The Work Continues  

The questions continue.  How will the oil spill affect hiring and employment for the industry?  Which capabilities will see an increase in demand, which a decline?  What will the market be for new graduates and for the experienced professional?  No one can predict the precise outcome for every segment of the industry nor for every individual; however, reasonable predictions can be made about future job markets.

First things first: industry focus must be on the clean-up and restoration of the Gulf as well as regaining the trust and confidence of the people we serve.  The great news is the Gulf of Mexico IS big, nature IS resilient, and WE have the brightest minds in the world in our industry.  Therefore, balance and order will be restored to the Gulf. 

In the meantime, we predict that changes resulting from lessons learned will be a catalyst for industry growth as more expertise will be needed in different areas.  The new "centers of activity" that will boost growth and increase hiring demands going forward will include:

Clean up

The Gulf clean up will require many hands and various skill sets for years to come.  Requirements will cover a broad range of talent from HAZMAT experts to a variety of biologists with varying expertise such as marsh land, marine life or microbiology, and waste management experts.

Post-clean up

Once the immediate clean-up process is complete, long-term effects need to be observed and counter-measured where necessary.  This will require biology, marine technology, and toxicology experts.

Preventing loss of lives and future spills

Increased regulation aimed at preventing future spills and loss of life will affect the entire industry.  Drilling, completion, production, and operations professionals with the knowledge and experience to produce oil and gas safely will remain in high demand.  Furthermore, better and safer design will be critical to the industry's future, placing mechanical, electrical, structural, and other QA/QC professionals in the "most wanted" category. 

Natural Resource Conservation

We don't deny that, when handled improperly, drilling for hydrocarbons can seriously damage the environment.  Many of us who work in this industry also live and raise our families within the Gulf coast community.  We too do not want the waters polluted or the land destroyed.  To that end, expect to see more companies employ biologists and natural scientists to fully participate in the planning of exploration and development projects to prevent damage as well as evaluate reaction plans in case of an emergency. 

Alternative energy

It is a fact that our country must develop new sources of energy.  Our industry's current role as the lead energy provider gives us a distinct advantage in maintaining a similar role in the development of alternative energy.  As we embrace the synergy between alternative energy and hydrocarbons, we will be in the forefront of the development of a major plan that will incorporate all resources in answer to our global needs.  Engineers with an interest and expertise in infrastructure and power will see rewards. 

By conquering the challenges and engaging in the change we will make our industry and our country better.

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Talent Pool

The following biographies are just a small sampling of the kind of talent available in our talent pool of over 19,000 experts.  Please call our placement managers if you are interested in learning more about these professionals, or check out our website for more candidates.

Geophysicist with a bachelor's degree in geophysics and more than 25 years experience in large and small oil and gas companies. Experienced in prospect generation, exploration, and development, which include seismic interpretation, mapping, AVO studies, reserve evaluation, field acquisition, volume purchase agreement negotiations, and strong subsalt experience. Additional experience includes the generation of offshore prospects for lease sales resulting in discovery of new gas fields, and creating sales presentations to partners. Geographic areas worked include the Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi Gulf coast areas; and the Gulf of Mexico shelf and deepwater areas. Computer skills include SMT, GeoQuest, IESX, Landmark, Zycor, GeoViz, Hampson-Russell, GDC MOD, and SAAM-Rose economic software. Registered Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists and member of AAPG, SEG, HGS, GSH, and DGS.  Ask for GP1086.

Geoscientist with a master's degree in geology and over 30 years working for major and independent oil and gas companies and service companies. Experienced in geophysics, petrophysics, land, economics, well site supervision, and engineering. Additionally experienced in diverse exploration and development, working unconventional, clastic and carbonate reservoirs in over ten basins. Geographic areas worked include California, Kentucky, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Texas. Software proficiency includes OpenWorks, PetroWorks, SeisWorks, StratWorks, OpenExplorer, Petra, SpecDecompSyntool, TDQ, Wellbore Planner, Z-MAP, SmartSection, DepthTeam , PostStack/PAL, and SpotFire.  Ask for G2020.  

Licensed Attorney with 21 years of experience working for midsize and small independent oil and gas companies. Experienced in insurance, indemnities, risk, ethics requirements, negotiating, administrating, and providing dispute resolution of commercial transactions, and mergers and acquisitions. Additionally experienced in production sharing agreements, lease agreements, service agreements, petroleum licenses, operating agreements, farm-ins and farm-outs, joint venture agreements, production handling agreements, crude, NGL and natural gas marketing, transportation arrangements, confidentiality agreements, joint bidding agreements, and employment agreements. Geographic areas worked include the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, Texas, Albania, Australia, Canada, Central America, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Libya, North Sea, South America, and Yemen.  Ask for L108.

