MSc Petroleum, Energy, Economics & Finance

The University of Aberdeen has an international reputation for teaching and research in economics and in petroleum economics in particular, with the work in this latter area led by Professor Alexander Kemp OBE.      This MSc introduced in 2008, draws on this expertise to address the need for economic and finance skills required for complex decision-making in the petroleum and energy industries.  

The first two semesters develop students’ analytical and problem-solving skills via courses in

• Energy and Petroleum Economics
• Corporate Finance
• Accountancy
• Statistical Analysis and Modelling in Energy Economics
• Real Options and Decision Making under Risk in Energy
• Business Strategy

In the third semester, students undertake an independent project for their dissertation, applying the economic and financial modelling skills developed in the first two semesters.

Dissertation Projects cover a wide range of topics examining various economic and finance issues in the petroleum and energy industries.  For example, past projects have undertaken economic analysis of oil and gas taxation in various counties, analysis of issues in energy infrastructure, energy policy analysis, application of real options analysis to investments in the petroleum and energy industries.  Opportunities also exist for students to undertake their dissertations in association with companies involved in the energy industry. 

In addition to the academic staff teaching on the course, a range of speakers from industry provide students with a broader perspective on how different parts of the energy industry work and the industry perspective on current issues. 

The first two semesters develop students’ analytical and problem-solving skills via courses in

• Energy and Petroleum Economics
• Corporate Finance
• Accountancy
• Statistical Analysis and Modelling in Energy Economics
• Real Options and Decision Making under Risk in Energy
• Business Strategy

In the third semester, students undertake an independent project for their dissertation, applying the economic and financial modelling skills developed in the first two semesters.

Stage 1

Economic Analysis 

Equips students with an understanding of micro and macroeconomic modelling techniques. 

Accounting 

Provides students with an understanding of accounting information and financial reporting and introduces key aspects of financial analysis.

Introduction to Corporate Finance

Equips students with the analytical skills in order to understand the implications of corporate financing decisions and the theoretical underpinnings of corporate finance theory.

Quantitative Methods

Introduces the statistical and quantitative methods used in economics and finance.

Introduction to Energy and Petroleum Economics 

Applies economics and finance principles to examine key issues in the petroleum and energy industries.  Issues examined include an analysis of the world petroleum market, the Hotelling model and oil price behaviour, the role of OPEC plus global warming, renewable policy.

Stage 2

Business Strategy 

Provides a systematic approach to strategic thinking (game theory) and uses its concepts to explain understand how businesses interact strategically.

Real Options and Decision Making  Develops students’ analytical skills and understanding concerning investment decisions under uncertainty.  It introduces students to methods of analysis of the benefits and costs of investment decisions and provides an appreciation of how these are useful to decision makers in the petroleum and energy industries industry.

Issues in Energy & Petroleum Economics  Further application of economics to key issues in the energy and petroleum sectors.  Recent Topics have included:  Petroleum Policies, Economic rents and their collection of to the state, Licensing and other policy issues, Modelling prospects for an oil province, Economics of Decommissioning, Carbon Capture and Storage,  Electricity Markets and Wind Energy,  Energy Security. 

Empirical Methods In Energy Economics  Applies a range of empirical methods to issues in energy including analysis of energy spot and future prices using time series econometric techniques, economic evaluation using Monte Carlo simulation, modelling networks using linear programming, application of partial equilibrium modelling to energy market analysis. 

Final Stage  Dissertation

Assessment in the first two stages is normally a combination of continuous assessment and formal written examinations.

Recent graduates have found jobs across the energy and associated industries including with employers such as Aditya Birla, BP, Citibank, CNRI, Ernst & Young, Ghanian Petroleum Commission, KPMG, movmento, npower, Oil and Gas UK, Petrofac, Sapient, Scottish Renewables, Siemens, Sri Lankan Petroleum Resources Development Secretariat, TAQA Britani, Turkish National Oil Corporation, UBS Investment Bank and Xodus.  The titles of the positions taken by our MSc graduates include Energy and Business Consultant, Energy analyst, Strategy analyst, Market analyst, Commercial analyst, Economist, Project Manager, and Oil and Gas Associate.