From Dubai to Ciudad del Carmen: Opportunities Abound for Oil & Gas Professionals

HOUSTON, June 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The energy industry is one of the most expansive and multi-national industries in the world, with vast supplies of oil and gas being brought to market from places as varied as frozen Arctic plains and sweltering equatorial jungles.  With such a far-flung workspace, energy professionals are not limited to careers in major energy capitals like Houston, Aberdeen, Stavanger or Riyadh.  

There is a whole host of other amazing cities that have risen up as hubs for oil and gas exploration, production, transportation and refining, according to Rigzone, the leading online resource for the oil and gas industry, which today named its top ten cities with opportunities for international employment.

"The oil and gas industry is unrivaled for international mobility. Energy professionals with a desire to see the world can discover vibrant careers in cities as varied as Ciudad del Carmen and Dubai and Perth," noted David Kent, President of Rigzone.  "With average compensation in the six-figures and growing opportunities, interesting projects can be found in some of the most exotic corners of the world."

Top Cities

1. Dubai:  Once built on its oil industry, the city now boasts a diversified economy based on its strategic location and open trading. With nearly 1.8 million, mainly expatriate, inhabitants, the city attracts major oil and gas players, including Halliburton whose global headquarters is located in this Middle Eastern business hub.  

2. Calgary:  Boasting one of the lowest unemployment rates of any major metropolitan area in Canada, Calgary's energy industry plays a large role.  Employing around six percent of the city's workers, the energy industry helps drive this beautiful city nestled just east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies.

3. Rio de Janeiro: The "Marvelous City" is the base of Petrobras, Brazil's leading integrated oil and gas company. From its headquarters, the company commands a growing energy powerhouse that does business in more than 25 countries.  The enormous pre-salt reservoirs of light hydrocarbons are dramatically elevating Brazil's reserves profile among the world's oil and gas producers.

4. Denver: Its position near the mineral-rich Rocky Mountains has encouraged mining and energy companies to relocate to the Mile High City.  With 10 of the nation's 100 largest natural gas fields and three of its 100 largest oil fields in Colorado, the city is located in the middle of some of the "hottest oil and gas plays in the continent" according to one Rigzone user.

5. Singapore: The booming economy here has drawn so many expatriates, that they now comprise one-fifth of its population. The Singapore Economic Development Board states that oil, gas and maritime services sectors make up 12 percent of the city-state's GDP.  Engineering and construction firms provide rig design, construction, repair and other services for clients worldwide.  More than $20 billion in upstream and downstream investments occupy the artificial island.

6. Perth: It's the "most relaxed oil town in the world" according to one Rigzone community member. The capital of Western Australia boasts sunshine 300 days a year and its proximity to the Far East has helped it become a key LNG exporter.    

7. Cairo: Known as "the Conqueror", Africa's largest city garners two-thirds of Egypt's gross national product. After tourism, energy-driven industries, petroleum exports and Suez Canal tariffs make up the most significant portions of the country's revenue.  While facing the after effects of the January 25 revolution, one Rigzone community member noted, "I think in the future, Cairo will be one of the most uplifting cities in the oil market."

8. Kuala Lumpur: The country's largest oil and gas company, Petronas, supplies more than 40 percent of Malaysia's revenue and is headquartered in this fifth most visited city in the world.  Kuala Lumpur connects the country's main pipelines from its offshore fields to its onshore storage and terminal facilities.  

9. Jakarta: Serving as Indonesia's port of entry for business people, many international oil companies have extensive investments in Indonesia.  Indonesia is a major natural gas developer, including ranking among the top three global LNG exporters.  

10. Ciudad del Carmen: The close proximity of Mexico's two largest oilfields, Cantarell and Ku-Maloob-Zaap, promises a long future as a major oil and gas destination for the picturesque seaside city. Today, the city offers job opportunities with drilling contractors, subsea construction companies, and oil field service companies.  Dozens of major energy companies have operations in this city.  

More on the 10 Most Awesome Oil & Gas Cities can be found in Rigzone's 2011 Career Guide, please visit http://www.rigzone.com/otcguide2011/.

About Rigzone  

Rigzone, a Dice Holdings Inc. service, is a leading online resource for the oil and gas industry delivering content, data, advertising and career services.  Dedicated to bringing upstream oil and gas news and data, including in-depth information on exploration, drilling and production markets to organizations tackling the energy challenge, its online community of highly-skilled and experienced energy professionals is unmatched.  www.rigzone.com

Media Contact:

Jennifer Bewley
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SOURCE Rigzone