Middle East
Beyond these countries we also support operators in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other parts of the region.
Petroplan have supplied a vast number of people to many of the leading oil and gas companies in the UAE – from project engineers and discipline engineers to professionals in project services, construction and commissioning.
In Dubai we have established strong and trusted relationships with in-country partners who speak the local language and understand our business and the needs of our clients. These strategic alliances facilitate our effective communication with UAE nationals as and when needed, allowing us to supply the best to talent to oil and gas companies in the UAE.
And after 10+ years of managing contractors in Iraq we are fully conversant with all the local nuances and all the applicable legislation.
Oman is a buoyant employment market and in 2016 Petroplan established a legally registered Omani company in Muscat. Since then our team has continued to expand its size and services to fulfil our clients’ needs.
We support major projects and clients in Oman, such as the development of the Khazzan gas field and the new build Duqm refinery complex.
With our local knowledge and workforce solutions focused approach, we can meet any client demand including sponsorship (Employment & Residency visas) & payrolling, whilst providing consultancy for both expatriate and Omani national workers.
We wholeheartedly support the local economy by staffing our offices with Omanis and being fully committed to Oman’s nationalization programme.
Likewise, whilst we continue to support businesses in their need for highly skilled foreign workers, we balance this with the growing wealth of local talent.
We recruit Omani University-educated professionals to positions across all spectrums of work from technical positions through to managerial and corporate roles.
Given the long-term Omanization targets introduced, Omani public authorities are becoming increasingly strict about the employment of foreign nationals. Significant skills and employment experience are required to be assured of being granted an employment visa and prior labour clearance from the Ministry of Manpower must be obtained.
Our local team ensures Omanization and compliance to avoid issues such as worker’s being removed from the worksite or fines for using incorrect visa categories.
This includes ensuring:
The consequences of non-compliance can be commercially serious:
Unlike many of our competitors, we remain specialists, solely dedicated to the Energy industry to provide you with the world's best workforce solutions.
This is delivered by our sector teams around the globe who are focused on Oil and Gas, Technology, Renewables, Commercial, and Executive/C-suite.
Our exclusive, in-depth focus on the Energy industry is why, uniquely, we can offer the full breadth of bespoke solutions and services to meet all your commercial objectives.
To manage our company-wide Health, Safety, Environment, Quality and Social Responsibility (HSEQ & SR) activities, Petroplan operates an integrated management system based on Energy industry accepted “plan – do – review – improve” methodology.
This goes beyond the standard requirement of energy workforce solution companies, so our clients can be assured of our commitment to contractor safety.
To have an initial, confidential discussion, please contact us here.
Petroplan is seeking to hire Drilling Engineer for one of its clientsJob Requirement * The job holder will hold a BSc of MSc or equivalent in appropriate engineering discipline (Mechanical, Chemical, Offshore or Petroleum). * Considering the high technicality of the wells, the job holder must have at least 7 years of confirmed experience in Drilling (calls for tender/contracts, programs and operational follow-up) * Experience in Land rig operations in Oman or MENA zone is a strong advantage * IWCF certification level 4 minimum is a must * Knowledge in related domains such as geology & reservoir * Understanding of logistic activities related to Drilling operations * Well-developed knowledge of contractual/legal/terms & conditions/insurance issues About Petroplan Petroplan is the trusted, specialist global Talent Solutions partner of choice for employers and professionals in the Energy sector. Since 1976, Petroplan has been here to help people like you make the most of the opportunities available and find the best fit for you as an individual. Over 10,000 placements in more than 55 countries for over 550 clients across 65 disciplines. In an industry where skilled and experienced professionals are increasingly sought after resource, we appreciate the true value of what you have to offer. What's more, we understand that different things are important to different people in today's world of work - it's about making exactly the right connections for you as an individual. Our reputation for contractor and candidate care, understanding what makes you tick, and finding you the best match is second-to-none. We understand the industry inside-out and seek to understand YOU and your motivations in the same way. We take the time to evaluate your individual strengths, understand the most important things to you, and establish exactly what you're looking for from your next role.
We are currently supporting our client, a major oil and gas operator, in their search for a commercial excellence & contract specialist to join them on a staff basis in Saudi Arabia. The position sits within the commercial team that supports their downstream chemical product department. The Commercial Excellence & Contract Specialist will develop and maintain a knowledge center for all commercial agreements related to the affiliates of the company. This role will lead the development of the contract process and strategy for all commercial agreements of the organization. It will be the interface among internal, external, legal and finance organizations for the development, execution, monitoring and amendment of commercial agreements. In addition, this role will provide advice to key stakeholders in order to ensure the agreements optimize value. The Commercial Excellence & Contract Specialist will also identify and coordinate commercial synergies and margin improvement opportunities, and will be the focal point for improvement initiatives across Downstream organizations. Key Responsibilities Manages and coordinates commercial agreements related to affiliates. Leads the contract process and strategy for all related commercial agreements. Acts as a focal point for colleagues, various functions and senior management for interpretation of various agreements and partnership arrangements. Leads and enables negotiations on affiliate-related matters, and supports other departments. Coordinates and participates in the evaluation of commercial terms of Chemicals' marketing agreements. Ensures agreements are current and compliant with policies and standards, and conducts legal and functional reviews prior to routing for approval. Supports commercial and marketing value assurance reviews for chemicals-related projects. Provides senior stakeholder management across boundaries: affiliates, partners, various internal functions, service providers, etc. Supports antidumping cases for specific affiliates as required. Identifies and coordinates commercial/business opportunities. Builds and keeps custody of a repository of all commercial agreements related to affiliates. Represents the organization's interests in partnership and stakeholders' meetings as appropriate. Recommends improvements to existing marketing agreements and works in collaboration with Affiliate Affairs managers to seek implementation. Coaches and trains junior analysts in the team. Minimum Requirements A Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Business or related discipline; an advanced degree in Finance, Business, Management or Economics is a plus. Ten plus years' experience in various aspects of the Chemicals industry, including: business performance, financial analysis, sales and/or marketing. Wide experience in chemicals commercial activities and agreements' negotiation experience. Prior experience managing joint ventures and marketing arrangements is highly-preferable. Has a strong understanding of the suite of agreements governing affiliates. Relationship building and senior stakeholder management skills. Solid financial understanding. Team management and leadership skills. Senior presentation and engagement skills. About Petroplan Petroplan is the trusted, specialist global Talent Solutions partner of choice for employers and professionals in the Energy sector. Since 1976, Petroplan has been here to help people like you make the most of the opportunities available and find the best fit for you as an individual. Over 10,000 placements in more than 55 countries for over 550 clients across 65 disciplines. In an industry where skilled and experienced professionals are increasingly sought after resource, we appreciate the true value of what you have to offer. What's more, we understand that different things are important to different people in today's world of work - it's about making exactly the right connections for you as an individual. Our reputation for contractor and candidate care, understanding what makes you tick, and finding you the best match is second-to-none. We understand the industry inside-out and seek to understand YOU and your motivations in the same way. We take the time to evaluate your individual strengths, understand the most important things to you, and establish exactly what you're looking for from your next role.
