
Module 11. Leading Change in Multi-Asset Operations
Drive operational improvements across diverse assets without central mandates or new technology platforms.
12 chapters in this module
  1. How pilot initiatives are selected for rollout
  2. Understanding how change is communicated to field teams
  3. Documenting how local champions are identified
  4. Tracing how resistance is addressed in operations
  5. Reviewing how success metrics are defined
  6. Assessing how lessons from one asset spread to others
  7. Identifying where standardization conflicts with local needs
  8. Mapping how feedback loops are maintained
  9. Evaluating how leadership visibility affects adoption
  10. Analyzing how resource constraints shape change pace
  11. Reviewing how peer accountability is encouraged
  12. Documenting how wins are celebrated across regions
Module 12. Building a Sustainable Operational Model
Design a resilient framework for upstream operations that adapts to changing conditions without external dependencies.
12 chapters in this module
  1. How to define core operational principles
  2. Understanding the role of documentation in continuity
  3. Documenting how onboarding preserves institutional knowledge
  4. Tracing how incident reviews inform future planning
  5. Reviewing how operational rhythms are maintained
  6. Assessing how leadership transitions are managed
  7. Identifying where processes become brittle
  8. Mapping how external pressures reshape workflows
  9. Evaluating how performance expectations are reset
  10. Analyzing how feedback informs model updates
  11. Reviewing how resilience is measured over time
  12. Documenting how the model adapts to new discoveries

Frequently asked

Who is this course designed for?
It is designed for Heads of Upstream Operations who own end-to-end execution across exploration, drilling, and production.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Does this course cover digital transformation tools?
No. It focuses on operational workflows, decision rights, and data integrity — not on specific software or platforms.
Will I receive templates I can use immediately?
Yes. Each module includes downloadable templates and real-world examples tailored to upstream operations.
Is there a certificate upon completion?
Yes. A certificate of completion is issued after finishing all modules.
How much time does it take to complete?
Approximately 36 hours total, structured to fit within a leader’s schedule over 8–12 weeks.
What if this isn’t right for me?
We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee if the course does not meet your expectations.
Is the implementation playbook customized?
Yes. It is hand-built based on your operational context and delivered alongside course access.
Can my team take this together?
Yes. Group enrollment options are available for leadership teams across multiple assets.
Is this about regulatory compliance?
It includes compliance workflows but focuses on how decisions and data move across teams.
Do I need prior technical training?
No. The course is designed for operational leaders, not technical specialists.
What makes this different from industry conferences?
This is a structured assessment of your specific workflows, not a general overview of trends.
What formats do the templates come in?
The implementation playbook downloads as PDF and editable XLSX. The course reads in your learning environment and exports to PDF for offline use. The files are yours to keep.
Can I share this with my team?
The licence is per person. Team pricing opens from three seats: reply to the order confirmation with TEAM and we will set it up.
How quickly can I start?
The diagnostic is one sitting and the templates work straight out of the kit. Account access takes up to 24 hours rather than being instant, because every order is checked and updated against the latest sources before it is delivered.
$199 one-time. Approximately 3 hours per module, designed to be completed at your pace over 8–12 weeks..

Within 24 hours your account in the learning environment is provisioned and the tailored implementation playbook is delivered alongside it.

30-day money-back guarantee·Know your weakest area today·210 scored questions·Course included· Account access within 24 hours
30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked.
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