A challenging decade
While COVID-19 brought additional challenges, the energy sector has been navigating change and diversity since late 2014. While we’re seeing high prices at the pump now, global oil and energy prices fell dramatically in November 2014 and the industry had not fully recovered. When COVID hit, the energy industry had already been experiencing a sustained downturn for several years.
The energy industry is resilient. Despite the market’s volatility, the energy sector has consistently stepped up and been prepared to do whatever it takes to continue to operate. The energy industry has been known for battling back from adversity…whether it be due to their own devices, the global economy, political unrest or even global pandemics. They strive to keep their essential workers operating, regardless of the situation. They truly did pull out all the stops. Instead of working 28-day shifts, some worked up to 75 days shifts to fill the gap when the rest of the world shutdown .
The energy sector had no choice but to continue, even at the height of lockdown. That meant navigating travel restrictions to get teams where they needed to be, including chartering planes and securing exception approvals into closed markets in remote areas.
Despite these ups and downs, the energy industry has proven that it can adapt and change to the global environment. It’s worked hard to provide the world with necessary resources throughout the pandemic. All the while tackling ESG and sustainability improvement and dealing with negative press.
Talent shortages and financial pressures
Currently, the biggest challenge facing the energy industry is attracting and retaining talent. Labour shortages are affecting almost every industry right now, but the energy sector is finding it tough to find the right people at every level, from entry-level roles to skilled labour requiring specific skillsets. As a result, many companies are heavily focused on attracting and retaining the staff they want and need, and heighten focus on travellers feeling supported, with safety and wellbeing as a top priority.
As well as dealing with talent shortages, many energy companies have had to take steps to survive financially. They are an essential service with a workforce that cannot be easily downsized. Reorganisation has been attempted, but the industry continues to be stretched as no matter the cost to do business, energy companies are already committed to do the work. It’s a fine line between red and black; oil prices have risen but operating costs are expensive too. This compounds the deficit that the industry has been experiencing for years now, and it’s hard to strike that balance between maintaining supply and achieving profitability.
How ATPI can help the energy industry navigate change
Everyone at ATPI Energy Travel is committed to understanding our client’s’ business needs and ensuring that our clients’ travel is uninterrupted and painless as possible. We work hard to minimise change, support essential, “go to work” travel, and help them make the critical crew change window or meeting. That means working to eliminate disruption as much as possible, reduce change management, and provide travellers with the comfort of knowing that someone who understands their business, or “is working on their behalf” has their back. Our clients can trust that we’ll always be there for them, no matter what the situation .
Our value is underscored in the midst of a challenge. Whether it’s client-specific or a global concern, we work closely with third-party partners to find a solution. That could mean offering security, providing medical or evacuation resources, or adding a charter flight. ATPI’s experience, expertise and relationships mean that we have access to resources and infrastructure that our clients, especially smaller mid-market companies, could not otherwise utilise. It’s a true partnership; our clients never have to go it alone.
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