Oil and gas companies are facing increasing scrutiny around the carbon intensity of their operations and products. With carbon disclosures gaining regulatory teeth from a variety of jurisdictions including Europe and California, how will Oil and Gas companies respond? Are there competitive advantages to taking proactive action?

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the impacts of carbon intensity on future business performance.
• Recognize the reporting standards and requirements of newly adopted and forthcoming regulations.
• Indicate the efficiency advancements in unconventional oil production that have advanced both cost- and carbon-efficiency in the last cycle.
• Select actions that can be taken by oil and gas companies that benefit carbon efficiency and either operational or financial performance.

This presentation will provide an understanding of natural gas’s role in energy transition by exploring natural gas byproducts that will play a significant role in energy transition, including ammonia and hydrogen. Additionally, we will discuss how legacy infrastructure can be repurposed to extend the life of these assets in energy transition.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify natural gas’s role in energy transition and the importance it plays
• Recognize different markets that are key to the energy transition
• Recall the key components of the Hydrogen emerging market

Provide in-depth overview of pending (soon to be final) SEC rules on climate change and their impact on public companies' SEC reporting obligations and related ESG considerations

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze pending (soon to be final) SEC rules on climate change and their impact on public companies' SEC reporting obligations and related ESG considerations
• Use accounting and financial reporting departments for compliance with disclosure obligations with pending (soon to be final) SEC rules on climate change

This session will provide an overview of recently enacted tax legislation, including the Inflation Reduction Act; prospects for action – both in the near- and medium-term – on other expired and expiring tax provisions; and other topical tax policy issues, with a focus on the key economic, budgetary, and political factors that are shaping the debate.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the major components of the Inflation Reduction Act
• Recognize the various provisions within current tax law (e.g., major components of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017) that have recently expired or are set to expire in the coming years
• Select the prospects for extending and/or modifying these provisions given certain constraints on tax legislating
• Distinguish various other tax proposals and their potential for enactment over the coming years

This session will explore the transformation of private equity in the oil and gas sector. We'll cover the evolution of capital investment, the role of energy transition, and forecast the future of traditional energy markets, as well as global trends and how to navigate challenges.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze current trends in energy capital investment
• Identify how energy transition is reshaping investment landscapes
• Analyze the global outlook and challenges for private equity in oil and gas
• Calculate strategies to prepare for the future shifts in the traditional energy market

In this session we will provide a geopolitical forecast for 2024, with direct relevance for the global macroeconomic and financial market outlook, using a data-driven and non-partisan analytical framework. Special attention will be paid to the intersection between geopolitical scenarios and their impact on commodity and energy markets.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the driving geopolitical trends and risks over the next 12 months and assign probabilities to scenarios
• Apply the geopolitical forecast to the macroeconomic and financial outlook, especially with regard to commodity and energy markets
• Identify the method and best practices behind data-driven, market-relevant geopolitical analysis

Accounting and valuing oil and gas acquisitions can be complicated and overwhelming. Your team can overcome the complexities and seamlessly meet reporting deadlines with advanced preparation. CFOs, CAOs, Controllers, Operations & Corporate Accounting Managers, as well as accounting staff should attend this session.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify challenges and potential solutions in accounting for oil and gas transactions
• Distinguish the difference between PV-10 and Fair Market Value of oil and gas properties

Wall Street estimates that “Tokenization” is the multi-trillion dollar opportunity of putting the world’s assets on the blockchain. These assets can include securities, real estate, bonds, dollars, carbon credits and more. We'll discuss recent and upcoming trends in this niche area of the digital asset space as incumbents in the asset management and payments industry are taking note of the benefits that blockchain has to offer.

Learning Objectives:

• Indicate awareness about stablecoins, how they work, the trends and risks, and where companies and congress are acting.
• Recognize issues about tokenization, how it works, the trends and risks, and how large banks and funds are adopting the technology.

Analysis of Debt Capital Trends in the Oil and Gas Industry 

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the types and sources of debt financing most commonly employed today in the oil and gas industry.
• Compare the current types and sources of debt financing employed today with those of the past.
• Identify the root causes of change in the oil and gas industry debt market during the last 10 years and the likelihood of more change in the near future.

Experience how W Energy Software offers integrated data analysis and fast performance processing for upstream and midstream oil and gas accountants.

On June 26, 2023, IFRS Sustainability Standards - IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 were released, covering General Requirements for the Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information, and Climate -related Disclosures. In July, 2023, European Reporting Standards (ESRS), being required by the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), were adopted. In the U.S., the SEC proposed rule for The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors has been extensively reviewed and widely anticipated. While much of the current focus is on climate change, other ESG issues, including human capital policies and disclosure requirements, are also evolving.

In addition to these emerging reporting requirements, the Inflation Reduction Act is driving an abundance of innovative solutions that will advance energy transition. Attend this session to gain insight into leading practices for developing and executing effective strategies to maintain compliance, mitigate risks, and capitalize on opportunities in this rapidly evolving environment.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the array of ESG-related regulations impacting the oil and gas sector
• Analyze the impact of emerging requirements on your organization and its operations
• Identify innovative solutions that might be potential opportunities for your company
• Calculate a plan to develop a strategy that would leverage technology, facilitate decision-making, and ensure compliance

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is intended to facilitate the energy transition from away from fossil fuels, however, there are a number of provisions that have application to traditional energy sources. Learn about the incentives for renewable natural gas (RNG), green and blue hydrogen, carbon capture, utilization and sequestration (CCUS) , and more.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the types of projects that might qualify for these incentives
• Recall how to qualify a project for these incentives and how to quantify them
• Identify financing structures the industry will use to monetize these incentives

The finance landscape is rapidly changing, and seamless integration of technology, data and people is more important than ever.  Finance must adapt to enable change with the increasing need to gather and report quality data for all disclosures, not only financially related, but also operational data such as ESG components and attributes.