We are currently supporting our client, a major oil and gas operator, in their search for a Reserves Specialist to join their upstream development and reserves department on a staff employee basis in Saudi Arabia. The department manages one of the world's largest portfolios of on-shore and off-shore oil and gas fields. It provides high-level technical support across the full range of hydrocarbon exploration and production activities, including economic optimization of the entire resource portfolio; as well as opportunities to conduct pioneering studies, introduce new technologies, and propose innovative development solutions. The Reserves Specialist will lead and coordinate reserves assessment processes and collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to complete reserves related studies. In general, the candidates should have broad experience in the oil and gas upstream business and subsurface evaluation with specialty skills in reserves and resource evaluation, classification and reporting as they relate to new discoveries and producing fields. Key Responsibilities Lead and guide work processes for the Reserves Division, which liaising with a wide array of internal stakeholders. Apply industry recognized reserves definitions and guidelines, and defend decisions related to reserves. Monitor daily exploration, delineation/extension, and development drilling activity as it impacts reserves. Select key reservoir intervals for testing and assist in planning and interpreting test results. Apply classical reservoir engineering in assessing uncertainty and undertaking reserves assessments, including: log and wireline formation test interpretation, pressure and rate transient analysis, PVT and SCAL interpretation, production performance and material balance. Review geologic interpretation and mapping, including: rock typing and facies characterization, reservoir communication, seismic application, sequence stratigraphy, etc. Participate in integrated reservoir studies and quality check reservoir simulation results (history match validation, production constraints, technical assessment of forecast results, etc.) PEER review 3D static and dynamic modelling in particular its fitness for purpose. Understand commerciality assessment (discounted cash flows, net present value, internal rate of return, forecasting prices/capex/opex, etc.) Develop less experienced staff through designing, implementing and overseeing professional development programs. Represent the company in external technical conferences, symposiums, and forums. Minimum Requirements Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering or related disciplines. While a M.Sc. or Ph.D. is desirable, additional exposure/training in business, economics or finance, is also beneficial. 15 years of experience gained through working for reputable oil and gas consulting and/or E&P companies in reserves related roles. Extensive experience in reserves estimation (both deterministic and probabilistic), resource evaluation, classification and reporting (e.g. PRMS, SEC, etc.), solid foundation in classic reservoir engineering, 3D static and dynamic modeling of reservoirs, and experience in enhanced oil recovery, unconventional reservoirs, and/or subsurface gas storage as they relate to reserve assessment. Hands-on experience in reservoir characterization, petrophysical analysis including log and MDT interpretation and core analysis, fluid characterization including PVT studies and geochemical fingerprinting, and well testing including pressure transient, rate-transient analysis, and wireline formation testing. Experience working in a large organization with a varied portfolio of reservoirs, or a wide range of experience in smaller companies. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience in presenting to executive management and large audiences. Participation in industry-level reserves and resource presentations and/or publications, in conjunction with relevant membership(s) of appropriately related professional organizations, would be helpful. Proven experience effectively collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams consisting of geoscientists, engineers, economists, etc. Supplemental experience in reservoir engineering, especially technical principles for developing long-term oil and gas reservoir depletion plans, economics evaluations, and key performance measures and benchmarking in E&P industry. About Petroplan Petroplan is the trusted, specialist global Talent Solutions partner of choice for employers and professionals in the Energy sector. Since 1976, Petroplan has been here to help people like you make the most of the opportunities available and find the best fit for you as an individual. Over 10,000 placements in more than 55 countries for over 550 clients across 65 disciplines. In an industry where skilled and experienced professionals are increasingly sought after resource, we appreciate the true value of what you have to offer. What's more, we understand that different things are important to different people in today's world of work - it's about making exactly the right connections for you as an individual. Our reputation for contractor and candidate care, understanding what makes you tick, and finding you the best match is second-to-none. We understand the industry inside-out and seek to understand YOU and your motivations in the same way. We take the time to evaluate your individual strengths, understand the most important things to you, and establish exactly what you're looking for from your next role.
