Skip to content
Institute For Oil & Gas Training
OGI-1108 New

Petroleum Taxation Fundamentals for Indirect Taxes & Duties Training Course

Duration
5 days
CPD hours
15
Language
English
Next date
19 Jan 2027
View dates & register Download brochure

We use your details only to answer this enquiry. See our privacy policy.

Overview

Petroleum Taxation Fundamentals is a practical corporate training course from Institute For Oil & Gas Training designed to strengthen professional capability in managing indirect taxes, customs duties and local fiscal obligations across petroleum operations. The course addresses the operational gap between understanding tax requirements and applying them effectively across procurement, logistics, equipment movements, project execution, trading and finance activities.

Oil and gas organisations operate through complex supply chains involving imported equipment, specialist services, hydrocarbons, contractors, logistics providers and multiple operating jurisdictions. These activities create indirect tax exposures that require close coordination between tax, finance, procurement, supply chain, logistics, legal and project teams. Errors in tax treatment, documentation or customs processes create financial leakage, delayed recoveries, shipment disruption, compliance exposure and avoidable disputes with tax and customs authorities.

This Petroleum Taxation Fundamentals course focuses on the practical management of value added tax on petroleum operations, VAT recovery and refunds, customs duty exemptions, temporary importation of equipment, excise duty, stamp duty, local taxes and levies, and tax exemption certificates. Participants develop a structured understanding of how these obligations interact with commercial transactions and operational processes.

The course also examines how indirect taxes affect the cost base of petroleum projects and operating activities. Participants learn to identify tax points, assess documentation requirements, distinguish recoverable and non-recoverable taxes, review customs treatment and support appropriate tax planning within established legal and governance requirements.

For petroleum companies, indirect taxation is closely connected with cash management and operational efficiency. VAT recovery delays influence working capital, customs duties influence landed costs, exemptions affect project economics, and local levies influence the overall cost of maintaining operations. Effective tax administration therefore requires more than knowledge of tax terminology. It requires professionals to understand the transaction, documentation, contractual position, tax treatment and operational consequence together.

Institute For Oil & Gas Training delivers this course with a corporate focus that connects taxation principles to realistic oil and gas business activities. The programme is suitable for professionals who need to interpret tax requirements, communicate effectively with tax specialists, challenge transaction treatment and support stronger controls across petroleum operations.

The course also strengthens cross-functional understanding. Finance professionals gain greater awareness of customs and operational processes, procurement professionals understand the tax consequences of sourcing decisions, logistics teams gain insight into temporary importation and duty requirements, and project personnel understand how tax documentation affects project expenditure.

Participants examine practical situations involving imported drilling and production equipment, petroleum-related purchases, contractor invoices, cross-border movements, customs declarations, exemption documentation and tax recovery processes. This creates a commercially relevant understanding of how indirect taxation operates throughout the petroleum value chain.

The programme also supports better internal control. Participants learn how to identify documentation gaps, establish review points, communicate tax requirements to operational teams and support evidence-based tax positions. The emphasis remains on practical application, sound governance and alignment between tax processes and business operations.

Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the fundamental principles of petroleum taxation with emphasis on indirect taxes and duties

  • Identify major indirect tax exposures across petroleum operations

  • Understand the application of value added tax on petroleum operations

  • Assess the basic principles governing VAT recovery and refunds

  • Identify documentation required to support VAT recovery claims

  • Recognise circumstances affecting VAT recoverability on petroleum expenditure

  • Understand customs duty structures relevant to imported petroleum equipment and materials

  • Identify circumstances where customs duty exemptions apply

  • Understand the commercial and compliance requirements associated with temporary importation of equipment

  • Assess the relationship between customs procedures and project logistics

  • Explain the operational relevance of excise duty

  • Recognise transactions and products that require consideration of excise obligations

  • Understand the role of stamp duty in petroleum-related agreements and transactions

  • Identify local taxes and levies that influence petroleum operations

  • Understand the purpose and use of tax exemption certificates

  • Strengthen internal controls over indirect tax documentation

  • Improve coordination between tax, finance, procurement, logistics and operations

  • Identify potential areas of tax leakage and delayed recovery

  • Support more accurate tax treatment during procurement and project planning

  • Improve the quality of information supplied to tax and customs specialists

  • Apply structured approaches to indirect tax issue identification

  • Support stronger documentation and audit readiness

  • Evaluate the operational consequences of indirect tax decisions

  • Integrate tax considerations into commercial and operational processes

Training methodology

Institute For Oil & Gas Training uses an applied corporate methodology that connects petroleum taxation principles with real operating conditions. The delivery approach focuses on decision-making, transaction analysis, documentation and cross-functional coordination rather than academic theory.

