The Gas Strategy Course (GSC) offers a comprehensive educational program for professionals in the gas industry, focusing on strategic management, competitive positioning, and risk management in a rapidly changing global market. Participants will engage in interactive lectures, case studies, and practical exercises to develop new business strategies and understand the implications of geopolitical and market developments. The course culminates in a certificate from the University of Groningen, enhancing participants' ability to navigate uncertainties and formulate effective strategies in the gas sector.

1. SpeciFic progr amme
gaS Str ategy courSe
Strategies along the gas value chain
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2. SpeciFic progr amme
gaS Str ategy courSe
From its start in the early 1960s, the European gas industry has seen a stable and strong development – based on a
powerful role for large, vertically integrated gas companies that operated from clear monopoly positions. In the mid 1990s
a major change set in, with an enormous impact on the existing players and potential newcomers. Large players were
unbundled into new entities, each with their own focus on transportation or trade, production or providing f lexibility.
Where vertical integration gave way, horizontal integration appeared as gas companies diverged into power or vice versa.
all these developments occurred against and assessing business risks and exposure • Competitive strategies in a gas market.
a setting of increased competition. around strategic choices, providing insight in • Geopolitics, government policies and their
With more and more long-distance imports the tools available for managing value and risks. strategy implications.
and the upswing of LNg, gas is no longer the course also offers insight into the many • Strategic value and risk management tools.
a local product for a local market... it has interfaces with governments, the relation with • A ppreciation of the contracting and pricing
become a global product for a global dynamic energy policy and the regulatory environment strategies of the principal gas producers.
environment with major implications for the and the impact of (geo)politics. • Competitive positioning in gas markets.
business. today the business is facing more
uncertainty regarding policies, markets and upon completion of the course you will the gSc consists of the following elements:
prices than ever before. be able to: • Interactive lectures by experts, discussions,
• Understand the process of business small exercises and case studies.
the huge changes also mean that old strategies, development and strategy formulation. • The introduction of models and tools.
which worked in the past, no longer guarantee • Combine the disciplines of strategic analysis • A case study, worked out by groups of three
success for times ahead. companies have to with insights into gas market developments. to six participants. each group may eventually
develop completely new strategies. Strengths • Put your company’s activities in a strategic propose a different solution to the same
and weaknesses have to be analysed and risk context. problem.
management is becoming a factor of increasing • A ppreciate the role of scenarios for the
importance. Different scenarios as well as identification of opportunities and risks. The educational partners
strategic concepts need to be developed and • Consider risk management options as part of the key lecturer in this programme is
implemented. executive boards need these to strategy implementation. Dick de Jong, former Director of Shell’s gas &
take decisions on future business developments power global business and currently fellow at
– taking the company’s position in the gas value Your profile clingendael international energy programme.
chain, the supply portfolio, the optimal markets the gSc is intended for managers and a carefully selected group of leading experts on
and future partners into account. professionals in the gas business who want to the european and global gas industry will ensure
enhance their strategic management abilities. the high quality of this course.
Why the Gas Strategy Course? you are a professional who operates in the gas
the 1-week gas Strategy course (gSc) industry or a related area. you have an academic Your role
has been designed to take its participants level of education. you also have a working to stimulate your learning process, you will
a step further in strategic thinking and knowledge of both business and technical be asked to play an active role during the
strategy development. the gSc will focus on english. course. case work will complement lectures
understanding the tools of strategy and scenario and offer further appreciation of the effects on
development, analysing and valuing strategies The programme structure strategic decisions, both in a national and an
of players in the gas industry and gaining the course aims to be intellectually international context.
practical experience, based on case studies and stimulating and requires all participants to
exercises. contribute. the programme is structured to Certification
help participants identify and develop the best upon completion of the course the participant
More specifically... strategic opportunities for their company(ies) will receive a certificate from the university of
the course will provide an understanding of and familiarise with development of strategy groningen.
the strategic context in which the gas industry concepts, and the management of business
operates in the global gas markets. it offers risks. Key topics are: Location
the participant an appreciation of processes of • E xploring business strategies along the gas the course will be held in a central location in
managing uncertainties in a rapidly changing value chain. the Netherlands. please check our website
business environment, strategy development • The role of scenarios as a bridge to the future. www.energydelta.org for details.

