Concept Steels

In amongst all the doom and gloom and AAA credit rating reductions of the global economic crisis, there are few industries that are growing, and even fewer that are looking to employ staff in these times of frugality.

But one that is is subsea and drilling technology, as companies attempt to find oil and gas sources in the depths of oceans, with BP. Petrobras and Aker Solutions leading the way in looking to recruit staff from engineers to commercial divers.

However a lack of skilled workers is proving to be a real problem for these companies.

In July, BP announce plans to invest up to £3bn to redevelop two oil fields in the North Sea, hopefully creating hundreds of jobs, but they have been struggling to fill these positions. Trevor Garlick, head of BP’s North Sea Operations was quoted as saying “Getting hold of the right people is a real issue for us.” As a centre for recruiting elsewhere within the BP network worldwide, the BP’s North Sea operation is seen within the company as a good training ground for promotion around the world, but a lack of quality candidates is causing problems.

Petrobras’ 2011-2015 Business Plan, looking at the growing global demand for energy, notably oil, and new - and promising - discoveries made in Brazilian fields, has budgeted total investments of $224.7 billion encompassing a total of 688 projects. And will need staff to fulfill those projects.

Oilfield engineering group Aker Solutions is looking to create 500 jobs, with 300 in Aberdeen and 200 in west London, after a 19% rise in orders, especially in subsea and drilling technology.

And, according to The Underwater Centre, the subsea training provider based in Fort William, more than 2,200 commercial divers will be needed to help build and develop the European offshore wind sector as it ‘rapidly expands’. A recent study by energy analysts Douglas Westwood discovered ‘the integral role that commercial divers will play across the offshore wind farm sector’.

Subsea UK, the British subsea industry body, has indicated that there is a growing need for skills right across the industry sector. Recently departed Chief Executive Alistair Birnie commented: “We cannot rely on our existing pool of resources to support the massive growth rate (in the subsea sector) and the only way we will succeed is if we invest in the right skills at the right time. (Divers) is one of the pressure areas which also includes skills such as engineers and technicians. Attracting new blood into the industry… is essential if we are to address the demand for skills now and in the future.”

With a pool of talent available in the latest batch of University graduates, the problem may well be in attracting these talented individuals into the subsea world as it expands and grows, but for now the sector will have to depend on its current workforce to fill the gap – a gap that needs to be filled.
Still, the rise in subsea operations is good news for companies like Concept Steels, specialists in subsea forgings, where concentration on quality in both material and construction is paramount and precision imperative.
From F65 forged rings to company requirements with specific mechanical properties and 40” forged blocs in LF2  to hangers in low alloy steel A182 F22 with high impact, all delivered within a client-agreed timeframe, Concept Steels work with many clients in the petrochemical, subsea, Offshore, power generation, rail and engineering industry sectors to meet demands for value and high quality in both product and service.  In fact, Concept Steels have recently qualified to supply Duplex & Super Duplex machined & forged components to NORSOK standard – proof, if proof were needed, of their dedication to detail and quality..