Oil and Gas - The Great Crew Change - thoughts?

[ExtraSlow]

This has been a favourite topic of mine for more than a decade now. What are your thoughts on the future demographic and employment trends of the petroleum industry?

I used to be of the unlimited growth mindset. These days, I feel like total employment is bound to shrink in the USA just like it has in Canada and not rebound to previous peaks in either place. However, opportunities for people in the 30-45 age bracket today will be huge.
SPE discussion on the topic:
https://pubs.spe.org/en/twa/twa-article-detail/?art=6444

[pheoxs]

Employment will definitely shrink. Every year we get better and better at putting holes in the ground and getting resources out. Even if overall production rises, we don't need the man-power we once did, it's just not needed.

[ExtraSlow]

It's my opinion that the USA should be running 450-500 rigs total to be profitable. Any higher is problematic.
But I've proven repeatedly to be bad at predictions.

As for the great crew change, I wish everyone over 65 would retire today. I don't feel like that's terribly radical, but it would have a huge effect as those top level roles were backfilled.

[lasimmon]

Employment will definitely shrink. Every year we get better and better at putting holes in the ground and getting resources out. Even if overall production rises, we don't need the man-power we once did, it's just not needed.

We get better at all levels of the industry. Yet a ton of shops are still stuck in the past pissing away thousands or millions of dollars because they are unwilling to change. Its crazy.

[msommers]

My prediction is that at some point in the next 5 years, there is going to be a huge shortgae in terms of properly trained and experienced upper management. The transition from Jr -> Sr -> Exec hasn't been rolling along as I had expected or been told.

I think back when I graduated high school I was hearing about how when the Boomers retire there was going to be a massive labour shortage. I think that same headline makes news today.

[pheoxs]

My prediction is that at some point in the next 5 years, there is going to be a huge shortgae in terms of properly trained and experienced upper management. The transition from Jr -> Sr -> Exec hasn't been rolling along as I had expected or been told.

I think back when I graduated high school I was hearing about how when the Boomers retire there was going to be a massive labour shortage. I think that same headline makes news today.

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

You think there's properly trained and experience people in upper management now.

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

[nobb]

The senior guys can't afford to retire because they haven't been saving enough/have greatly inflated their lifestyles so they are holding onto their jobs longer. Juniors aren't being hired to fill the lower ranks, so it's the intermediates doing all that stuff. For the intermediates, there's no upwards mobility or any training, so it's just going through day by day and maybe occasionally jumping ship to spice things up a bit.

[davidI]

The senior guys can't afford to retire because they haven't been saving enough/have greatly inflated their lifestyles so they are holding onto their jobs longer. Juniors aren't being hired to fill the lower ranks, so it's the intermediates doing all that stuff. For the intermediates, there's no upwards mobility or any training, so it's just going through day by day and maybe occasionally jumping ship to spice things up a bit.

So true. I plan to jump ship all-together or perhaps try my hand at a different industry soon. Not as much upward mobility as I'd hoped (though I realized that 5-years ago) and the international landscape has changed a lot (in the MENA region, it is obvious companies are more interested in cheap Eastern labour, even if they do a piss-poor job, than expensive Western guys who know what they're doing). I still haven't figured out how the economics work out as I see way more major f-ups than I did a decade ago due to this.

[ExtraSlow]

Yes upward mobility sucks when the industry is shrinking and nobody is retiring.

I've heard some incredible stories of incompetence and inefficiency from MENA and China. Baffling stuff.

I know someone in Calgary, training Chinese guys here, so they can drill thier wells back home faster. Current average is 85 days. My buddy estimates they are 20 day wells here without any fancy equipment.

[nobb]

So true. I plan to jump ship all-together or perhaps try my hand at a different industry soon. Not as much upward mobility as I'd hoped (though I realized that 5-years ago) and the international landscape has changed a lot (in the MENA region, it is obvious companies are more interested in cheap Eastern labour, even if they do a piss-poor job, than expensive Western guys who know what they're doing). I still haven't figured out how the economics work out as I see way more major f-ups than I did a decade ago due to this.

What industry would you jump to?

I kind of feel like with globalization and neoliberal capitalism, this sort of thing is happening to many other traditional industries as well. Not a single young person in O&G is passionate about the industry anymore after been worn out through the downturn and all the politics involved. O&G has always been an old boys club, but the downturn magnified that further and I think the industry has shot itself in the foot by failing to adequately train newer generations.

