Recruiting critical to the future of O&G industry

Offshore staff

HOUSTON -- Dr. Stephen A. Holditch of the petroleum engineering department at Texas A&M University told attendees at the closing ceremony of the Deep Offshore Technology conference in Houston that manpower will be one of the most critical challenges for the industry in the coming years. The solution to this problem, Holditch said, is obvious. "We're going to have to recruit more people into the business."

Fortunately, according to Holditch, A&M is already working to address the personnel problem by appealing to potential engineers by pointing out the advantages of entering the oil and gas industry.

Holditch cited the rising demand for oil and gas as one point in favor of going into petroleum engineering as a career. He also highlighted the global nature of the business, "If you want to see the world," he said, "join the oil and gas business."

Holditch drew attention to the aging workforce as well and underscored the obvious opportunities that presents to young engineers who are interested in rapid advancement. "It is a great time to get into the oil and gas business," he said. "I believe that with all my heart."

Beyond university recruitment, Holditch thinks the industry should be trying to attract engineers from other disciplines. And he strongly believes there should be much greater emphasis on educating the public at large about the oil and gas industry.

In Holditch's opinion, a big part of the industry's problem is that it is doing a poor job of selling itself.

"Most of the very smart people in our country and in the world are ignorant about energy," Holditch said.

12/01/2006