Saudi Aramco director Andrew Gould said today that he’s looking to technology and young people to lead the industry out of difficult times.
Speaking at Offshore Europe 2017, Mr Gould said “downturns are when technology adds to efficiency” and that to get the best mix of experience and technological knowhow many of his own generation would have to “step back to let the young generation in”.
Mr Gould also said big data and forward planning would play a big part in lifting the sector’s prospects.
Using the example of the aeronautic, automobile and mobile phone industries insistence on looking ahead in time to predict changes,
Mr Gould said aeronautic, automobile and mobile phone industries were adept at looking to the future to predict change.
“The oil industry hasn’t quite realised that yet,” he said.
He said the emergence of big data and ‘the internet of things’ – the interconnection of everyday internet devices – were the two main changes within the industry.
He said younger people would need to be brought into the industry if it is to meaningfully adapt, saying: “The generation that’s coming up – due to the sheer amount of information they’ve been exposed to – are able to learn faster.”
Mr Gould is concerned that unless young, dynamic people are attracted toward the oil and gas sector soon, it could stagnate and fail to attract and retain the most highly motivated and skilled individuals of tomorrow.