Practical Case Studies

Participants analyse realistic petroleum industry transactions involving imported equipment, procurement expenditure, contractor services, project costs and operational supplies. Each case study focuses on identifying the relevant tax or duty exposure and determining the documentation required to support the transaction.

Oil and Gas Scenarios

Real-world scenarios demonstrate how indirect taxation affects upstream, midstream and downstream activities. Participants consider situations involving drilling equipment, production assets, maintenance materials, specialist services, logistics arrangements and cross-border transactions.

Transaction-Based Exercises

Participants work through transaction examples to identify VAT treatment, recovery opportunities, customs implications, exemption requirements and potential local tax exposures. These exercises develop a structured approach to reviewing transactions before they create financial or compliance problems.

Group Exercises

Group activities bring finance, tax, procurement, logistics and operational perspectives together. Participants examine how different departments contribute to tax compliance and how information flows between departments influence the accuracy of tax treatment.

Documentation Reviews

Practical exercises focus on invoices, customs documentation, exemption certificates, import records and supporting evidence. Participants learn how documentation supports VAT recovery, duty relief and tax authority reviews.

Simulated Decision-Making

Participants work through controlled scenarios involving tax treatment decisions, customs classifications, equipment movements and recovery claims. The approach develops confidence in identifying issues and escalating matters appropriately.

Facilitated Discussion

Experienced facilitators encourage discussion around common operational challenges, internal controls and communication between tax specialists and business functions. Participants compare approaches and identify improvements relevant to their own organisations.

Organisational impact

Effective petroleum taxation management contributes directly to financial control, operational continuity and regulatory compliance. Organisations sponsoring this course gain personnel who understand how indirect tax requirements interact with day-to-day petroleum activities.

Improved VAT Recovery Control

Participants develop stronger awareness of VAT recovery requirements and supporting documentation. This supports more systematic identification of recoverable amounts and reduces avoidable delays caused by incomplete or inconsistent records.

Better Working Capital Management

VAT recovery and refunds influence cash flow across capital-intensive petroleum operations. Improved understanding of recovery processes helps finance and tax teams identify relevant transactions and strengthen the information required to support claims.

Stronger Customs Cost Management

Customs duties can influence the landed cost of equipment, machinery, materials and operational supplies. Participants learn to recognise duty implications earlier in procurement and logistics processes, supporting better cost visibility.

More Effective Duty Exemption Management

Understanding customs duty exemptions helps organisations identify applicable relief mechanisms and the documentation required to support them. This strengthens coordination between procurement, logistics, tax and project teams.

Better Equipment Movement Controls

Temporary importation of equipment requires accurate documentation and effective control over equipment movements. Participants gain a stronger understanding of the tax and customs considerations that support controlled temporary imports.

Reduced Documentation Gaps

Indirect tax compliance depends heavily on accurate invoices, declarations, certificates and supporting records. The course develops awareness of documentation standards and internal review requirements.

Stronger Cross-Functional Coordination

Petroleum taxation is not limited to the tax department. Procurement decisions, logistics arrangements, contracts, invoices and project expenditure all influence tax treatment. The programme improves communication between the functions responsible for these activities.

Improved Project Cost Visibility

Tax and duty exposures form part of the overall cost structure of petroleum projects. Better understanding of indirect taxes supports stronger cost analysis during procurement, logistics and project execution.

Enhanced Compliance Controls

Participants learn to identify tax-sensitive transactions and establish appropriate review points. This supports stronger governance and reduces the risk of inconsistent treatment across business units.

Better Management of Local Fiscal Obligations

Local taxes and levies can differ across operating locations and activities. Professionals gain a structured approach to recognising these obligations and coordinating with relevant specialists.

More Effective Use of Exemptions

Tax exemption certificates can influence the treatment of qualifying transactions. Participants understand the importance of valid documentation, appropriate application and controlled use of exemption arrangements.

Personal impact

This course strengthens the commercial and technical capability of professionals who work with petroleum taxation and related business processes.

Stronger Indirect Tax Knowledge

Participants develop a practical understanding of VAT, customs duties, excise duty, stamp duty and local fiscal obligations within the petroleum environment.

