In 1976, Petroplan’s co-founders, John Reeder and Graham Pyle, met as engineers on a large project in Canvey Island, UK for the Occidental Petroleum Company. During some project downtime they deliberated the need for more expertise in the market for project controls.
Their original business idea was to provide consultancy rather than people. The backdrop was that the demand for these skills and knowledge was growing in the North Sea. Many of the methods being implemented utilised technology which had been tested in the U.S. and Black and Caspian Sea regions, but was largely untried in the North Sea, a region which posed very different challenges.
The North Sea environment was harsher and the structures used would have to withstand higher waves and winds. Already some semi-submersibles and jack ups had been knocked down by weathe.
The deepening economic crisis in the UK meant that there was enormous pressure on the industry to get gas and – later – oil flowing. For the oil and gas operators, there were great profits to be made.
With John and Graham’s background in planning and control they created their first brochure which outlined their services. Petroplan Control Systems Ltd was registered on the 2nd July 1976, to provide ‘Project Controls for the Petrochemicals Industries.’
The key services were: planning, estimating, cost control, reports and statistics, material control and computer services … but you could choose the non-computerised route if the cost advantage wasn’t compelling!
The business did not take on its first commercial project until March 1977, for the engineering contractor firm Matthew Hall Group (later acquired by AMEC Foster Wheeler in the 1990s).
However, it soon became clear that the overriding demand from clients was for the talented people required for project controls, across many engineering disciplines.
John and Graham were still contractors themselves during the business set-up phase and their network of contacts made them well-placed to find the talent the oil and gas industry needed.
Politically in the late 1970s and 1980s, much was changing in the oil and gas industry. British Petroleum was privatised in 1976, and in 1979 it acquired Britoil. Britoil’s role as part regulator and part oil company gave the UK government a large stake in the growing North Sea developments.
John continued to work some of the time on projects as a contractor, such as on the Fulmar platform in the North Sea, to allow an evolution of the business and, while there, he started to place contractors on this project.
By the end of 1977, Petroplan had 30 contractors on its payroll, leaving John and Graham free to focus on growing what had become their contractor recruitment business.
Overseas business for Petroplan began in the late 1970s, working with organisations such as Union Oil in the Netherlands, and Maersk and Danbor in Denmark, alongside other well-known international operators Shell, Texaco and Chevron.
Petroplan’s founders describe these projects as a time of great margins – higher than 20% in the contract recruitment market – and where deals were sealed with a handshake rather than lengthy contractual documents.
However, some things haven’t changed, such as attempts to predict the exact timing of ‘peak oil’. In the year Petroplan started (1976), Jimmy Carter talked about oil running out by 2011, and this debate still rumbles on.
Today’s exploration and extraction technology has made the longevity of this sector much more viable and can support many generations of oil and gas careers yet to come.
By 1979, the business required further investment in administration, and Jocelyn Thomerson joined to provide general accounts support and organisation for the back-office activity. Jos, later became a Board Director of Petroplan, leading the operational and contractor management side of the business.
She has recently semi-retired and moved to an NED role. For her, and her well trained global team, the care with which contractors’ well-being and placements are managed is still personal, but the technology to process and administer is now very different.
Petroplan was headquartered in London at various West End offices in the early years, decked out with such items as telex machines, with long ribbons reaching great lengths during busy periods, and Philips word processors to professionally produce typed CVs.
In 1981, Pauline Horton joined the team to also support contractor management and mobilisation. As time moved on, she also became a Main Board Director, and moved into a focal Client Relationship role. Over 30 years, Jos and Pauline have moved contractors across many global locations from the North Sea to Algeria to Iraq and Europe.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Petroplan broadened its contractor base from its original focus of planning and cost engineers, to technical staff across the full spectrum of disciplines such as materials control, supply chain and project management to mechanical, electrical and commissioning engineers.
Key projects Petroplan’s contractors oversaw:
The 2000's saw strategic expansion with offices being opened beyond the headquarters in England from 2005. This started with Aberdeen, and was followed by Calgary, Houston, Dubai, Cape Town, Oman and most recently Mozambique.
A new direction was heralded in 2012 with the business placing more emphasis on talent acquisition for clients. Petroplan already had over 30 years of recruitment experience which was built on networks formed before the inception of LinkedIn and job boards.
At this juncture more recruiters and operational support services were put in place to also attract candidates for permanent positions in the energy industry, to expand our reach beyond the active contractor network.
In 2014, to grow our international capability, a new London office was created and this, and Houston now represent Petroplan’s main centres of excellence.
There have been many changes since 1976 – to business processes, technology, the Energy industry as a whole – but throughout it all Petroplan is governed by two fundamental constants.
Firstly, guided by the strength, wisdom and knowledge of the above mentioned four individuals who are all still main Board Directors today, our utter commitment to the care of our clients and contractors remains our solid foundation.
