There is no doubt that our era will be divided into “pre-COVID” and “post-COVID” periods. But what will the post-COVID energy landscape look like? On 27 October, we gathered experts from across the industry for our second annual Oil & Gas Future Forum, held virtually. Over the course of three discussions, we heard from international industry leaders on vital topics concerning the future of the oil and gas sector.
Energy players regionally and internationally are betting big on the potential of hydrogen, over which there are still many questions. With the energy transition and digital transformation in mind, young engineers will need a new skill set to navigate the future energy landscape–how will we train the engineers of tomorrow? Of course, nothing was highlighted more than health and safety during the pandemic, but has the pandemic helped move this vital segment forward?
These are just some of the questions we raised during the forum, which was broadcast live for our registered audience. If you weren’t able to make it, don’t worry, you can catch some of the key takeaways in the coming pages, and the full video is available on our website to view on-demand. Catch up, and make sure to join us for the third edition of the event next in year in person!
How HSE will transform post-pandemic
Featuring Shaun Hannam, EMEA head of HSES for McDermott, and May Faraj, head of environment and sustainability, WSPMiddle East
KEY TAKEAWAYS
While it presented major HSE challenges for companies across the sector and region, the COVID-19 pandemic brought one important thing to light; the importance of not just safety, but health.
While oil and gas companies often have a sharp focus on safety on site and in the field, office workers are not typically in the spotlight. Both experts agreed on the importance of an increasing focus on mental health and the wellbeing of employees in the sector.
Hydrogen on the horizon
Featuring Jeffrey McDonald, Hydrogen Pricing specialist, S&P Global Platts, and Jeffrey Benoit, VP, Strategy, Marketing and Hydrogen Initiatives at PSM, a Hanwa company
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Hydrogen is still a relatively new resource and its full potential and the full scope of challenges that will arise are yet to fully understood. Both experts agreed that a mix of blue and green hydrogen will be needed, based on existing infrastructure, the availability of specific resources and potential for renewables in specific regions. McDonald noted current hydrogen pricing practices at S&P Global Platts and the outlook for the field. Benoit stressed the potential of hydrogen for power generation in the region, and both noted differences in maturity between the Middle East and other markets.
Training the engineers of tomorrow
Featuring Dr. Ismail Labed, director of studies for Petroleum Engineering at the School of Engineering, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, Heriot-Watt University Dubai, and Afsha Dokadia, head of learning and development, LTHE
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Training and development has shifted as the energy landscape has transitioned, and both of our experts noted the importance of digital technology, innovative techniques, and giving young engineers the tools to enter a cleaner energy sector. Dokadia said that young engineers should be increasingly involved in setting the training agenda and participating more deeply in that process, and Labed stressed the growing importance and relevance of artificial intelligence, and how it benefits students planning to enter the petroleum industry.
