Departments

Hydrocarbon Economics and Marketing

Updated on 10 October 2026 7 min read Faculty of Hydrocarbons and Chemistry

Department of Hydrocarbon Economics and Marketing — field: Science and Technology; track: Hydrocarbons. Block A, ground floor, office no. R7.

Overview

The department is one of the oldest and most specialised in the field of energy economics. It trains managers able to work at the interface between economics, management and energy engineering, particularly in the hydrocarbon sector.

Hydrocarbon economics is a discipline of high strategic value, concerned with:

  • The analysis of oil and gas markets.
  • The management of the energy value chain — exploration, production, transport, marketing.
  • National and international energy policy.
  • The economic, financial and geopolitical issues attached to energy.

The specialism stands out for its multidisciplinary character, combining economics, industrial management and technical knowledge of the energy sector. It answers directly to the needs of economies that depend heavily on energy resources, such as Algeria.

In Algeria this specialism is rare and highly specialised. It is developed mainly in institutions with a direct link to the energy sector, notably at the University M’Hamed Bougara of Boumerdès, because of its scientific and industrial environment tied to hydrocarbons.

Management

Role Name Grade Contact
Head of Department Meriem Djanette BLIZAK Professor d.blizak@univ-boumerdes.dz
Chair of the scientific committee Yasmina YASSA MCB y.yassa@univ-boumerdes.dz

Programmes

The department offers two programmes within the LMD system.

Licence — Petroleum economics

Coordinator: Salima NAIT BELKCEM — s.naitbelkacem@univ-boumerdes.dz

The programme aims to give students the scientific, technical and managerial grounding needed to understand the hydrocarbon value chain.

Objectives

  • Mastering the foundations of economics and management as applied to the energy sector.
  • Understanding upstream and downstream activities in the oil industry.
  • Acquiring skills in logistics, production and industrial management.

Skills developed

  • Management of physical, financial and information flows.
  • Economic analysis of the energy sector.
  • Use of quantitative tools — statistics, operational research.
  • Teamwork and professional communication.

Career paths — oil and gas companies, energy transport and distribution companies, economic and commercial departments, or further study at Master’s level.

Master’s — Hydrocarbon economics

Coordinator: Souhila HADDAD — s.haddad@univ-boumerdes.dz

The Master’s builds on what was learnt at Licence level and trains expert managers in the energy field.

Objectives

  • Analysing national and international energy markets.
  • Understanding economic, legal and geopolitical mechanisms.
  • Training specialists able to lead energy projects.

Skills developed

  • Analysis of oil and gas markets — supply, demand, prices.
  • Economic and financial appraisal of energy projects.
  • Command of econometric and modelling tools.
  • Understanding of energy policy and its impact.

Profiles trained — energy analysts, petroleum economics experts, energy project managers, energy policy consultants.

Career paths — national and international oil companies, refining and petrochemicals, hydrocarbon transport and distribution, market research and energy consulting, industrial management and logistics.

Student numbers — 2025/2026

Level Licence Master’s
L2 37 —
L3 20 —
M1 — 16
M2 — 7

The departmental scientific committee

The scientific committee is made up of its chair, the head of department and the elected members representing senior academic staff and Assistant Professors Class A.

Member Grade Role
Yasmina YASSA MCB Chair of the Departmental Scientific Committee
Meriem Djanette BLIZAK Professor Head of Department
Razika TAHI Professor Member
Salima NAIT BELKACEM MCA Member
Souhila HADDAD MAA Member
Omar CHAABANI MAB Member

Teaching staff

Teacher Grade Contact
Razika TAHI Professor raztahi@yahoo.fr
Salima NAIT BELKCEM MCA s.naitbelkacem@univ-boumerdes.dz
Yasmina YASSA MCB y.yassa@univ-boumerdes.dz
Souhila HADDAD MAA s.haddad@univ-boumerdes.dz
Fahima KHADRAOUI MAA fa.khadraoui@univ-boumerdes.dz
Omar CHAABANI MAB omarchabani601@gmail.com
Hanane ATMANIA MCA atmania-hanane02@hotmail.fr

Partnerships and the socio-economic environment

The department maintains close relations with the major players in the energy sector:

  • SONATRACH
  • SONELGAZ
  • NAFTAL
  • Algerian Petroleum Institute

These partnerships allow students to be taken on placement, bring professionals into the teaching, and improve graduates’ entry into employment.

