This article is the second in a two-part series that examines the status of engineering companies in the oil and gas industry, where they have been, and where they are going in a time of tremendous change. The first article was published as “Another Perspective” in the March issue of E&P.

Global conditions compound the issues of generational change in engineering companies in the oil and gas industry. Those conditions are compounded by the “engineering company conundrum,” a situation that leads to cultures that, by their very nature, make it impossible to train, retain, and motivate the staff who must be in place to provide a quality product when the eventual upturn in demand occurs. This article is the first in a two-part series that examines the status of engineering companies in the oil and gas industry, where they have been, and where they are going in a time of tremendous change.

Claims over contracts are rising in the oil and gas industry, and there are simple steps that can be taken to avoid the cost and time involved in resolution. 

NOCs and IOCs have always shared a delicate co-existence due to mutual dependency. As the global dynamic fluctuates, a new form of cooperation might provide the way forward.

Having been raised in the industry and having worked in it for more than 40 years allows me to give a first hand view of a bit less than half of the history of the industry.