This collaboration marks a pivotal milestone in ENOC’s aggressive global expansion strategy.(Image credit: ENOC)

ENOC Group has taken a bold step in strengthening its global presence by forming a new strategic alliance with HMS Bergbau AG, a prominent Germany-based international commodity trading company.

Under a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), HMS Bergbau AG will market and distribute ENOC’s advanced marine lubricants portfolio across two of Europe’s most strategically positioned maritime markets - Spain and Türkiye.

This collaboration marks a pivotal milestone in ENOC’s aggressive global expansion strategy, positioning the Group at the forefront of high-growth maritime corridors that play a crucial role in global trade, logistics, and energy transport. With shipping routes becoming increasingly competitive and sustainability-driven, the demand for high-performance marine lubricants continues to rise. ENOC’s decision to extend its footprint into these vital European hubs reflects its commitment to powering the future of international maritime operations.

Leveraging decades of expertise and a robust European supply network, HMS Bergbau AG will utilise its logistics strength, distribution channels, and storage capabilities to guarantee efficient, reliable delivery of ENOC’s marine lubrication solutions across both Spain and Türkiye. This integration promises to enhance operational excellence for vessel owners and operators navigating some of the world’s busiest and most economically significant marine routes.

Hussain Sultan Lootah, Acting CEO of ENOC Group, said, “ENOC Group remains committed to advancing the UAE’s global energy footprint by strengthening our presence in strategic maritime hubs around the world. This strategic partnership with HMS Bergbau AG extends our reach into new and dynamic markets and demonstrates ENOC’s agility and forward-looking approach as we continue to deliver world-class marine solutions that support global trade and enhance the reliability of vessel operations across key global hubs.”

Spain and Türkiye serve as critical gateways between continents, connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa through major maritime routes that drive economic growth and sustain global commerce. As shipping companies increasingly prioritise operational efficiency and long-term asset reliability, ENOC’s marine lubricants will play an essential role in enhancing vessel performance, improving engine longevity, and ensuring smooth operations across these influential maritime landscapes.

Dennis Schwindt, CEO of HMS Bergbau AG,highlighting the importance of the collaboration, added,“This partnership marks an important step in diversifying HMS Bergbau AG’s portfolio and expanding our presence in the marine lubricants segment. By integrating ENOC’s proven technical capabilities with our robust European network, we are well positioned to deliver comprehensive, dependable solutions to customers We value this collaboration with ENOC and look forward to further integration and cooperation in the future.”

The alliance supports ENOC Group’s long-term ambition to advance global trade and maritime sustainability, with plans to extend its marine lubricant supply coverage to more than 900 ports by the end of 2025–a clear testament to its dynamic international growth agenda.

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.