Recruitment activity in O&G heats up
Release Date: 2009-11-06
The latest Hays Oil & Gas Global Quarterly Report shows hiring intentions are improving.“Over the year pockets of demand certainly existed however confidence is returning and operators are again looking at their investment opportunities. We’re even anticipating some skill shortages as we move into 2010,” said Matt Underhill, Managing Director of Hays Oil & Gas.
“The UAE remains the primary hot spot of activity and continues to attract oil and gas professionals from around the world. Operating companies have regained a level of confidence and are now very active in exploration
The hot spots by region are as follows:
Middle East: Operating companies have regained some confidence and are now active in exploration. This is creating demand for Reservoir Engineers and Petroleum Engineers. As this activity progresses there will be a growing demand for Drilling Engineers.
QHSE is also high on the agenda. This will build further confidence in new investments and start-up of new projects from foreign investment in the region.
Within the downstream sector, there is demand for shutdown and maintenance staff to assist with the decommissioning of some plants. However there are also a lot of new plants coming on line which is creating demand for Plant Integrity and Mechanical Engineers.
Europe: Investment in exploration activities has begun as operators shift their focus to new fields. As such, there is demand for exploration specialists.
While investment projects have been shelved companies still have maintenance programs to complete. As a result, candidates experienced in HSE and Maintenance are in demand.
In the service sector there is a focus on Sales and Business Development, as companies now need to compete more aggressively for business. Candidates with extensive experience and a good network of contacts are highly sought after.
North America: Conventional oil is currently providing a lead in terms of job vacancies. This is creating demand for Subsurface (Reservoir/Exploitation) Engineers, specifically those with oil experience.
Other areas include demand for environmental planners with oil and gas experience and power engineers on these assets.
Within the downstream sector, several companies are starting to revisit projects that were put on hold during the recession. This is creating demand for Power Engineers and Operations Superintendents. There are also opportunities for Mining Engineers (Surface), in particular within the oil sands business.
Companies in this region are focused on optimisation, which is creating demand for Production Geologists. For the service sector there is also a focus on Business Development with a view to increasing brand awareness and growing market share.
South America: Significant new finds in the pre salt fields is fuelling market investment unrivalled elsewhere around the globe. The commissioning of new rigs, FPSO’s and support vessels alone amounts to billions of dollars. This will undoubtedly result in significant skill shortages as the year progresses and we move into 2010.
Right now demand is at the front end of the industry life cycle including Geologists and Geophysicists in exploration. We are also seeing particular searches for HSEQ managers, commercial managers and rig managers.
Australasia: Coal bed methane continues to raise interest. Emerging clean fuel commodity and improved technologies will be areas of continued project investment.
Exploration professionals, in particular Geoscientists with CSG or CBM experience and Senior Reservoir Engineers, are needed particularly in Western Australia.
With a number of upcoming projects, candidates with strong FEED subsea design experience are sought. Discipline Engineers with strong detail design experience, in particular those with a track record in Brownfield projects, are needed.
Asia: Companies in Singapore are actively looking at expanding their business development and investment areas, which is creating a demand for business development skills.
Demand for Design Engineers, in particular structural and naval architects, will rise as design campaigns commence following tender allocation and project re-negotiation.
Geophysicists with an interpretation background are sought. Traditionally, expatriates have occupied these positions however employers are now seeking local candidates with overseas work experience.
The full Global Quarterly Report can be viewed at hays-oilgas.com.
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