Advance Your Career with API-U Training at ARC

ARC’s Oil and Gas Industry Professional Development Series

 

ARC’s five-course oil and gas professional development series

Designed to equip current and emerging leaders in the oil and gas sector with the strategic, regulatory, and interpersonal capabilities required to deliver high-performance results in complex, evolving environments. Fully aligned with the standards and expectations of the American Petroleum Institute (API), each course supports compliance with API Spec Q1 and Q2, while building critical capacity in leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and political risk navigation.

Whether operating upstream or managing regulatory interfaces, these courses are designed for experienced professionals seeking to:

  • Ensure project alignment with global standards

  • Influence policy and stakeholder environments

  • Navigate complex social, cultural, and political systems

  • Develop practical strategies in resource-constrained, high-risk contexts

Each course combines practical frameworks with case-based learning, and is supported by ARC’s commitment to world-class training delivery and continuous improvement.

About the Courses

Participants will gain the skills to lead teams, manage cross-functional programs, mitigate geopolitical risks, and build strong relationships with regulators, communities, and partners—strengthening both operational performance and long-term business sustainability.

Courses include:

  • Leadership, Communications & Inter-personal Skills

  • Effective Government Relations for the Oil & Gas Sector

  • Managing Political Risk in Oil and Gas Industry

  • Stakeholder Management: Negotiating, Communicating and Influencing

  • Strategic Management in Upstream Oil and Gas

All courses are offered in-person, with an online program rollout planned for autumn 2025.

Course Descriptions

Leadership, Communications & Inter-personal Skills
- Total Duration: 3-5 days (24-40 hours)
- Course Objective: To develop leadership effectiveness by cultivating emotional intelligence, communication mastery, and personal integrity — empowering individuals to lead teams, manage operations, and represent organizational values consistent with the expectations of API Spec Q1 and Q2 quality management systems.

- Target Audience: This course is especially valuable for individuals operating in high-stakes, safety-sensitive, or quality-regulated environments, as defined by API Spec Q1 and Q2.

·         Project Managers, Supervisors, and Team Leaders in oil and gas operations

·         Quality, Health, Safety, and Environmental (QHSE) professionals

·         API Q1/Q2 implementation teams

·         Operations and Maintenance Managers

·         Trainers and Facilitators preparing for API-U certification delivery

·         Contractors and Vendors seeking API-approved training credentials

 

Effective Government Relations for the Oil & Gas Sector
- Total Duration: 3-5 days (24-40 hours)
- Course Objective: To equip oil and gas professionals with the knowledge, strategies, and tools required to build and maintain constructive relationships with government stakeholders, mitigate political risk, secure licenses to operate, and manage disputes—thereby supporting API Spec Q1 & Q2 principles of organizational context, risk-based thinking, and stakeholder engagement.

- Target Audience: This course is especially relevant for businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions or in emerging markets, where risk mitigation, stakeholder alignment, and policy influence are essential to continuity and compliance.

·         Senior management and external affairs professionals in oil & gas

·         Compliance and legal teams responsible for stakeholder negotiations

·         QHSE and ESG leads tasked with sustainability and reputation risk

·         Project development and permitting staff

·         API Q1/Q2 auditors and implementation teams working in regulated or high-risk jurisdictions

·         Policy and government liaison officers


Managing Political Risk in Oil and Gas Industry
- Total Duration: 3-5 days (24-40 hours)
- Course Objective: To build professional competence in identifying, analyzing, and mitigating political risks that impact oil and gas projects, while aligning with API Spec Q1 and Q2 requirements for risk-based thinking, stakeholder analysis, and management accountability.

- Target Audience: This course is essential for professionals managing large infrastructure or resource extraction projects where national policy, stakeholder expectations, and geopolitical risks are central.

  • Executives and risk officers in upstream, midstream, and downstream oil & gas sectors

  • Project development teams operating in politically complex or transitional environments

  • QHSE and compliance professionals

  • Policy analysts and strategic planning staff

  • Investors and procurement managers seeking license-to-operate stability

  • Government relations and ESG personnel

Stakeholder Management: Negotiating, Communicating and Influencing
- Total Duration: 3-5 days (24-40 hours)
- Course Objective: To strengthen participants' ability to identify, engage, and influence stakeholders critical to oil and gas operations—especially in contexts that demand effective communication, cultural fluency, and negotiation. The course is rooted in the API Spec Q1 and Q2 emphasis on stakeholder communication, leadership, and risk mitigation through engagement.

- Target Audience: This course is especially critical for professionals in stakeholder-sensitive environments, including high-impact infrastructure projects, cross-border ventures, and complex regulatory landscapes.

·         Project Managers, External Affairs Advisors, and Compliance Officers

·         QHSE professionals and API Spec Q1/Q2 implementation teams

·         Community and Government Relations personnel

·         Permit specialists and ESG strategists

·         Operations and contractor leads who must navigate stakeholder dynamics

·         Change management and communications teams

 

Strategic Management in Upstream Oil and Gas
- Total Duration: 3-5 days (24-40 hours)
- Course Objective: To provide oil and gas professionals with a systems-level understanding of strategic management frameworks applicable to upstream operations, enabling data-driven decision-making across field development, portfolio management, and regulatory alignment. The course reinforces API Spec Q1 and Q2 mandates for strategic planning, operational context, and sustainability integration.