[Tik-Tok]

85 days at $5/hour beats 20 days at $60/hour.

Now train those $5 guys to be twice as good, but give them $7 and tell them what an honour it must be to help mother China prosper.

[davidI]

What industry would you jump to?

I kind of feel like with globalization and neoliberal capitalism, this sort of thing is happening to many other traditional industries as well. Not a single young person in O&G is passionate about the industry anymore after been worn out through the downturn and all the politics involved. O&G has always been an old boys club, but the downturn magnified that further and I think the industry has shot itself in the foot by failing to adequately train newer generations.

Definitely. It's a race to the bottom as far as costs go in many ways and the consumerist 'throw-away' / 'upgrade cycle' culture has destroyed the need for quality goods or services. I think the "old boys" club has been hit by the whole snowflake #metoo I'm offended culture where things just can't work like they used to. Some of that change is surely for the better but at the same time, the industry doesn't feel as personal or network-based anymore which makes everything feel a little less meaningful.

As far as my personal situation, I'm looking to FIRE but probably with some "recreational employment" that I enjoy to keep me busy. Not looking to launch a massive business or find another six-figure salary as I enjoy the simple things in life (good coffee, beer, whisky, food, nature, hiking, reading, art, gym, etc.) along with a few more costly hobbies (travel, skiing, snowboarding, golfing, photography, leatherwork, woodwork, knives/sharpening, etc.) and should have enough to cover that lifestyle.

If I can make some money through hobbies or blogging/vlogging/design/photography etc. that I enjoy doing, then it would be fun to throw it towards random adventures or philanthropic activities.

[davidI]

85 days at $5/hour beats 20 days at $60/hour.

Now train those $5 guys to be twice as good, but give them $7 and tell them what an honour it must be to help mother China prosper.

The thing is, with a lot that I see/hear about, it's the $5/hour guy fing-up $XXX,XXX in equipment or causing $X,XXX,XXX in loss of production/consequential damages or whatever and that's where I can't wrap my head around the economics.

If you're taking an extra 65 days to drill a well, you're talking about some massive rig and fuel costs that far exceed hiring the knowledgeable guy, even at $500/hr or whatever.

[msommers]

Professional ladies are doing huge networking events, I think basically just for women. It's like the reverse He-Man Woman Haters Club haha kidding.

[nobb]

As far as my personal situation, I'm looking to FIRE but probably with some "recreational employment" that I enjoy to keep me busy. Not looking to launch a massive business or find another six-figure salary as I enjoy the simple things in life (good coffee, beer, whisky, food, nature, hiking, reading, art, gym, etc.) along with a few more costly hobbies (travel, skiing, snowboarding, golfing, photography, leatherwork, woodwork, knives/sharpening, etc.) and should have enough to cover that lifestyle.

If I can make some money through hobbies or blogging/vlogging/design/photography etc. that I enjoy doing, then it would be fun to throw it towards random adventures or philanthropic activities.

Good to see that the FIRE mentality is really gaining momentum. That's my thoughts as well. O&G incomes are still high, so make and save as much as possible for now to purse FIRE sooner. Then when you've reached a point where finances are no longer top priority, be able to take different risks or pursue more lifestyle oriented goals.

It's the most logical way IMO, because we really have no idea how this industry is going to be like in 10-20 years and I'd rather not be grinding away for a paycheck by then. The oil & gas guys can argue as much as they want about climate change, pipelines, and that sort of stuff but the reality is that as an individual I have no control on how things will turn out. The only thing I can control is how I manage my finances and align myself in a financially sustainable way.

[Perceptionist]

The big crew change turned into a big myth when the industry started laying people off by the thousands. The situation now seems to be a glut of overpaid boomers at the top of the industry that are slow to adapt to the new challenges and realities of today's oil and gas business. The top talent with the skills and ability to implement new technology like data science and AI are typically younger and unable to achieve the top dollars the old boys club continue to enjoy.
As it stands today, I would say there are way more companies and management teams than are needed to develop the resources in Canada, but the entrenchment of leadership is preventing mergers and acquisitions from changing that. For example, do we really need 20+ different companies developing the Montney or could it be done more efficiently with several larger organizations? The result of that, however, would be many high paying board seats and executive jobs being lost with no line of sight to the next opportunity.

