ONS 2012: Skill shortage could slow offshore North Sea development
Aug. 31, 2012
Offshore Northern Seas conference attendees are concerned about a shortage of skilled professionals preventing Norway from developing recently discovered oil reserves in the North Sea.
Offshore staff
STAVANGER, Norway –Offshore Northern Seas conference attendees are concerned about a shortage of skilled professionals preventing Norway from developing recently discovered oil reserves in the North Sea.
An Industry Snapshot Poll at the meeting by GL Noble Denton found 68% of the respondents said skills shortages could make it a struggle to develop the Aldous and Johan Sverdrup (nee Avaldsnes) fields.
“The result of this poll indicates that this issue is far from being resolved, and could become a major barrier to Norway reversing a decline in oil production through the development of some of the North Sea’s most significant finds on time and on budget,” said Tore Lea, GL Noble Denton managing director for Norway.
Lea added that this perceived skills shortage is not unique to Norway; rather it is endemic around the world.
Attendees also mentioned concerns that fasttracking inexperienced engineers could be a long-term detriment rather than benefit.
