The oil and gas sector provides far a lot more than working on a rig; with over 200,000 UK jobs provided by oil and gas production, several options are available, including the possibility of travel.
How many jobs are there in oil and gas production?
When it comes to job opportunities in the UK, the industrial trade group Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) indicated that over 133,000 people work directly or indirectly for oil and gas companies and their supply chains.
The Employment Insight Reports 2023 revealed that while most (93,600) of these people are located in Scotland, you’ll be able to find work across the United Kingdom, with both large and small businesses employing With regard to diplomas. So, if you want to work abroad on an oil rig or in an office at a major energy hub (such as the east coast or the northwest of England), you have lots of opportunities.
The report by MyEnergyFuture, there will be over 4,500 new entrants into the UK energy sector by the end of 2025, with the majority likely to work in professions that are yet to be established.
What oil and gas jobs are available?
Oil and gas jobs span a range of sectors, including:
- Transport.
- Cook
- construction
- manufacturing/Welders
- professional services
You’ll find some of the world’s largest and most recognizable multinational companies in the oil and gas industry, with many taking on graduates, including:
- TotalEnergies – you could choose to work in geoscience and reservoir or drilling and well operations.
- Chevron – positioned in the Aberdeen office of the Global Technology Centre (GTC), you could be involved with research, development and technical support for the company’s upstream, downstream, global gas and emerging energy operations.
- BW Offshore – a three-year programme where you could work both onshore and offshore and get to spend time in different areas of the business.
- ExxonMobil – opportunities exist in downstream process, drilling and subsurface, reservoir and subsea, and chemical process engineering, among other areas.
- BP – roles are available to work in drilling, offshore structural, pipelines, petroleum and reservoir engineering. There are also scientific positions in geophysics, petroleum and reservoir engineering and petro physics.
- Shell – technical graduate programmes are available, including those related to civil, offshore and pipelines and petroleum engineering.
Employers want graduates with diverse interests and academic backgrounds, ranging from engineers and geologists to office-based employment in accounting and human resources (HR).
For example, you could be a cook assisting the personnel on an oil rig, a scientist conducting research and development, an environmental consultant assuring compliance, or a subsea engineer developing and installing underwater equipment.
However, you may work for a major energy company like Scottish Power on issues like climate change and international development.
You can also search for vacancies on specialist recruitment websites including:
- Rigzone
- Brunel – Oil and gas careers
- NES Fircroft
- Energy Jobline
- Oil and Gas Job Search
- Airswift
- Orion Group – Oil and Gas Jobs
The Uk provides a members directory of oil and gas companies, meaning you can easily search for opportunities on employers’ sites.
How much does a Oil gas pay in UK?
According to the Oil gas salary statistics in the United Kingdom as of September 4, 2024, the average employee earns £83,881; to be more specific, the pay rate is £6,990 per month, £1,613 per week, or £41.44 per hour.
The have examined the job market for this field and calculated average values. Salary rates can vary based on where you work. In calculating an average wage, the lowest yearly salary is £52,592, and the highest is £115,796.
What about oil and gas graduate Programs?
Once you’ve decided on a job, you can apply for a structured graduate programme offered by one of the larger firms.
For example, the Shell graduate program offers you to choose from a variety of choices, including:
• Commercial business.
• Corporate function.
• Technical.
Similarly, graduates at the petroleum company may choose careers such as:
• Business.
• Digital.
• Engineering.
• Science.
• Trading and shipping.
To be eligible for a plan, you must have a decent degree or hope to obtain one. Depending on the specialism you pick, your degree subject may have specialized prerequisites, especially for engineering and science graduate programs.
For example, British Gas’ corporate business Centrica runs graduate programs in lots of sectors, including:
• Business management
• Centrica Energy
• Commercial Analyst.
• Digital technology services – Software Engineering
- Engineering.
• Financial Management.
• Advertising and Marketing.
• Offshore (CES+).
• Humanity.
To be eligible for the scheme, you will usually require a 2:1 degree in a relevant discipline.
Some graduate programmes, such as Shell’s technical routes, need a postgraduate qualification.
Where can I find an oil or gas apprenticeship?
If it’s an apprenticeship you’re looking for, consider the Oil and Gas Technical Apprentice Programme (OGTAP), which involves splitting your time between college and a sponsoring company while earning a salary.
You can choose to work in one of the following disciplines:
- Process operations.
- electrical maintenance
- instrumentation and control maintenance
- mechanical maintenance
For this, you’ll need to currently live in Scotland and be at least 16 years old by the May of the year you’re applying for. There’s no upper age limit.
In terms of Scottish qualifications, you’ll require four National 5 grades at A-C in maths and English language, while it’s advantageous to have also studied physics, chemistry or engineering science, plus one other subject.
This equates to four GCSEs at grades 4-6 or above in maths and English language. If you studied in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, it’s also desirable for you to hold a GCSE in double science (or one from physics, chemistry or an appropriate technology subject) and one other subject.
This technical programme is offered by BP in the form of a North Sea apprenticeship.
Oil and gas apprenticeships are also available with:
What skills and qualifications are needed?
Employers place a high importance on language abilities due to the industry’s worldwide character, particularly for business-oriented employment.
For offshore positions, you must complete an industry-standard health and safety training, such as Minimum Industry Safety Training (MIST).
The Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation (OPITO), the global skills agency for the energy industry, also provides information on oil and gas qualifications.
What’s life like in the oil industry?
Although the common scenario for oil and gas jobs is that of engineers working on an oil rig, around 90% of jobs are located onshore.
Most onshore job duties are located in so-called ‘hubs’ where many industry employers come together, such as Aberdeen and London, where you would most likely work in an office setting and on a set schedule.
However, because it is a worldwide industry, you will almost certainly have the opportunity to travel or work abroad at some point.
If you decide to work offshore, you will normally work 12-hour shifts for two or three weeks at a time, spending extended periods of time away from home.
You will then have the same amount of time off work.
Salaries in the oil and gas business depend on the type of jobs.you are doing, but it can be a rewarding career choice
Is there a favorable future for UK oil and gas?
According to government data (September 2023), the oil and gas industry contributes £17 billion to the economy each year, with the £50 billion in tax income earned over the next five years set to be invested in renewable energy.
The Robert Gordon University (RGU) Energy Transition Institute’s (ETI) Powering up the Workforce: The Future of the UK Offshore Energy Workforce report (2023) examined the possible increase in UK jobs if the government’s British Energy Security Strategy meets its energy targets.
They discovered that the offshore energy workforce has the potential to grow by about 75,000 to 225,000 by 2030 if the expected investment of up to £200 billion is realized.
In order to diversify this traditionally male-dominated business, more women are being encouraged to pursue jobs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
What is the highest salary for a Oil gas in London?
The highest pay for a Oil gas in London depends on a lot of factors. According to our research, this type of specialists in London can make up to £115,796 per year.
Frequent Ask Questions You May Love To Know
What is the lowest salary for a Oil gas in London?
According to our research, the minimum salary for this position in London is £52,592. Salaries vary based on years of experience and education level.
How much money can I make as a Oil gas per month in London?
The average monthly income for this position in London varies based on experience, qualifications, and other factors. Anyway, you can expect to earn around £6,990 per month.
How much money can I make as a Oil gas per hour in London?
On average, these specialists in London earn around £41.44 per hour. However, this number varies depending on the specific experience and skillset of the Oil gas.
What are the best locations for Oil gas jobs?
The list of the best states with the highest salaries includes London. If you want to find a high-paying job, the top 3 states with the highest wages for the profession are Surrey Heath, Surrey; Houston, Renfrewshire; Bayley, Cheshire.