Oilcareers.com And Air Energi Reveal Results Of Global Oil & Gas Workforce Survey

- August 30, 2012:?

While the global oil and gas industry is experiencing a resurgence of activity, both employers and employees face a plethora of challenges, according to a joint report from OilCareers.com, the international job board for the oil and gas industry, in association with partner Air Energi, a global provider of manpower solutions to the energy sector.

Focusing on employment and salary trends in the energy sector throughout 2012 the report, entitled ?The Global Oil & Gas Workforce Survey: Expectations for hires and pay rates in the oil and gas industry H2 2012?, addresses the issues affecting the oil and gas industry and what they mean for the second half of 2012.

The survey, now one of the most eagerly anticipated temperature checks of global employers? perceptions of the energy industry, found operators and contractors have a largely positive outlook about the numerous, major projects underway or planned worldwide. Yet the research highlighted much concern over access to those with the necessary skills, a shortage of specific disciplines and pressure caused by local content regulations.

More than 170,000 oil and gas professionals were invited to participate from over 50 countries within the seven major oil and gas producing regions.

Offshore oil and gas projects worth approximately $87bn are currently planned or under way in the Middle East. The strong performance of the region?s oil and gas sector is reflected in its workforce, particularly as the region continues to offer some of the most competitive packages across the global energy industry.

Figures suggest that the Middle East leads the way in terms of operational focus; this highlights the requirement for more skilled workers to support the industry. Staffing practices that match international standards are gaining popularity to ensure the right talent is hired and that the new generation of professionals receive sufficient training.

Mark Guest, managing director of OilCareers.com, said: ?Despite significant economic challenges facing the global energy industry, the survey signals a positive outlook for the

sector with both mature and developing producing regions providing good reasons for continuing confidence and future optimism.

?Local content regulations ? where foreign operators are required to prove they have made every effort to recruit from local sources and to use indigenous business channels ? are however proving particularly challenging in a number of regions including Africa, the Americas and parts of Australasia.

?Internationally, operators are embarking on a large number of major investments, benefitting greatly from technological advancements. Yet major challenges remain with access to skilled labour a pivotal concern, combined with a global shortage of those with the necessary experience to help companies fully realise the potential of these opportunities.?

Middle East
The Middle East is home to nearly half of the world?s total gas reserves and almost a third of global oil production. As with other regions, there are the haves and the have-nots; those besieged by civil war or other economic repression first need to play catch-up, in terms of infrastructure and education of their local workforce, before becoming a larger presence on the global energy scene. Iraq and Saudi Arabia are driving forces in the region in terms of total investment and spending, particularly in drilling activities. The region boasts some of the lowest start-up and operational costs, and the large numbers of expats on contract here typically enjoy solid remuneration packages, longer contracts and pleasant quality of life.

Ian Langley, group executive chairman for Air Energi, said: ?The global flow of labour is a highly complex equation that has historically been answered through just-in-time solutions, largely dictated by the price of oil. Operators are taking a global approach to hiring practices, while proactively recruiting or reassigning talent as it becomes available.

?Many have stated the importance of looking to the young stream of professionals entering the industry, and the need to provide young graduates with internships and other opportunities. Field experience and a succession of short-term global assignments have also been observed as successful methods. Fast-tracking may help, but there are no shortcuts to hands-on experience.?

Africa
The survey found offshore West Africa has experienced huge growth, creating significant demand for subsea specialist engineers which are already in short supply worldwide. It is an

issue that has been compounded within the region by the expatriation of foreign workers required by local content regulations. These positions are being backfilled by local personnel

with on-the-job training as they become available, and many foreign personnel are being redeployed to similar projects in Asia Pacific where possible. Despite the many challenges, including personal safety and the high cost of living, the average rates in Africa have somewhat decreased, largely owing to the steady increase in local content within the industry.

Americas
Following months of uncertainty surrounding the US economy and offshore regulatory reforms, massive investment in the upstream sector is underway across North America, driven in particular by E&P activity in unconventional gas in the United States. Skills shortages are still palpable in North America, though less acutely felt there than elsewhere, in large part because Houston has long been the epicentre of talent for the oil and gas industry.
Rates remain competitive in North America, helping draw available talent, looking for attractive assignments in the region.

Asia Pacific
World-leading record investments are still being made offshore, some 40 per cent higher than in the North Sea. The demand for engineering and technical expertise is ongoing, not only for E&P work within the immediate region but in support of the seemingly unending string of major plays coming out of Australia. Refineries, chemical and power processing is growing at an unprecedented rate and APAC experienced the biggest jump in salaries into 2011, supported by strong regional commitment to boost production. Across the entire region, there is increasing demand for disciplines including: naval architects, subsea engineers, construction advisors, project control specialists, QA/QC, safety engineers and process engineers.

Australasia
Early in 2012, Ichthys joined Gorgon, Prelude, Gladstone and Wheatstone as the latest in a string of multi-billion dollar megaprojects, and it is anticipated that an additional six world-scale projects will be commissioned in the coming months. The region is already experiencing significant labour shortages and resultant cost overruns, and there are questions over how Australia will continue to feed its voracious appetite for investment and personnel. Fortunately for Australia, it has the reputation of being among the most sought-after destinations for expats seeking a term abroad, both in terms of lifestyle and technically challenging (resume boosting) experience.

FSU-Caspian
As offshore activity picks up worldwide, so do the issues of sovereignty and development rights among countries who share oceanic geography. As in Asia Pacific, contesting claims

for the reserves in Caspian waters may take years to resolve. The Caspian region may be the next big pre-salt contender, alongside West Africa and Brazil, but what remains to be determined is what portion belongs to each of the five countries in dispute: Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. As with other developing nations whose future security and wellbeing hinges on the development of its energy resources, the stakes are high.

Europe
Europe may not be figuring as prominently on the international E&P stage as other regions, yet its North Sea basins are still highly active. Any labour shortfall here is doubly complicated due to the age of several projects: while much of the world?s offshore activities are in start-up phases, in the North Sea they are mature and / or in need of decommissioning, placing a premium on project managers, structural and process engineers, planning and other site personnel. But thanks to new discoveries here, several projects are also entering FEED and related stages, particularly those based out of Norway.

To view the full report, go to: http://www.oilcareers.com/onstream/

Source: http://www.middleeastevents.com/site/pres_dtls.asp?pid=15902

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