Jobs up in UK North Sea.

Jobs in the British offshore oil and gas industry rose in number by 7% last year to a total of 365,000 bolstered by a £1 billion increase in capital spend by the province’s operators, according to a new study published last month for UK Offshore Operators Association by consultants Experian.
Employment is forecast to rise again in 2006 to around 380,000, driven by higher operating expenditure levels and ’some growth’ in spending on exploration.
Speaking after the launch of UKCS supply chain economy estimates in Aberdeen, UKOOA chief Malcolm Webb said: “This report provides further evidence of the huge importance of the offshore oil and gas sector to the UK economy. It also clearly underscores the need for continued investment in the North Sea to maintain activity in the years ahead”.

Last year, total spend by oil and gas producers in the UK was £9.8 billion, a figure expected to rise to over £10 billion this year.