June
2016
63
HYDROCARBON
ENGINEERING
THE
RECRUITMENT
The oil price crash has taken its toll on the industry over the past
18 months, and this, in turn, has had a profound impact on recruitment.
Hydrocarbon Engineering
asks companies and organisations operating within
the downstream sector to provide their view on the current staffing challenge.
HAYS OIL & GAS
Neil Gascoigne, Global Business Development, explains
why the downstream sector still provides hope for
skilled workers seeking opportunities:
“The headlines in the media and online forums for the past
18 months have all been about the dramatic effect low oil
prices are having on the oil and gas industry, especially the
well documented effects lower oil prices have had on the
workforce. This is particularly true for the exploration and
production companies, however the effects have been felt
right across all sectors of the industry. The one slight
glimmer of hope has been the downstream industry and
chemical industries.
“The downturn in oil prices has been good news for
refiners and chemical companies, for whom oil is a cost.
Lower oil prices have meant lower costs, and the industry
has seen a simultaneous uptick in consumption. Lower
utility bills and cheaper pump prices have seen consumers
with more disposable income choosing to drive more, and
again purchasing vehicles with a reputation for being ‘gas
guzzling’. A recent Autodata report shows sales of SUVs
and pickups in the US have increased 10% since the drop in
oil prices, while sales of fuel efficient cars, such as the
Toyota Prius have dipped (down 12%). As such, refiners
have experienced inordinately high demand for their
products.
CHALLENGE
