Ensuring the Future of the Oil and Gas Industry

The energy industry needs no crystal ball to get a glimpse into the future. In addition to upcoming projects, discoveries and technologies, oil and gas companies clearly see the immediate and long-term need for employees. A major topic of discussion at OTC 2008, the industry is undertaking a number of initiatives to encourage and ensure future generations of oil and gas employees.

Despite the rising price of oil, experts predict that the oil and gas industry will experience a void in employees in the coming years. In addition to the "Graying Workforce" phenomenon, there simply are not as many young people joining the industry.

There are a number of initiatives the energy community is undertaking to encourage high school and college students to join the oil and gas industry, and this Thursday, May 8, is one of them. Today, students from Houston and the surrounding areas are visiting OTC 2008 with school groups, teachers and professional associations to learn more about the industry.

Bellville High School Anatomy and Physiology teacher Dr. Lindsey Larberg served as a chaperone of Bellville students bussed the 90 miles east to Houston for OTC. AP science students, as well as some Gifted and Talented students, and students involved in extracurricular science programs are touring the show floor, "finding out why you need a good math and science education," Dr. Larberg said.

"They find out the types of jobs that are out there, what degrees they need to pursue and salary ranges -- because they're always interested in that," she said.

Another group of students from Mount Carmel High School visited OTC Thursday, bringing with them excitement and curiosity about the oil and gas industry.

"Exxon Mobil Science Ambassadors suggest we come to OTC as a learning experience, and they help put us in contact with people to get us here," said Biological Sciences teacher and Science and Engineering Program sponsor Nathan Agnew.

He explained that the Exxon Mobil Science Ambassadors is an outreach program that connects high schools with different energy programs, presentations and field trips to encourage students to study math and science. Mount Carmel High School relied on donations from within the industry to pay for their entrance and the field trip.

The Next Wave
Designed to give young professionals insight into the oil and gas industry and opportunity to grow their careers within the industry, The Next Wave held an informational session at OTC on Wednesday, May 7. Entitled "My Industry -- the perspective relationships of NOCs, IOCs and Service Companies," the meeting featured industry insight from veterans Karl Kurz, COO of Anadarko; Ryan Lance, President Exploration & Production for Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East for ConocoPhillips; and Pete Miller, Chairman, President and CEO of NOV.

The Leadership Team organizing The Next Wave program and its initiative is made up of 18 volunteer oil and gas professionals younger than 35 years old. In addition to the informational program, roundtable discussion groups were facilitated by industry experts to encourage open communication about growth within the industry. A networking reception was held after the session onsite at the OTC, as well.

Online Encouragement
Launched this week to coincide with OTC 2008, OilGrads.com is a website dedicated to encouraging high school and especially college students to study math, science and engineering and ultimately join the oil and gas industry.

With a worldwide job board, resume tips and industry information, content on OilGrads.com will serve as a central location for information about global internships, coops, learning programs, initiatives, scholarships and more. Additionally, OilGrads.com will work to change the industry's image in the eyes of our youth.

Fortunately, these initiatives help to better educate the next generation of oil and gas employees, and therefore better ensure a bright future for the industry.

"I wouldn't say that it's negative," Mr. Agnew revealed of his students image of the oil and gas industry. "There's a certain amount of control that the oil and gas companies have on the economy, but they [the students] understand the technology that it takes to harvest the hydrocarbons. It's more about what we use it for and how we use it."

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