Oil and gas employment expanded in 2024. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Oil and gas employment expanded globally in 2024, driven by LNG project developments, and the Middle East remains the centre of world oil and gas employment, according to the IEA’s newly-released World Energy Employment 2025 report

Oil and gas supply has recovered most of the jobs lost in 2020, as global production capacity continues to expand. However, a number of major oil companies announced job cuts in 2025, in the face of lower oil prices and revenues.

Oil and gas production and distribution employed 12.4 million people in 2024, up 210,000 y-o-y, according to the report. Around two-thirds were employed in oil with the remainder in natural gas. Natural gas employment was boosted by new LNG facilities and associated manufacturing of related equipment. Oil and gas jobs slightly decreased in advanced economies, with growth now almost exclusively concentrated in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs).

The Middle East remains the centre of oil and gas employment, accounting for more than 20% of the sector’s global workforce. Oil and gas jobs represent two-thirds of total energy employment in the region, compared to a global average of just 16%, highlighting the sector’s dominant role in the regional economy and labour market. In 2024, Middle Eastern companies increased their oil and gas capital investments by 10%, creating around 83,000 new jobs. Countries in the region have invested heavily in the training and development of their national oil and gas workforces.

LNG remains the driving force behind natural gas employment growth. Worldwide investments in the sector increased by 11% since 2023, led by North America and the Middle East, which together made up two-fifths of total spending.

Oil and gas companies are adopting a range of strategies to manage uncertainty surrounding the sector’s long-term outlook. Some IOCs are increasingly shifting funds toward improving the production rates of existing fields with automation, improved drilling techniques and artificial intelligence to reduce the labour intensity of their operations. At the same time, IOCs are also investing in clean energy and reallocating resources to diversify and attract young talent.

Addressing skills gaps

The report warns of skills shortages and gaps, with applied technical roles such as electricians, pipefitters, line workers and plant operators in short supply. An ageing workforce is compounding the problem. At the same time, the supply of newly qualified workers is not keeping pace with the sector’s needs. To prevent the skills gap from widening further by 2030, the number of new qualified entrants into the energy sector globally would need to rise by 40% requiring an additional US$2.6 billion per year of investment globally, according to the IEA.

Targeted retraining and reskilling could help workers transfer from fossil fuel employment into other parts of the energy system that are growing, with 50% of fossil fuel workers said they would prioritise staying within the energy sector if seeking alternative employment.

The report notes that energy firms lag other sectors in artificial intelligence capabilities, with concentrations of AI-skilled workers about 40% lower than in technology, finance, education, and media. And while investment in AI skills and capabilities is rising in the energy sector, current use cases do not significantly reduce demand for applied technical workers in construction, operations, and maintenance, which are mostly manual roles dominated by tasks that AI is not currently well suited to replace.

“Energy has been one of the strongest and most consistent engines of job creation in the global economy during a period marked by significant uncertainties,” said IEA executive director Fatih Birol. “But this momentum cannot be taken for granted. The world’s ability to build the energy infrastructure it needs depends on having enough skilled workers in place. Governments, industry and training institutions must come together to close the labour and skills gap. Left unaddressed, these shortages could slow progress, raise costs and weaken energy security.”

IWCF is going live with four categories for Quality Assured. (Image source: IWFC)

With an aim to uphold the highest safety standards in the oil and gas sector, the International Well Control Forum (IWCF) has released an upgraded assurance framework, 'Quality Assured', for non-accredited training in well control

Zdenek Sehnal, CEO of IWCF, said, “Through Quality Assured, we’re committed to ensuring the highest standards in well control training, providing consistency and empowering professionals. This goes beyond compliance; it’s about giving the sector confidence in the training they are investing in and supports a culture of continuous development and accountability across the oil and gas industry, where well control incidents can have far reaching impact on life and reputation.”

The framework is comprised of nine standards, starting with course design and delivery to assessment, digital learning and on-the-job training. Each standard includes defined criteria that providers must meet to achieve Quality Assured status.

Quality Assured is backed by the insights of well control specialists coming together for knowledge sharing, promoting best practices and exploring the latest advancements in well control.

IWCF is going live with four categories for Quality Assured:

Well Control Specialist Topics, covering training programmes that address specific well control-related topics not covered under IWCF accreditation such as stuck pipe prevention and recovery, High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT), Well Integrity Management and Human Factors.

Operationally Embedded Training, with topics related to development programmes for drillers, supervisors, subsea engineers and intervention specialists.

Specialist Equipment for programmes focused on the use of specific well and well control related equipment such as any item that constitutes a well barrier, either temporary or permanent.

Continuous Learning Mechanisms for providers offering systems or tools that promote ongoing learning and assessment such as pre-course modules, pre-tests or digital platforms that allow candidates to reinforce their knowledge at any time.