Job Description Finance Manager to join our Fuels International Affiliates Affairs Department of Downstream Business Line. His/Her primary role is to generate analytical findings and provide recommendations across the scope of objectives and deliverables of the organization, either independently or in collaboration with others, as well as to coordinate planning activities, perform variance analysis and be able to proactively identify and provide solutions for problems and issues that arise in the assigned areas. This role is also for coordinating, preparing and consolidating performance analysis and reporting to management, which includes preparation of Business Plans, Mid-Year and Year-end Accountability reports. Responsibilities * Plan, execute and lead finance and performance management (F&PM) analytical activities under the broad guidance of senior F&PM staff and supervisors, particularly in resolving complex, cross-functional, non-routine and/or design issues. * Generate analytical findings and recommendations across the scope of objectives and deliverables of the organization, either independently or in collaboration with others * Develop and maintain close partnerships with business/operational counterparts in the F&PM organizations within your assigned areas, and represent your organization in cross-functional, cross-organizational teams involved in F&PM-related tasks. * Participate in and support the planning, reporting and forecasting activities and initiatives of your organization. in coordination with the business representatives and the commercial analysts * Create and maintain a financial model for reporting actual results in combination with the short- to mid-term planning processes. * Prepare : - The management reporting for the commercial and business management - financial advice and support to business projects - Process mapping of the new implemented structures - Business integration support for subsidiaries, joint ventures, mergers, and acquisitions. Education & Experience Requirements * A Bachelor degree in business, engineering, or a related discipline, advanced business degree (e.g., MBA) or relevant professional certification (e.g., CMA, CFA, and CPA) is preferred * Minimum of 15 years of professional experience in relevant planning and performance management experience in the Chemicals and Refining industries, including the use of business intelligence tools for the following: - Performance analysis, assessment and reporting - Financial (IFRS) reporting - Business planning/budgeting - Business case preparation - Project management - Financial modelling About Petroplan Petroplan is the trusted, specialist global Talent Solutions partner of choice for employers and professionals in the Energy sector. Since 1976, Petroplan has been here to help people like you make the most of the opportunities available and find the best fit for you as an individual. Over 10,000 placements in more than 55 countries for over 550 clients across 65 disciplines. In an industry where skilled and experienced professionals are increasingly sought after resource, we appreciate the true value of what you have to offer. What's more, we understand that different things are important to different people in today's world of work - it's about making exactly the right connections for you as an individual. Our reputation for contractor and candidate care, understanding what makes you tick, and finding you the best match is second-to-none. We understand the industry inside-out and seek to understand YOU and your motivations in the same way. We take the time to evaluate your individual strengths, understand the most important things to you, and establish exactly what you're looking for from your next role.
Job Purpose Responsible for the safe and efficient production and operation of process equipment, and intervention visits on the outlying field assets Normally Unmanned Installations (NUI's). All of which have production separation systems and some are also equipped with additional equipment such as gas generators and gas compressors. The incumbent must ensure the Health, Safety & Welfare of all employees and contractors working under their control and ensure continued integrity and efficiency of plant equipment. They must ensure all work is carried out in conformance with the integrated plan and in accordance with the safety standards and relevant standard operating procedures. Key Accountabilities Support and satisfy the policies, goals, efforts, and programs of Dubai Petroleum Health, Safety and Environmental Management System. In conjunction with Well Intervention and Integrity group, directs the rectification of well problems by authorising and controlling planned and corrective work programmes including the routine wireline intervention program, gauging, safety valve checks, acid cleaning, water wash, static / flow / bottom-hole surveys, identifying multi point injection details and setting new gas injection valves where appropriate. Directs all field maintenance and repair activities on well heads and associated facilities. Coordinates activities with Well Operations Team: preparing platforms for rig arrivals, completion, well handover and rig departure. Ensures quality of work through adherence to standards and procedures and sound technical work practices. Assist in the planning for the Well Operations group ensuring that activities are aligned with business needs; prioritising and coordinating activities, updating regular production programmes and specific well programmes, including requirements for well management intervention works and drilling programme. About Petroplan Petroplan is the trusted, specialist global Talent Solutions partner of choice for employers and professionals in the Energy sector. Since 1976, Petroplan has been here to help people like you make the most of the opportunities available and find the best fit for you as an individual. Over 10,000 placements in more than 55 countries for over 550 clients across 65 disciplines. In an industry where skilled and experienced professionals are increasingly sought after resource, we appreciate the true value of what you have to offer. What's more, we understand that different things are important to different people in today's world of work - it's about making exactly the right connections for you as an individual. Our reputation for contractor and candidate care, understanding what makes you tick, and finding you the best match is second-to-none. We understand the industry inside-out and seek to understand YOU and your motivations in the same way. We take the time to evaluate your individual strengths, understand the most important things to you, and establish exactly what you're looking for from your next role.
Petroplan is seeking to hire Drilling Fluid & Cementing Engineer for one of its clientsJob requirement 10 years of relevant work experience and extensive expertise in drilling fluids (mud incl low impairment reservoir fluids, wellbore clean out, completion brine, cementing) work-over, well intervention (stimulation fluids including various acid formulations and frac fluids) and abandonment design and execution * Skilled in fluid mixing and handling equipment packages, completion hardware, sand control, and methods for deployment of treating fluids in intervention operations * Skilled in laboratory equipment and procedures. * Strong inter-personal skills to efficiently work together across the various disciplines. Contract holder skills and ability to interface with third party service providers including project execution, business improvement, technology development and contracting and procurement activities * Perform onsite audits and inspections of operations/equipment associated with fluids, make suggestions to improve operations as needed. About Petroplan Petroplan is the trusted, specialist global Talent Solutions partner of choice for employers and professionals in the Energy sector. Since 1976, Petroplan has been here to help people like you make the most of the opportunities available and find the best fit for you as an individual. Over 10,000 placements in more than 55 countries for over 550 clients across 65 disciplines. In an industry where skilled and experienced professionals are increasingly sought after resource, we appreciate the true value of what you have to offer. What's more, we understand that different things are important to different people in today's world of work - it's about making exactly the right connections for you as an individual. Our reputation for contractor and candidate care, understanding what makes you tick, and finding you the best match is second-to-none. We understand the industry inside-out and seek to understand YOU and your motivations in the same way. We take the time to evaluate your individual strengths, understand the most important things to you, and establish exactly what you're looking for from your next role.