[msommers]

So true. I plan to jump ship all-together or perhaps try my hand at a different industry soon. Not as much upward mobility as I'd hoped (though I realized that 5-years ago) and the international landscape has changed a lot (in the MENA region, it is obvious companies are more interested in cheap Eastern labour, even if they do a piss-poor job, than expensive Western guys who know what they're doing). I still haven't figured out how the economics work out as I see way more major f-ups than I did a decade ago due to this.

Forethought isn't as common as one would hope.

I suppose ironic coming from someone currently unemployed.

[r3ccOs]

The big crew change turned into a big myth when the industry started laying people off by the thousands. The situation now seems to be a glut of overpaid boomers at the top of the industry that are slow to adapt to the new challenges and realities of today's oil and gas business. The top talent with the skills and ability to implement new technology like data science and AI are typically younger and unable to achieve the top dollars the old boys club continue to enjoy.
As it stands today, I would say there are way more companies and management teams than are needed to develop the resources in Canada, but the entrenchment of leadership is preventing mergers and acquisitions from changing that. For example, do we really need 20+ different companies developing the Montney or could it be done more efficiently with several larger organizations? The result of that, however, would be many high paying board seats and executive jobs being lost with no line of sight to the next opportunity.

All my friends with a HR background absolutely absolutely hate working Big Oil... the culture is the same, I worked at 2 organizations and its a culture of fear, uncertainty and doubt... Outcome driven Bossing (not leadership) and people tolerate this because of two things: "Money" and "Prestige"

I think at one point, I wouldn't argue the point that as Oil paid top core tile that they often employed top performers... but over the last two recessions and an emerging generation of millennial's who places greater values of job satisfactions on culture, contributions, collaboration and innovation than compensation.. I feel that other more Product driven organizations are able to attract top "younger" talent without having to compete with O&G rates.

I'm not one to be all about workplace equality or anything that has to do with affirmative action, but over the course of my career, I will admit that unless the company is appointed a strategic leader by its majority stakeholder (i.e. single benefactor and or a venture capital firm), most O&G organizations are front-ended and successors appointed to tall white boomer patriarchy. For me this reason alone, much like the Republican party, is what stalls progressiveness in culture and innovation in O&G, especifically with Canadian O&G.

[ExtraSlow]

Oil and gas can't even get white male privilege right. As beyond.ca member have proven.

[SKR]

For example, do we really need 20+ different companies developing the Montney or could it be done more efficiently with several larger organizations?

I would hate that. When Crescent Point was running SE SK it was a fucking nightmare to try to work there.

[nicknolte]

The lack of upward mobility really sucks, but its not like any of the big non-O&G companies or government are a bastion of high compensation or upward mobility right now. The "Big Oil" companies (except for CNRL) are still the best, highest quality employment in this city right now if you can get in (or back in)

This is coming from someone that was out of the industry in 2015 and moved to a non-O&G company, and recently went back to O&G last year. I know a few other former colleagues who tried leaving O&G to a variety of other big Calgary companies (City, WestJet, Shaw, ATB, etc) in 2015-16, but ended up going back to "Big Oil" last year.

The great crew change isn't coming anytime soon and the best quality employment is outside of Alberta.

[ExtraSlow]

And cnrl honestly isn't that bad, comparatively. That's overblown.

[r3ccOs]

The lack of upward mobility really sucks, but its not like any of the big non-O&G companies or government are a bastion of high compensation or upward mobility right now. The "Big Oil" companies (except for CNRL) are still the best, highest quality employment in this city right now if you can get in (or back in)

This is coming from someone that was out of the industry in 2015 and moved to a non-O&G company, and recently went back to O&G last year. I know a few other former colleagues who tried leaving O&G to a variety of other big Calgary companies (City, WestJet, Shaw, ATB, etc) in 2015-16, but ended up going back to "Big Oil" last year.

The great crew change isn't coming anytime soon and the best quality employment is outside of Alberta.

If you are engaged on Capitally driven projects... O&G is for you definitely, and especially lucrative if you contract.

[msommers]

And cnrl honestly isn't that bad, comparatively. That's overblown.

I agree.

[JDMMAN]

r3ccOs - lucrative is only relative; day rates have fallen significantly for all contractors of all disciplines.

