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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 />

135<br />

Chapter<br />

4

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