An Intensive 5-day Training Course
Oil and Gas Markets, Trading,
Pricing and Economic Framework:
Trading Oil in International Markets
Course Introduction
The oil and gas industry remains the backbone of the global energy system and a major driver of economic development. Crude oil and natural gas continue to be among the most traded and influential commodities, affecting global markets, investment flows, and national economies.
This training course provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of international oil and gas markets, exploring how prices are formed, how physical and financial trading operate, and how risk can be effectively managed. It also examines how macroeconomic factors, geopolitical influences, and market fundamentals shape global trade and investment decisions.
Through an integrated learning experience combining theory, practical exercises, and real-world examples, participants will build the analytical and commercial skills essential to thrive in today’s complex energy markets.
This Oxford Management Centre training course highlights:
- Global Oil and Gas Market Structures and Operations
- Physical and Financial Trading Mechanisms
- Price Formation and Benchmarking (Brent, WTI, Dubai, etc.)
- Contracts, Spot, and Forward Transactions
- Market Pricing Strategies and Hedging Tools
- Derivative Instruments: Swaps, Options, and Futures
- The Impact of Shale Production and Economic Cycles
- Legal, Regulatory, and Contractual Aspects of Oil Trading
Objectives
By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the structure and dynamics of international oil and gas markets
- Distinguish between physical and financial trading mechanisms
- Analyse how crude oil and natural gas prices are determined and benchmarked
- Assess the impact of supply-demand fundamentals and geopolitical drivers
- Understand the various contract types and pricing structures used in oil trading
- Interpret market data and price trends for strategic decision-making
- Apply hedging tools such as futures, options, and swaps to mitigate risk
- Evaluate economic and financial indicators affecting oil and gas markets
- Recognize the legal, regulatory, and compliance elements of global trading
- Develop negotiation, analytical, and market assessment skills
- Integrate market knowledge into organizational trading and investment strategies
Training Methodology
This training course blends theory with practical application through a variety of proven adult learning techniques, including:
- Expert-led presentations and interactive discussions
- Real-world case studies and market-based exercises
- Group problem-solving and trading simulations
- Short videos and demonstrations of live market dynamics
- Application of analytical tools to real data and scenarios
- This interactive approach ensures that complex topics are translated into practical, actionable knowledge.
Organisational Impact
Upon completion of this training course, organizations will benefit from employees who can:
- Understand and interpret the dynamics of international oil and gas markets.
- Analyze market fundamentals and pricing mechanisms for better business decisions.
- Evaluate and manage financial exposure and commodity risk effectively
- Improve the accuracy and reliability of market forecasts and trading strategies.
- Support strategic and investment decisions with solid economic analysis
- Strengthen internal capability in trading, risk management, and pricing strategy.
- Enhance overall organizational performance in commercial and financial operations.
Personal Impact
Upon completion of this training course, participants will be able to:
- Gain a thorough understanding of global oil and gas market operations and trends.
- Apply advanced analytical skills to assess prices, contracts, and trading strategies.
- Improve decision-making and risk management in a volatile market environment.
- Strengthen their ability to interpret economic and financial data for trading insight.
- Build confidence in negotiating and executing trading contracts effectively.
- Enhance communication and strategic thinking within commercial and financial teams.
- Increase professional competence and career potential in the oil and gas sector.
Who Should Attend?
This training course is designed for professionals involved in oil, gas, and energy markets who wish to enhance their understanding of trading, pricing, and economics. It will be especially beneficial for:
- Petroleum Economists and Energy Analysts
- Oil and Gas Traders, Brokers, and Marketers
- Business Development and Strategy Managers
- Financial Analysts, Bankers, and Investment Professionals
- Risk Managers and Corporate Planners
- Legal, Contract, and Compliance Specialists
- Government Officials, Regulators, and Policy Advisors
- Consultants, Advisors, and Journalists covering energy markets
Course Outline
Day One
Fundamentals of Upstream Business & Supply and Demand
- The Fundamentals of the Energy Industry
- Introduction to Petroleum Value Chain
- Characteristics of Upstream Petroleum Industry
- Industry players and competitive environment.
- Upstream Project Life Cycle
- Fundamentals of Oil and Gas Geology and Oil formation.
- Oil and Gas Exploration, Drilling and Production
- Oil and Gas Supply, Demand and Reserve Distribution
- The Impact of Shale oil and Shale Gas on Oil and Gas Supply and Demand
Day Two
Crude Oil, Natural Gas and Refinery Product Pricing
- Crude Oil Classification and Quality Indicators
- Downstream Oil and Gas Business
- Crude Oil Distillation and Refinery Operations and Up-grading
- The Economics of Downstream Oil and Gas
- Refinery Yields and Growth Product wealth.
