This certificate program is designed for professionals across the oil and gas industry—whether in operations, business, policy, or support roles—who want a deeper, more integrated understanding of how the sector works.
Across two immersive days, participants will examine the scientific, engineering, commercial, and geopolitical forces that shape oil and gas production and global markets. The program is offered twice annually, in Spring and Fall.
Program Benefits:
Participants will:
- Build a solid understanding of the methods, processes, and technologies geologists and engineers use to find and produce oil and gas.
- Explore how finance, land management, marketing, and government regulations intersect across the value chain.
- Learn directly from industry experts on key topics such as drilling and production operations, surface and land issues, upstream marketing, and risk management.
Who Should Enroll:
This course is ideal for:
- New oil and gas employees
- Energy professionals from adjacent sectors
- Government officials and policymakers
- Individuals considering a career change
- Employees of energy services companies
Course Schedule:
Thursday, April 23 & Friday, April 24, 2026
Location: CU Denver Business School, 1475 Lawrence Street, Denver, CO 80202.
Day 1 - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (SM Energy facilities/rig tour in the afternoon)
Day 2 - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Breakfast and lunch for both days, as well as travel to the rig tour site, are included in the course cost.
Curriculum
This course offers a broad, high-level overview of the exploration and production lifecycle—from geology and land access to drilling, economics, and risk.
Course topics includes:
- Geology
- Land management
- Drilling and completions
- Marketing and trading
- Regulatory environment
- Oil and gas economics
- Landscape of of energy
