E&P training specialist Warren Business Consulting has launched its annual industry survey to assess the mood of upstream staff around the world. Last year the mood was unrelentingly pessimistic: too much so perhaps, given the increase in the oil price (most respondents forecast a price below $40) - but that was an over-correction to the more optimistic (or complacent) responses at the start of 2015. Last year also saw a clear call for the industry to change, and a recognition that there was going to be a significant skills gap - especially in leadership, innovation, digital technology. Reports on the 2016 survey  (Innovate or Fail & The 2016 Skills Gap) can be found here.

How will this change in 2017? WBC is inviting industry participants to give their views in a short survey here, with results published in March - providing valuable insights for the industry's leaders and managers as they prepare for a year of further change but also , we hope, of growth.