Improved Transaction Analysis

Participants learn to examine transactions from operational, commercial, documentation and tax perspectives. This improves their ability to identify potential tax issues before transactions are completed.

Greater Confidence in VAT Processes

Professionals involved in finance and accounting gain stronger knowledge of VAT recovery and refund processes and the documentation supporting those activities.

Enhanced Customs Awareness

Procurement, logistics and supply chain professionals gain a clearer understanding of customs duty exemptions and temporary importation of equipment.

Better Cross-Department Communication

Participants gain the terminology and practical understanding required to communicate effectively with tax specialists, customs professionals, finance teams and operational personnel.

Stronger Professional Capability

The course develops transferable capability in tax issue identification, documentation review, transaction assessment, compliance coordination and operational tax control.

Improved Decision Support

Participants become better equipped to identify tax implications that need consideration during procurement, contracting, logistics planning and project execution.

Greater Awareness of Tax Risk

Professionals gain a structured understanding of how documentation weaknesses, incorrect treatment and missed exemptions affect organisational cost and compliance.

Who should attend

Tax and Finance Managers

Suitable for professionals responsible for petroleum tax management, financial controls, tax reporting and indirect tax coordination.

Tax Professionals

Designed for tax personnel who require stronger practical knowledge of VAT, customs duties, exemptions and local fiscal obligations affecting petroleum operations.

Finance and Accounting Professionals

Relevant to professionals responsible for transaction processing, VAT recovery, financial controls and tax-sensitive expenditure.

Procurement Professionals

Useful for procurement personnel who need to recognise VAT, customs duty and exemption implications during sourcing and purchasing activities.

Supply Chain Professionals

Supports supply chain teams involved in importing equipment, materials and services for petroleum operations.

Logistics and Customs Personnel

Provides practical knowledge relevant to customs documentation, duty treatment and temporary importation of equipment.

Project Managers

Relevant to project leaders responsible for controlling expenditure, procurement activities, equipment movements and project cost exposure.

Commercial Professionals

Supports commercial personnel involved in contracts, purchasing arrangements, vendor management and transaction structuring.

Legal and Contract Professionals

Useful for professionals reviewing petroleum contracts and agreements where tax, duties, exemptions and stamp duty obligations require consideration.

Operations Managers

Provides operational personnel with greater awareness of how indirect tax requirements affect equipment, materials, services and operating activities.

Internal Audit and Compliance Professionals

Supports professionals responsible for reviewing controls, documentation and compliance processes connected with petroleum taxation.

Senior Management

Suitable for managers responsible for financial governance, project economics, procurement oversight and operational cost control.

Course outline

This module establishes the core principles of indirect taxation within petroleum operations. It examines how VAT and other transaction-based taxes affect procurement, services, operating expenditure and project activities across the petroleum value chain.

  1. OECD International VAT Guidelines

    • Establish internationally recognised principles for the design and administration of value added tax systems.

    • Address neutrality, cross-border transactions and practical VAT administration principles.

    • Provide a useful reference for understanding VAT concepts while applying the specific domestic rules of the operating jurisdiction.

    Learning Outcomes

    Participants will be able to:

    • Explain fundamental indirect taxation concepts relevant to petroleum operations

    • Identify common VAT exposures within petroleum transactions

    • Distinguish key VAT responsibilities across business functions

    • Recognise documentation requirements supporting VAT treatment

    • Identify transactions requiring specialist tax review

This module focuses on the financial and operational management of VAT recovery. Participants examine how VAT incurred on petroleum expenditure is identified, documented, reviewed and submitted for recovery or refund under applicable domestic requirements.

  1. OECD International VAT Guidelines

    • Provide principles for applying VAT to domestic and international transactions.

    • Support understanding of VAT neutrality and effective tax administration.

    • Help frame the relationship between business transactions, VAT collection and recovery mechanisms.

    Learning Outcomes

    Participants will be able to:

    • Explain the basic principles of VAT recovery and refunds

    • Identify documentation required for recovery claims

    • Recognise common weaknesses that delay VAT recovery

    • Support stronger VAT reconciliation processes

    • Improve coordination between operational and finance teams

    • Identify transactions requiring detailed domestic VAT review

This module examines fiscal obligations that sit alongside VAT and customs duties. It focuses on excise duty, stamp duty, local taxes and levies and their relevance to petroleum-related transactions, agreements, products and operating activities.

