UK faces fracking skills shortage
17 Feb 2014
The UK fracking industry could be marred by a lack of relevant skills and equipment, according to a new study.
A survey of 1,000 industry representatives by recruitment company Oil and Gas People found that 62% of those asked were concerned that the government’s decision to implement hydraulic fracturing (fracking) across the UK will lose impetus unless more staff are trained and equipment invested in.
According to those surveyed, the government’s push for widespread shale extraction in the UK will only serve to increase competition for qualified staff and, as a consequence, put pressure on staffing levels across the oil and gas industry.
The government needs to realise that, without the workforce, shale gas projects will not go ahead
Oil & Gas People CEO Kevin Forbes
Oil and Gas People chief executive officer Kevin Forbes said: “There is a risk that the push for shale gas could have consequences for the oil and gas industry as a whole, with an increase in demand for staff pushing up wages and reducing the pool of skilled oil and gas contractors still further.”
Last month Prime Minister David Cameron spoke to world leaders in Switzerland claimed shale development could help boost the UK economy with over £3 billion of investment alongside the creation of up to 74,000 jobs.
He cited the US as a prime example of the benefits of shale gas extraction, especially in light of firms “re-shoring” – the process of companies returning to domestic production facilities.
“There is no doubt that when it comes to re-shoring in the US, one of the most important factors has been the development of shale gas, which is flooring US energy prices, with billions of dollars of energy cost savings predicted over the next decade,” Cameron said.
However, the government is being urged to realise that the nation needs equipment, rigs and qualified staff before an attempt to extract shale gas at multiple sites can begin – such as has been seen in the US.
“The government also needs to realise that, without the workforce, shale gas projects will not be able to go ahead and the energy security [of the UK] will be affected,” added Forbes.
“[But] we still have time to start training the oil and gas recruits of the future now.”
