The Times 100 Business Case Studies

Edition 15

Sectors of industry OPITO The Oil and Gas Academy

Introduction to OPITO The Oil and Gas Academy

Involved with the upstream elements of the industry exploration and extraction

downstream involves refining, distribution and sales

The focal point for skills, learning and workforce development in the oil and gas industry

40 Academy-approved UK training centres A further 60 accredited across the world To promote the importance of STEM subjects to the industry To highlight the range of opportunities across the oil and gas industry

Works with schools and universities

The Academys role

To show leadership and set industry standards, e.g. for Health & Safety To work with employers to identify current and future numbers of workers and skills

To link employers and training providers to improve workforce competency

Accredited trainers ensure consistent practices

To advise about careers in the industry and the skills/qualifications needed

Sectors of industry

Three sectors of industry in the chain of production

Oil and gas has interrelated supply chain

Primary extraction of raw materials, e.g. oil & gas, farming Secondary manufacturing and construction of finished goods, e.g. refining oil into petrol Tertiary provision of services to business and consumers

Upstream and downstream activities cut across the three sectors of industry Each stage adds value

Oil and gas a major contributor to the UK economy

Fills 70% UK energy needs Generates 40 billion per year in revenues

Primary sector oil and gas roles

Key skills

Science, engineering or maths-based Team-working and problem-solving Creativity and innovation to keep the industry competitive Geologist, geophysicist, petrophysicist all involved in search for oil and gas Well engineers and technicians - manage extraction process Offshore Installation Manager oversees whole offshore platform operations Business analyst to assess data for most cost-effective extraction process

Key roles

Secondary sector oil and gas roles

Secondary sector activities also serve the upstream process

Transportation of the oil and gas by pipeline Product development to turn raw materials into useable products Pipeline engineer Engineer Chemical engineer

Key roles

Tertiary sector oil and gas roles

Tertiary sector activities also serve the upstream process

Hospitality Finance Marketing/market research Law - negotiating legal agreements/contracts

Tertiary roles mostly onshore Key roles

Gas trader Project manager Accountant

Career progression

The Academy supports skills development

Promotes transferable skills

People may move across disciplines with training

Diverse careers in many areas of expertise

Entry to the industry at apprentice or graduate level Postgraduate level also valuable to sustain ongoing industry research