Distance Learning Degrees from CEPMLP

Mineral Law and Policy

Natural Resources Law and Policy

Petroleum Law and Policy

Downstream Energy Law and Policy (20 credits)

The primary objective of the course is to provide an introduction and background to the way in which legislation and regulation can be used to implement policy decisions in the downstream energy industries. The emphasis is on understanding the way in which policy decisions to restructure the (electricity and gas) industries lead to changes in both legislation and the approach of regulators. The skill is to identify what makes particular approaches successful in particular legal environments. This course is not aimed only at lawyers, but also at those influencing the policy debate who must have an understanding of the implementation of policy changes.

Energy Economics: The Issues - available from 2009 (20 credits)

The primary objective of this module is to provide an introduction and background to those essential concepts that allow an understanding of the issues faced by the energy sector from the perspective of an economist.

The emphasis is on understanding

• The concepts, theories and analytical frameworks to be applied to particular issues or problems faced by the energy sector.

• How to use basic economic ideas and concepts to analyse the energy sector issues.

The skill is to analyse the energy sector issues relying on simple economic concepts.

Energy Economics: The Tools - available from 2009 (20 credits)

The primary objective of this module is to provide an introduction and background to those essential concepts that allow an understanding of the energy sector from the perspective of an economist.

The emphasis is on understanding

• The basic concepts related to energy demand, supply and investments and their interaction in the economic framework of markets.

• Specific technical features of the energy sector.

The skill is to identify an appropriate approach or tool to be used to analyse topical issues faced by the energy sector.

Environmental Law and Policy for Natural Resources and Energy (20 credits)

The course deals with selected issues central to understanding international and national environmental policy and law related to production and consumption of natural resources and power generation. It addresses, in particular, environmental problems arising in connection with production and transportation of petroleum (both on-land and offshore), mining activities, use of nuclear energy, including production of uranium and disposal of radioactive wastes, and use of fossil fuels, including transboundary air pollution and global climate effects. A special emphasis is placed on the solutions for environmental problems provided by various national regulatory systems, in particular British and North American.

Financial and Project Analysis for Natural Resources and Energy Ventures - in development (20 credits)

The main aim of this module is to introduce the student into current methods of financial and project appraisal techniques that relate to natural resources and energy organisations. This is a practical module in which evaluation techniques and concepts are taught, such as discounted cash flows and pay back period, which are applied to realistic scenarios, leading to the preparation of spreadsheets, their analysis and interpretation of results. These are set within the business framework of the overall capital budgeting processes of these organisations. The student should be able to recommend the appropriate appraisal techniques to a given capital investment, along with an appreciation of social and other non-financial features. Taxation and sources of finance are also introduced in this module, but any in-depth analyses of them can only be provided in other modules.

Induction Programme (20 credits)

This is a three-week introduction to the multi-disciplinary method of teaching at CEPMLP, compulsory attendance in Dundee is required. It introduces students to the basic principles of law, economics, finance, geology and graduate research methodology.

International and Comparative Mineral Law - available from 2009 (20 credits)

The main objective of the module is to provide participants with an overview of the core concepts of mineral law as practised in various jurisdictions. The emphasis is on providing an understanding of the main issues of mineral policy, including mining codes and mining agreements. The course also gives an overview of the contemporary evolution of mining legislation, mineral investments agreements, major actors and their legal and policy status.

International and Comparative Petroleum Law and Policy (20 credits)

The main objective of the course is to provide an introduction to the main law and policy issues in the international petroleum industry, with an emphasis upon transactional arrangements concluded between host government and oil company/investors. Common and diverging objectives between the two parties and indeed among the international corporate and financial investors themselves are faced in a candid and practical way, with an emphasis upon ways of accommodating the interests of diverse stakeholders in the development of petroleum resources. A brief introduction is provided to petroleum taxation issues. The approach is a comparative one and focuses upon problem-solving techniques in a variety of settings, noting the inputs of lawyers, economists, accountants, engineers and geologists.

International Project Finance (20 credits)

This course module aims to provide an introduction to the concepts and approach which are fundamental to a wide range of international project financings, and then look at how they are applied to major projects in the energy and mining sectors. The emphasis is on providing a practical understanding of the issues and key areas of concern which are revealed by careful examination and analysis of proposed projects, and then a clear outline of how those projects are structured as commercial transactions and financed. Throughout the course the drivers for host governments adopting project financing approaches and structures are examined, particularly where there are insufficient public sector financial resources or domestic lending capacity to fund necessary infrastructure projects.

Investment Decision Making in the Energy and Mining Industries (20 credits)

The primary aim of the course is to provide a detailed consideration of the theory of finance as it applies to the energy and mining industries and to consider how the theory is applied in practice. The two key focus areas will be investment decision making with uncertainty and how the investment demands are financed.

Mineral and Petroleum Taxation (20 credits)

This module provides an introduction to mineral and petroleum taxation. It alerts students to the main policy issues in this area and the main instruments and forms of resource taxation. Rather than teaching skills in accounting and financial analysis, the course emphasises a broad understanding of the issues.

Mineral Resources Policy and Economics (20 credits)

The main objective of this course is to give an understanding of the main economic forces that drive and influence the hard-rock mineral industries, and of the major economic policy issues for the industry. Students will acquire an appreciation of both the macro- and micro-economic factors that affect the industry and that provide the context for all legal and policy issues. They will also be introduced to the various conflicting aims and objectives of all concerned with the industries, and with the consequent problems for policy resolution.

Petroleum Policy and Economics (20 credits)

The main aim is to equip the students with an understanding of how economic analysis can help inform and understand the international oil and gas industry. This requires the students to be familiar both with the relevant economic analysis and technical dimensions of the industry. In addition the course enables the student to become familiar with current issues in the industry.