Petroplan is seeking to hire Completions Engineer for one of its clientsJob Requirement 10 years of relevant work experience and extensive expertise in completion engineering * Skilled in Wellcat / Stresscheck (or equivalent) software applications * Knowledge in corrosion, scales, paraffin waxes and completion solutions therein * Strong inter-personal skills to efficiently work together across the various disciplines. * Contract holder skills and ability to interface with third party service and equipment providers including design, execution, business improvement, technology development and contracting and procurement activities * Perform work site inspections and audits of operations-, procedures-, equipment-, and people and make suggestions to improve operations as needed About Petroplan Petroplan is the trusted, specialist global Talent Solutions partner of choice for employers and professionals in the Energy sector. Since 1976, Petroplan has been here to help people like you make the most of the opportunities available and find the best fit for you as an individual. Over 10,000 placements in more than 55 countries for over 550 clients across 65 disciplines. In an industry where skilled and experienced professionals are increasingly sought after resource, we appreciate the true value of what you have to offer. What's more, we understand that different things are important to different people in today's world of work - it's about making exactly the right connections for you as an individual. Our reputation for contractor and candidate care, understanding what makes you tick, and finding you the best match is second-to-none. We understand the industry inside-out and seek to understand YOU and your motivations in the same way. We take the time to evaluate your individual strengths, understand the most important things to you, and establish exactly what you're looking for from your next role.
Petroplan is seeking to hire Drilling-Workover Engineer for one of its clientsBS degree in engineering * 10 years of experience in drilling, completions and workovers operations. * Have minimum 10 yrs experience within a recognised oil and gas operator * Preferably have an equivalent of Shell Round 1/2 certificates. * High level of knowledge in HSE Management. Track record in safety leadership and intervention * Well-developed leadership and coaching skills. * Strong problem solving and decision making skills. * Excellent organizational and planning skills. * Valid IWCF Well Control certification. * Strong in communication skills * Fluent in speaking, reading, and writing in English language (able to write technical reports, programs). About Petroplan Petroplan is the trusted, specialist global Talent Solutions partner of choice for employers and professionals in the Energy sector. Since 1976, Petroplan has been here to help people like you make the most of the opportunities available and find the best fit for you as an individual. Over 10,000 placements in more than 55 countries for over 550 clients across 65 disciplines. In an industry where skilled and experienced professionals are increasingly sought after resource, we appreciate the true value of what you have to offer. What's more, we understand that different things are important to different people in today's world of work - it's about making exactly the right connections for you as an individual. Our reputation for contractor and candidate care, understanding what makes you tick, and finding you the best match is second-to-none. We understand the industry inside-out and seek to understand YOU and your motivations in the same way. We take the time to evaluate your individual strengths, understand the most important things to you, and establish exactly what you're looking for from your next role.
Petroplan is seeking to hire Drilling Supervisor for one of its clientsJob Requirement BS degree in engineering * 10 years of experience in drilling, completions and workovers operations. * Have minimum 10 yrs experience within a recognised oil and gas operator * Preferably have an equivalent of Shell Round 1/2 certificates. * High level of knowledge in HSE Management. Track record in safety leadership and intervention * Being able to work at day and night and covering leave relieve based on business need * Well-developed leadership and coaching skills. * Strong problem solving and decision making skills. * Excellent organizational and planning skills. * Valid IWCF Well Control certification. * Strong in communication skills * Fluent in speaking, reading, and writing in English language (able to write technical reports, programs). About Petroplan Petroplan is the trusted, specialist global Talent Solutions partner of choice for employers and professionals in the Energy sector. Since 1976, Petroplan has been here to help people like you make the most of the opportunities available and find the best fit for you as an individual. Over 10,000 placements in more than 55 countries for over 550 clients across 65 disciplines. In an industry where skilled and experienced professionals are increasingly sought after resource, we appreciate the true value of what you have to offer. What's more, we understand that different things are important to different people in today's world of work - it's about making exactly the right connections for you as an individual. Our reputation for contractor and candidate care, understanding what makes you tick, and finding you the best match is second-to-none. We understand the industry inside-out and seek to understand YOU and your motivations in the same way. We take the time to evaluate your individual strengths, understand the most important things to you, and establish exactly what you're looking for from your next role.
We are seeking an experienced Scheduling Engineer to join our Global Manufacturing Support Department under Manufacturing Capital Efficiency Division (MCED).MCED is responsible for the planning and execution of Downstream projects across Global Manufacturing facilities. MCED oversee Global Manufacturing Admin Area level Project Portfolio's by ensuring quality and enhancing efficiency of capital projects through effective planning and execution whereas each Facility Department (FD) has its own Project Unit (PU) to participate in capital functions.Your primary role will be to work with construction agencies in reviewing and approving the Project Master Schedule using the Critical Path Method methodology.Key Responsibilities As the successful candidate you will be required to perform the following: Participate in scheduling kick-off meetings alongside construction agencies and detailed engineering contractors. Support Project Engineers in setting schedule expectations with detailed engineering contractor. Review Level II Schedule and key milestone dates such as delivery of Long Lead items, MC, etc. Monitor and control the progress as per Level II approved schedule. Participate (if required) in Level III scheduling kick-off meeting. Monitor and control the progress as per Level III approved schedule. Verify baseline for Project Proposal and if required rebase line schedule. Facilitate scope of work meetings and scope of work challenges. Review all documentation for completeness and compliance. Conduct full review of the latest schedule update and Cross-check progress with the Progress Measurement System (PMS). Ensure the Level IV schedule meets the requirements of the contract. Analyze and monitor the plan, actual and schedule forecast for active projects, including critical path, milestones, progress and productivities etc. Calculate, on a monthly basis, the applicable project schedule related KPIs, identify gaps, analyze root-causes & implement corrective actions. Consolidate overall KPIs and review root causes, analysis and recommend corrective actions. Review/validate monthly progress reports and updated Contractor monthly schedule. Evaluate current status, and review proposed actions to recover delays. Minimum Requirements You must hold a Bachelor degree in engineering, preferably in mechanical/industrial engineering. You should have a minimum of 10 years' experience in mega project scheduling activities within the Oil & Gas Industry, preferably within the downstream sector (Petrochemical or Refinery). This should cover all aspects i.e. Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Project's phases. You must be able to demonstrate an overall knowledge of project planning, scheduling and execution management. It is preferable to have PMP or Pmi-SP Active Certificate. You must also be an expert user in MS Excel and Primavera P6 v.15 or higher. About Petroplan Petroplan is the trusted, specialist global Talent Solutions partner of choice for employers and professionals in the Energy sector. Since 1976, Petroplan has been here to help people like you make the most of the opportunities available and find the best fit for you as an individual. Over 10,000 placements in more than 55 countries for over 550 clients across 65 disciplines. In an industry where skilled and experienced professionals are increasingly sought after resource, we appreciate the true value of what you have to offer. What's more, we understand that different things are important to different people in today's world of work - it's about making exactly the right connections for you as an individual. Our reputation for contractor and candidate care, understanding what makes you tick, and finding you the best match is second-to-none. We understand the industry inside-out and seek to understand YOU and your motivations in the same way. We take the time to evaluate your individual strengths, understand the most important things to you, and establish exactly what you're looking for from your next role.
