Africa & Diaspora — energy, made clear November 3, 2026 FREN

Petrole.Africa Academy

Understanding Oil & Gas

A course in 11 modules to master the fundamentals of the hydrocarbons industry — from underground to the petrol station, from geology to geopolitics.

Start with module 1
  1. 01 Introduction to Oil and GasWhy understand oil and gas? An educational introduction for students, young professionals and African decision-makers, covering uses, Africa's role, key figures, risks… 3 min
  2. 02 What Is Crude Oil?A scientific and technical overview of crude oil: its geological origins, chemical composition and the physical properties that matter for exploration, production and… 4 min
  3. 03 Petroleum GeologyAn in-depth geological look at the petroleum system: how hydrocarbons form, migrate and accumulate in the subsurface, based on rocks, structures and basins. 4 min
  4. 04 Oil ExplorationA detailed look at the techniques used to discover oil and gas fields, the geophysical and geological tools involved, and the major players in the upstream phase. 4 min
  5. 05 Drilling and Production of HydrocarbonsUnderstand the stages of drilling an oil or gas well, the associated production techniques, the technical and economic challenges, and modern recovery methods. 4 min
  6. 06 Oil Refining and Petroleum ProductsUnderstand the technical processes of refining crude oil, the types of facilities involved, the resulting products, and the economic and environmental issues of this… 3 min
  7. 07 Natural Gas and Its UsesNatural gas as a strategic energy resource: its technical characteristics, industrial and domestic uses, and the challenges and opportunities specific to Africa. 4 min
  8. 08 PetrochemicalsHow petrochemicals add value to oil and natural gas: products, industrial processes, and the challenges and prospects for Africa. 3 min
  9. 09 Economics and Geopolitics of Oil in AfricaAnalyze the impact of oil on African economies, understand the geopolitical stakes of this strategic resource, and identify the challenges of governance, sovereignty and… 4 min
  10. 10 Environment and Energy TransitionAnalyzing the environmental impacts of oil and gas exploitation, the levers for reducing them, and the specific energy transition challenges facing African producing… 4 min
  11. 11 Educational Fact Sheets and Additional ResourcesA clear, structured documentation base to deepen key oil and gas concepts, with a strong focus on the African context and educational reuse. 3 min