The recent Oil & Gas Business Confidence Index has revealed that high levels of job opportunities for umbrella company contractors and freelancers, has continued into the second quarter of the year.
Some of the key findings from the UK’s oil and gas sector report, were that overall, the Oil & Gas UK index measured 65, which was an increase of one point from 64 in Q1, and the highest amount since the series began in 2008.
For example, umbrella service contractors working in facilities engineering, operations and maintenance saw an increase from 63 to 66, and the marine and subsea sectors remained well up in the high 60s with 67 points.
Oil & Gas UK’s supply chain director, David Ripley, said, “The general confidence level is similar to the previous quarter with activity remaining high which is encouraging.
“Operators are busy with a number of major projects, including several sanctioned last year, and appear buoyed by the tax changes aiming to promote investment that were announced following constructive dialogue between the Government and industry.
“Contractors continue to enjoy high activity levels fulfilling existing contract commitments in the UK as well as expanding the export of their services and products to clients around the globe.
“They have, however, become increasingly aware of the challenge of sourcing skilled personnel and equipment, for example drilling rigs, in a tight market, with operating and manpower costs rising and margins being squeezed.”