Why The Oil & Gas Industry Is In Need Of Skilled Workers

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There is a marked shift in the demand for the type of workers needed in the oil and gas industry. Gone are the days when people could apply for and obtain an oil rig job with minimum educational qualification. There is a huge demand for skilled workers in the oil and gas industry.

As Jennifer Kimrey mentions in a recent article:

“There is a demand for experienced and skilled persons in the areas of drilling-contractor technical functions such as drillers, tool-pushers, offshore installation managers (OIMs), crane operators, electrical technicians, and electricians and mechanics,” said John Dwyer, drilling manager for the Gulf of Mexico operations at Cobalt International Energy, a global oil exploration company based in Houston.

This article analyzes why the oil and gas industry is in need of skilled workers at the moment.

Tightening Of Safety Regulations

Offshore oil rigs are getting ready to face tough safety regulations in the coming months, going by the recent proposal put forth by the government. According to this proposal, the government will make it mandatory for private companies with 250 employees or more to share a report every quarter on all major injuries that happened at the work location along with the cause of each injury. The pressure by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on oil rig companies to create records and display this information could impact the hiring practices as well.

This move is likely to encourage oil rig companies to hire skilled workers who are trained in safety practices, to prevent such incidents from taking place at the work site.

Advances In Drilling Technology

Advances in technology and engineering has made it possible to automate drilling in offshore locations, eliminating the need for manual labor. This in turn has prompted the need for skilled oil rig workers to operate complex machines and equipment.

John Harper talks about a newly developed semi-submersible rig in a recent news article:

“The new semi-submersible rig will be capable of drilling in depths up to 40,000 feet below the ocean surface where sub-surface temperatures can reach more than 400 degrees.”

These two points can be cited as the leading reasons for oil rig companies to hire skilled workers rather than unskilled workers for their exploration and oil production activities.