As the world continues to experience the effects of climate change, governments and organizations have made a lot of noise about reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and transition to cleaner forms of energy. How much of the talk turns into action will be critical for the future of our industry and our world.
Arash Roknian is leading Petroplan’s Clean Energy business in the US, as it becomes a larger part of the organization’s overall business model.
“As a recruiter, I’m drawn to clean energy because it represents a huge opportunity for innovation and economic growth,” says Arash.
“The clean energy sector is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, with tremendous potential for job creation and economic development.”
Arash acknowledges that the pace of change can never be fast enough, given the urgency and what’s at stake.
“When we look at the progress that has been made so far, as well as some of the challenges that remain, it’s clear there’s a long way to go.”
One of the most significant signs of progress has been the rapid growth of renewable energy sources. According to the International Energy Agency, renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power accounted for 72% of global electricity generation capacity additions in 2020. This number continues to grow.
In fact, renewable energy sources are now the second-largest source of electricity worldwide. This growth has been driven by falling costs and government incentives, as well as increasing awareness of the need to address climate change.
Another positive development has been the increasing adoption of electric vehicles. While it’s still a small percentage of the overall vehicle market, sales of electric vehicles have been growing rapidly in recent years.
“We’re looking at up to 25% of new cars being electric by 2025,” Arash says.
“This growth is expected to continue as more automakers introduce new electric models and governments implement policies to encourage their adoption”
Despite these positive developments, there are still significant challenges in the energy transition. While renewable energy sources are growing rapidly, they still only account for a small percentage of total energy consumption.
“Another challenge is the need to upgrade and modernize electricity grids,” he says.
“Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power are intermittent, meaning that they are not always available when needed. This requires a flexible and resilient electricity grid that can balance supply and demand in real-time.”
A major aspect of his team’s current activities is Hydrogen, where the US is making a huge push in development.
“It is a particularly exciting energy source for a number of reasons, including its high energy content, its versatility, and its potential to be produced from renewable sources.”
Hydrogen has a very high energy content per unit of weight, making it an extremely efficient fuel. It has three times more energy per unit of weight than gasoline, and when burned, it produces only water vapor as a byproduct. This makes hydrogen a very clean-burning fuel, with no emissions of pollutants or greenhouse gases.
Hydrogen is a very versatile energy source. It can be used in a variety of applications, including fuel cells for vehicles and power generation, industrial processes, and heating. It can also be used as a feedstock for the production of chemicals and other materials.
Hydrogen also has the potential to be produced from renewable sources such as solar, wind, and hydro power through a process called electrolysis. This involves using electricity to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. When renewable energy is used to power the electrolysis process, the resulting hydrogen is completely carbon-free and emits no greenhouse gases.
Despite these challenges involved in production and storage, there is growing excitement around its potential as a clean, versatile, and efficient fuel.
Finally, there is the challenge of ensuring that the energy transition is equitable and just.
“The shift to renewable energy sources has the potential to create new jobs and economic opportunities, but it also has the potential to disrupt existing industries and communities. It is important that the transition is managed in a way that takes into account the needs and concerns of all stakeholders, including workers in the fossil fuel industry.”
Arash himself has been working in recruitment for ten years. After beginning his career in London, he transitioned to Houston four years ago, looking to take a role in one of the key battlegrounds of the energy transition.
“As a millennial, I’m acutely aware of the urgent need to address climate change and transition to a more sustainable, clean energy future. For me, working in clean energy is not just a job, it's a way to make a real difference and help build a better world.”
“Finally, I am drawn to clean energy because it offers the opportunity to work with a diverse range of people from different backgrounds and disciplines. The transition to clean energy is a complex, interdisciplinary challenge that requires collaboration and cooperation across a wide range of fields, from engineering and science to policy and finance. I believe that diverse teams are more innovative and effective, and I am excited about the prospect of working with people from different backgrounds and perspectives to find creative solutions to the challenges of the clean energy transition.”
The renewable energy sector will continue to grow in the coming years, with the potential to create up to 42 million jobs globally by 2050. However, this growth will depend on supportive policies and investment in the sector, as well as the continued development and deployment of renewable energy technologies.
“We’re all excited about the possibilities. We just need to make sure we’re moving fast enough.”
Energy production in Asia and the Pacific is growing faster than anywhere else in the world. By 2030, 56% of the world’s energy will originate from the region.
A wave of new energy projects continues to drive this growth as countries seek to meet the demands of rising populations while also transitioning to renewable energy.
We’ve picked out some of the biggest projects from recent years that are set to play a key role in raising the region’s energy capacity.
An overview of the Asia-Pacific energy sectorHome to a large and diverse population at different levels of economic development, the Asia-Pacific region faces several challenges with energy supply and electrification.
