Description

The Trans Mountain pipeline expansion came online May 1, 2024 providing up to 590,000 bpd more hydrocarbon capacity to ship to global markets. The need for new pipelines, like the Trans Mountain expansion, had come under question. However, recent economic uncertainty in the US has caused industry and governments to begin reconsidering ways to get hydrocarbons to tidewater and alternative markets.  Much early North American pipeline infrastructure is now aging, so line replacement is another concern.  Oil & gas price volatility dictates midstream companies control capital & operating costs. Grasping pipeline fundamentals is a first step towards understanding & strategizing over these issues.

The Canadian Energy Regulator, mandated to oversee pipelines crossing provincial & national borders, now foregrounds safety, environmental assessment & stakeholder consultation over project economics.  How will that affect your organization, your region, or your job?

Oak Leaf’s instructors are energy experts with much industry & classroom experience.  We cultivate a friendly, professional atmosphere in class, encouraging discussion & welcoming questions, too.  Statistical data, graphs, charts, maps, other materials & activities are current, designed to clarify complex concepts.  Participants receive a full-colour, high-quality, hardcopy of these course materials. You also receive access to video clips shown in class.

This one-day Pipeline Fundamentals course first focuses on how pipelines are built, operated & regulated: stakeholder consultation, route determination, design, construction, technologies, operations, tariffs & tolls.  We also delve into key issues — political, social, economic, environmental & regulatory — affecting the midstream. Pipeline Fundamentals was designed in collaboration with two major pipeline operators & has become a signature Oak Leaf course.

 

Key Details

Course date: October 22, 2026

8:30 a.m. (Mountain) start
Early bird deadline: October 15, 2026
Calgary & online
Instructor— Matthew O’Blenes
Calgary Venue address:
Suite 2500, 639 5 Ave SW

Venue: $995  Venue Early bird: $945
Online: $945  Online Early bird: $895
Course Level: Beginner/Introductory
Personal Development Hours (PDH): 8

Breakfast (pastries, fruit, coffee & tea) and lunch (sandwiches & salads) provided

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Course Outline

  1. Introduction & Brief Pipeline History
  2. Basic Hydrocarbon Transportation Methods — Road, Pipe, Sea
  3. Pipeline Planning, Design & Construction
  4. Pipeline Construction & Operating Costs
  5. Pipeline Day-to-Day Operations — Much more than Point A to Point B
  6. Hubs & Markets — Their Importance & Functions
  7. Pipeline Safety — Minimizing Health & Environmental Impacts
  8. Oil & Gas Storage — Strategies Behind Inventory Management
  9. Hydrocarbon Imports & Exports — The World Opens Up
  10. Focus on Trans Mountain Expansion — More Crude to Tidewater
  11. New!  Pathways Project and West Coast Oil Pipeline
  12. Rail & Tankers: Two Compelling Transportation Options
  13. The Canadian Energy Regulator Act — Implications of Change

Key Learning Objectives

  • Understand important midstream industry terms & concepts
  • Grasp pipeline design & construction — stakeholder relations, technologies, processes, costs, 
  • Figure out pipeline operations — monitoring, regulation, costs, tariffs & tolls
  • Know pipelines’ role in hydrocarbon storage
  • Learn why recent new pipeline development has stirred up controversy 
  • Understand the rationale(s) underpinning recent federal pipelines legislation & regulation
  • Look into alternative oil & gas transportation options & when they make sense
  • Appreciate how regulation affects stakeholders — midstream companies, First Nations, landowners, the downstream & end-users (you!).

Support Materials & Assessment Tools

Quizzes, participant-centered activities & videos

Full-colour course materials binder with industry case studies, graphs, charts & current statistics

Course completion certificate — 8 Personal Development Hours (PDH) noted on diploma

Who Should Attend?

  • People new to Oil & Gas needing to grasp pipeline fundamentals
  • Oil & Gas analysts requiring specific midstream knowledge
  • First Nations considering pipeline development on traditional lands
  • Regulators/legislators at the civic, provincial & national levels
  • Government agencies dealing with pipelines in one way or another
  • Utilities relying on oil and/or gas supply
  • Energy marketers
  • Midstream energy companies looking to educate new staff
  • Investors
  • Refiners
  • Consulting groups
  • Senior Policy Advisor
  • Senior Advisor
  • Market Analyst
  • Business Analyst
  • Senior Analyst, Market Diversification
  • Regulatory Administrative Analyst
  • Project Manager
  • Financial Analyst
  • Major Accounts Manager
  • Contract Analyst
  • Contracts Coordinator
  • Vice President, E&P
  • Financial Analyst
  • Solicitor
  • Director, Energy Transportation Competitiveness
  • Administrative Analyst
  • Senior Policy Analyst
  • Pipeline Scheduler

Testimonials and Course Rating

“The instructor was extremely knowledgeable. Answered all questions properly with background evidence. This was a great fundamental course that touched on all the basics that one would need to know.”
Monica Administrative Analyst
“I really enjoyed the course & will take Oak Leaf courses again!”
Heather Senior Policy Analyst
“I feel really lucky to have gotten this instructor! Wealth of knowledge, friendly, etc. This course exceeded all of my expectations. I will recommend it to anyone in the field.”
Jenny Senior Analyst Market Diversification
“Good, broad range of info presented. Great pace & knowledge of instructor. Kept session very well engaged.”
Claudiu Financial Analyst

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Oak Leaf Energy Training offers oil & gas training courses & renewable energy courses across Canada —
 We also offer in-house and ONLINE training.