Summary: As alternative methods of energy production come to the fore a surge in oil recruitment is expected. With the continuing increase in demand for oil globally, ongoing research aims to discover and utilise new sources

As the consumption of oil steadily rises, it is inevitable that new resources will need to be located. Originally, oil, which is referred to as conventional oil, has been extracted from seas and oil fields, providing an assortment of oil recruitment opportunities for those with the required expertise. Yet, with growing demand, the energy industry must be prepared for peak production and the need to provide an alternative form of oil extraction when the supply depletes. Without further research into the topic, outsiders may well believe this depletion will result in the inevitable end for oil recruitment in its entirety. However, companies are contemplating different methods and sources, with the Arctic now being considered for a point of extraction. These new projects indicate exciting times for those in the precarious position of being employed on projects predicted to finish. This will no doubt be a relief for the oil recruitment sector and employees who rely on their present skills to secure new positions in the energy industry. In the same instance, more recent methods of extraction allow oil recruitment companies to open the door to a fresh generation of professionals and oil workers who can acquire the relevant skills needed for contemporary and alternative techniques.

Due to shifts in current political matters, the industry cannot afford to rest on its laurels by depending solely on oil obtained from wells. With several countries imposing sanctions on Iran and plans in place to potentially expand the sanctions to include investment in oil, a reliance on present oil extraction projects could be a foolhardy stance. Remaining static in this sense would jeopardise many areas of access to future fuel supplies and, as a result, would dramatically impact upon all areas of oil recruitment. The industry is required to look at unconventional sources, including synthetic fuels, biofuels and Canadian oil sands. It has been suggested that the method with the most potential, relative to fiscal gain, environmental impact and issues of safety is the Canadian oil sands extraction process.

Concentrated in Alberta and Saskatchewan, the Canadian oil sands are a mixture of water, minerals, sand and bitumen, the latter being the essential component and a form of crude oil. Using the American Petroleum Institute (API) gravity measurement, the level of bitumen found in oil sands varies from 8o to 14o. The API is an evaluation of the consistency of petroleum relative to water. Due to the thick nature of the bitumen, it is necessary to heat it to enable it to flow freely. The bitumen also needs to be altered before it can be used by oil refineries to produce fuel. Again, this is good news for oil recruitment companies and individuals searching for new positions in the industry, as even further vacancies will become available to meet the growing need for workers with specific skills in these areas.

At present, oil sands are recovered using two very different methods. The most familiar form of extraction is surface mining, which is also referred to as pit mining. Surface mining can be used when oil sands are situated less than 75m from the Earth’s surface and can be extracted using electric or hydraulic shovels. In terms of oil recruitment, this method requires a large number of persons, to implement and complete the project.

The alternative is to drill for oil sand deposits that lie deeper below the Earth’s surface, which would not be accessible using surface mining. Again, with regards to oil recruitment, drilling for oil sands provides a variety of roles at different stages of each project. As this is considered the most cost effective and indeed the most efficient method of extraction, it is viewed that drilling for oil sands will be the method used to obtain subsequent sources of oil and will therefore be the future of oil recruitment. The highest concentration of oil sands can be found in the Athabasca site in Alberta and contributes to untapped resources of 1.7 trillion barrels of bitumen deposits, along with the Boreal River and peat bog oil sands. This incredible number puts Canada in second place only to Saudi Arabia for recoverable oil sand reserves.

Whichever extraction method is used, it is apparent that continuing and new projects will result in a significant rise in oil recruitment, with agencies and individuals required to meet the needs of developing projects. Therefore, it appears that in such an unstable economy, one of the only secure employment routes is in oil and recruitment.

Patrick Coyle consults for specialist recruitment oil and gas industry company, Kin-Tec plc (http://www.kin-tec.com). With Kin-Tec\’s global footprint, he offers a knowledgeable perspective on recruitment for one of the world\’s most important and rewarding industries.

Patrick Coyle consults for specialist recruitment oil and gas industry company, Kin-Tec plc, (http://www.kin-tec.com). With Kin-Tec\’s global footprint he offers a knowledgeable perspective on recruitment for one of the world\’s most important and rewarding industries.

Author Bio: Patrick Coyle consults for specialist recruitment oil and gas industry company, Kin-Tec plc (http://www.kin-tec.com). With Kin-Tec\’s global footprint, he offers a knowledgeable perspective on recruitment for one of the world\’s most important and rewarding industries.

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