Secondly, we have a Board who truly understand the Energy industry and are not fazed by the ever-moving political and environmental pressures placed upon it. As oil price and demand for other sources of energy has flexed, along with the motivations of employers and individuals, so too has the Petroplan Group.
The heart of what we do – providing exceptional talent solutions to the energy industry – is the same today as it was at the beginning.
We know that delivering on our commitments for those that depend on our business is essential.
To have an initial, confidential discussion, please contact us here.
We are currently supporting a global leader in the offshore energy industry to find a Senior Tendering Engineer. This is a permanent staff vacancy to be based in their Aberdeen offices and an exciting opportunity to join an EPC company that is involved in in some of the largest projects in the industry. This is as a direct result of their excellent tendering team which you know have the opportunity to join.Main accountabilities: Directly contribute to securing contracts and new business opportunities by effective definition and tender management of commercial obligations and risk exposure ensuring a suitable risk / reward profile is agreed with Client. Liaise with Legal & Contracts to ensure contractual terms and conditions are prepared and collated as part of tender submission Responsible for all aspects of the preparation and presentation of estimates, including checking and peer review of other's estimates. Generate cashflow schedule, milestone payment and contract cancellation schedules. Develop and maintain databases for cost benchmarking/norms/tools including formal feedback loops with Operations and Commercial Leads. Ensure all responsibilities are executed in strict compliance with relevant company policies, processes and procedures and in accordance with company values. Ensure appropriate and relevant estimating, cost and commercial support is provided to the Tendering / Project Manager throughout the tendering phase. Establish and maintain good working relationships with Client, Subcontractors and Suppliers throughout the tendering phase. Manage commercial risks on tenders to ensure risks are identified early and either eliminated or managed appropriately by the Tendering / Project Manager during the preparation and clarification phases of the tender process. Support Tendering / Project Manager in developing and define the cost base, contingency and risk provision for the technical solution. Ensure active management of all Tender Clarifications on allocated tender with respect to Client, Subcontractors and Suppliers. Serves as role model for Tendering Engineers and Graduates in execution of the role and behaviours Job Scope (budget, management, specific criteria):General Responsibilities Responsible for delivering all commercial aspects of allocated Client tenders and Budget Proposals including all associated subcontracts and supplier proposals in accordance with company procedures, processes and systems. Prepare and manage tender plan in conjunction with allocated Tender / Project Manager to ensure all defined deliverables are managed within agreed timeframes, Ensure all key progress and approvals meeting are held and minuted with appropriate attendees throughout the tender process. Prepare all internal tender process approval documents throughout the tendering phases and ensure approvals are made in a timely manner and in accordance with approved group policies and procedures. Prepare detailed and accurate cost estimate of defined technical solution(s) including contingency and risk provisions in conjunction with Tender / Project Manager. Complete Peer Reviews of cost estimates dependent on ITT ranking Ensure appropriate tax, currencies hedging and cashflow requirements are defined and included for with the cost estimate and/or qualifications, with necessary finance approvals. Maintain up to date and comprehensive Clarification Registers for Client and subcontractors. Perform appropriate commercial reviews including interface with Legal and Contracts for contractual reviews as required. Co-ordination and delivery of department initiatives and objectives as required by Tendering Manager or Commercial Director. Manage internal reporting of status on allocated commercial and contractual issues for allocated tenders in accordance with company procedures, processes and systems Support the implementation and any ongoing administration of Tender Estimation Software Packages and other cost systems and the training of others in their use Other appropriate tasks as may be directed by the Tendering Manager from time to time, May be required to support the creation and present internally/externally material relating to strategic initiative subject. Client Responsibilities Agree points of contact with Client on tender submission requirements and clarifications to ensure consistent communications plan is established and maintained and accurate formal communication log is administered by Tender Coordinator Prepare commercial deliverables and liaise with Legal and Contracts for contractual deliverables for inclusion in Client tender submissions. Provision of Commercial representation at Client tender clarification meetings etc, as required. Subcontract Management Responsibilities Define and manage the procurement plan for the tender and ensure subcontractors and suppliers are managed using the relevant company systems and tools throughout the tendering phase. Propose procurement strategies to reduce costs and optimise schedules where required in conjunction with Global Supply chain function. Ensure all third-party costs are fully identified, confirmed and included in the cost estimate. Participate in all relevant subcontractor and supplier meetings where agenda relates to commercial and contractual matters, including cost, schedule to be aware of all project activities which may affect the contractual position and exposure to risks. Resolve contractual positions with subcontractors and suppliers where required. Post Contract Award Responsibilities (on secured awards) Ensure formal handover in accordance with procedure of all relevant commercial and contractual documents to Operations, project controls and execution Project Manager following Client award of contract. Ensure all agreed deviations from Group contractual and financial principles are fully signed as soon as practical and not later than prior to signature of Client contract. Ensure any changes to the agreed As-Won position are agreed by management and communicated to