Africa beats Middle East in luring oil workers

An oil rig is shown in this file photo.

An oil rig is shown in this file photo.

Published Jul 14, 2014

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Johannesburg - Africa has surpassed the Middle East as the oil-and-gas producing region that attracts the second-highest number of the best-paid staff, international advisory firm Von Essen Group said.

Africa accounts for 13 percent of advertised roles that pay more than $170,000 for oil and gas experts, second only to Europe, London-based Von Essen said in an e-mailed statement.

“Africa has become increasingly attractive to international exploration companies and investors as it has become easier to access oil reserves,” said Lydia Marref, a partner at Von Essen.

“The continent has made great strides in becoming more business friendly.”

The world’s fourth-largest oil-producing region, Africa accounted for 10 percent of global crude output in 2013, led by Nigeria and Angola.

World oil demand will climb 1.5 percent to a record 94.1 million barrels a day in 2015 as growth in emerging economies compensates for a contraction in developed nations, according to the International Energy Agency.

Europe attracts 41 percent of the best-paying advertised roles for North Sea oil production and expanding exploration in the UK, Poland and Romania for shale gas, said Von Essen, which provides tax advisory services for international contractors.

The Middle East lures 12 percent of jobseekers paid more than $170,000, followed by North and Central America with 11 percent. - Bloomberg News

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