Reservoir Engineer with a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering and 30 years of experience working for a large independent oil and gas company. Experienced in reserves analysis, cash flow analysis, risk analysis, portfolio management, waterflood design and execution, and exploration project support. Geographic areas worked include the Gulf of Mexico shelf and deepwater, Texas, Louisiana, and the Appalachian basin. Software proficiency in Peep, OFM, ECLIPSE, F.A.S.T. RTA, WEM, PETRA, Pete Rose, Gemini Systems Simulation Suite, and SAPHIR.  Ask for R975.

Drilling Engineer with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and 30 years of experience working for independent oil and gas companies and as a consultant. Experienced in deepwater design and operations, workovers, HPHT drilling, ERD, and high-angle directional drilling. Geographic areas worked include California, Texas, Louisiana, the Rocky Mountains, the Gulf of Mexico, Venezuela, West Africa, Brazil, Canada, and the Gulf of Thailand.  Ask for D449.

Sales Manager with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and 30 years of experience in the application of packaged equipment and systems to the oil and gas industry. Expert in the sale and service of packaged systems and equipment including electric motors, gas/diesel engines, gas/steam turbines and control systems. Experienced in marketing, sales, and manufacturing in the U.S., Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina, and Peru.  Language fluency in English and Spanish, and reading and speaking proficiency in German.  Ask for SM365.

At a time when the U.S. is searching for ways to overcome its dependence on imported energy sources, the "natural gas revolution" holds promise as a viable alternative.  Despite the moratorium on deepwater drilling shale activities continue and as the industry awaits revised federal regulations for offshore exploration and production, the excitement in U.S. gas shale plays continues on an upward trend.  This "game changer" is referred to in the Wall Street Journal as the "shale gale", and the Commonwealth Foundation describes it as "the modern day gold rush".   This enthusiasm evokes memories of a century earlier where wildcatters discovered fields in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Texas, and men and equipment risked it all to "bring 'er in".  But unlike those pioneers, recent technological advances in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have resulted in the "bonanza at Barnett", "hallelujah at Haynesville", the "miracle of Marcellus", and the "excitement at Eagle Ford", to name just a few, which is reflected in overall industry optimism and economic growth gas shale extraction has had on these areas. 

With this predicted abundance of natural gas there is the potential to provide residential, commercial, manufacturing and power generation markets with a long term supply of clean burning, reliable energy source. 

According to the Energy Information Administration, by 2035, shale gas is expected to provide 24 percent of the total U.S. gas production.  With the majority of gas production occurring in the Northeast, Gulf Coast and Midcontinent states, subsequent direct and indirect employment growth is expected to support this activity.  But the real opportunities may lie with the potential economic impact on communities where shale extraction occurs.  State and local coffers are poised to recognize substantial revenues directly from severance and ad valorem taxes, and indirectly from increased local economic activity.   

The need for geotechnical and subsurface talent is obvious, however, since many of the shale plays are located in rural areas lacking infrastructure, supportive roles are also primed for growth.  Among these necessary roles are:

• Facilities Engineers responsible for the design, installation, construction, and day-to-day operations and maintenance of surface facilities including water sourcing, gas gathering, wastewater treatment, and storage systems

• Pipeline Engineers for the design and construction of new or converted pipeline infrastructure, pipeline maintenance, and gas transportation

• Project Managers responsible for overseeing multiple projects simultaneously, developing project scopes, schedules,  cost estimates, reports, and coordinating project activities  including the engineering, ROW, title, permitting, and route development 

• Environmental Engineers with expertise in monitoring and permitting for air, water, ground, and noise considerations in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations 

• Additional support staff including landmen, supply chain, fabricators, welders, gas and measurement technicians, pumpers, inspectors, and management staff

But don't start celebrating just yet!  This gas rush is not without controversy.  The primary stimulation method, hydraulic fracturing, is being highly scrutinized by state and federal regulators and fervent environmentalists fearing the contamination of ground water reservoirs by the chemicals used in fracturing fluids.   At the other end of the spectrum are local, state and federal governments poised to change their current tax structure and reap their "fair share".  Taken to excess, companies will need to reassess project feasibility, potential, and return on investment.  In short, if new regulations and taxation become disproportional, these communities run the risk of killing the fabled "goose that laid the golden egg".   

About Us

Connecting the Industry's Experts...

Collarini Energy Staffing Inc. is a full-service agency specializing in the placement of energy and EPC personnel and including the disciplines listed below (other supporting personnel are managed upon request):

Collarini Career Management applies its deep understanding of the career paths of technical professionals in the E&P and EPC communities to help companies and professionals build successful organizations and careers. We leverage Collarini's unique combination of industry knowledge and technical expertise to guide companies and individuals during transition, training existing employees for high performance, and designing customized technical training plans for companies and individuals.

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10497 Town and Country Way, Suite 950 Houston, Texas 77024 832.251.0553