In the field of PSCM, many are asking for Sr.Manager level experience, but paying less than 1/2 the hourly rate Sr. Specialists used to be paid. It's definitely a race to the bottom still.

[ExtraSlow]

Many oil and gas related occupations were seeing quite a bubble in pay a few years ago. No surprise that most occupations have seen a correction.

[schurchill39]

If you are engaged on Capitally driven projects... O&G is for you definitely, and especially lucrative if you contract.

I'm contract, when does it become lucrative?

[ExtraSlow]

I think these days contracting is actually less lucrative then employee positions. Base pay close to equal, but no benefits, unpaid vacations, and lots of unpaid time off between contracts seems to be the norm now.

[CompletelyNumb]

I think these days contracting is actually less lucrative then employee positions. Base pay close to equal, but no benefits, unpaid vacations, and lots of unpaid time off between contracts seems to be the norm now.

Can confirm.

[mrsingh]

I think these days contracting is actually less lucrative then employee positions. Base pay close to equal, but no benefits, unpaid vacations, and lots of unpaid time off between contracts seems to be the norm now.

I hear this from all the contractors who work for me; and when you look at their rates, they are less than half of what they were four years ago. As an employee, I faced pay freezes and reduced bonuses/stock, but was fortunate to not take any base pay cuts (producer).

[ExtraSlow]

Anyone who didn't take a cut to base pay is doing great! Congratulations.

[mrsingh]

Anyone who didn't take a cut to base pay is doing great! Congratulations.

Definitely was one of the lucky ones. That being said; I had to change functions/roles and switch back over to site based roles from my cushy downtown gig.

As for the future of the industry; it is a tough call for us mid career level guys, there are still quite a few ahead who seem to be holding onto their roles longer.

[ExtraSlow]

Hey, off topic, but this thread probably has all the people who might be able to help me. Anyone on beyond a reservoir engineer or an expert on DFITs? Like pre-frac injection tests? killramos? mr2mike? schurchill39?

Have some questions about theory to discuss.

[killramos]

DFITS are fickle, their utility depends what you are trying to get out of them and you need to be realistic. A lot of the old assumptions around them are near worthless when the formation is Nano Darcy tight. I essentially don’t believe anything from a DFIT in a tight formation aside from SHMin for completions model calibration, and extrapolated reservoir pressure. And the reservoir pressure is a MAYBE.

I’m far far far from an expert on them though sorry. Just someone who has been burned too many times by people who promise the moon in terms of interpretation and understanding from a test and in reality have no clue what’s going on.

[ExtraSlow]

I have my own opinions, but they are quite uneducated on this topic. Honestly, it feels like on all sides of this debate, everyone is more concerned with what they can sell than being right or doing right.

[black300]

I am currently in DT for a large O&G company as a contractor, been here for almost 8 years. But change is coming, they are getting rid of contractors weekly. I am starting to look at other options at the moment. Anyone know of openings in O&G (Accounting/Cost Controller) worked with operations.

[schurchill39]

In the recent years most DFITs are preformed as part of a board requirement and we're seeing less and less useful data from properly performed mini fracs, DFITs, or step rate tests. Also as it's not a common place anymore were losing lots of the expertise on it in the general completions or frac world. I emailed you an article from one of my go to guys on anything reservoir related and he's one of two people I would trust with analyzing data for me in high stakes cases. I forwarded you his contact info as well as he's a great dude to talk technical with (he's also a subject matter expert with many papers to his name on it).

[mr2mike]

Hey, off topic, but this thread probably has all the people who might be able to help me. Anyone on beyond a reservoir engineer or an expert on DFITs? Like pre-frac injection tests? killramos? mr2mike? schurchill39?
As if the company I work for pays for these science experiements you speak of. ;)

[ExtraSlow]

In the recent years most DFITs are preformed as part of a board requirement and we're seeing less and less useful data from properly performed mini fracs, DFITs, or step rate tests. Also as it's not a common place anymore were losing lots of the expertise on it in the general completions or frac world. I emailed you an article from one of my go to guys on anything reservoir related and he's one of two people I would trust with analyzing data for me in high stakes cases. I forwarded you his contact info as well as he's a great dude to talk technical with (he's also a subject matter expert with many papers to his name on it).

Now, I know we're mostly all in Calgary, but does anyone know if other jurisdictions have any regulatory requirement for DFITs? Like texas, for example?