Significant progress has been made over the last decade in expanding the supply of electricity to remote areas like the Pacific Islands. The transition to clean energy is also well underway, with the number of new renewable energy projects growing year on year.
Green investment has so far been focused on solar energy, offshore wind and hydropower. The region has also emerged as a leader in the production of lithium-ion batteries, a fast-growing market in which China currently holds a 79% share.
Coal, gas and oil remain the primary sources of energy, however, with fossil fuels accounting for around 85% of the region’s combined energy consumption. This figure is significantly higher than in Europe and North America.
The next decade will be pivotal as the region seeks to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and on coal in particular. Key players like China, India and Australia are poised to play a big part in shaping both the regional and global energy outlook.
Five key energy projects in the Asia-Pacific regionA wide range of projects are currently under development as the Asia-Pacific region looks to scale up its supply of energy, creating thousands of new energy sector jobs in the process.
We’ve gathered five of the region’s most significant energy projects that have recently been completed or are set to take shape over the coming years below.
Ubol Ratana Dam Hydro-Floating Solar Hybrid Project, ThailandThailand’s government is currently working on an ambitious project to develop 16 floating solar farms with a combined capacity of more than 2.7GW by 2037.
Among these new solar farms is Sirindhorn dam, a major project touted as the world’s largest floating hydro-solar farm that combines solar, hydropower and energy storage systems.
Given that the country’s clean energy capacity currently sits at around 12GW, the project will go a long way to helping Thailand achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, while also creating thousands of renewable energy jobs for local people.
MacIntyre Wind Precinct, AustraliaMacIntyre Wind Precinct is an onshore wind complex consisting of two wind farms currently under construction in Stanthorpe, Queensland.
At full capacity, the AU$2 billion project is expected to generate around 1GW, making it one of the world’s largest onshore wind farms.
Along with the 180 wind turbines scheduled for construction, MacIntyre Wind Precinct will also include 65km of transmission lines and two new switching stations.
The project is set to support around 600 wind farm jobs in construction and transmission across its operational lifetime.
Australia-Asia PowerLink, Singapore and AustraliaThe Australia-Asia PowerLink (or AAPowerLink) is a major energy infrastructure project set to begin construction in 2023, with operation starting in 2026 and completion by the end of 2027.
The intercontinental power grid will transport electricity from Australia to Singapore via the world’s longest submarine power cable. The ambitious project will also feature the world’s largest solar plant and the world’s largest battery.
At full capacity, the AAPowerLink is expected to meet up to 15% of Singapore’s electricity demand, and there are also plans to export electricity to Indonesia. The project will create around 1,500 wind farm construction jobs and a further 350 lineman jobs once operational.
Kapar CCGT Power Plant, MalaysiaFossil fuels are set to remain an important part of the Asia-Pacific region’s energy mix over the next decade, with most new investment going to natural gas.
Malaysia is looking to leverage this natural resource by building a new 2.1GW combined-cycle power plant in the town of Kapar, which is around 50km west of the capital Kuala Lumpur, at an estimated cost of $2 billion.
The power plant will use a gas turbine to generate electricity, with waste heat routed to a nearby steam turbine that generates additional power.
Aligned with Malaysia’s commitment to net-zero by 2050, the site will be able to support hydrogen co-firing by the time commercial operations begin in 2031. It will also provide local people with power plant jobs.
Sarulla Geothermal Power Generation Project, IndonesiaStraddling the Ring of Fire, Indonesia is a volcanically active country with vast supplies of geothermal energy. In fact, the country is home to around 40% of the world’s geothermal energy reserves and second only to the USA in geothermal power generation.
The Indonesian government has been adding new geothermal power plants to its energy grid for some time, with the 330MW Sarulla Geothermal Power Generation Project among the biggest in recent years.
Completed in 2018, the power plant created around 1,800 geothermal jobs for locals and now powers the homes of 2.1 million people. It’s considered one of the world’s largest geothermal power plants.
The future of energy in the Asia-Pacific regionSteady strides have already been made towards decarbonisation, but there are still challenges for countries in the region to overcome. Chief among them is the need to meet the growing demand from a rapidly rising population without compromising long-term energy security.
As with other regions, progress has not been spread evenly; most countries are still heavily reliant on coal and lag behind the examples set by the likes of Japan and Australia. In most cases, this is because they lack the financial means to increase the supply of renewable energy.
Initiatives like the Asia-Pacific Green Deal for Business are however helping to level the playing field, particularly in places like South Asia and the Pacific Islands. Should the region succeed with its energy transitions, it’s clear that a multilateral approach will be key.
In terms of new renewable energy projects, there is growing optimism about the potential of offshore wind in North Asia. South Korea, Japan and Vietnam are now following the example set by Taiwan in developing large offshore wind farms, creating thousands of offshore construction jobs.
Geothermal energy capacity will continue to grow in seismically active countries like Indonesia, New Zealand and the Philippines. The region is also expected to become a global leader in various developing technologies like biomass and green hydrogen.
These resources, along with the region’s established networks of hydropower, solar energy and onshore wind, must all be scaled up quickly to ensure a secure and sustainable future for Asia and the Pacific.
Powering the Asia-Pacific region's energy transitionAre you looking to hire for an upcoming project in the Asia-Pacific region? We recruit for a wide range of petroleum engineering jobs and jobs in renewable energy. With a decade’s experience in the region, we can be trusted to find the right fit for your role. Contact us today to get started.
Historically a region that has relied heavily on its vast reserves of oil and gas, the Middle East, is fast becoming a leader in renewable energy.
Clean energy capacity in the region doubled between 2010 and 2020 to 40GW, with this figure set to double again by 2024.
The shift has been sparked by changes in legislation as an increasing number of countries commit to clean energy targets and net zero.
Which Middle Eastern countries are leading the charge to clean energy?For decades, the Middle East’s energy mix has been comprised almost exclusively of oil and natural gas. As recently as 2019, these two energy sources made up more than 98% of total supply in the region.
