Posted on 12/17/2015 10:14:48 AM PST by thackney
The holiday season can bring stresses -- what with the shopping, shipping, baking and bills -- but for workers in the energy sector, this December is turning out to be especially tough thanks to industry layoffs.
Take Robin Ewan, who, for more than 30 years, worked as a test engineer for Schlumberger, a global oilfield service company. Not anymore.
"This is the first time around Christmas that I've been laid off, and it has a bit of an effect, because now, you know, you're wondering who to buy presents for and what presents. You're going to make it more meaningful ones than expensive ones," he says.
Ewan started working for Schlumberger in Aberdeen, Scotland, and spent the past 20 years based in Texas. In February, he had to rush home to the U.K. to say goodbye to his dying mother. The day after he returned, he was told he no longer had a job.
"Basically, I've been doing odd jobs for people here and there -- electronic-related stuff, fixing computers, fixing cars, whatever. But as for looking for a real job, I basically haven't tried because I know there's so many people in my situation in this town that are in the same boat," he says.
Crude oil prices have dropped to their lowest level in nearly seven years. Oil and gas companies have laid off close to 56,000 Texans since December of last year, according to the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers. That doesn't include cuts in industries dependent on the oil sector like trade and professional services.
Debbie Milks is chief operating officer for Brookwoods Group, a staffing firm that specializes in finding jobs for marketing and communications workers.
"Some of them, this is their second or third time that they've been let go from different oil and gas firms, service companies, and what we're seeing now is some are actually saying, 'Oh my gosh. Maybe it is just time to let it go and get out of here,' " she says.
Milks says her clients are now begging to be placed somewhere more stable than the energy sector, even if it means taking a pay cut of tens of thousands of dollars.
"They know the pink slips are coming, and they hear the talk. There's a lot of stress associated with that, and then the holidays -- it doesn't make it any better," she says.
Companies can take steps to manage that stress. If they make sure employees feel they're being treated fairly during layoffs, those who remain are more likely to concentrate on doing their jobs. But Brent Smith, who teaches industrial psychology at Rice University, says that's not happening.
"The magnitude of the downsizing is quite large. So it's very difficult to accomplish that in a manner that probably is going to be perceived as fair and equitable by the surviving employees," Smith says.
The Greater Houston Partnership is predicting metro Houston will lose another 9,000 energy jobs in 2016. That will include more cuts at Schlumberger, which is finalizing its multibillion-dollar merger with Cameron International.
Ewan still gets together with his old workplace friends for meals regularly. "They are very stressed," he says. "You can tell that they're just waiting to get chopped any time."
Ewan says he's still getting by with odd jobs, but he'll be looking for a more permanent position sometime in the new year -- probably outside the oil business.
OPEC trying to destroy Texas oil industry.
Obama making sure we stay dependent on his Muzzie backers.
There are other players other than OPEC who are trying to crash the US energy markets, and it’s not just oil that they’re after.
correction...obanana and opec trying to destroy the Texas oil industry.
That, too.
What else are they after?
Point taken!
Aren’t the low prices due to the glut in the market of both oil and NG ?
Place marker to read later.
OPEC trying to destroy the entire US oil industry.
[[Take Robin Ewan, who, for more than 30 years, worked as a test engineer for Schlumberger, a global oilfield service company. Not anymore.]]
People In the oil field move from company to company- there always seems to be openings somewhere- He could probably even take a temporary cut in pay and do another job like landfill operator In the oil field till the prices rise again he could reapply for his old position back- or even work for another company- many to choose from
Bookmark
I disagree. This is Obama and OPEC trying to destroy the Russian oil and gas industry, Texas and North Dakota are just a bonus.
The war in Syria is about Russia. No one cared about Assad until the US and Europe wanted to build a gas pipeline from Saudi Arabia across Syria to Europe. Syria said no because they’re a Russian ally and the pipeline would end Russia’s leverage over most of Europe.
That’s why it was suddenly so important to Obama to overthrow Assad. Then when Russia invaded Ukraine and Putin started trying to rebuild the Soviet Empire undercutting Russia’s energy income became a defense strategy...one that has worked, I might add. Russia has had to cancel or curtail almost every one of their defense programs.
For Obama the bonus has been putting people like my husband out of a lucrative job on the oil fields and destroying the US economy so it’s easier for us to be defeated around the world.
-PJ
Nat. Gas @ $1.78. Bodes il for continue fracking/exploration in NE Pennsylvania and elsewhere. Layoffs to follow.
Yes, supply still at a level above demand is keeping both oil and gas prices lower.
Not hardly any openings in the oil industry at this time. I know a lot more folks looking for work the open positions.
do another job like landfill operator
Perhaps a Test Engineer with no experience operating heavy equipment could get this job a a quarter or less of his previous pay, or perhaps not.
From Qatar, running along or in Saudi Arabia, but Saudi doesn't have surplus Nat Gas like Qatar.
Thank you!
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