Print View

The ups and downs of the oil and gas industry are not advantageous to the continuity and availability of key engineering skills, in particular in drilling operations and well engineering. Historically, each dip in the cost per barrel of oil has resulted in operators, drilling contractors and service companies alike shedding staff, many of them highly skilled and many also leaving the industry and not returning when the oil price cycled up again.

 

The 2009 reversal of fortunes may, or may not; have the same effect as previous downturns. This time the full breadth of the economy is affected and other branches of industry may not so readily absorb our engineers. Nevertheless, the industry was in near panic about the lack of skilled staff during the spurt of activity from 2006 – 2008 and is still faced with the loss of many skilled staff as the graying of our industry continues. In addition, the net loss of skilled staff is likely to widen due to the abrupt halt of recruitment during 2009.

 

Given the above scenario, the need for more effective training that truly enhances staffs’ ability to competently do their job, be that designing wells, operating equipment or supervising operations is more than ever essential for both existing staff and new intake that will be required when activity once again picks up.