CAODC releases 2012 drilling forecast
Posted Nov 8, 2011 8:12 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Growth in the oil drilling industry will continue to be hampered by a shortage of skilled workers needed for an expanding fleet of rigs, according to a forecast from the Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors.
CAODC spokesperson Nancy Malone tells 660News, the industry suffered a great loss of skills and knowledge during the downturn of 2009 and has struggled to attract these experienced workers back.
She adds, it will require more dedicated recruiting and looking to Eastern Canada and temporary foreign workers to fill their needs.
Drilling is expected to increase only marginally next year despite strong oil prices.
The CAODC says it expects the number of rigs at work in Western Canada’s oilfields to rise by 15 in the first quarter and reaching a total of 840 by the end of 2012.
The number of oil and gas wells operating during the year is forecast to remain stable at 12,672.