Recent volatility with oil and gas prices has underlined the risks of relying solely on fossil fuels and, as part of the wider push towards net zero, several countries are now seeking to diversify their energy assets.
The UAE, a leader for renewables in the region, is aiming to increase the contribution of clean energy in the total energy mix to 50% by 2050. Along with a scaling up of solar, wind and biomass, the country is also targeting a 25% share of the global low-carbon hydrogen market by 2030.
Saudi Arabia has set the most ambitious target of generating 50% of its energy from clean sources by 2030. Solar farms will be the driving force behind the Kingdom’s transition, with the country also investing heavily in carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies.
Elsewhere, Qatar is among the countries adopting electric vehicle (EV) technologies and plans to transition to an emissions-free public transport system by 2030. Israel and Oman are also taking steps to reach net zero by 2050, generating thousands of renewable energy jobs for local people.
Key renewable energy projects in the Middle EastSome of the world’s biggest and most ambitious renewable energy projects can be found in the Middle East. We’ve picked out three key projects that are set to drive the region’s transition to renewable energy over the coming decades.
Neom, Saudi ArabiaThe Neom megacity currently under construction in the northwest of Saudi Arabia promises to push the boundaries of urban design. Its ambitious scope of work extends to energy, with the city to be powered entirely by solar, wind and other forms of renewable energy.
Neom will also feature what has been dubbed the world’s largest green-hydrogen-based ammonia production plant. The facility is expected to produce up to 600 tonnes of carbon-free hydrogen per day, which will be used as a sustainable alternative to fuel within the global transportation industry.
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, UAEOperational since 2013, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is soon to be the world’s largest single-site solar power plant. The power plant’s capacity is projected to reach 5GW by 2030, enough to power 320,000 homes. At its peak, the project created around 1,280 energy sector jobs.
Alongside the Noor Abu Dhabi Solar Power Plant, which primarily serves the city of Abu Dhabi and holds the current title for the world’s largest single-site power plant, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park will play a key part in the UAE’s push towards net zero.
Dumat al-Jandal Wind Farm, Saudi ArabiaDumat al-Jandal Wind Farm is Saudi Arabia’s first wind farm and the largest of its kind in the Middle East. Construction on the project began in 2019 and the wind farm was connected to the country’s grid last year. To date, it has created over 1,000 wind farm jobs for local people.
Work on Dumat al-Jandal is still ongoing, with completion imminent. Once fully operational, it’s expected that the wind farm will have a capacity of 400MW, helping to displace approximately one million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.
The future of renewable energy in the Middle EastWith its sprawling desert terrain and exposure to intense solar irradiation, the future of energy in the Middle East is likely to be led by solar power. The renewable energy source is set to account for 15% of the region’s power mix by 2030, creating thousands of solar jobs in the process.
Due to the intermittent nature of solar energy, significant resources have also been allocated to wind energy. New projects in Oman, Egypt and Saudi Arabia will generate plenty of wind farm jobs for local people and industry contractors while bringing the region closer to its clean energy targets.
The region has also emerged as a leader in green hydrogen. Several trade agreements, including the UAE-Germany Hydrogen Partnership and Saudi Arabia-Germany Hydrogen Agreement, will see the Middle East becoming a major exporter of green hydrogen in the coming decades.
Similarly, the region has established itself as a hub for the development of CCS technology. Carbon capture will help to reduce emissions from industrial processes while also contributing to the production of low-carbon hydrogen.
The development of clean energy in the Middle East is exciting news not only for the region but also for the rest of the world. Other countries will benefit from the region’s exports and innovations, creating millions of renewable energy jobs and accelerating the global push towards net zero.
Supporting the energy transition in the Middle EastWith over a decade’s experience in the Middle East, Petroplan is perfectly placed to support renewable energy companies and candidates through the energy transition. We recruit for a wide range of renewable energy jobs and can be trusted to find the right fit for any role.
Contact us today to discuss our specialist renewable energy recruitment services.
2022 has been a busy but successful year for Petroplan. From scaling up our clean energy operations in the Middle East, to growing our team in North America, we have continued to expand our range of energy services across the globe.
As we continue to grow and adapt our offering to suit the rapidly evolving market landscape, we focus on prioritising and championing the best talent in the sector.
With 2022 drawing to a close, we look back on some of the highlights and achievements across the year…
We kick-started 2022 with a raft of appointments and expansions across the globe, signalling the start of a strategic organisational shift to sharpen our service offering. This business transformation was delivered by six newly appointed senior leadership team members, led by CEO Christopher Honeyman Brown.
January also marked the beginning of the expansion of our operations in the Middle East, driven from our offices in Oman and the UAE – supporting projects across the region in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait too. To accommodate a growing workforce in the region, we acquired more office space in Dubai’s business district at Jumeriah Lake Towers and welcomed new team members in the Muscat office. Leading this growth in the region is Regional Director EMEA, Darren Brown, and Recruitment Director EMEA, Dean Greenwood.
February saw the transformative remodelling of our office in Houston, Texas, to provide a larger and more efficient workspace for the growing US team. US team member Helen Fowler celebrated 8 years at Petroplan this year, following her promotion to Head of Compliance and Operations, North America, in 2021 – an honourable mention!
In recognition of the re-invigoration of energy projects in North America post-pandemic, we appointed David Waterfield as Director for North America in May. David manages our hubs in Houston, Texas, and Calgary, Alberta, and specialises in LNG export projects. As a result, the team in North America is exploring a number of opportunities to support LNG development projects and operational facilities, concentrating on operations in the US Gulf Coast, Western Canada and the Mexico Pacific Coast.
In May, we celebrated the launch of our employee share scheme – the first of its kind in the recruitment sector. The scheme gives all our employees across the globe – no matter their level or experience – the option to enrol on the scheme on joining the company, with shares exercisable on sale. The share scheme has strengthened our continued mission to attract and retain high quality talent within the industry, and has encouraged productivity, performance, and engagement in the team – building an inclusive culture to celebrate everyone’s successes.