the Project Manager and included in the final signed contract and internal handover. Ensure Client contract document is duly executed and distributed. You are meant for this job if:Typical background and experience required:Must have: High standard of written and spoken English. Ability to work under minimal supervision and direction. Extensive experience in a commercial environment performing a similar role which demonstrates exposure to the key commercial concepts in relation to commercial risk management with specific emphasis on tendering activities. Knowledge of contractual terms and conditions and proven ability to negotiate same with Clients and Suppliers. Technical and practical understanding of engineering, procurement, construction, and installation methods and techniques as applicable to the oil/gas/renewables industry. Able to act as 'technical expert' within the Commercial function. Ability to provide leadership as well as mentor and develop junior colleagues. Previous and demonstrable repeat experience in a relevant position as a Tendering Engineer / Estimator / Contracts Engineer Demonstrable high level of competence in the discharge of such commercial and contractual duties. Ability to work under pressure, prioritise workload and meet stringent deadlines, often necessitating additional hours being worked Able to work within and contribute in a motivated and professional environment. Self-motivated and persistent. Nice to have: Experience in offshore / subsea related industrial environment. Knowledge of Subsea EPCI construction projects and associated subsea hardware Professional or undergraduate degree level qualification in Commercial, Business Administration / Management, Purchasing or Legal discipline 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 are looking to hire a Principal Mechanical Handler on a long term contract to be based in Surrey on a negotiable hourly rate. This is to work on an FPSO project that is in pre-FEED, moving to FEED stage and onwards on an LNG FEED. Required experience - demonstrable experience authoring mechanical handling reports during different project phases (concept, front end engineering design, and detailed design) in an offshore environment. The work is to develop the material handling philosophy to minimise material handling, develop a plug and play handling philosophy, liaise with disciplines. Define the number location, capacity or cranes, monorails, davits, gantries, personal or robotics lifts and specialised lifting devices for major equipment. Outline method description for major equipment handling and high risk operations. 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 are assisting a client of ours with their search for a Subsea Engineer to join in office/site on an initial contract until the end of the year. The client is a major player within the energy market with assets all over the globe. As Subsea Engineer you will provide Technical Support to the Installation and Pre-Commissioning team. As such we are recruiting for a Subsea Engineer with between 5-10 years experience who is comfortable working offshore with the ambition/drive to succeed working for one of the world's biggest operators, conducting their standards. Location: London/Site Status: Contract Rate: D.O.E Core Competencies/Requirements: * Minimum Engineering Degree from University/College * Minimum of 6 years experience in the Oil and Gas industry and deep knowledge of Subsea Systems * Proven ability to approve and execute construction design plans offshore * Monitor and supervise day-to-day contractor activities and identify and implement corrective action Please contact: for a confidential/non-committal chat 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.
Key Objective * IT Business Analyst serves as a liaison between IT and business stakeholders, working as IT Business Partner to gather and analyze business requirements, work with solution providers to identify solution, facilitate project prioritization and funding discussions with business for any changes or new requests of IT Digital and Technology initiatives. * IT Business Analyst serves as IT Project Manager for the solution delivery once the demand is translated into project, works with project and development team to ensure that the solution deployment is within the scope, timeline and approved budget. Principal Accountabilities The Business Analyst role delivers bottom line value to the business through implementation of innovative, new IT Digital and Technology solutions and harvesting existing IT assets to enable the achievement of the business strategy, value drivers and KPIs. The role is responsible for all IT solutions that enable the success of business throughout COMPANY assets. * Active engagement with business stakeholders to ensure that business strategy and KPIs are met through the delivery of IT Digital and Technology solutions. * Helps shape the vision of longer-term business requirements. * Communicates business priorities to the technology organization in order to drive effective business solutions. * Conducts research to determine if solutions to business requirements currently exist within or outside the business unit, and if not, whether new solutions are feasible. * Facilitate funding discussions with business stakeholders and Work Program Budget (WPB) approval process. * Facilitate procurement process from sourcing, technical evaluation, contract award to order execution to ensure that project can commence as per plan to meet business goals * Facilitates requirements and design sessions with end user community and communicates these requirements to the development team for the design and implementation of solutions. * Analyzes impact of proposed solution across the business. * Provides input to the development of formal business cases when enterprise-wide business solutions are proposed. Special Challenges * Maintain a good balance between global initiatives and local business interests; challenge local initiatives that are not aligned to global initiatives. * Strong collaboration with IT peers to ensure flawless execution, assurance and, where required, intervention on critical projects. * Provide cost transparency IT cost for the business and drive cost savings. Ensure the business stakeholders have the understanding about the value delivered while maintaining efficiencies and fit for future. * Dealing frequently with business leaders at Senior Management levels (VP/HoD) required strong interpersonal skills and ability to build credibility and strong relationship. * Provide clear direction to