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CHAMBER’S 15th SURVEY TO FOCUS ON TAX, RECRUITMENT & SKILLS

The 15th Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce Oil and Gas Survey, sponsored by law firm McGrigors, has been launched today (24/08/11).

A wide range of operator, contractor and service companies have been invited to participate in this well established and highly regarded survey. Feedback will be used to track sector performance and to understand the issues faced by respondents within the sector and in particular how these relate to and impact upon the wider business community that the Chamber represents.

Robert Collier, Chief Executive, AGCC, said: “Our aim is to gauge the trends within the sector looking at both optimism and order books in the UKCS and overseas and how this crucial industry impacts on the performance of the wider business community.

“Our last survey looked at the effects of the Chancellor’s tax rise on confidence and investment, which we re-visit to assess if the change continues to affect the industry six months on. This edition also focuses on recruitment and remuneration as well as labour force issues and future skills needs.

“This is the 15th edition of the Chamber’s well-respected Oil and Gas Survey and we now have substantial time-series information making the results both interesting and informative. The continued support we receive from industry in completing the survey ensures that the sample sizes remain robust.”

Bob Ruddiman, head of energy and a partner at McGrigors, said: “The last Chamber survey provided the first tangible evidence of the negative impact the Chancellor’s increase in Supplementary Tax was having on energy exploration and production.

“Six months on it will be most interesting to find if those initial fears have been borne out and if the tax ‘grab’ has significantly dented the confidence of the major operators and contractors when it comes to doing business in the UKCS.

“The data gathered on recruitment and wage levels will also be important indicators of the general health of what is one of the UK’s most important industries and largest contributors to the Treasury coffers.”

The survey, carried out independently by the Fraser of Allander Institute, represents the views of a wide range of companies, from major multinational operators and contractors to SMEs with much fewer staff and budgets.

The results of previous surveys can be viewed on the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce website at http://www.agcc.co.uk/ogs