To take advantage of the multiple opportunities for growth in mining and energy in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, Petroplan expanded its operations into the large, mineral-rich province in July. The expansion is in line with the increasing demand for hydroelectric, hydrogen and wind power in the region, led by our business consultants in Canada.
Continuing our expansion in the Middle East and following a contractual agreement with national oil company Saudi Aramco in 2019, we expanded our activity in Saudi Arabia in August. This expansion focused on the EPC market in the Eastern province of KSA, and coincides with the Saudi Vision 2030, a strategic framework to reduce the country’s dependence on oil, meet net zero targets and diversify its economy. Petroplan will be supporting significant client projects in the region in the coming years, including the new city of Neom.
In September, the business announced its expansion into the Asia-Pacific region, and appointed Daniel Torpy to drive this new offering forward. With a regional headquarters in Singapore, we have initially focused on driving business expansion in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. In 2023, we will be entering the Australian market in line with government investment in the country’s renewable energy sector.
To end the year, in November we received the news that our annual contribution to Oakleaf’s Mental Health Leaders Network (of which we were founding members in 2021) has helped to provide 50 people with 12 weeks of counselling this year. Oakleaf is a charity who provide free support for those suffering from mental health problems in Guildford, Surrey, and the surrounding areas – where our UK headquarters is based.
As we look ahead to 2023, we will continue to grow into new markets and evolve our service offering, focusing on clean and renewable energy projects in line with international government targets and priorities.
The transition to renewable energy has given rise to a modern-day mineral rush. Increasing investment in green technology has seen soaring demand for the essential materials that power these systems.
According to the World Bank, production of the planet’s most critical minerals for energy transition will need to grow by 500% over the next 30 years in order to avoid the worst effects of climate change.
Surging demand for these materials presents new challenges to energy security – challenges that can only be solved through the combined efforts of key players from across the supply chain.
The use of critical minerals in renewable energy technologyAs with oil refineries and power plants, renewable energy systems are reliant on a wide range of minerals for their construction and continued operation. Generally, these systems require more minerals than their fossil fuel-based counterparts.
According to the IEA, the production of an electric vehicle (EV) calls for approximately six times more minerals than a conventional car. Offshore wind farms need 12 times as many minerals for every megawatt of electricity produced compared to natural gas systems.
Elsewhere, critical minerals can be found in the high-performance motors, batteries and generators that power solar farms and green hydrogen systems. The widespread need for raw materials and required pace of transition means that minerals sourcing must be scaled up significantly.
What critical minerals are needed for the energy transition?The types of minerals needed to support energy transition vary by technology. Some elements are essential for batteries, while others are especially suited to motors, magnets or electrical wiring. Here, we explore five of the materials in greatest demand.
CopperArguably the most important mineral for energy transition, copper can be found in a wide range of clean energy technologies including wind turbines and solar panels as well as the energy infrastructure that stores and transports electricity.
Copper is second only to silver in terms of thermal and electricity conductivity, making the metal especially suited to electrical cabling and wiring. On average, clean energy systems consume around five times more copper than those used in traditional power generation.
LithiumLithium is among the minerals currently in highest demand, with supply set to triple between 2021 and 2030. The metal is the key component of lithium-ion batteries, used to power many EVs and energy storage systems.
Light and highly reactive, lithium has a unique ability to store large amounts of energy. However, it’s also finite, has an energy-intensive mining process and can be difficult to recycle. Many challenges lie ahead to scale up and make lithium supply sustainable.
CobaltJust like lithium, cobalt is a critical material that’s used widely in rechargeable batteries. Previously, most cobalt had been used in mobile phones and laptops, however this has changed recently with EV batteries now constituting the largest single user of the metal.
The growth of the EV market will see demand for cobalt more than quadruple between 2020 and 2050. It’s hoped that a significant chunk of this demand will be met with recycled cobalt, which, compared to lithium, is easier to extract from used batteries.
NickelNickel is a versatile metal with many applications in renewable energy infrastructure. Like lithium and cobalt, it can be found in lithium-ion batteries, as well as offshore wind farm equipment, green hydrogen electrolysers and geothermal power stations.
The metal’s strong resistance to atmospheric corrosion makes it suitable for use in extreme environments. While geothermal energy is yet to be used on a mass scale, the IEA expects that the renewable energy source will account for up to 80% of nickel demand by 2040.
Rare earth elementsRare-earth elements (REEs) are a set of seventeen metallic elements that includes the fifteen lanthanides as well as scandium and yttrium. While these metals are actually quite common, they are rarely found in large enough quantities to be extracted economically.
Several rare earths are key to energy transition. These include neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium, which are used to manufacture the permanent magnets found in the generators of wind turbines and EVs.
Scaling up the supply of critical mineralsEven under the least ambitious emissions pathway, the supply of critical minerals for the energy transition will need to increase dramatically. Scaling up supply brings several challenges, including resource shortages, trade restrictions and new environmental concerns associated with extraction.
While many minerals already have an established recycling infrastructure, others like lithium are yet to be recycled on a mass scale. In these cases, it’s generally accepted that new mining jobs and projects will be required to meet the immediate needs of the transition.
The demand for these minerals is set to create thousands of new exploration jobs in the short and medium term as secondary production is scaled. Increasing investment in minerals recycling will also generate a large number of jobs in renewable energy.
Beyond the balancing act of primary and secondary production, there are also geopolitical hurdles to overcome. International collaboration between governments and corporations will underpin the transition, with key players working together closely to develop sustainable supply chains.
Only through a holistic approach that considers the combined impact of minerals sourcing on the environment and communities that produce these key materials will it be possible to transition successfully to renewable energy.
Petroplan: supporting the energy transitionWe’re proud to play our part in energy transition and stand ready to support employers looking to recruit for a wide range of mining jobs as well as jobs in renewable energy. Contact us today to find out how we can help with your talent acquisition process.