the IT team considering a constantly changing priority of global IT and the business. * Managing prioritization of competing business requests and ad-hoc request. SSHE Roles And Responsibilities * Take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of people who may be affected by your acts or omissions. * Understand and comply with applicable COMPANY and regulatory HSE requirements. * Report hazards, unsafe acts, unsafe conditions, incidents and near hits to your immediate supervisor. * Promptly report any violation of law, regulation or other requirement to their immediate supervisor. * Accept that safety is a personal responsibility for everyone within the organization. * Know, and whenever necessary, implement Stop Work Authority. * Participate in health, safety and environment activities and initiatives. Qualifications And Experience Requirements * Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer technology, or related fields. * At least five years' experience in business analyst or IT project management role. * Worked as business analyst or project manager in full SDLC lifecycle for Engineering & Maintenance related software maintenance/development/implementation projects. * Experience in Engineering & Maintenance Applications such as GE Asset Performance Management (APM), SAP Plant Maintenance and S/4HANA will be advantageous. * Agile project experience. * Demonstrated learning agility in ambiguous and unfamiliar situations. * Strong communication and presentation skills. * Strong stakeholder management skills - including experience coaching stakeholders. 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 Turnaround Lead Scheduler to join our client from oil & gas company based in Vietnam for 12 months contract duration with possible to extended.Job Purpose: Supervises and provides quality assurance plan for turnaround schedulers. Review scheduler quality and productivity. Identifies and corrects gaps in overall plans and integration. Assist in the generation of the schedules from the plans. Supervises schedulers during the execution period to ensure they are engaged and contributing. Reviews and supervises revisions to plans as required. Responsibilities: Turnaround Lead Scheduler - All Disciplines. Participate in work list review and evaluation. Significant Hands-on experience for TA Integrated Schedule preparation in P6 (Primavera) which includes Work Packs review through ROSER, Site verification for the job, estimating resources required to execute the job, familiar with technical drawing such as: Isometrics, Assemble drawing, Plot Plan, Data sheet, P & ID etc. for the job. Coordinate with other Refinery divisions and members of the TA team in gathering data and information that are needed in review and developing an effective Schedule. Prepare Turnaround schedule including resource assignment and analysis. Monitor the work progress and ensure its adherence to the plan during execution and provide recommended corrective actions based on the analysis of schedule and financial data. Prepare reports (S-curve, Progress report, Variance Report, Lookahead schedule and Management report) and publish. Participate in TA close out and assessments. Perform other tasks as assigned by TA Planning Leader, TA Execution leader, TA Manager and/or other superiors. Budgeting & Costing Estimate budgetary cost related to scheduled resource requirement. Needs Assessment: Explore issues or needs, establishing potential causes and barriers as well as related issues. Procurement: Achieve specific procurement goals or provide support to others while following established procurement systems and protocols. Communicate effectively: Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. For example, listens attentively and takes an interest. Keeps others well informed; conveys information clearly, concisely, and professionally when speaking or writing. Organizational savvy: Maneuvers comfortably through complex policy, process, and people-related organizational dynamics. For example, proactively seeks to understand the organizational culture and adapts fluently to expected behaviours and protocols. Is inquisitive about the workgroup's function and the unwritten rules of the group. Accountability: To achieve the followings through the above responsibility: Accountable for successful preparation of TA schedules and keeping them updated as needed, meeting all the approved planning milestones and related Key Performance Indicators. Direct Supervises: Turnaround Schedulers as assigned. Total Staff Supervised: TBC Qualifications: Educational Level : University Graduated or higher Work Experience : General Experience (15 Years). Specialty/Qualification : (Mechanical Diploma/Degree required) Skills : Must have more than 10 extensive years' experience in maintenance work preferably in the Petrochemical or Petroleum Refining industry of which at least6 significant years as a leader in Planning of major outages or Turnarounds. Degree in Mechanical, Electrical / instrument, or Civil discipline or equivalent qualification. Must have proven leadership qualities & be able to organize up to 50 Engineers of different disciplines and manage a Scheduling organization independently. 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 Heater Specialist Engineer for one of its clients. Job purpose: The primary role will be to provide technical support to operating facilities, projects, technology deployment, and talent development of young Engineers. Also, will conduct special studies and analysis in a specialized asset integrity field.Job requirements: You must hold a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field. You should have a minimum of 15 years' experience across the refinery and/or petrochemical, with minimum 7 years in Fired Equipment specialty. You must have worked within Hydrocarbon Facilities (preferably Refineries). A broad set of skills and knowledge encompassing fired heaters, flares, incinerators, boilers, SCRs, and similar systems including auxiliaries, related to Refining, NGL, and petrochemical industries. Deep code knowledge of ASME Section VIII Divisions 1 & 2, ASME Section I, API-530, API-535, API-537, API-560, API-579, API-936 and NFPA standards, etc. applicable to fired equipment. Significant experience in inspection and failure analysis of fired equipment. Knowledge of basic and advanced NDE techniques related to fired equipment. Deep understanding of remaining life calculations of heater tubes. Understanding of Refractory design and repair is desirable. 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.
