(EnergyAsia, August 19, Tuesday) --- The ‘Commercial Fundamentals of the Upstream Oil and Gas Industry’ conference will be held at the Traders’ Hotel in Singapore from October 21 to 24.

The conference will provide participants with a practical, thorough and in-depth understanding of the commercial aspects of the upstream industry.

The course will be divided into six modules: the commercial environment, commercial agreements, financial features, core commercial skills and competencies, risk management and disputes and case studies.

The first module, ‘The Upstream Commercial Environment’, will introduce participants to the industry as well as review the importance of the commercial aspects of the industry. ‘Key Upstream Commercial Agreements’ will address upstream agreements, product sales, transportation, confidentiality agreements and asset management.

‘The Financial Aspects of Upstream Commercial’ will cover project costs and investments, financing, economic evaluation and, mergers and acquisitions.

The fourth module ‘The Upstream Core Commercial Skills & Competencies’ will cover key project risk and value identification, government relationships, technical risks, economic evaluation, negotiation skills, market evaluation, asset management and commercial performance indicators.

Topics covered in ‘Upstream Risk Management and Disputes’ include risk management in upstream developments, price risk management, disputes and renegotiations.

The last module is a case study of an upstream oil and gas development. The study will cover the entire value chain from the producing field through sales and transportation to another country with throughput in a new import terminal.

Speakers at the event include Anthony Way and Yvonne Barton from UK-based The Energy Contract Company.

‘Commercial Fundamentals of the Upstream Oil and Gas Industry’ is organised by NeoEdge Pte Ltd. For more information, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

(EnergyAsia, August 19, Tuesday) --- India’s Centre for High Technology (CHT) has engaged Shell Global Solutions to carry out the second phase of its improvement programme covering four coastal refineries, BPCL and HPCL in Mumbai, MRPL in Mangalore and IOCL in Haldia.

The Integrated Refinery Business Improvement Programme will focus on improving the refineries’ gross margins, operational and asset management practices, and reducing energy and product losses.

“This extended contract is a clear demonstration of our collective commitment in assisting Indian refineries in not only extracting maximum value from their assets and natural resources but to conduct our business with sustainability in mind,” said K.S.Balaraman, CHT’s executive director.

“It is crucial that as we progress through technology and innovation, our business has minimum impact to the environment and our people. Shell Global Solutions has proved that it is able to help us to achieve these objectives and we certainly look forward to a continued, fruitful exchange of expertise.”

Bart Van de Ven, a Shell Global Solutions leader in India, said: “The improvements at the refineries are underpinned by more efficient and effective ways of working. By working closely with CHT and through the focused IRBIP initiatives, we hope to maximise the performance of the refineries.”

The earlier agreement signed between CHT and Shell Global Solutions in 2006 involved IOC’s Mathura refinery, Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd’s Manali refinery, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd’s Visakh refinery, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd’s Kochi refinery.

The four refineries currently supply about one quarter of refined petroleum products like diesel, LPG, kerosene, avaition fuels and gasoline to the local Indian market.

The targeted margin of improvement through the implementation of the 2006 agreement was US$0.50 per barrel of crude processed with benefits likely to be realised of just under US$100 million across the four sites on an annual basis.

“We are pleased that CHT has chosen to continue working with Shell Global Solutions o extend the IRBIP to other coastal refineries. This programme is in line with our “Grow East” strategy, which focuses on meeting rapidly growing energy demands in Asia through technology and innovation of which knowledge exchange play a pivotal role,” said vice president of business development Wayne Hutchinson.