World Oil Outlook - Opec
World Oil Outlook - Opec
World Oil Outlook - Opec
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economies, which has led to fierce competition for talent. And additionally, there is<br />
now a sizeable section of the industry’s workforce, particularly the large numbers that<br />
entered the industry in the 1970s, that are now approaching retirement.<br />
Earlier this year, Schlumberger, in its 2011 <strong>Oil</strong> & Gas Human Resources Benchmark<br />
Survey, 31 said that pressures on the industry’s technical workforce threaten the<br />
timely completion of projects. In the survey, up to 70% of national oil companies and<br />
60% of major international oil companies acknowledged project delays due to staffing<br />
difficulties.<br />
It is apparent that there are no real short-term solutions. Meeting the human<br />
resource challenge will not happen overnight. The industry must look longterm.<br />
The industry is one characterized by long lead-times, and often long payback<br />
periods.<br />
The key is making the industry more appealing; to make it accepted as an<br />
inclusive and forward looking workplace. The industry needs to be sure it is well<br />
presented as a prime employment choice; a high-tech and diverse sector with great<br />
prospects.<br />
In fact, this needs to begin before actual employment – with education and training.<br />
It is important for the industry to be significantly involved in fostering and supporting<br />
new graduates and its potential workforce at an early stage. The focus is on further<br />
developing a better relationship between prospective employees, universities and the<br />
industry. This includes making sure that energy-related courses are open to all students<br />
from across the world, as well as furthering cooperation between universities around the<br />
globe, in terms of helping to facilitate the transfer of technologies and know-how.<br />
Moreover, it is also essential to underscore the issue of local content and the utilization<br />
of domestic companies. This is of particular importance to many oil and gas<br />
producing developing countries; in helping provide a strong platform for the country’s<br />
economic and social development.<br />
Technology and R&D<br />
Across the entire petroleum industry, technology has played a central role in its transformation<br />
over the decades. For instance, in terms of the way reserves are identified,<br />
developed, produced and delivered, leading to a massive growth in recoverable resources<br />
and supply, in converting crude into desirable fuels and products, in helping<br />
improve efficiencies and in continually improving the environmental credentials of<br />
both production processes and consumption.<br />
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Chapter<br />
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