Key responsibilities: Support the Asset Performance Management (APM) team in developing and modifying static and dynamic asset health indices for Electrical Transmission and Distribution (T&D) assets, including power transformers, medium voltage cables, and switchgears. Maintain and organize asset information including maintenance check sheets, SAP preventative maintenance records, and electrical testing results. Collaborate across the organization to improve system component data from field sensors, testing company reports, or DGA lab analyses Work with T&D cross-functional teams to identify and implement data-driven solutions Support the Asset Performance Management (APM) project team by managing and interpreting large sets of data and developing new models for new asset scope to support decision-making and strategic planning. Support the project team in reviewing the APM T&D models developed in GE Asset Performance Management Software and PI Vision platform ensuring model integrity, quality, and offering enhancement suggestions Sustain and monitor existing online T&D dashboards using PI Vision software Ensure APM deliverables from project team align with internal client requirements Leverage industry experience, equipment knowledge, software know-how, and customer satisfaction skills to deliver world class experience within the scope of the APM T&D project. Contribute to the reliability strategies, inspection, process and procedural review, and sustainment of asset performance Collect, clean, and analyze large data sets from various sources Identify patterns and trends in data to support business decisions Develop and implement data management processes to ensure data integrity and accuracy Create data visualizations to communicate findings to stakeholders Predict failures through data-driven and analytical techniques, report problems, conduct analysis, and implement corrective actions Work in key areas such as problem definition, root cause analysis, preventive and corrective actions, effectiveness, and prevention of recurrence. Support improvements of reliability engineering processes and related documentation and models Support and/or facilitate Failure Mode & Effects Analysis with specific emphasis on cause - failure mode - effect relationships, effects and severities, causes and occurrences, prevention and detection actions, and special characteristics. Adhering to industry and best practice standards such as IEEE C57.104, IEEE C57.106, and ANSI/NETA MTS Preference for: Competency in creating decision support packages including key documentation: project execution plans, integrated schedules, presentation materials and resourcing plans Proficiency with the ADEM/Agile and DevOps methods of project delivery is beneficial. Experience with data visualization tools such as GE Meridium, Power BI, and PI Vision considered an asset Understanding of Asset Health Indices and the life cycle of power system components Experienced with analyzing large amounts of data and developing decision-ready information Excellent communication, collaboration, and technical writing skills Experienced in working with large amounts of data and comfortable with relational databases Knowledge of risk ranking, failure modes, troubleshooting, and failure analysis of medium and high voltage electrical equipment Industrial utility experience considered an asset Inclined to stay current on industry trends and new technologies related to data management. Interest in or Understanding of Statistical Modelling and familiarity in using Script Languages (R-Script, Python) in a cloud environment Qualifications: Broad knowledge of electrical testing required for high and medium voltage systems Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a current member of APEGA (Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta) Extensive knowledge of high and medium voltage equipment in substations including transformers, switchgears, cables, and industrial communication (e.g. SCADA, RTUs, common communication protocols, etc.) Experience in maintenance and reliability of T&D power systems Familiarity with online and offline preventive maintenance and testing of transformers, switchgears, cables, and power lines 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.
Cost Estimator & Risk Specialist (Intermediate)ROLE OVERVIEW The Cost Estimator (CE) is accountable for developing cost estimating deliverables for a wide range of projects at various levels of definition for the Canada Capital Projects department. This position is part of the Project Services team and will functionally report to the Risk & Estimating Team Lead.RESPONSIBILITIES * Prepares and reviews detailed TIC estimates using different techniques such as, conceptual, factored and quantity based. * Facilitates the Risk Register sessions to develop project integrated Risk Registers. * Facilitates the quantitative risk analysis (QRA) sessions to collect the required information for the risk analysis. * Performs schedule risk analysis as required, using the Acumen Risk tool. * Performs cost risk analysis as required * Prepares the Contingency Breakdown Report (CBR) with the results of the risk analysis * Participates in the projects Gate Assurance process by developing and supporting multiple deliverables, including (but not limited to) estimates, estimate basis documents, manpower histograms, risk analysis basis documents, benchmarking reports and closing of assurance findings. * Participates in evaluation of contractor(s) estimating capability * Supports the bids evaluation process by performing cost validation and equalization * Establishes proper cost estimate methodology & documentation * Identifies cost estimate deliverables and comply with delivery dates * Sets contingency according to procedure * Reviews estimates with major contractors and sets the guidelines that the contractors use in producing estimates * Coordinate with construction, supply chain, site services and operations teams to obtain their inputs and endorsement for the relevant sections of the TIC estimate. * Prepares the Basis of Risk Analysis document when applicable. * File all Estimating & Risk