Outlook

Faced with the changes reshaping the global energy sector, and in particular the shift towards more sustainable models, the department is committed to teaching and scientific innovation, so as to train people able to meet the challenges ahead.

Science club

The department hosts the Petroleum Managers Club. Its page.

Curriculum

Semesters 1 to 4 of the Licence follow the Science and Technology core, with economic specialisation beginning in semester 3.

Licence in Petroleum Economics

Semester 1

Teaching unit Credits Coeff. Lecture Tutorial Lab Semester hours Assessment
UEF 1.1.1 — Fundamental · 10 credits · 5 coefficients
Calculus 1 6 3 1h30 3h00 67h30 40 / 60 %
Algebra 1 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
UEF 1.1.2 — Fundamental · 12 credits · 6 coefficients
Elements of mechanics 6 3 1h30 3h00 67h30 40 / 60 %
Structure of matter 6 3 1h30 3h00 67h30 40 / 60 %
UEM 1.1 — Methodological · 6 credits · 4 coefficients
Elements of mechanics lab 2 1 1h30 22h30 100% continuous assessment
Structure of matter lab 2 1 1h30 22h30 100% continuous assessment
Computer architecture and applications 2 2 1h30 1h00 45h00 40 / 60 %
UED 1.1 — Discovery · 1 credit · 1 coefficient
Careers in science and technology 1 1 1h30 22h30 100% exam
UET 1.1 — Transversal · 1 credit · 1 coefficient
Ethics and professional conduct (foundations) 1 1 1h30 22h30 100% exam
Total 30 17 10h30 10h30 4h00 375h00

Transcribed from sheet « s1 ». The methodological unit there states « Coefficients: 5 » while its three subjects total 4 — the semester total (17) confirms 4. The slip has been left as it stands, for the department to settle.

Semester 2

Teaching unit Credits Coeff. Lecture Tutorial Lab Semester hours Assessment
UEF 1.2.1 — Fundamental · 10 credits · 5 coefficients
Calculus 2 6 3 1h30 3h00 67h30 40 / 60 %
Algebra 2 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
UEF 1.2.2 — Fundamental · 12 credits · 6 coefficients
Electricity and magnetism 6 3 1h30 3h00 67h30 40 / 60 %
Thermodynamics 6 3 1h30 3h00 67h30 40 / 60 %
UEM 1.2 — Methodological · 6 credits · 4 coefficients
Electricity and magnetism lab 2 1 1h30 22h30 100% continuous assessment
Thermodynamics lab 2 1 1h30 22h30 100% continuous assessment
Introduction to programming 2 2 1h30 1h00 45h00 40 / 60 %
UET 2.2 — Transversal · 2 credits · 2 coefficients
Free and open-source software 2 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Total 30 17 9h00 10h30 5h30 375h00

Transcribed from sheet « s2 ».

Semester 3

Teaching unit Credits Coeff. Lecture Tutorial Lab Semester hours Assessment
UEF 2.1.1 — Fundamental · 10 credits · 5 coefficients
Calculus 3 6 3 1h30 3h00 67h30 40 / 60 %
Waves and vibrations 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
UEF 2.1.2 — Fundamental · 8 credits · 4 coefficients
Introduction to economics 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Management 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
UEM 2.1 — Methodological · 12 credits · 8 coefficients
Probability and statistics 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Financial accounting 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Python programming, level I 2 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Petroleum geology and geophysics 2 2 1h30 1h00 45h00 40 / 60 %
Total 30 17 12h00 10h30 2h30 375h00

Transcribed from sheet « s3 ».

Semester 4

Teaching unit Credits Coeff. Lecture Tutorial Lab Semester hours Assessment
UEF 2.2 — Fundamental · 18 credits · 9 coefficients
Functions of a complex variable 6 3 1h30 3h00 67h30 40 / 60 %
Numerical methods 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Hydrocarbon economics 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Microeconomics 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
UEM 2.2 — Methodological · 10 credits · 6 coefficients
Statistics I 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Cost accounting 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Hydrocarbon drilling and production 2 2 1h30 1h00 45h00 40 / 60 %
UET 2.2 — Transversal · 2 credits · 2 coefficients
Information and communication techniques 2 2 1h30 1h30 workshop 45h00 40 / 60 %
Total 30 17 12h00 10h30 2h30 375h00

Transcribed from sheet « s4 ».

