Interview with Lane Sloan

Talent & Technology Interview A conversation with Lane Sloan, Director, Strategic Energy Alliance, University of Houston.

Drawing Some Conclusions From the Work of the World’s First Business Task Force on Climate Change

Executive Perspective Running a big company is not as complicated as you might think. There are only a few things you have to do, but high on the list is the ability to identify significant business risks and to decide how they will be mitigated. No doubt scientists will continue to argue for years to come about the scale and intensity of climate change and about the part in this process that human activity is playing. But one thing is certain, climate change presents a significant and immediate risk, not just to business but to the way we conduct our lives, and to the kind of world that we will leave to our children and our grandchildren.

Solutions to the Recruitment and Retention Challenges

Feature The oil and gas industry is seeing dynamic changes in its workforce, and in Ernst & Young's report on Strategic Business Risks for Oil and Gas in 2008, workforce issues were identified as the number one risk. Changes in the workforce include an aging global population with many experienced employees having recently retired or planning to in the near-term, a geographic shift in where employees are needed, and fewer new engineers seeking jobs in the industry.

Using Academies To Build the Talent Pool

The Long View How do oil companies compete for the short supply of technical talent? Is there another approach to attract and develop the necessary skills across the globe to fill the expanding void of engineers?

Interview with Craig Hodges

Talent & Technology Interview A conversation with Craig Hodges, Director, Oil & Gas Industry, Microsoft.

Executive Education for Oil and Gas Professionals

Feature The current prospect for the petroleum industry is a future in which the big crew change retires experienced professionals without qualified workers to replace them. A lack of experienced personnel could cost the industry as much as USD 35 billion per year. To some extent, the problem has been alleviated by the rise in the number of petroleum engineering students in recent years.

The Emerging Talent Pool in Russia

Feature Russia has a long, proud tradition as an oil and gas producing country, with production being won from some of the most inhospitable and remote places on earth. Oil and gas developments of the past, present, and the future in Russia often have and will be achieved against overwhelming odds by a Russian industry rich in resilience, talent, innovation, and capability.

The Value of Standardization

Feature Standardization of data and information exchange is one of the most problematic, yet potentially highest value, issues facing the upstream oil and gas industry. Given the industry's current strong market position, it has never been in a better position to take advantage of open standards adoption and deployment to enhance the industry's key business drivers.

The Necessity of Government and Industry Working Together

Executive Perspective "Resources are abundant, professionalism is high, and technology is there. Combine the three, add the necessary element of conducive government policy, and we will see great delivery."

Retaining Women in the Oil and Gas Industry

Feature One can draw several conclusions from the results of this informal survey: Work/life balance is a huge issue for everyone. Flexible working arrangements including part-time work and telecommuting will help retain people of all ages. While childcare benefits are of interest to only a fraction of the workforce, for that fraction, they can be the deciding factor. The same types of flexible work policies and on-site daycare or childcare support that will help to retain young women will also help to retain young men. Often women are the primary breadwinners and/or healthcare benefit providers for their families and do not have the luxury of working less than full time. The key is flexibility to create a win-win situation for worker and employer.