THE FUTURE OF OIL AND GAS WORKERS
While consumers worldwide rejoice when the oil price goes down, oil and gas workers suffer in great extent.
Many expats are laid off, companies are bought out, and workers’ pay checks are cut down. The question now would be – as OFWs working in the field, where are we heading?
I have been in the oil and gas industry for nearly a decade and I personally experience the fluctuations and the high volatility of the market, where and when it sneezes, and the whole world agonizes. The long term effects of this oscillating price would be detrimental to the future of the current workers. That means more retrenchments, more rigs to be scrapped, and a number of smaller companies being dissolved or acquired.
In spite of this instability plus the hounding risks and hazards present, many still want to be in the industry. Working here would expose anyone to numerous hazards such as hydrocarbons, chemicals, mechanical, electrical, and environmental that have both direct and indirect effects to the health of the workers, if not carefully mitigated. But then again, many are still interested and passionate to embark in this coveted top ten earning job in the world.
It is simply because of the pay scale. Entry level workers earn not less than Php 100,000.00, while senior level earn an average of Php 400,000.00 to Php 600,000.00 a month, which is somewhat closer to the coffers of airline pilots.
Petroleum engineers, for example, depending on the seniority level and expertise can earn higher than the figures I mentioned. But the reality now is so harsh. So mean that we cannot measure how painful it would be to experience the downturn of the oil industry.
No sugar coating – the industry has been suffering since 2015! But up to when it would suffer and how long would we endure the pain? I have friends and colleagues losing their jobs; fortunately, some are now engaged in new projects, while others’ fate remained unknown.
As we are nearing the end of 2018, another issue is on the way. Though the oil price seemed to recover this year, reaching 74.33 USD per barrel in October, the oil price last Christmas day was 42.53 USD per barrel. It bounced to 46.22 USD and dipped slightly again a day after. Another uncertainty for 2019.
How about the future of our petroleum engineering students? I have been saying this again and again, and I must say it again – don’t lose hope. Yes, it is a cyclical trend. But the demand for oil is still high. Remember, the world is being run by oil. From transportation to medicine, and to what we wear, and so on, all these come from oil.
Students, equip yourself more, take one step at a time. Study. Take post graduate courses, and focus on your specialization, get trained, certified, and don’t forget to take chances – as long as it would improve your professional experience and your total professional packaging.
For us who are still in the industry, let’s just hold on to our grip. We can surpass all of these as they test us to the core. What I realized is for us to be more steadfast, hopeful, and faithful to what we believe in, while navigating opportunities that are readily available around us.
All of these questions are hard to answer, but sooner or later, we will experience better days for all of us where we are free from sleepless nights and depressive thoughts.
As a cliché goes, “there is sunshine after the rain.” I am sure of it and I believe in that. After all, what is important is we don’t lose hope in everything. And in everything, we are determined and strong to endure.