Over the last four decades, £468 billion has been invested in exploring for, developing and producing the UK's oil and gas reserves and the 17th Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce Oil and Gas Survey, sponsored by leading law firm Bond Pearce, will try to determine any trends in sentiment about the prospect of the 2014 Referendum having any impact on future plans.
A wide range of operator, contractor and service companies have been invited to participate in this well established and highly regarded survey which is launched today. 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.
Bob Collier, Chamber Chief Executive 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. In this survey we will, for the first time, also look at whether or not the Independence issue will affect investor intent in the North Sea.
"We also pick up again on the skills issue and on diversification into renewables. Our time-series information about skills issues affecting the sector in illuminating and gives us a good sense of the impact this had on the industry, so it will be interesting to see if anything has changed one year on."
Kenny Paton, partner with Bond Pearce said: ""Bond Pearce, like every business which is embedded in the energy sector, eagerly awaits the results of this survey which is vital to help plan for a sustainable future. This was the first survey to look at the impact of the proposed devolution referendum on business decisions and it will be fascinating to see if that has changed over the course of the summer. The survey will also provide key information on challenging areas such as recruitment retention and remuneration which could help guide company strategies. We hope it will also cast some light on the hopes and commitment of traditional oil and gas firms to move into the renewables sector."
"Oil and gas is the cornerstone of North-east prosperity and has a significant impact on the Scottish economy. The knowledge provided by the survey underpins all of this and will help ensure the industry continues to sustain Aberdeen and its population into the future.
"Bond Pearce is at the heart of the industry and our investment in the survey is part of our effort to help the area gain maximum benefit from the opportunities offered by the industry."
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. Questionnaires will be sent to contacts this week, and the survey will be published in November.
The results of previous surveys can be viewed on the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce website at http://www.agcc.co.uk/research-policy/policy/oil-gas-survey/#past-surveys.
