IChemE sets up new SIG to support members of the oil and gas industry

ICHEME has launched a new special interest group (SIG) to support members in the oil and gas sector through the industry’s energy transition.

The Oil, Gas and Energy Transition SIG emerged following IChemE’s Changing Future of the Oil and Gas Industry project. The project was based on five regional online workshops and a membership survey involving more than 200 professionals based in some of the world’s biggest energy regions.

Most respondents agreed that global oil and gas demand will decline over the next decade, echoing the findings of a recent IEA World Energy Outlook report.

The IEA found that global investment into clean energy projects is approaching US$2tn/y, almost double the amount spent on new oil, gas, and coal supply.

Despite the shift in energy demands and focus, the future prospects for chemical engineers across regions remains hopeful.

Zainab Kayat, the deputy chair for the Board of IChemE Malaysia, said: “The expectation of major job losses is not there. Significant numbers of oil and gas engineers are already involved in energy transition activities.”

The UK specifically has made progress in supporting engineers with reskilling, with the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero recently joining the OPITO-led project delivering an “energy skills passport” for workers in Scotland who are involved in energy transition schemes.

The skills passport is expected to verify the applicable and transferrable skills of workers from the oil and gas industry and help them get jobs in the renewables sector, specifically in offshore wind.

Along with the formation of the new SIG, members highlighted several recommendations for IChemE in further supporting oil and gas engineers.

Steve Flynn, chair of the new SIG, said: “Getting diverse views from around the world really, really helped, as did listening to people at different career stages. I think that’s how we want the new special interest group to work.”

The recommendations included engaging more with the government on communicating the views of members and expanding educational activities and professional support.