Upstream Dynamics by Al-Sajari, Sulaiman F.;

Short description:

Blending analytical rigor with real-world case studies, Upstream Dynamics serves as a professional guide to the economics that govern oil and gas exploration and production. It covers the full asset life cycle—exploration, appraisal, development, production, and abandonment—linking engineering realities with financial decision-making.

Long description:

The upstream petroleum sector is a cornerstone of the global energy landscape. As the world transitions toward more sustainable and diversified energy sources, the role of upstream petroleum economics becomes increasingly complex and dynamic. Blending analytical rigor with real-world case studies from various basins, Upstream Dynamics serves as a professional guide to the economics that govern oil and gas exploration and production. It covers the full asset life cycle—exploration, appraisal, development, production, and abandonment—linking engineering realities with financial decision-making. It provides insights into exploration, drilling, production, reservoir management, risk mitigation, regulatory compliance, and technological innovation.

• Details project screening, cash flow modeling, fiscal regimes, reserve classification, risk and uncertainty, field development planning, cost estimation, production optimization, and portfolio management


• Goes beyond traditional discounted cash flow by integrating Monte Carlo simulation, real-options thinking, and scenario planning, with clear step-by-step illustrations and spreadsheet-ready examples


• Addresses the commercial impact of regulation, ESG/sustainability, digitalization/AI, and price volatility, translating these into practical decisions on timing, sequencing, and capital allocation


• Features real-world case studies from across the Middle East, the North Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, West Africa, and Southeast Asia


• Emphasizes what practitioners can do on Monday morning: build better economic cases, manage risk credibly, and communicate value to executives, partners, and regulators

Written by an experienced and practicing senior petroleum economist, this text is aimed at industry professionals and stakeholders, including petroleum economists and engineers, as well as asset managers and analysts, to help them successfully navigate the complexities of the upstream oil and gas sector.

Table of Contents:

Part I: Core Operations.  1. Introduction to Upstream Petroleum Economics.  2. Exploration Economics.  3. Reservoir Economics.  4. Drilling Economics.  5. Production Economics.  6. Field Development Economics.  Part II: Risk, Regulation, and Sustainability.  7. Risk Management in Upstream Operations.  8. Regulatory and Environmental Considerations.  Part III: Innovation and Strategy.  9. Technology and Innovation.  10. Global Market Dynamics.  11. Upstream Project Finance.  12. Contracts and Agreements.  13. Sustainability in Upstream: ESG, Carbon Neutrality, and the Future of Hydrocarbons.  14. Economic Modeling in Upstream Petroleum.  15. Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Alternatives in Upstream Oil and Gas.  16. Energy Policy and Regulation.  17. AI, Automation, and Big Data in Upstream in Oil and Gas.  Part IV: Market and Future Outlook.  18. The Future of Upstream Economics: Navigating an Evolving Energy Landscape.  19. Late-Life Asset Economics.  20. The Economics of Offshore vs. Onshore Development.  21. The Future of Upstream Petroleum Economics.