Semester 5

Teaching unit Credits Coeff. Lecture Tutorial Lab Semester hours Assessment
UEF 3.1 — Fundamental · 16 credits · 8 coefficients
Hydrocarbon economics 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Management control 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Macroeconomics 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Investment appraisal 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
UEM 3.1 — Methodological · 12 credits · 7 coefficients
National accounts 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Strategic management 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Refining and petrochemicals 2 1 1h30 1h00 45h00 40 / 60 %
Business law 2 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
UET 3.1 — Transversal · 2 credits · 2 coefficients
Research methodology: academic writing 2 2 1h30 22h30 100% exam
Total 30 17 13h30 10h30 1h00 375h00

Transcribed from sheet « s5 ».

Semester 6

Teaching unit Credits Coeff. Lecture Tutorial Lab Semester hours Assessment
UEF 3.2 — Fundamental · 17 credits · 9 coefficients
Operational research 5 3 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Project management 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Financial management 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Statistics II 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
UEM 3.2 — Methodological · 12 credits · 7 coefficients
Industrial marketing 3 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Human resource management 3 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Hydrocarbon transport and distribution 2 1 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Final-year placement 4 2 2h30
UET 3.2 — Transversal · 1 credit · 1 coefficient
Entrepreneurship and start-ups 1 1 1h30 22h30 100% exam
Total 30 17 12h00 10h30 2h30 375h00

Transcribed from sheet « s6 ».

Master’s in Hydrocarbon Economics

Semester 1

Teaching unit Credits Coeff. Lecture Tutorial Lab Semester hours Assessment
UEF 1.1 — Fundamental · 16 credits · 8 coefficients
Economics of the oil and gas chain 1 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Marketing of petroleum products 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Energy economics 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Advanced microeconomics 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
UEM 1.1 — Methodological · 13 credits · 8 coefficients
Stochastic processes applied to energy 3 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Econometrics 1 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Advanced Python programming 2 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Renewable energy and climate change 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
UET 1.1 — Transversal · 1 credit · 1 coefficient
Hydrocarbon law 1 1 1h30 100% exam
Total 30 17 13h30 10h30 1h30 382h30

Transcribed from sheet « ss1 ».

Semester 2

Teaching unit Credits Coeff. Lecture Tutorial Lab Semester hours Assessment
UEF 1.2 — Fundamental · 14 credits · 7 coefficients
Economics of the oil and gas chain 2 6 3 1h30 3h00 67h30 40 / 60 %
The geopolitics of energy 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Advanced macroeconomics 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
UEM 1.2 — Methodological · 12 credits · 6 coefficients
Econometrics 2 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Optimisation of energy and industrial systems 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Decision theory 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
UED 1.2 — Discovery · 1 credit · 1 coefficient
Industrial safety 1 1 1h30 22h30 100% exam
UET 1.2 — Transversal · 3 credits · 3 coefficients
Elements of applied artificial intelligence 2 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Compliance with standards and rules of ethics and integrity 1 1 1h30 22h30 100% exam
Total 30 17 13h30 12h00 — 382h30

Transcribed from sheet « ss2 ».

Semester 3

Teaching unit Credits Coeff. Lecture Tutorial Lab Semester hours Assessment
UEF 2.1.1 — Fundamental · 14 credits · 7 coefficients
The hydrocarbon market 6 3 1h30 3h00 67h30 40 / 60 %
Energy project management 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Data analysis 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
UEM 2.1 — Methodological · 12 credits · 6 coefficients
Simulation techniques in economics 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Business information systems 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
Market finance applied to energy 4 2 1h30 1h30 45h00 40 / 60 %
UED 2.1 — Discovery · 1 credit · 1 coefficient
Standardisation 1 1 1h30 22h30 100% exam
UET 2.1 — Transversal · 3 credits · 3 coefficients
Reverse engineering 2 2 1h30 1h30 workshop 45h00 40 / 60 %
Literature search and dissertation design 1 1 1h30 22h30 100% exam
Total 30 17 13h30 12h00 — 382h30

Transcribed from sheet « sss3 ».