information in the corresponding repository * Assist in the development of staffing plans and indirects estimates with coordination with the discipline and execution managers. * Supports the creation and maintenance of the Canada Capital Projects estimating database * Supports the projects close-out process by preparing analysis reports comparing initial estimates to final project costs * Supports the change management process by providing guidance on budget breakdown and contingency usageMANDATORY REQUIREMENTS * Degree or Technical Certificate, or equivalent work experience. * 3 to 5 years of experience in the cost estimating of heavy industrial projects, preferably in the Oil & Gas field. * Working knowledge of all phases of large/complex industrial projects from conception to completion. * Proficiency with Microsoft O365 applications: Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, MSTeams and Word. * Basic knowledge of EPC/M practices and related impacts on cost * Solid knowledge of estimating norms for industrial projects in Northern Alberta and Northern BC. * Willing and able to travel 10% of the time on a yearly basis, if required PREFERRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE * 3 to 5 years of experience in risk management and analysis * Knowledge of the different types of contracts and how they apply to the budgeting of projects (unit rate, cost reimbursable, lump sum). * Ability to assertively discuss estimate quality with management * Collaborative interpersonal communication style * Strong written and oral communication skills * Basic knowledge of risk analysis and risk management methods * Builds effective solutions based on available information and makes timely decisions that are safe and ethical * Listens actively and invites new ideas for exchanged opinions, then influences and acts to drive positive performance and achieve resultsADDITIONAL INFORMATION * All duties will be performed in accordance with policies and SPIRIT values. * Calgary office work schedule is Monday to Friday, 8 hours per days- Wednesdays and Fridays are optional work-from-home days. 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.
This role's primary responsibilities include database development, data wrangling, statistical analysis, automation, and building reports and visualizations to communicate data-informed insights to users effectively.The ideal candidate will be curious, creative, and a critical thinker. They will build effective relationships with functional and cross-functional stakeholders and lead or participate in the design, development, implementation, and management of analytics & reporting solutions. Power BI will be the primary tool used, including its advanced features. However, Excel, SQL, Python, R, Knime, Spotfire, and other tools may also be used if they better align to the business requirement.Responsibilities * Design, develop, implement, and maintain innovative, value-add Power BI published apps and other analytics solutions. * Ensure data governance standards are strictly adhered to. * Produce regular and ad-hoc reports and dashboards that effectively communicate data-informed insights to users from a variety of audiences. * Wrangle data from multiple (internal and external) sources. * Build analytics tools and make recommendations based on an understanding of the business strategy and stakeholder needs. * Establish and automate business reporting, including key performance indicators (KPIs). * Train non-technical end users how to use analytics solutions. * Independently perform exploratory data analysis and develop visualizations and graphs to highlight trends and patterns to support decision-making. * Identify, design, and implement process improvements through automation and data delivery optimization. * Document and maintain operational procedures and processes relating to analytics and reporting processes. * Actively participate in our culture of continuous improvement by contributing analysis and solutions for reporting result gaps. * Break down strategic problems and analyze data to provide subject matter insights and recommendations. * Monitor and track reporting tool performance and address issues and improvements in a timely fashion. * Facilitate project meetings and track minutes and actions. * Help progress the Workplace and Real Estates data and analytics strategy.Competencies * Exceptional skills in effectively managing competing priorities, often under pressure and within rigid time constraints. * Strong results-driven orientation and the ability to improve processes for higher business performance. * Ability to solve complex problems independently, or with teammates, based on best practices. * High attention to detail and an ability to keep information organized. * Excellent communication skills - with the ability to communicate with stakeholders and across business functions in an effective and professional manner. * Trustable when working with confidential data.Qualifications * A bachelor's degree (master's degree preferred) in Business Analytics, Management Analytics, Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related discipline with equivalent work experience. * In-depth knowledge of Power BI, including data modeling, data transformations (power query editor), DAX, visualization, Power BI embedded analytics, workspace management, APP development and maintenance, and architecture. * Experience collecting and understanding business requirements and designing data models to convert raw data into meaningful insights. * Advanced Excel capabilities, including using macros to automate processes. * Knowledge of data science tools such as Python, R, and SQL. * Experience building databases and writing queries. * General business administration knowledge. * Project management experience, including working with stakeholders (PMP designation an asset). * Understanding of financial acumen, including budgets, CAPEX and OPEX reporting (CFA, CGA, or other financial designation an asset). * Five or more years of experience in Data Analytics. * Familiarity with the balanced scorecard. 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.
