Rigzone's Most Viewed Careers Stories of 2016

Rigzone's Most Viewed Careers Stories of 2016
We compiled the most viewed careers stories by our staff this year.

By and large, 2016 was another eventful and challenging year for the oil and gas industry. From global job cuts to early signs of a recovery, here’s a look back at the top 15 most viewed careers articles* (ranked from 15 to 1, with 1 being the most viewed story) by Rigzone staff** this year.

15. GE Oil & Gas: Industry Must Take Lessons From Uber to Attract New Talent

If you’ve done any kind of traveling recently, chances are you’ve used or at least heard of Uber, the online transportation network that allows users to hire a driver on-demand. Well, a GE Oil and Gas executive told attendees at the company’s 17th annual meeting in Florence that the oil and gas industry would need to offer young graduates a great user experience, like Uber, in order to attract them to the workforce.  

14. Merger Will See 10,000 Jobs Cut at Shell, BG

In a $53 billion deal, Royal Dutch Shell plc acquired BG Group plc Feb. 15. As a result of the merger, a total of 10,000 jobs were lost from both companies. 

13. BLOG: Majority of Oil, Gas Workers Unhappy with Current Employment

Rigzone was able to learn sentiments of many oil and gas workers through a series of Twitter polls this year. An October poll found that two-thirds of poll respondents (65 percent) were unhappy with their current oil and gas employment. While 28 percent of respondents expressed they aren’t happy, but were at some point, 37 percent said they weren’t at all happy with their oil and gas employment.

12. Five Jobs Set to Grow in Oil, Gas: Decommissioning

With a particularly attractive market for decommissioning in the North Sea, Rigzone highlighted decommissioning as one of five jobs set to grow in the oil and gas industry. The low oil price environment and older platforms are key drivers for decommissioning activity on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS).   

11. Houston’s Oil Industry Eyes Recovery, Job Creation

A known energy hub, Houston has been one of the cities hardest hit during the industry downturn. After inching toward $54 oil, a price several energy analysts believe will allow for more E&P activity and hiring, Houston was offering signs of an early recovery.

10. Offshore Driller Ensco Lays Off 350 Workers in Houston

In what seemed to be a familiar story for the industry, another offshore company conducted a mass layoff. The May announcement by London-based Ensco Offshore Co. saw a loss of 350 Gulf of Mexico workers after the company stacked three of its ultra deepwater drillships and one semisubmersible.

9. Oil, Gas Automation Sector Suffering from Skills Shortage

It may come as a shock to many, but the industry is still vocal about its challenge in finding skilled labor. In this case, the automation sector, known for its complexities, will suffer from retirements and the “do more with less” approach, according to Honeywell Process Solutions president Vimal Kapur. 

8. Passive Aggressive Behaviors to Avoid at Work

In this video featuring two of Rigzone’s editors, one of the most frustrating behaviors in the workplace is addressed: passive aggressive behaviors. Identifying the behaviors is one thing; dealing with them from coworkers and managers is another. This feature explores how to handle both.   

7. Petroplan Chief: Thousands of Jobs Heading to Mozambique

With so many layoff announcements, any mention of job creation in the industry is welcome news. Andrew Speers, CEO of oil and gas recruitment firm Petroplan, said Mozambique will see a surge in employment over the next few years, partly due to the country’s decision to award six oil and gas exploration licenses. They can potentially bring $700 million in investments to 2020.   

6. Three Reasons You Didn’t Get the Job

While you can feverishly prep yourself for a job interview, sometimes the reason you don’t get the job is simply out of your control. This video explores three surprisingly common reasons hiring managers pass on job candidates.

5. Five Jobs Set to Grow in Oil, Gas

This feature highlights two growth areas in the industry: jobs associated with the Internet of Things and Big Data. Based around new technological advances and innovation, these jobs will be great for younger workers with graduate degrees that have a strong understanding of analytical processes.

4. Why Oil, Gas is Still a Great Industry to Be In

Despite the continuing industry challenges that come from a depressed oil price environment, the oil and gas industry still holds promise. This video explores three reasons why oil and gas is still a good industry for workers – now and in the future.

3. Increased Automation to Create New Roles in Oil, Gas

There’s no question that automation will play a significant role in oil and gas during its recovery. And according to sources in this story, it won’t replace the need for workers. Rather, automation will unlock new opportunities for jobs in the sector.

2. BLOG: $70 Brent Would See Mass Recruitment Drive in Oil, Gas

With oil prices bottoming out in first quarter of this year, it may be hard to imagine oil at $70 per barrel. But according to a Rigzone poll conducted via Twitter, one third of respondents believe $70 Brent is the magic number to jumpstart massive recruitment in the industry.

1. 2016 Outlook: Oil, Gas Industry Has a Tough Year Ahead        

This piece, published in early January, took a look at the year ahead, forecasting challenges the oil and gas industry would face. While the overall sentiment was one to expect a tough year, many are optimistic that the toughest roads are behind us – here’s to an upward trajectory in 2017!

*Rankings as of Dec. 8

*This list excludes stories related to our recent Ideal Employer Survey. To read those stories and learn more about Rigzone’s Ideal Employer Survey, click here.



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