- Refinery Margin and profit
- The impact of the refinery yield on crude oil prices
- Factors affecting the crude oil prices
- OPEC vs Non-OPEC Strategy
- International Energy Pricing Systems
- Benchmarks, Markers for Oil & Gas
- Importance of the benchmarks in petroleum industry
- The criteria for ideal benchmarks
- The most common Crude benchmarks
- Brent Complex (BFOETM) Benchmark
- WTI Benchmark
- Dubai- Oman Benchmark
- Refinery Products Benchmarks
- Crude Oil and Refinery Product Pricing Mechanisms
- The delivered price of crude oil
- INCOTERMS ( FOB, CIF, CFR, and Ex-Ship)
- Price Structure and Standardization
- Absolute price component
- Quality differential
- Location differential
- Time differential
- Natural Gas Pricing Mechanisms
- Fixed Price
- Indexed Gas Pricing Mechanisms
- Gas on Gas Pricing (Hennery Hub, NBP, TTF, JKM)
- Regulated Pricing Mechanisms
- Price Discovery and Price Reporting Agencies and their Roles – Platts, Argus.
Day Three
Markets & Price Risk Management
- The Physical Oil Markets
- Barter deal agreements
- Spot and Single cargo transactions
- Long term contracts
- The Financial Derivatives of the Oil Market
- Forward Contracts
- Futures Contracts
- Options Contracts
- Swaps Contracts
- Evolution of Commodities Exchanges
- Exchange Organization and Clearing House
- Initial and Maintenance Margin
- Futures Contracts Specifications
- The Pros and Cons of the Futures Markets
- Hedging and Price Risk Management
- Long and Short Position Concept
- The payoff profile for long and short position
- Price Hedging by Futures
- The Basis Risk and Hedging Imperfections
- The Financial Derivatives of Products
- Crack Spread Concept
- Crack Spreads (3-2-1, 5-3-2, 6-3-2-1 )
- Pricing Structures of Oil & Gas
- Contango vs Backwardation
Day Four
Derivative Products: Swaps and Options
- The Options Contract
- Call Option
- Put Option
- Option Premium
- The Two Types of Options Traded
- American Style Options
- European Style Options
- Options Holder Position
- In the Money Options
- At the Money Options
- Out of the Money Options
- Hedging using Options.
- Option holder and option writer payoff profile
- Long Position Hedging
- Short Position Hedging
- The Swap Contract
- Swaps Philosophy
- Fixed for Floating Swaps
- Hedging using the swaps contracts.
Day Five
Economic, Legal Principles of Oil and Gas Business and Future Trends
- Petroleum Economics Principles
- Petroleum Fiscal Regimes
- Concession and Production Sharing Contracts
- Fiscal Tools
- Royalty, Tax, Cost Recovery and Profit Oil Sharing
- Joint Operating Agreements
- Crude Oil Freight & Sales and Purchase Contracts
- Legal and Regulatory Framework USA, UK and Singapore
Certificate
On successful completion of this training course, Oxford Management Centre Certificate with eligible Continuing Professional Education credits (CPE) from National Registry of CPE Sponsor will be awarded to the delegates
Accreditation
In association with
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, we provide assistance in securing both hotel reservations & entry visa on all our international training venues, for delegates attending our training courses. For further information / assistance, please contact our Customer Service at:
- Telephone: +971 50 985 0174
- E-mail: info@oxford-management.com
Yes, Oxford Management Centre is accredited by the following professional bodies;
National Association of State Board of Accountancy (NASBA)
The Oxford Management Centre is registered with NASBA as a sponsor of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. NASBA have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit.
Yes, discounts are available. For further information please call +971 50 985 0174 or email, info@oxford-management.com
Note: Discounts are not applicable with any other special offer that may be available.
All course bookings made through Oxford Management Centre are non-refundable. By registering for a course, you acknowledge and accept that fees are payable in full and are not subject to refund under any circumstances, including but not limited to participant dissatisfaction, changes in personal or professional circumstances, or partial attendance.
Oxford Management Centre reserves the right to make reasonable adjustments to course content, trainers, or schedules where necessary, without entitling delegates to a refund. Full details of each course – including objectives, target audience, and content – are clearly outlined prior to enrolment, and it is the responsibility of the delegate to ensure suitability before booking.
There are 2 easy ways to register:
- Online: Select the training course you want to register for, Click the “Book Your Place” button on the course page, complete the form and click submit.
- E-mail: Send your details to info@oxford-management.com
We request that all cancellations be made at least one week before the class start date. You may reschedule this class without any penalty. If not, a $250 fee will be charged for cancellations received less than one week before a class begins and for no-shows. Cancellation penalties and any fees incurred by Oxford Management Centre will be deducted from refunds.
For more information request, email info@oxford-management.com or call +971 50 985 0174.
The classroom training fees include course presentation, relevant materials, physical & digital documentation, lunch and refreshments served during entire training. Accommodation and transportation are not included in the training course fees.
While, online training fees cover the course presentation and digital documentation and relevant materials.
The Oxford Management Centre Certificate of Completion with corresponding CPE credits shall be awarded to delegates who has successfully completed the training course.
Payment must be received before the training course commences. You can make payment by bank draft, cash, credit card or wire transfer.
Note: If the payment is not received, Oxford Management Centre has the right to refuse admission.
Upon receipt of your registration form, we will send you the following by e-mail:
- Registration Confirmation
- Invoice/Receipt (where appropriate)
If you register online you will receive an e-mail within 24 hours confirming your registration.