Compressor Engineer Permanent Saudi Arabia Overview We are seeking a Compressor Specialist to join our Global Manufacturing Excellence Team within our Global Manufacturing Support Department (GMSD). GMSD is a multi-disciplinary organization with interface to technical, and in some cases business, support requirements of Domestic Refining & NGL Fractionation Admin Area and company affiliates. Its function caters mainly to the technical needs of Global Manufacturing, operating facilities management, and driving the performances of operating facilities in executing corporate programs and initiatives towards operational excellence and value creation. Your primary role will be to provide technical evaluation and assessment of Compressors including all the relevant auxiliary systems in the refining, NGLF, and petrochemical plants. Key Responsibilities As the successful candidate you will be required to perform the following: Provide technical support to the operation team during the entire lifecycle of the compressors, analyzing their performances, operative conditions and boundaries, in order to guarantee reliable and safe operations. Troubleshoot Compressors & Rotating Equipment failures & performance. Utilize knowledge and familiarity with the international standards in order to improve the equipment performance. Implement best-in-class solutions pertaining to the rotating equipment and Compressors in particular, as foreseen by international standards and other internal company standards. Lead efficiency improvement initiates, upgrading programs, & projects for Compressors. Provide technical solutions whenever the machines experience failures, utilizing sound maintenance strategies to analyze, address and rectify the root causes in order to prevent reoccurrences. Propose changes in operating modes, or technological improvement, or maintenance strategies implementation, in order to support the company vision of continuous improvement throughout collaboration and people conversation. Minimum Requirements You must have a bachelor degree in mechanical engineering. You should have a minimum of 15 years' experience in the rotating equipment discipline, with at least 5 years of specialized experience in compressors, and 5 years relevant experience in the field of troubleshooting & assessments. Thorough knowledge of engineering practices and economic principles, calculation methods, design details, and international codes, standards and specifications, including API610, API 617, API 618, API 619, API 692 is required. Familiarity with the basic investigation tools and techniques like FRACAS, RCA, and TAPROOT is an added value. 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.
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.
The energy sector has long been a leader in graduate employment. As the transition to renewable energy gathers pace, energy companies, now more than ever, are looking to young talent to spearhead the shift to a more sustainable future.
Global energy investment is set to increase a further 8% in 2022, with the long-term picture of an industry characterised by consistent growth. This makes the energy sector one of the most exciting and attractive industries for graduates at the start of their career.
Below, we’ve gathered some tips and insights from our specialist consultants for graduates interested in a career in the energy industry. But before we get into that, here’s a brief overview of the global energy sector in 2022.
The energy sector: an overview for graduatesThe global energy industry is at a point of profound change. Historically, the oil & gas sector has been the industry’s biggest employer, with a wide range of roles available to graduates including engineers, technicians and surveyors.
The transition to clean energy is set to create millions of new jobs in renewable energy. According to a study published in One Earth, the total number of energy jobs will rise from 18 million in 2021 to 26 million in 2050, with as many as 84% of these to be made up by renewable energy jobs.
Beyond these sectors, graduates could also consider a career in the technology and commercial sectors. Many energy jobs, especially those in natural resources and renewable energy technology, are technically complex and require postgraduate qualifications.
As a consequence of the likely high demand for talent, graduate energy jobs tend to offer some of the highest starting salaries of any industry. According to a study from the Institute of Student Employers, the average starting salary in the UK’s energy industry is £28,000 – the fifth highest of any industry.
Lucrative starting salaries and a rising demand for young talent to lead the development of renewable energy technology make a career in the energy industry an incredibly exciting prospect for graduates.
Finding the right roleAs a graduate, the first step is to consider which energy sector jobs appeal to your skills and interests, whether it's a job in the renewable energy sector or a business development role based in an office. In many cases, your degree will steer you towards a particular pathway.
At such an early stage, however, your career is not set in stone; many employers will encourage you to develop skills in other areas, so don’t be afraid to apply to energy sector jobs that may not be perfectly aligned with your degree. You can get an idea of the roles available on our jobs page.
Many energy companies have employment initiatives in place, such as industry placements and graduate schemes, to support the transition of graduates into the workplace. These are well worth exploring in greater detail once you’ve found a job role that interests you.
Building your skills and experienceWhen you’ve determined the role that's right for you, you can begin working towards it by building your relevant skills and experience. This could be through a paid role, work placement, training programme, further education or even industry events and conferences.
A combination of soft and hard skills is key to a successful energy career. Along with technical skills specific to the job role, the top five soft skills to focus on, according to a study from think tank Rank, are active listening, critical thinking, speaking, reading comprehension and monitoring.
Another thing that cannot be understated is the importance of networking. In the energy industry, personal connections often lead to employment. By registering with a trusted talent partner like Petroplan, candidates can also access a range of exclusive career opportunities.
Putting together a winning applicationWith enough knowledge under your belt, you can start applying for jobs. As a graduate, look for entry-level energy jobs or graduate energy jobs that closely align with your skillset. A permanent role is likely to provide a greater sense of structure compared to contract work, which is especially important in a first job.
For every application you submit, make sure to personalise your CV and cover letter to the specific requirements of the role. We go into greater detail about how best to structure your CV and provide CV formatting tips elsewhere on the blog.
Before an interview, do your research on the employer and be prepared to discuss both your technical capabilities and cultural competence. Preparing for a virtual interview requires a slightly different approach – test your technology before the call and make sure to stay visibly engaged throughout.
