The UK oil and gas sector needs to improve its image to attract more young people but it might be better regarded than was often thought, the industry’s leading spokesman said yesterday.
Malcolm Webb, chief executive of industry group Oil and Gas UK, told delegates at a business breakfast in Aberdeen he was encouraged by survey findings highlighting a generally favourable view of the sector.
The Ipsos Mori study, done over Christmas among 500 members of the public in Aberdeen and London, rated the industry highly in several areas. It also revealed a greater awareness of the importance of oil and gas to both the UK economy and the country’s energy needs than many people in the sector had thought, said Mr Webb.
On the downside, a majority of Londoners and 35% of Aberdonians thought the UK got most of its oil wholly or mainly from abroad. This was despite the UK industry supplying more than 90% of domestic oil and also the majority of the nation’s gas.
Britain’s offshore oil and gas sector was rated “mainly or very favourably” by 47% of those questioned for its environmental record, 47% on its tax contribution, 71% for providing jobs and 57% for offering energy security.
Overall, 60% of all respondents had a perception of the industry that was mainly or very favourable.
Mr Webb the survey results offered food for thought and grounds for encouragement, especially after a year in which the biggest oil spill in US history occurred.
He said more work was needed in a follow-up study to assess the public mood accurately but the feedback raised the possibility that the industry had been “listening too much to the very well directed views of our detractors” and was more highly regarded than previously thought. He added: “Have we underestimated the good sense of the British public?”
Yesterday’s event, organised by OGUK, was originally scheduled for December 1 but had to be rearranged because of bad weather.
OGUK said it had decided to address the wider business community about the perception of the oil and gas industry for the first time to highlight an emerging threat to the industry which, unless addressed, could have long-term consequences for investment and growth.
It was feared a poor image of oil and gas work outside its north-east heartland would lead to a drain of skilled workers to more fashionable sectors such as renewables.
David Binnie, managing director of Opito – the industry’s focal point for skills, learning and workforce development – said the rising price of oil would result in more activity and investment in the North Sea over the next few years, adding that industry collaboration and “different dialogue” with academia and governments could bring about a change in making careers in oil and gas more attractive to young people.
Wood Group Engineering (North Sea) senior cost engineer Emma Cheyne highlighted the next generation steering group’s efforts to attract more young people into the industry. She also urged the sector to get behind a pilot scheme in which industry ambassadors would go into north-east schools.
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