BACK TO BASICS

1
BACK TO BASICS

• How can we encourage young people to enter the
  oil gas industry?
• John R. V. Brooks
• President, European Region,
• AAPG

2
Structure of Presentation

• Context of the presentation
• Reasons for disinterest in the Oil Gas Industry
• Key facts about the present recruitment situation
• Stages during education when to stimulate
  interest
• Ways to enhance interest and awareness
• Methods of implementing solutions

3
Context of the Presentation

• Directed at the anticipated future scarcity of
  Geoscientists, but the situation is applicable to
  sub-surface engineers as well
• Set in a United Kingdom context, but both
  problems and solutions may have global
  applicability
• Education systems present differences between
  countries
• Possession of oil/gas in-country plays a part, as
  does the reliance upon external countries for
  supplies of oil and/or gas into the future

4
Reasons for disinterest in the Oil Gas Industry

• Misconceptions about the need for oil gas
• Reputation of industry is perceived as low
• Environmental record is seen as poor
• Contribution to climate change seen as high
• Takeovers have resulted in layoffs of staff
• Entry requirements seen as high taxing
• Employment seen as high stress
• Industry itself not making a robust case
• Lack of understanding about what a job involves

5
Key Facts about the present recruitment situation

• 50 of professional E P staff are aged 40-50
• 15 are aged 20-35
• 50 of staff expected to retire within 10 years
• Graduate recruitment is in decline

6
Stages to stimulate interest during education in
the UK

• Three opportunities
• 1. Primary/Secondary School (7-16)
• 2. Planning University course (17-18)
• At University during course
• Considering career options
• Society (e.g. AAPG) Student Chapters contribution

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Enhancing interest and awareness1. The Early
Years

• Engage industry to give talks careers visits
• Sponsor TV programmes, fact sheets at garages,
  press articles advertisements.
• Overcome lack of science teaching
• Improve employ outreach programs
• e.g. Rockwatch (G.A.), GS, EI and AAPG programmes
• Introduce more LA field trips
• Galvanise Earth Science Teachers Association
  (ESTA)
• Produce a coordinated strategy for the subsurface

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Enhancing interest and awareness2. Pre-University

• Encourage via A-Level (and equivalent) to choose
  Earth Science first degree with Petroleum
  elements
• Build up over early years will cement this
  interest with Professional Society and Oil
  Company involvement

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Enhancing interest and awareness3. At University

• AAPG Student Chapter in place
• Link into other societies and Oil Companies
• Regular contact, give more lectures
• Opportunities for vacation work
• Participation in field trips
• Build links with University Staff
• Specify to Universities the requirements for
  Geoscientists
• Develop Staff education programme via secondments

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Implementing solutions - 1

• Oil Companies
• 300 licensees are exploring and producing in the
  UK
• all majors are represented (BP, Exxon, Shell,
  Total)
• Professional Societies involved include
• AAPG, Geological Society, EI
• SPE, SEG, EAGE
• GA, PESGB, WPC
• UKOOA, OGP
• Contractors
• CHUGD (Committee of Heads of University Geol.
  Depts.)
• ESTA (Earth Science Teachers Association)
• plus Local Authorities, conference companies

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Implementing solutions - 2

• Co-ordination by all parties meeting with
  industry and reaching an agreed strategy and
  timetable for action
• Formation of a cross-group to delegate functions
  in areas and to implement recommendations
• Meetings with Industry and Universities to define
  needs
• Set up a regional structure to mentor students
• Perhaps recognise particular Universities
• Provide support for pupils/students to attend
  events
• Seek links between Schools and Universities
• Conduct regular Careers Days

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Conclusions

• Efforts appear disjointed
• Definition by Employers of requirements
• Implementation by Universities with sponsorship
• Meetings between all interested parties to
  co-ordinate efforts in a focussed fashion
• Select elements of workforce for separate
  appropriate treatment, e.g. Geoscience, Reservoir
  Petroleum Engineering, Production, Downstream,
  Refining.
• Act in unison to achieve an end which will result
  in adequate staffing to find, produce and deliver
  hydrocarbons for at least 50 years.