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Revisiting the Great Crew Change




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Panelists discussing "Geoscience Workforce of the Future—The Great Crew Change" included from left, Rod Nelson, Schlumberger; Christian Heine, Saudi Aramco; Mario Carminatti, Petrobras; Jatinder Peters, ONGC; Pete Stark, IHS; Michael Naylor, Shell; and Scott Tinker, Texas Bureau of Economic Geology.


The oil and gas industry is as dynamic as ever, and employment prospects are no exception. Employers constantly confront challenges such as the overall attractiveness of a career in oil and gas, the need for a highly educated workforce trained to global standards, and the value of a diverse workforce. Even in the current atmosphere of rapidly changing oil and gas prices, filling the talent pipeline is critically important. By some estimates, the industry faces a deficit of 10 to 15% in skilled manpower by 2010.

Panelists from Schlumberger, Petrobras, ONGC, Saudi Aramco, Shell, and the Texas Bureau of Economic Geology recently discussed these ongoing challenges at the AAPG International Conference & Exhibition in Cape Town, South Africa.

"Talent is the fundamental priority," said Dr. Scott Tinker, director of the Texas Bureau of Economic Geology and AAPG president. Regardless of industry volatility, he indicated, demand for energy is growing. Dealing with the talent gap will require building bridges between industry, governments, and academia.

Other panelists added that the E&P portfolio is more challenging, with industry moving to accumulations that are more difficult to find and produce. "Attracting and retaining young scientists and engineers is essential for our future and requires innovative thinking," commented Rod Nelson, Schlumberger vice president Communications and vice president Innovation and Collaboration. "The challenges in our industry remain as exciting as ever."

For companies like Schlumberger that have recruited locally for decades, finding local talent is second nature. Companies new to local recruitment may encounter difficulties when seasoned professionals try to communicate with much younger students, or when communicating with people from unfamiliar cultures.

Communication skills are also increasing in importance. The world's ongoing public debates about energy and climate elicit strong opinions, so companies prefer newcomers who can communicate skillfully with the public. Once these newcomers find employment, then companies focus on their retention, retraining, and redistribution as they mature in their careers. And so the cycles of industry continue.


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