Page 42: of Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine (Q4 2015)

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OFFSHORE OUTLOOK “The price today affects how much cash is available for spending, but the expected price in four years is really what’s relevant.” – Jim McCaul, President, IMA/World Energy Reports, commenting on the two oil prices that drive investment decision in new FPSOs.

operate their facilities, says Damir Tomicic, managing direc- people “who really know what they are doing, to control proj- tor, South America, Swift Worldwide Resources LLC. “We ects and get it done,” says Lovie. “There is no shortage of are absolutely hiring, mainly for the operating and produc- talent, but there is a shortage of very capable and highly expe- ing phases.” rienced personnel,” agrees Tomicic.

Tomicic says Brazil expects to order 25 out of the 65 an- There is also a palpable skill set shortage on the tech side of ticipated new FPSOs over the next four years, or 40% less the marine industry, says Peters. “Fewer people are going to than what Petrobras originally planned pre-scandal. Those 65 maritime schools; fewer go out to sea and those who do, stay

FPSO will need about 150 people each, which amounts to al- out less time. When they come to shore side, they are not as most 9,800 new positions in the industry overall during the ready as they should be, they don’t stack up to those who came next four years, he noted. A key change is that these facilities shore side 10-15 years ago after working on highly technical “will be built to exact speci? cations, to try and do it as eco- equipment,” says Peters. nomically as possible to mitigate the low price of oil and low Regardless of skill set, there are opportunities for those who

ROI,” Tomicic says. Project management skills are going to be can be ? exible about where the work is located and into which paramount in the new era of serious cost controls. industry it falls, and who can accept the probability of lower

That’s not the only thing sticking to spec. The jobs that are pay for a period, says Darroh. “They have to be prepared to posted will be very speci? c in terms, says Darroh. “If they take a cut, to take a step back to go two forward.” want six years of experience in the Gulf and someone has six This is truer for the naval architects and engineers of various years elsewhere in the world, they may say no now. Three stripes working in specialized niches in FPSO right now, ver- years ago they’d say ‘deep water is deep water.’ Now they sus those holding more generic seaman jobs, he adds. “These have to meet every single criteria and almost walk on water.” are smart people to begin with and good engineering skills are

Generally, operators are looking for the most experienced transferable.”

FPSO Mystras at work off the shore of Nigeria 42 | Maritime Professional | 4Q 2015 34-49 Q4 MP2015.indd 42 11/18/2015 9:44:37 AM