Is Oil & Gas Production A Good Career Path?
There is no doubt that fossil fuels are one of the pillars where civilization stands. For centuries, we have been relying on fossil fuels as a source of energy. But, there are a couple of downsides to the source.
There are two major downsides of oil and gas energy, the first one is that it will end one day, and secondly, there is huge air pollution while producing energy from oil and gas. Also, when we burn fossil fuels, there are so many greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere, and these gases are harmful.
Oil And Gas Production
There is a major backside of this industry, that is, the industry is highly unstable. The prices have been rising, and that makes the companies fail to plan for the future. Though there are a lot of downsides, more and more people want to pursue careers in the industry. The field is very lucrative, but if you have the proper knowledge, experience, and skill, then there is no doubt that you will make a lot of money.
But there is another side to the coin. But is oil & gas production a good career path? Will there be enough job opportunities in oil & gas production? You will get to know these answers. But what are the main reasons behind it?
Is Oil & Gas Production A Good Career Path?
The question is tricky for some reasons. There are both good and bad sides to working in oil and gas production. First of all, the industry is shrinking because the source is getting smaller and smaller every day. Also, the work is dirty because you know that you are harming mother nature.
Not only these but there are other downsides, like working in a remote location for several months. Also, there are harmful chemicals that can affect your health. So, to give the answer, let’s look into the pros and cons of working in the oil and gas industry.
Pros Of Woking In The Oil And Gas Industry
Though there are a lot of pros and for different persons, there are different pros. But here
▹ Money
There is no doubt that money is the main motivator. And oil and gas companies pay a lot of money to their employees. Two people can earn differently, though they have the same degree and skills when one of them works in this industry. The work is dirty, dangerous, and difficult. These are the reasons for the fat salary.
▹ Skills
One of the best things is what you will learn from this industry by working. Then, you can apply those skills in other industries. For example, geologists go for mining, engineers go for manufacturing and construction, etc. So, what you will learn is valuable and appreciated by other industries.
▹ Adventure
While some people love their work to be on a fixed schedule, others love adventurous jobs. This industry offers really exciting, fast-paced, adventurous jobs. You will be given an opportunity to work in a remote location where you can get out for an adventure on the weekends. If you love to stay alone or want to live far from human lives, then these jobs are for you.
▹ Opportunities
Though the industry remains the same, the procedures are changing every day. So you will have a lot of opportunities, and your career will definitely get a growth. There are a lot of people who do not want to get into this industry for some reason. But if you can ignore those, then go for it. The industry is really a good career path.
Cons Of Woking In The Oil And Gas Industry
You must be thinking of a positive answer to “is oil & gas production a good career path” this question. But here are some reasons that will contradict your last answer.
▸ Instability
As I have already mentioned that the industry is unstable in nature. And the price fluctuates most of the time. This is the reason companies fail to make any long-term plans. And when it comes, the first this the company does is to lay off workers. So if there is any situation, a lot of employees lose their jobs. And without a connection, getting a new job in the same field is not easy.
▸ Work Challenge
The industry and work are both very challenging. There are dangerous conditions, difficult situations, and long hours a worker needs to face. If you are not habituated to these kinds of work, then the work will be challenging for you. Also, you have to spend months away from your family. And people in this industry face issues in their personal life.
▸ Health Hazard
In the oil and gas industry, people do not live a normal life as there are so many health hazards. There are many cases where people have been exposed to harmful chemicals, and they have faced health issues like respiratory problems and others. So, if you are thinking about entering this career, you need to take care all the time.
▸ Unfriendly Environment
I don’t think I have to elaborate on this point as you already know that this industry is not friendly to the environment. There is some major climate change due to this industry. And government can finish your career at any time.
So, what do you think? Is oil & gas production a good career path? It’s up to you now.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):-
Here are some interesting questions and answers.
Ans: Different people like different fields of work. But for many reasons, people say that petroleum engineering is the best degree to get the best job. However, there are other fields that are equally valuable, like geology, chemical engineering, and mechanical engineering.
Ans: There is no doubt this industry is one of the biggest. But there are long-term concerns. But, there are major investors who say that the industry will reach its peak by 2030. And companies are diving into this industry.
Ans: Though there are a lot of other energy industries, the oil and gas industry is at its peak when it comes to producing energy. But the process of making energy with this process is complex, requires state-of-the-art technology, and is capital-intensive.
Final Words
No, there is no proper answer to the question, “is oil & gas production a good career path?” But I think this article will help you to find out the answer. You can measure the pros and cons and then come to a conclusion about whether you should get into this industry or not. Here are the jobs that still have high requirements.
- Roustabout
- Rotary Drill Operator
- Geologist
- Petroleum Engineer
- Petroleum Pump System Operator
Are there any more queries? Please let us know in the comment section below.
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