- Target Audience: This course is tailored for individuals engaged in resource-intensive planning, multi-scenario forecasting, and capital-intensive investment decisions within upstream operations.

  • Business development managers and asset leads

  • Upstream planners and petroleum economists

  • Engineers involved in field development planning

  • Regulatory and compliance professionals

  • Corporate strategists and analysts supporting project lifecycle optimization

  • Government liaison teams focused on licensing and sustainability reporting

All Courses Combined Track – all five courses: 15-25  days total (120-200 hours)

Meet Your Trainer

All ARC Trainers meet API standards, including years of industry experience, certifications, and training experience.

Featured Trainer: Amr Taher Osman

Amr has more than 25 years of diverse work experience in the energy industry, with skills honed in partnership and stakeholder management, socioeconomics, public and government affairs, commercial negotiations, and business strategies. Amr has worked in various countries around the world, providing him with broad perspective and insight. His ventures with ExxonMobil Corporation included complex projects development, as well as professional workforce development responsibilities.  Amr’s core competencies include strong negotiation skills, leadership, cross-cultural collaboration, and networking with a wide variety of stakeholders, including governments, regulators, investors, and the media. He has a proven performance record meeting long-term goals while prioritizing short-term opportunities, resulting in increased profitability, improved KPIs, and growth.

Course Schedule

Format Options

·         In-person, instructor-led

Online option beginning Autumn 2025: LMS-enabled interactive training (compliant with API web-based delivery guidelines)

Detailed Course Information

  • Core Modules and Topics:

    1. Leadership Through Self-Mastery

    ·         Controlling Thoughts & Actions – Taking Charge of Your Brain

    ·         Paradigm Shifting & Emotional Loop Awareness

    ·         Responsibility Ownership: The Shadow of the Leader

    ·         Developing Persistence, Resilience, Courage

    2. Achieving Your Vision

    ·         Linking Personal Values to Leadership Purpose

    ·         Designing a Vision-Aligned Leadership Path

    ·         Objectives-Based Focus & Belief Reinforcement

    ·         Integrity in Leadership

    3. Advanced Communication Skills

    ·         Intentional Communication & Breakdown Avoidance

    ·         Active Listening & Feedback Loops

    ·         Verbal/Non-Verbal Sync & Cross-Style Communication

    ·         Oral Communication for Impact

    4. Leadership Evolution and Execution

    ·         Emotional Intelligence in Practice

    ·         21st Century & Situational Leadership Models

    ·         Institutional vs. Interactive Leadership

    ·         Case Study: GE’s 4 E’s & Jack Welch’s Leadership

    5. Public Leadership and Influence

    ·         Presentation & Public Speaking Mastery

    ·         Influence via Vision, Logic, & Empathy

    ·         Running Productive Meetings

    ·         Personal Presence & the Power of Mature Leadership

    Learning Outcomes: Upon completion, participants will be able to:

    ·         Lead with integrity aligned to quality and safety standards

    ·         Communicate across diverse teams and operational levels

    ·         Influence team culture toward API-compliant performance

    ·         Serve as role models of self-awareness, clarity, and action

  • Core Modules and Topics:

    1. Introduction to Government Relations

    ·         Business Case for Government Engagement

    ·         Mapping Government's Impact on Business Operations

    ·         Trends and Role of Reputation Management

    2. Ethics, Integrity & Legal Frameworks

    ·         Ethical Practice in Government Relations

    ·         Legal Boundaries of Advocacy and Lobbying

    ·         Transparency and Risk Mitigation Strategies

    3. Political Risk Analysis and Mitigation

    ·         Political Stakeholder Mapping and Drivers

    ·         Analytical Tools for Evaluating Risk

    ·         Case-Based Mitigation Strategies

    4. Government Relations in Action

    ·         Entry into New Countries and Projects

    ·         Mergers, Acquisitions, and Expansion

    ·         Building and Maintaining a License to Operate

    5. Managing Change and Advocacy

    ·         Engaging Government for Regulatory or Strategic Change

    ·         Advocacy vs. Lobbying: What Works and When

    ·         Framing and Supporting a Compelling Case

    6. Dispute Resolution and Business Diplomacy

    ·         Navigating Crises with Public and Government Entities

    ·         Conducting Responsible Due Diligence

    ·         Collaborative and Preventive Conflict Resolution

    7. The Government Relations Toolbox

    ·         Strategic Planning and Implementation

    ·         Monitoring Effectiveness of Government Engagement

    ·         Cross-Functional Coordination: Media, CSR, and Tax

    8. The Government Relations Business Simulation

    ·         Real-World Scenario Execution in 4 Phases:

    1.       Stakeholder Mapping & Strategy

    2.       Implementation & Risk Monitoring

    3.       Crisis Response & Partnership Building

    4.       Decision-Making: Divestment vs. Long-Term Presence

     

    Learning Outcomes: Upon completion, participants will be able to:

