Where is Environmental and Oil&Gas Going in 5,10,.. Years
Where is Environmental and Oil&Gas Going in 5,10,.. Years
(OP)
Hi all,
Decided to seek some informed views here
I have been in both industries: environmental engineering dealing with trash inceneration (current) and waste gas cleaning, as well as offshore O&G driling and production (previous).
O&G is interesting for the dynamics and people and challenges you meet. Environmental... I am not too sure as of yet.
After being an engineer for the last 8 years and with 3 jobs, I am having to decide which industry I want to be for the next 25 years... Industry hopping is getting too difficult for me, so I'd like to first fix the industry and maybe in the future move within industry.
Appreciate all advice and views.
Thanks.
Decided to seek some informed views here
I have been in both industries: environmental engineering dealing with trash inceneration (current) and waste gas cleaning, as well as offshore O&G driling and production (previous).
O&G is interesting for the dynamics and people and challenges you meet. Environmental... I am not too sure as of yet.
After being an engineer for the last 8 years and with 3 jobs, I am having to decide which industry I want to be for the next 25 years... Industry hopping is getting too difficult for me, so I'd like to first fix the industry and maybe in the future move within industry.
Appreciate all advice and views.
Thanks.





RE: Where is Environmental and Oil&Gas Going in 5,10,.. Years
The "environmental industry" you describe is a bottom feeder often involving low margins. It's often regulatory-driven, which means you're dependant on governments forcing your customers to buy from you. A change in government can make your business dry up completely. And since you're not tapped directly into a production chain, it's difficult to demonstrate the value you add: the best you can be in the minds of most of your customers is cheaper than someone else. Been there, done that- never again.
Tough as it may be on you, it's better to be a flexible generalist engineer than a specialist in either of these fields: that's more likely to keep you employed over the next 25 years.
RE: Where is Environmental and Oil&Gas Going in 5,10,.. Years
In the first huge bust that I saw in my career (1986), I never really felt that I was at risk. That was because I had made it a point to be very knowledgeable in a range of areas from reserves booking to tubular goods management. After the big layoffs, I picked up a dozen projects from guys who were out the door, and I think it was because I had made it a point to try to understand everything in our business that I was able to worm my way into. Become a generalist if you want to smooth the boom-bust cycle.
David
RE: Where is Environmental and Oil&Gas Going in 5,10,.. Years
RE: Where is Environmental and Oil&Gas Going in 5,10,.. Years
China and India (that is half the world's population, give or take) will only need more energy sources as they develop, not less. Then there is Africa. When they start to develop (probably over your career rather than mine) they will also need additional sources of fuel.
It is not so much the industry that you are in that is important in my mind. Rather, it is what you are doing that determines whether you will be sucessful/happy/well paid/etc.
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
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RE: Where is Environmental and Oil&Gas Going in 5,10,.. Years
I've survived the last big downturn, (and the hint of a downturn a few years ago), by being willing to move, and never pissing anyone off- you're never more that two or three people removed from everyone!