[austic]

And cnrl honestly isn't that bad, comparatively. That's overblown.
disagree whole heartedly. From Devon to CNRL it was like heaven to hell.

[ExtraSlow]

disagree whole heartedly. From Devon to CNRL it was like heaven to hell.
There's a bunch of beyonders who made that transition. We should have a meetup.

[finboy]

disagree whole heartedly. From Devon to CNRL it was like heaven to hell.

A buddy of mine echoed similar sentiments, sounds like Devon people he knows are continually streaming out to other opportunities

[ExtraSlow]

A buddy of mine echoed similar sentiments, sounds like Devon people he knows are continually streaming out to other opportunities
For sure, but that just means it's different. Lots of Devon people were coddled babies. Or at least I was.

[never]

For sure, but that just means it's different. Lots of Devon people were coddled babies. Or at least I was.

Yeah, I know a couple of long term CNRL folks and they seem happy with the company.

[ExtraSlow]

The great crew change is hitting other "heavy" industries like mining:
https://www.mining.com/over-79000-jobs-in-canadian-mining-industry-need-to-be-filled-over-next-decade-report/

[Supa Dexta]

With the avg age of a farmer being 55 nowadays, it's also gonna hit there.

[bjstare]

With the avg age of a farmer being 55 nowadays, it's also gonna hit there.

Yeah in like 25 years, when they reach the age at which normal farmers start to slow down their pace.

[Supa Dexta]

No, most 'farmers' are actually already at that age.. But canada is including all these new age hippies with a goat, 4 chickens and a llama as 'new farmers', which is skewing the numbers. The actual productive farmers are much older.

[dimi]

CNRL has always been a relatively lean and very well managed operation. I say relatively, because you could still take a long lunch, 2 coffee breaks and get your work done stress free. I actually thought the pace was kind of slow, hence why I left. Having chatted with some acquaintances that used to work at Devon, I’m not even sure what they actually did all day.

[msommers]

I've heard the biggest complaint is lack of gym lol

[ExtraSlow]

I've heard the biggest complaint is lack of gym lol

Classic.

[killramos]

Was Devon unionized or something?

[ExtraSlow]

Was Devon unionized or something?

Funny enough, UniFor is doing a union drive at Devon Jackfish right now. I think the results of the vote are coming out in the next couple of weeks.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/union-busting-cnrl-1.5342808

[ExtraSlow]

The great crew change is hitting other "heavy" industries like mining:
https://www.mining.com/over-79000-jobs-in-canadian-mining-industry-need-to-be-filled-over-next-decade-report/

Similar issues in Construction industry:
https://www.on-sitemag.com/labour/mind-the-gap-construction-industry-needs-to-recruit-307000-workers-over-next-decade/1003966847/

Need some coronavirus to speed this us . . . lol. Or is that in poor taste?

[Misterman]

I think these days contracting is actually less lucrative then employee positions. Base pay close to equal, but no benefits, unpaid vacations, and lots of unpaid time off between contracts seems to be the norm now.

It really depends. A lot of people consider themselves a contractor, even though they get a T4 from the company they contract through. So they are actually just employees, without any of the security and benefits of being an employee.

For actual contractors, you basically need to be earning like 50% more on your hourly, by comparison to a T4 employee for it to be even/lucrative. Once you factor the vacation pay, benefits, pension. Personally I am WAY more lucrative as a contractor. But that's not the norm, as projects continue to be cancelled, contractors will struggle more and more. Only those of us with great networks and reputation will continue to find lucrative gigs. And even though I expect myself to do well contracting in the future, I'm just getting sick of the grind and looking to settle into another employee gig where I can waste away until I die or get rich at something else.


As for the umbrella of this thread, I get the impression a lot of people's idea of O&G is just the small part of it that is drilling. As someone who has been in O&G for 20 years, I've never set foot on a drill rig.




disagree whole heartedly. From Devon to CNRL it was like heaven to hell.

Same thing I've heard from my connections working there. Also at Albian Sands when they made the switch.

But in context of the entire industry, you're at a solid company that isn't going anywhere, and have more security than just about anywhere else. If CNRL offered me a job at a camp site, I'd be signed up in a heart beat. Finally be moved to BC and enjoying my time off.