3. Sharing the Energy of Knowledge.
“...provide participants
with tools to formulate
strategies under different
scenarios... ”
Dick de Jong,
key lecturer
the programme in more detail
1. The gas value chain and international gas market developments.
Explore the features of the current gas business, understand the regional differences, and the main drivers behind the evolving
business environment and the consequential risks and uncertainties. Also focusing on the market players in the wholesale
market, their interaction and their strategies regarding gas supply.
2. Fundamentals of business development and strategy.
Strategy and strategy formulation are concerned with the allocation of resources to create and sustain a profitable venture.
Several schools of thought emerged about how to best achieve this: 1) The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) growth/share
matrix, 2) The McKinsey 9-box matrix, 3) Porter’s generic strategies framework, and 4) The Strategic Gameboard.
These schools of thought will be explored in detail and applied to the gas industry.
3. The role of scenarios as a bridge to the future.
Scenario planning is a strategic planning method that sheds light on the political, economic, environmental, social and
technological forces that shape the world, regions and industries. Understanding how these forces could play out over time
helps top management in the gas industry to set the strategic direction of an organization and helps to improve resource
allocation. The course uses the deductive approach to scenario planning pioneered by the Shell Global Business Environment
team in the business community.
4. Strategic Value and Risk Management Tools.
To allocate resources and manage risk in the gas industry a rational valuation framework and portfolio management tools will
be introduced. This session illustrates how to manage a portfolio of real options and manage risk in the context of gas strategy
development using a variety of techniques, including Monte Carlo simulation. By doing so course participants will learn how to
reduce the volatility of cash f lows and to manage risk.
5. Geopolitics, Government policies and their strategy implications.
The role of governments in shaping the international business , both at the producers end and in the markets.
6. Competitive strategies in a gas market.
Examine business models and cases for market entry and competitive positioning.

4. Sharing the Energy of Knowledge.
“Basically, the Gas Strategy Course is an in-depth course for professionals from the gas
industry and government officials that helps them create value for their business and
deal with the growing risks in the gas markets. The gas business has become increasingly
complex over the past decade. It has a great future but also one with many uncertainties.
Business models are changing. International and national legislation constantly change.
Every single strategy or policy change may involve new risks. These need to be analysed
and managed. Accurate identification and thorough understanding are valuable first
steps towards the formulation of an effective strategy and effective implementation. The field experts in
this course provide our participants with insights in strategic positioning by the players in the industry in
response to developments in policies and markets, and an appreciation of the tools to formulate strategies
under different scenarios and assess their impact.”
Dick de Jong, key lecturer EDI Gas Strategy Course
Senior fellow Clingendael International Energy Institute
About Energy Delta Institute
energy Delta institute (eDi) is an international energy business school, with a primary focus on natural gas. eDi was founded
in 2003 by N.V. Nederlandse gasunie, gasterra B.V., oao gazprom and the university of groningen. The energy community
has come to appreciate eDi both as a platform of knowledge exchange between partners and participants alike. The changing
energy world is forcing energy companies to innovate in order to stay competitive. in addition, the energy sector is confronting
the possibility of a growing shortage of qualified personnel in the coming decades. The sector has only one choice: to invest in
knowledge. T +31 (0) 50 524 83 00
F +31 (0) 50 524 83 01
eDi’s main objective is to contribute to the professional development of current and future energy managers. eDi coordinates
E info@energydelta.nl
research projects and organises training programmes with a focus on the economic, management, legal and geopolitical aspects
of the energy business. I www.energydelta.org