  1. OECD Tax Administration 3.0

    • Sets out principles for modern tax administration and integration of tax processes into business systems.

    • Supports stronger digital information flows and improved compliance processes.

    • Provides a broader administrative reference for strengthening tax governance and control environments.

    Learning Outcomes

    Participants will be able to:

    • Explain the operational relevance of excise duty

    • Identify transactions requiring consideration of stamp duty

    • Recognise local taxes and levies affecting petroleum activities

    • Identify documentation and reporting requirements requiring specialist review

    • Strengthen internal coordination around non-VAT fiscal obligations

    • Support more complete identification of indirect tax exposures

This module addresses customs duties and the movement of equipment across borders. Participants examine customs duty exemptions, import documentation, classification considerations and temporary importation of equipment used in petroleum projects and operations.

  1. Istanbul Convention

    • Provides an international framework for temporary admission of goods.

    • Establishes principles supporting temporary admission with conditional relief from import duties and taxes.

    • Provides a recognised reference for temporary movement of equipment subject to applicable national implementation.

    Learning Outcomes

    Participants will be able to:

    • Explain the role of customs duties in petroleum supply chains

    • Identify key considerations affecting customs duty exposure

    • Recognise circumstances requiring customs duty exemption assessment

    • Understand the principles of temporary importation of equipment

    • Identify essential documentation for temporary equipment movements

    • Improve coordination between procurement, logistics and tax functions

    • Recognise customs issues requiring specialist intervention

The final module integrates the course concepts into a practical control framework. Participants examine tax exemption certificates, exemption management, transaction review and the coordination of indirect taxation across finance, procurement, logistics, projects and operations.

  1. WCO Harmonized System

    • Provides an internationally recognised system for classifying traded goods.

    • Supports consistent customs classification for imported and exported goods.

    • Helps organisations understand the importance of correct tariff classification when assessing customs treatment and applicable duties.

    Learning Outcomes

    Participants will be able to:

    • Explain the purpose of tax exemption certificates

    • Identify documentation required to support exemptions

    • Recognise risks associated with incorrect or unsupported exemption claims

    • Integrate VAT and customs considerations into transaction reviews

    • Strengthen internal tax documentation controls

    • Improve communication between tax and operational departments

    • Identify opportunities to improve indirect tax governance

    • Apply a structured approach to petroleum indirect tax control

Certificate

Attendees who successfully complete the course receive a Certificate of Completion from Institute For Oil & Gas Training.

The certificate is issued upon completion of the full course and fulfilment of the attendance requirement. Participants are expected to attend the scheduled course sessions and actively engage with the programme activities to receive the Certificate of Completion.

Course dates

  • Europe

    Middle East

    Asia

    Africa

    North America

    Online

    Fee: £3,700

  • Europe

    Middle East

    Asia

    Africa

    North America

    Online

    Fee: £3,700

  • Europe

    Middle East

    Asia

    Africa

    North America

    Online

    Fee: £3,700

  • Europe

    Middle East

    Asia

    Africa

    North America

    Online

    Fee: £3,700

Fees include tuition, course materials and refreshments. Need different dates or a different city? Ask about your preferred date.

Frequently asked questions

What does Petroleum Taxation Fundamentals cover?

Petroleum Taxation Fundamentals covers indirect taxes and duties affecting oil and gas operations, including value added tax on petroleum operations, VAT recovery and refunds, customs duty exemptions, temporary importation of equipment, excise duty, stamp duty, local taxes and levies, and tax exemption certificates.

Who is this course designed for?

The course is designed for tax, finance, accounting, procurement, supply chain, logistics, customs, commercial, legal, project, operations, audit and compliance professionals working in or supporting petroleum operations.

How is the course delivered?

Institute For Oil & Gas Training uses practical case studies, oil and gas scenarios, transaction exercises, group activities, documentation reviews and facilitated discussions to connect taxation principles with operational business situations.

Will the course cover VAT recovery and refunds?

Yes. The programme examines VAT recovery and refunds, supporting documentation, recoverability considerations, reconciliation processes, refund claim preparation and common causes of delayed recovery.

What will participants gain from completing the course?

Participants gain practical capability in identifying indirect tax exposures, reviewing tax documentation, understanding customs and duty requirements, supporting VAT recovery, managing exemption documentation and improving coordination between tax and operational functions.

Next: 19 Jan 2027

4 dates available

Register Now

Related training courses

Get the training calendar in your inbox

New courses, dates and industry insight. No more than twice a month.