Once you’ve secured your first role, commit yourself to continued training and development. Many employers will offer the chance to reskill or upskill, especially as businesses pivot increasingly to renewables. Making using of these opportunities can only enhance your employability.
Champions of young talentPetroplan has been helping graduates kickstart their career in the energy sector for more than 45 years. We recruit for a wide range of entry-level energy jobs and graduate energy jobs around the world, and our experienced consultants know exactly what it takes to secure that first role in the industry.
Register with Petroplan today for instant access to a wide range of exclusive jobs in renewable energy, natural resources and infrastructure as well as expert advice from the industry’s best recruiters.
Climate change continues to be a major challenge for governments, businesses and the general public. In order to reduce the carbon footprint and achieve net-zero carbon emissions, it’s imperative to develop clean forms of energy as an alternate to fossil fuels.
However, this challenge is threatened by financial considerations as the world faces the threat of inflation pressures, including interest rate rises, and energy supply and pricing are threatened by geo-political forces, especially in Europe.
So far, most governments have focused their resources on solar and wind – two forms of renewable energy that are, by nature, intermittent. While the development of these energy sources signals a big step in the right direction, they alone will be unable to meet net-zero targets and continue to be challenged by storage issues.
One form of clean energy that could prove to have a similar impact to solar and wind is green hydrogen. Investment into this renewable resource is on the increase, and creating the financial platform on which green hydrogen could fulfil its potential and lead the charge toward carbon neutrality.
What is green hydrogen?Hydrogen is an important energy carrier used to store and transport energy. Currently, over 95% of hydrogen production is fossil-fuel based. The remaining minority, derived from low-carbon or carbon-free renewable energy sources, can be considered ‘green hydrogen’.
Water electrolysis is the key process that underpins green hydrogen production. This technique uses a carbon-free electric current, powered by renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydro, to split water (H₂O) into hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O).
While green H2 has been discussed as a potential source of renewable energy for some time, only recently has it finally found use in industry. The future for green hydrogen is bright, with the energy source expected to account for up to 12% of global energy usage by 2050.
How can green hydrogen help in the fight against climate change?Much of the excitement about green hydrogen stems from its potential to bring several “harder-to-abate" sectors – those that are most difficult to decarbonise – closer to net-zero emissions. Chief among these sectors are energy, steelmaking, chemicals and transport.
Green hydrogen can help cut emissions in the energy sectorThe energy sector is the biggest contributor of any industry to climate change, responsible for around 40% of global carbon emissions. Hydrogen is used in the energy sector as an energy carrier in fuel cells, facilitating the storage and transportation of energy across the supply chain.
Currently, most energy carriers are derived from fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas. Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind continue to be frustrated by lack of efficient storage facilities.
Green hydrogen, as a low-carbon alternative, has the potential to sustainably store and supply energy in the steps between production and end-use consumption. Green energy generated using renewable sources is an efficient way to create and store low carbon energy.
Green hydrogen can sustainably power the steelmaking industryMany of the most influential manufacturing industries are reliant on the use of fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas as part of the production process. One such industry is steelmaking, which was responsible for 8% of all global greenhouse gas emissions in 2018.
The goal with the steel industry is to replace the oil, coal and natural gas used to heat and reduce iron oxide with green H2. Industry leaders have already begun investing in new on-site electrolysis plants and green steel plants that could almost entirely decarbonise the steel production process.
Green hydrogen can decarbonise the chemicals industryHydrogen is already used widely in the chemicals industry. It’s a fundamental building block in the production of molecules like ammonia and methanol which, in turn, are used to make chemical products such as fertilisers and pharmaceuticals.
Currently, the chemical industry is heavily reliant on the use of grey hydrogen (hydrogen derived from fossil fuels). It’s expected that these high-carbon forms of hydrogen will be phased out from the chemical manufacturing process once green hydrogen production begins on a mass scale.
Green hydrogen can transform the transport sectorOne sector in which green hydrogen has already broken ground is transport, with several established car manufacturers now mass-producing fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) for the market. Rather than run off petroleum or even a rechargeable battery, these vehicles use a hydrogen-powered fuel cell.
The aim is to develop this technology so that hydrogen fuel cells can be used not only in cars but also in planes, trains, lorries, buses and even ships. Green hydrogen can also be used to create green ammonia, a next-generation clean combustion fuel for power plants and the shipping industry.
Building a more sustainable future with green hydrogenWith the energy transition gaining momentum, green H2 looks set to play a big part in decarbonising some of the planet’s most heavily polluting industries. The opportunities presented by this renewable resource are vast, with the number of green hydrogen jobs worldwide likely to surpass 5 million by 2050.
Petroplan has a rich history in delivering renewable energy projects and stands ready to support both clients and candidates as investment in green hydrogen increases. Get in touch today to find out how you can benefit from the industry’s best talent and workforce solutions.