Learning Objectives:

• Determine the changing role of Finance and the investments in new capabilities that are enabling finance to elevate their role to strategic advisor
• Analyze intelligence from data to create an agile, scalable data platform that is aligned with enterprise strategy and controlled through robust governance
• Identify the opportunities for AI in Finance and applying generative AI to the financial close process

While many companies have covered the basics when it comes to energy and ESG, supply chains represent a growing area of focus, regulation and complexity that even the largest companies are beginning to tame. We will walk through the key areas of responsible sourcing, supply chain emissions, vendor expectations and other ESG-related areas and the implications it has for data collection, management, governance and reporting – with a focus on pressures, trends and best practices.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify pressures on ESG risks in the supply chain are growing across three primary areas: investors, customers and regulations.
• Recognize how supply chain management is becoming increasingly complex due to “cradle to gate” concepts that require vigilance going back to source ingredients and materials for purchases.
• Distinguish how the intersection of supply chain and sustainability can cut across all three dimensions of the “E,” “S” and “G” in surprising ways.
• Indicate the impact for energy companies regarding compounded risks due to substantial value chain challenges related to greenhouse gas emissions and remote resource access points.

Previous energy transition loans have encountered challenges, including federal investigations due to improper administration or fraud. The substantial funds allocated through federal programs such as IIJA (BIL) and the IRA have sparked worries about fund mismanagement and oversight.

During this session, you will gain valuable insight into the various opportunities and potential concerns surrounding energy transition efforts at the federal level. Additionally, we will explore potential scientific hurdles within the energy transition space for those who may not possess expertise in specific environmental regulations or have a scientific background.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify potential concerns in energy transition opportunities
• Determine preparation for potential federal regulatory investigations and audits

Energy is ever evolving... so are state and local taxes. In this session we will discuss the newest changes to state and local taxation for the energy industry and how the changes can impact your business. This presentation will cover updates in oil and gas, utilities, and renewables including: property, severance, and sales and use taxes. 

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize enacted legislative changes impacting the energy industry
• Identify how new case law can affect your business
• Identify and discuss common state and local tax issues for the energy industry

We will discuss the history and evolution of modern drilling and completion techniques and what the future might hold. 

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze basic history of drilling and completion technology
• Compare modern completion techniques and what the future holds

Why does it feel so hard to find and keep talented young workers? Is Gen Z really all that different? How can leaders motivate and manage the new generation and sustain growth in their industry? With humor and empathy, Ruth Reitmeier shares what she has learned from thousands of conversations with college students about their motivations, perspectives, and career aspirations. 

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the distinctives of Gen Z workers
• Identify the motivators and drivers for Gen Z workers

This session will look at recent historical trends in oil and gas M&A. We will also take a look ahead at the future of oil and gas M&A in the coming years.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize oil and gas M&A trends
• Identify what will drive successful oil and gas M&A transactions in the future

This session will cover the causes of the CPA shortage, the state of the domestic talent pool and the best talent solutions available for firms to fill job vacancies and scale their operations.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize solutions for scaling your firm.
• Identify reasons your professionals are disengaged or leaving.
• Indicate importance of having an accurate view of the domestic talent pool.
• Recall how to look at a forecast of the talent pipeline.
• Select the best solutions available for the talent shortage.

This session will provide an overview of recent SEC rulemaking activity and guidance, addressing various issues related to compliance with enhanced disclosure requirements, including the effects on financial statements, control systems and corporate governance.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify recent SEC rulemaking to manage evolving disclosure requirements
• Recognize the impacts of regulatory requirements on control systems
• Determine implications of enhanced reporting required by SEC rules and regulations

The oil and gas industry plays a central role in our economy and regularly captures the attention of antitrust authorities and practitioners. In this program, Evan Miller, Counsel in Vinson & Elkins LLP's Antitrust Group will discuss recent antitrust developments in oil and gas merger enforcement and what lies ahead for companies.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify antitrust issues that may impact oil and gas mergers.
• Recognize recent antitrust developments and changes to agency practices that impact the oil and gas industry.

The conversation around natural gas and the industry, in general, are often fraught with doom and gloom. But what if we thought about this in terms of opportunity vs risk? Topics include a situation analysis on shifting perspectives in DC regarding natural gas, opportunities for effective advocacy, and the role of natural gas in addressing the global climate crisis.

Learning Objectives:

• Determine how to effectively navigate the political climate in DC
• Identify how to have pragmatic discussions around all-of-the-above energy
• Analyze the emissions reduction profile of switching from global coal use to U.S. LNG

This session will explore hot topics in financial reporting and accounting for entities in the oil and gas industry. Topics will include, among others, an overview of certain projects on the FASB's technical agenda and recently issued ASUs, recent SEC rulemaking activity and trends in SEC staff comment letters. 

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss recent accounting pronouncements and potential considerations for oil and gas entities
• Identify ongoing projects on the FASB’s agenda and relevant status updates
• Analyze trends and observations from SEC activities and staff comments that may affect oil and gas entities

Highlight changes in the tax law impacting the Oil & Gas industry as well as discussion on available tax credits for the 2023 tax year that have come about as a result of the most recent legislation.

Learning Objectives:

• Recall changes in the tax law impacting the Oil & Gas industry in the 2023 tax year.
• Indicate the most recent legislation and its effect on Oil & Gas taxation.