The oil and gas industries have changed significantly due to the economic downturn of 2008 and will continue to do so. Thanks to OPEC’s new approach to supply and demand, oil prices have dropped considerably – good news for the average consumer, but leading to downsizing and closure for many oil and gas companies. Additionally, companies that remain open are streamlining and collaborating more, as well as cutting costs in a variety of areas. Keeping up with all these changes can be difficult. That's why we have outlined a few of the best places to obtain trustworthy news concerning the industry that can help you learn how to manage your company, cut costs, and keep your employees working during this slow economic period.
Breaking Energy
Breakingenergy.com is a versatile and up-to-date online news source. Breaking Energy not only covers the oil and gas industries themselves, but also industry careers, deal making, and technology. Additionally, Breaking Energy offers a unique section dedicated to law firms’ perspectives on the future of oil and gas. This helps brokers and employees stay informed of new regulations, such as Pennsylvania’s recently proposed methane reductions.
Breaking Energy covers many concerns that oil and gas brokers currently express. As noted, this includes the safety and environmental consciousness of today’s fuel options. Oil and gas brokers can learn more about best management practices that keep our air and emissions clean. They can also read up on news, such as President Obama’s recent Clean Power Plan; although it has been stayed by the courts, the plan will have a significant impact on oil, gas, and engineering if any of its measures go into effect. These measures include the reduction of greenhouse gases and coal-powered electricity, as well as renewable energy incentives and a switch to more environmentally friendly fuel types.
Finally, Breaking Energy’s technology news is always current and is a valuable resource for anyone seeking a job in the gas and oil industry, particularly new graduates. The website’s staff researches and writes useful articles that combine technology and career news, including a weekly article regarding top energy jobs.
Rigzone
One of the most unique and useful things about Rigzone.com is its dedication not only to oil and gas news, but careers in the industry. On this site, job seekers can browse available positions by both country and category. This helps readers search specifically for their strongest and most marketable skills. Categories include IT and administration, health and safety, maritime services, drilling, and geosciences. This is especially helpful to new graduates who are not sure where to begin looking for jobs, whose fields of study were particularly broad, or who need to increase the scope of their interests because positions are not available in certain areas.
Rigzone also covers local, state, national, and international news. Rigzone’s staff understands that every energy-related headline that impacts China, Scotland, or another nation also impacts the United States. With this in mind, Rigzone keeps its international news current. For example, one of its current most popular headlines regards China’s demand for natural gas amid its own economic issues. China’s manufacturing growth slowed to 6% in 2015, as opposed to 7.3% in previous years. In response, Beijing has cut wholesale gas prices by 25%, but this has increased downward pressure for Chinese oil and gas companies.
Information such as this helps American oil and gas brokers keep abreast of international needs and improves their relationships with foreign companies. It also helps determine the best areas to streamline or cut costs, as well as what types of workers will benefit companies most in the coming months and years. For example, American brokers who read the article discussed above may find they have a need for workers who understand how natural and alternative energy resources work.
OilPro
OilPro is a news outlet and networking site for oil and gas professionals. Users can search for jobs and create profiles based on their skills and fields of study, widening their connections and increasing the chances of finding work that pays well. Additionally, oil and gas professionals, especially those new to the industry, can keep up with relevant news throughout the United States and the world.
OilPro is unusual, in that its news posts combine energy news with other current events. For instance, writer Farizah Asker opines that Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s death is “bad news for oil and gas.” Asker explains that Scalia’s death leaves the Supreme Court divided 4:4, which could negatively impact an energy industry that is already suffering. For example, Asker writes that President Obama’s currently stayed Clean Power Plan could go into effect now, which may increase oil costs again and place more-stringent regulations on alternative energy sources. Articles such as these help oil and gas workers converse intelligently on all aspects of the oil and gas industry, making them an asset for skilled projects and consulting groups.
