LR Survey Shows Skills, Knowledge Shortage

Lloyd’s Register Energy has spent this week at AOG 2015 challenging oil and gas companies to re-think their approach to safety, performance and technical innovation to secure the world’s energy supply in a sustainable way, from reservoir and refinery to beyond.

“According to demographers, the world’s population will reach 8.5 billion people by 2035. These billions of people will need a stable economic environment and sustainable energy supply to meet the needs of a growing population,” said John Wishart, Group Energy Director of Lloyd’s Register.

So where does this leave the oil and gas industry not only to meet the needs for 2035 of a heavily populated planet, but here and now?”

A Lloyd’s Register Energy survey of exhibitors at AOG 2015 revealed more than 36% of respondents consider Skills / knowledge shortage to be the primary issue. The regulatory environment (23%), Commercial barriers to collaboration on innovation (16%), Ageing assets (17%) and Inability to adopt technology (8%), were also seen to be important issues. 

Other challenges facing the industry include a continued focus on increasing safety in FLNG, developing cleaner and more efficient hydrocarbon technology, while work on new forms of energy provision must be stepped up.

These issues were borne out of the executive briefing session we held in Perth on the factors affecting Australia’s oil and gas future.

At the close of AOG 2015, Lloyd’s Register Energy identified three short-term priorities the industry must address if future oil and gas assets are to be safely and reliably exploited.

They are: striking the balance between safety critical issues and operational pressures; improving the prioritisation of maintenance so that safety critical areas are addressed and not deferred; and ensuring competence through technology and innovation to help deliver on upcoming energy sources -- maximising economic value and energy security issues.

“The responsibility for ensuring the future of the oil and gas industry lies with each of us – business, academics, regulators and government alike. By working more collaboratively, more intelligently and with a greater vision, then we will all effectively advance the industry’s success,” highlighted Wishart.

Lloyd’s Register Energy is committed to working with all industry stakeholders to promote more awareness and understanding of how assets should be managed and certifying new technologies to meet new energy sources and future energy demands.