    ·         Analyze and mitigate political and regulatory risk in operations

    ·         Establish ethical, strategic relationships with government stakeholders

    ·         Secure and defend operational legitimacy ("license to operate")

    ·         Influence policy decisions in alignment with business goals and compliance requirements

  • Core Modules and Topics:

    1. Introduction to Political Risk

    • Defining Political Risk in Oil & Gas

    • Ethical Dimensions: Transparency, Human Rights, and Codes of Conduct

    • Trends: Geopolitics, Climate, Tech, and Sector Outlook

    • Framing Risk as Opportunity

    2. Sources of Political Risk

    • Policy Shifts, Conflicts, Transitions, Populism, Economic Volatility

    • Black Swan Events and Minority Group Pressures

    • Information Sources: Governments, Academia, Civil Society, Intelligence

    3. Assessing Political Risk

    • Tools and Strategies for Incomplete Data

    • 360° Analysis and Expert Use

    • Scenario-Based Identification of Red Flags and Showstoppers

    • Presenting Political Risk: Reports, Matrices, Metrics

    4. Managing Political Risk

    • Control vs. Influence vs. Ignore Model

    • Strategic Monitoring and Feedback Loops

    • Building Political Capital through Goodwill and National Alignment

    • Early Warning Systems and Proactive Engagement

    5. Scenario Development and Application

    • Scope and Purpose of Scenarios

    • Predictive vs. Anticipatory Approaches

    • Scenario Planning: Best, Worst, Status Quo

    • Application to Contingency Planning and Opportunity Seizing

     

    Learning Outcomes: Participants will learn to:

    • Map and understand political risks relevant to oil and gas operations

    • Use structured frameworks to analyze and communicate risk

    • Apply practical strategies to mitigate political and regulatory volatility

    • Build organizational resilience through scenario planning and cross-functional engagement

    • Align political risk strategies with quality and safety standards mandated by API Spec Q1 and Q2

  • 1. Stakeholder Identification and Engagement Strategy

    ·         Mapping Stakeholders and Creating a Register

    ·         Profiling Stakeholders: Interests, Influence, and Engagement Readiness

    ·         Perception Gap Analysis

    ·         Selecting Stakeholder Management Strategies

    2. Communication Planning and Effectiveness

    ·         Planning Messaging and Selecting Delivery Channels

    ·         Designing Effective Communications

    ·         Conducting Stakeholder Meetings and Responding to Objections

    ·         Escalation Processes and Communication Monitoring

    3. Interpersonal and Influencing Skills

    ·         Empathy and Trust-Building

    ·         Influencing vs. Persuading vs. Manipulating

    ·         Emotional Intelligence in Action

    ·         Reading and Responding to Personality and Behavior Profiles

    ·         Influencing Without Authority

    4. Negotiating for Success

    ·         ZOPA, BATNA, and Reservation Points

    ·         Soft vs. Hard Negotiation Techniques

    ·         Principled Negotiation and Tactics

    ·         Managing the Negotiation Process

    5. Cultural Considerations in Stakeholder Management

    ·         National, Regional, and Organizational Cultures

    ·         Tailoring Communication and Negotiation Styles by Culture

    ·         Cross-Cultural Awareness and Practice

     

    Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to:

    ·         Strategically assess and map stakeholders in oil and gas contexts

    ·         Craft tailored engagement strategies and communications

    ·         Apply emotional intelligence to strengthen stakeholder trust and alignment

    ·         Lead negotiations that achieve business and stakeholder objectives

    ·         Navigate cross-cultural complexity with professionalism and awareness

  • Core Modules and Topics:

    1. Overview and Context of Strategic Management

    • Evolution and Role of Strategic Management in Oil & Gas

    • Upstream Industry Structure and Dynamics

    • Strategic Management from a Professional and Organizational Perspective

    2. Licensing and Resource Management

    • Production Contracts and Licensing Regimes

    • Petroleum Resource Classification and Reporting

    • Workshop: Strategic Implications of Licensing Terms and Reserves Estimates

    3. Field Development Planning and Petroleum Economics

    • Integrated Field Development Processes

    • Lifecycle Cost Modeling and Cash Flow Analysis

    • Decision Analysis Techniques

    • Workshop: Applying Economic Models to Development Options

    4. Market and Competitor Analysis

    • Global Oil and Gas Market Fundamentals

    • Competitor Intelligence and Strategic Positioning

    • Portfolio Optimization and Risk Diversification

    • Workshop: Evaluating Competitive Advantage and Strategic Fit

    5. Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability

    • Sustainability in Strategic Decision-Making

    • CSR Integration into Business Models

    • Workshop: Strategic Trade-offs between Profitability, Risk, and ESG

     

    Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion, participants will:

    • Interpret strategic frameworks within the upstream oil and gas context

    • Analyze regulatory and licensing variables affecting exploration and production

    • Model economic scenarios using decision analysis tools

    • Conduct competitor and market assessments to inform asset portfolio strategy

    • Integrate sustainability and corporate responsibility into strategic execution

Register Interest Form

 

ARC’s API-U application is under review. No certificates will be issued unless API approves ARC to deliver these courses.