[ExtraSlow]

Super Necro-bump, still sort relevant to demographics in the oil and gas industry.
I had a former co-worker reach out to me to see if I had any pipeline into new-grad engineers. He's at a pretty small place, but they need "two or three right away." So yeah, if anyone knows junior or new grad engineers or eng techs who are interested in an opportunity, reach out. Would be fully WFW job, in Calgary with maybe some field.

[JfuckinC]

Steam welders, very hard to come by. Construction crews all together right now. They're just not getting young guys coming up to work like they used to i guess.

Also finding good drafters, lots left the industry last time it slowed down and don't wanna come back.

[vengie]

Electrical
Instrumentation
PLC Programming
Etc...

Very hard to find.
No one is entering trades anymore, and the really good ones command an insane premium or head south of the border.
I have many roles I am hiring for and can't find anyone decent.

Perhaps I will start an electrical apprenticeship and program PLC's...

Wild times.

[suntan]

Not surprising considering how hostile the current federal gov't is towards O&G.

[mr2mike]

But I haven't seen salaries rise to attract more either.
Companies are pretty frugal on salaries but great at giving you an internal promotion of 2 job per 1 salary.

[killramos]

2 jobs for one salary?

Sounds like some kind of country club

[pheoxs]

Electrical
Instrumentation
PLC Programming
Etc...

Very hard to find.
No one is entering trades anymore, and the really good ones command an insane premium or head south of the border.
I have many roles I am hiring for and can't find anyone decent.

Perhaps I will start an electrical apprenticeship and program PLC's...

Wild times.

Yeah, it’s great being in industrial automation at the moment. Pretty frequently get contacted by recruiters always asking if I’m ready to jump ship yet in mostly respectful ways. Nearly everyone I know has shuffled to new companies in the last couple years and moved forward. It’s not blistering hot but it’s always in a solid demand as companies realize the cost savings that comes with improved controls; especially so in the advanced analytics space now. It’s crazy what we we’re doing in the reliability space with machine learning.

[benyl]

2 jobs for one salary?

Sounds like some kind of country club

It's how you stay after 6pm.

[mr2mike]

I'm so burnt out to even complain.

[killramos]

I'm so burnt out to even complain.

“Here have a third job to boost your engagement”

[ExtraSlow]

Automation and controls is a great field. Even pretty basic electrical skills can be turned that direction.

[bjstare]

“Here have a third job to boost your engagement”

That's kind of like mine. But my third job is to boost others engagement.

[vengie]

“Here have a third job to boost your engagement”

I feel this.

What is the level past burnt out but you keep grinding anyway?

[mr2mike]

Stockholm Syndrome.

[killramos]

I feel this.

What is the level past burnt out but you keep grinding anyway?

Golden handcuffs?

[bjstare]

I feel this.

What is the level past burnt out but you keep grinding anyway?

"I like nice stuff, and I need money to get that stuff. Grind = money."

edit:

Golden handcuffs?

Something like this.

[JfuckinC]

Golden handcuffs?

i feel like you need a nice lump sum payment and a guaranteed contract for this to be applicable no?

[killramos]

i feel like you need a nice lump sum payment and a guaranteed contract for this to be applicable no?

There are lots of kinds of golden hancuffs

[Nufy]

Automation and controls is a great field. Even pretty basic electrical skills can be turned that direction.

Of the 5 major companies that I deal with for that stuff...all are actively hiring.

[JfuckinC]

There are lots of kinds of golden hancuffs

my wife only lets me wear the fuzzy ones..

[KrisYYC]

The wife works in HR for a large Oil and Gas producer and she says they're hiring like crazy for literally every position. Corporate, Engineering, Field, everything. Lots of retirements coming in the field especially.

[msommers]

What is the level past burnt out but you keep grinding anyway?

Working in finance with a cocaine addiction.

Entering in O&G these days is a dance with the devil: you know you're going to get burned but no idea when or why. Thank God for the LinkedIn circle jerk.

113149

[besillltree]

I can only agree with the above statements. But I'm thinking, what else are capable of doing the people who have worked all their lives extracting oil? Where else can they get hired for decent salaries?
My family and I recently moved from Canada to the USA and it was difficult for me to find a job, even though I am in my 30s.
Finding a job is a full-time job itself.
I had to learn how to properly search for a job, to analyze some laws, as mentioned in this page (https://bizop.org/usa-jobs/), and only then did I started receiving answers to my job applications.

