Oil and Gas Employment in Transition: Identifying High-Risk Roles and Emerging Opportunities in a Restructuring Industry

Let’s be real—right now, working in oil & gas just isn’t what it used to be.

When I talk to people across the field—engineers, procurement leads, suppliers—I keep hearing that familiar frustration. It's not just another downturn. It’s bigger. Companies are fundamentally reshaping how they work. Teams that once felt unshakeable are suddenly uncertain. I’ve seen incredibly experienced professionals—folks I’ve admired for years—caught off-guard by restructuring news mid-project or, worse, in between assignments.

It’s not just those in the field who feel the squeeze. You hear it in conversations with equipment vendors, and even logistics teams. Shifting strategies ripple out fast, affecting everyone upstream and downstream. It can feel like doors are closing left and right, and it’s tough not to take it personally when you’ve put decades into this industry.

But here’s something that stands out to me—there’s still opportunity, even in the middle of all this change. The roles that feel at risk today are, in some cases, making room for new kinds of expertise: digital transformation, low-carbon solutions, operational flexibility. I’ve seen colleagues transition into roles they’d never imagined for themselves only a few years ago—with a little retraining, a lot of networking, and, honestly, some tough self-reflection.

If you’re feeling stuck or overlooked, you’re not alone. This transition is hard—and it’s okay to admit that. But you also have options. Lean on your network. Ask for advice. Let people know what you’re looking for, and be open to charting a new course—it might surprise you.

What change in the industry has impacted your career or team the most lately? Are you seeing new possibilities, or is it just more uncertainty right now? #OilandGas #EnergyCareers #CareerTransition