Offshore industry heavyweights told young oil and gas professionals in Aberdeen they could play a huge part in a “culture shift” adjustment to low crude prices.
John Pearson, group president northern Europe/Commonwealth of Independent States, AFW, said “behaviours” in the sector had to change.
Current challenges for the industry had more to do with inefficiency than lower oil prices, he added.
In his keynote speech at the 11th annual Young Professionals in Oil and Gas (YPOG) dinner at the Marcliffe Hotel, Mr Pearson said: “The global energy demand is rising and in order to meet this demand we need to change the way we do things.
“We need to change the way we work and behave to survive as an industry.
“Those professionals who can adapt to a new, collaborative environment, where goals are shared, risks are managed appropriately and waste is not tolerated, will succeed.”
He added: “The young professionals here tonight will also play a significant role in anchoring globally competitive, transportable skills to the North Sea and Aberdeen.
“The real challenge here is efficiency and our main aim in the industry is to increase this while reducing costs. Behaviours really matter and young professionals have the opportunity to act on this from now – the start of their careers.”
Graham Hollis, energy partner at professional services firm Deloitte in Aberdeen also said the industry’s future prospects hinged on the next generation of leaders.
“A culture shift is the way forward for the oil and gas industry, and young professionals have the ability to play a huge part in creating this shift,” Mr Hollis added.
YPOG was established to inform and inspire future energy sector leaders.
Deloitte and law firm Pinsent Masons deliver the group’s seminar programme as well as the annual dinner, attended this time by more than 200 people representing 70 companies.
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