[ExtraSlow]

Depends a lot on your role in the industry. Field and trades are very short staffed. Office jobs, the situation is more nuanced.

[tonytiger55]

Depends a lot on your role in the industry. Field and trades are very short staffed. Office jobs, the situation is more nuanced.

Just picking up on the trade issue. Minimum wage plays a huge role if a senior wants to take on a apprentice. I was talking to a mechanic about this, the pay, the amount of work he has to do and the lack of work ethic has put him off taking anyone on.
I have heard this from other trades too.

[schurchill39]

Unless you're already in O&G I would not recommend it to any new grads or people wanting to switch industries unless their skillset is transferable like environmental consulting, power generation, instrumentation, heavy duty mechanic etc. Mostly because you're fucked if you ever want to get out. A few years ago I was actively seeking to make a career switch but 9/10 places would not even consider anyone with oil and gas experience because "you're just going to jump ship when the industry picks back up". The only opportunities that were looking at O&G people were shoulder industries like environmental clean ups of industrial sites or new tech based on O&G tech.

In 2015 when the company I was working for gave everyone they didn't lay off a 10% + 33% salary roll back and cut back hours I couldn't even get a job driving a gravel truck on a part time basis. The gig was was only going to last for a few months as they were building the base of a new subdivision. The recruiter actually told me "sorry we don't hire oil and gas people". They never did fill that role.

That being said, for someone who has spent their whole career in O&G there are finally opportunities popping up and as mentioned there is a huge wave of retirements coming up in the next few years. All the young guns better be soaking up as much knowledge as they can.

[ExtraSlow]

Yeah if you are already in oil and gas it's looking good especially if you are above average in some specific way. Opportunity for advancement truly seems to be real now.

[vengie]

Very much agreed on the last two.

[killramos]

How does “advancement” relate to fat stacks?

[vengie]

Those are not always mutually exclusive

[killramos]

Those are not always mutually exclusive

Sounds massively overrated.

[vengie]

Maybe there is something to this whole union thing.... :rocket:

[max_boost]

I know a guy who was in OG but left and killing it as a realtor now :D

[vengie]

I have morals.

[Disoblige]

Cmon old ppl. Retire already. Old boys club need to die asap.

[ExtraSlow]

not enough old people getting hit by busses.

[brucebanner]

Cmon old ppl. Retire already. Old boys club need to die asap.

Old guys club, new guys club.

Same same.

[msommers]

Cmon old ppl. Retire already. Old boys club need to die asap.

Feels like the great wave of retirees and a huge hole in O&G to fill has been a towline I've heard for...honestly 20 years.

[mr2mike]

Society doesn't know how to retire anymore. It's not always a money thing.

[killramos]

That and the cushy well paid O&G head office fluff jobs that used to employ 3/4 of town have been hacked and slashed to death.

The fact of the matter is O&G requires far fewer humans than it did per boe 20 years. Instrumentation, technology, and automation improvements have allowed way fewer people to wear way more hats.

Those that are still in the game do pretty well, but the days of bloated producers directly employing hundreds of people per thousand boe/d are gone. Lots of producers make due with low single digits of staff per thousand boe actually.

[bjstare]

Society doesn't know how to retire anymore. It's not always a money thing.

It’s not that they don’t know how, there just isn’t a desire (or at least that’s the case in my small sample size). My dad and my FIL could have both easily retired in their mid 50s from a financial perspective, but well into their 60s, neither of them has any desire to stop working. That being said, they both work in advisory/leadership positions and dictate their own hours.

[max_boost]

Society doesn't know how to retire anymore. It's not always a money thing.

Retiring and doing nothing is no good. It’s important to keep busy and if the $$ keeps coming in, mega bonus but the downside is it keeps the next Gen in the minors. Beyond can always use more ballers aha

[ThePenIsMightier]

The entire philosophy of retirement in our culture is fucked.
"Spend five 7ths of your waking life working for >40 straight years. Then, pick a Friday and drop it to zero, overnight."

That's regard.

[whoreads]

1,500 layoffs just announced at Suncor.

[riander5]

Yeah if you are already in oil and gas it's looking good especially if you are above average in some specific way. Opportunity for advancement truly seems to be real now.

I'm above average in BMI.

Nintendo WII told me so.

Bring on the money!

- - - Updated - - -


1,500 layoffs just announced at Suncor.

How many people does that funkin place still employ?