Quality Assured has been applied by The Well Academy from The Netherlands. Director of Training at the centre, Jan Willem Flamma, said, “We were thoroughly impressed with the Quality Assured feedback from IWCF. The report on our Stuck Pipe Prevention & Recovery course went far beyond a simple evaluation, providing a true partnership in quality.

“The detailed strengths and constructive recommendations will be invaluable in helping us elevate our course materials and delivery, reinforcing our commitment to delivering high quality training and supporting continuous improvement for our learners.”

Sophie Graham, chief sustainability officer at IFS. (Image source: IFS)

Industrial AI software provider, IFS, and PwC UK have released a new whitepaper titled, 'The Intelligence Behind Sustainability: Industrial AI's Critical Role in Decarbonisation', exploring the significance of Industrial AI in decarbonising asset-intensive industries

The whitepaper explains ways in which the industrial world can leverage AI for sustainability and operational efficiency across heavy and hard-to-abate sectors. Such industries account for approximately 40% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. 

This report follows IFS' research, 'The Invisiblem Revolution' (2025), which found that industrial AI adoption is accelerating rapidly and 86% believe AI will play a primary role in meeting environmental goals from energy efficiency and emissions reporting to CO₂ management.

"We're seeing Industrial AI fundamentally change how organizations approach sustainability," said Sophie Graham, chief sustainability officer at IFS. "Our customers are using AI to optimize everything from field service routes to production scheduling, and the results are tangible: less waste, lower emissions, and stronger operational performance. At IFS, we're committed to deploying AI solutions that help our customers achieve their sustainability goals while building more resilient, competitive operations."

"AI holds transformative potential for industrial and hard-to-abate sectors, guiding us towards net zero outcomes with innovative precision. However, as AI-driven solutions illuminate our path, we must also manage their energy demand responsibly. Harnessing this dual opportunity to lead with sustainability and efficiency will be at the forefront of industry evolution," said Leigh Bates, partner at PwC.

ProSep’s Annular Injection Mixers (AIM) will be delivered to an oilfield in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (Image credit: ProoSep)

Demonstrating its strengthened commitment to supporting operators in unlocking higher production performance across the Middle East, ProSep, a global leader in advanced process separation and mixing technologies, has announced the award of a significant new contract for its proprietary mixing solution

This latest agreement marks another strategic milestone for the company as it expands its footprint in one of the world’s most competitive oil and gas markets.

Under the newly secured contract, ProSep will deliver three of its cutting-edge Annular Injection Mixers (AIM) to a major oilfield in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on behalf of a regional operator. The award reinforces ProSep’s position as a trusted technology partner, recognised for its ability to deliver reliable, field-proven innovations that support production optimisation and operational efficiency.

The AIM units will replace legacy and conventional injection quills currently installed across the field’s production headers. By introducing ProSep’s high-efficiency mixing technology, the operator is expected to achieve enhanced dispersion and performance of key production chemicals including demulsifiers, scale inhibitors, and corrosion inhibitors. This improvement in chemical mixing efficiency is anticipated not only to boost overall plant performance but also to deliver substantial reductions in chemical consumption. Over the life of the oilfield, these reductions could translate into tens of millions of dollars in operational cost savings a major consideration in today’s cost-sensitive upstream environment.

This latest order is rooted in a long-standing relationship between ProSep and the client. Building on years of positive results from earlier installations, the new scope highlights the operator’s continued confidence in the company’s technology and technical expertise. It also underscores ProSep’s expanding reputation as a go-to provider of high-performance mixing solutions across the Middle East’s oil and gas sector.

In alignment with regional localisation strategies and growing demand for in-country value, the three AIM units will be manufactured in Saudi Arabia using local expertise and fabrication partners. Delivery is expected in 2026. While ProSep’s global engineering and technological innovation remain anchored in Houston, the company has evolved its execution model to integrate global know-how with regional delivery capabilities reducing lead times and enhancing customer responsiveness.

Raul Gonzalo, director of Sales and Operations, said, "Over the last 10+ years, ProSep has established a significant reputation in the Middle East. We've worked in-depth across the region with several operators and service companies, helping to improve plant efficiencies and production records. This new contract is a testament to that reputation, and particularly with this client.

"Over a number of years, we've delivered several of our mixing technologies and secured some very positive results in the process, so it's great to have confirmation of their ongoing trust in our expertise and the solutions we provide.

"Manufacturing the mixers in-country is the natural evolution for ProSep's presence in the region. This decision stems from the local market's demand for our technology and the network of suppliers we now work with. It's with great pride that we can say these mixers will be produced locally and supported by ProSep’s global engineering expertise."