UK confidence at record low

摘要

The confidence of North Sea oil and gas contractors is at an all-time low, according to a new industry report. Aroand four in five contractors (79%) surveyed said they are less confident in their prospects than a year ago, compared to just 1% that are more confident, said the 23rd Oil and Gas Survey, conducted by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce in partnership the Fraser of Allander Institute and sponsored by law firm Bond Dickinson. The report also revealed the lowest level of firms working at or above optimum levels in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) since the survey began in 2004. Just 16% of contractors report working at or above optimum levels, down from 21% in the previous survey. "Confidence has not been helped by a high level of recent redundancies in the industry. Some 64% of firms have reduced their workforce in 2015 compared to just 14% who increased numbers," the report said.