August, 2025

Here at AWCC, we’re passionate about safety, skills, and supporting careers in high-risk industries. This blog is where we share industry updates, insights, and helpful tips from our team of experienced trainers, covering everything from course highlights and industry trends to practical advice for students and employers. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance your qualifications, we’re here to help you stay informed and confident in the field.

Taking Australian Oil & Gas Training to the Next Level – Globally 

A proud moment for AWCC as one of our key team members travels to China to collaborate with leading-edge training facilities equipped with the latest in oil and gas simulation technology.

Working directly with next-generation equipment and immersive learning tools, our representative is helping shape the future of oilfield training ,from fully integrated AR, VR, and MR environments to hands-on simulators that replicate real-world conditions like never before.

This international experience is not just about observing — it’s about co-designing new programs that elevate practical skills and deepen trainee confidence in high-risk environments.

🛠️ Touch it. Operate it. Understand it.

Our approach ensures that learners don’t just sit and watch, they live the experience.

AWCC is proud to be the first Australian training organisation to engage at this level, embracing breakthrough innovation that strengthens our already deep industry expertise.

Incident: Driving – Secure Load

What Happened?

A truck carrying a load of cardboard cartons arrived at a regional supply base. Each carton weighed about 22kg. The total load weighed approximately 470kg. Upon arrival at the supply base it was noticed that the load had shifted during transit, with cartons partially spread across the deck of the trailer. No cartons fell from the trailer.

Why did it Happen?

The following factors contributed to the load shifting during transit:

• Goods were not adequately restrained onto the pallets with strapping. This could not be seen due to the use of black plastic wrap. The wrap failed in transit.

• Gates to provide additional containment on the truck were not used.

• The quality of the pallets was poor.

• The angle of lashing delivered poor clamping force.

• High centre of gravity.

What did they Learn?

• Ensure that packaging complies with the Safer Together Packaging, Handling and Movement of Materials Specification.

Key controls include:

▪ Using clear shrink wrap so that constraints can be seen.

▪ Reducing the height of the load to achieve a lower centre of gravity.

▪ Ensuring the load is positioned central to the trailer deck or next to pallets the same height, so that adequate clamping force can be applied with lashings.

• Carry out load restraint checks at the point of load.

• Consult with all parties involved in the Chain of Responsibility to ensure that robust means of securing loads are used. Source pallets that are suitable for recirculating through the supply chain.

Global Oil Demand Insights – Industry Direction

As part of AWCC’s continued focus on delivering training that aligns with current industry trends, we keep a close watch on global energy consumption data. The Energy Institute’s (EI) latest Statistical Review of World Energy gives us a clear picture of how global oil demand is evolving—and what that means for industry professionals now and into the future.

Who Leads Global Oil Consumption?

The United States held its spot as the world’s largest oil consumer in 2024, with demand reaching 18.995 million barrels per day. This accounted for 18.7% of global demand. While this was a slight decrease of 0.1% from 2023, U.S. demand has grown steadily over the past decade at an annual average of 0.5%.

China, continuing its significant industrial and manufacturing output, consumed 16.373 million barrels per day in 2024. That equated to 16.1% of global demand, though slightly down 1.2% year-on-year. Over the last 10 years, China’s demand has grown at a strong 4.0% annual rate.

India showed the sharpest growth in 2024, increasing oil consumption by 3.1% to reach 5.620 million barrels per day—or 5.5% of global demand. This mirrors India’s decade-long average growth of 3.8% per year, underscoring its rise as a key player in the global energy sector.

In total, the world consumed 101.418 million barrels per day in 2024, a 0.7% increase over 2023, and reflecting a steady 1.0% annual average growth over the past ten years.

These figures represent inland consumption as well as international aviation and marine use. Notably, biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel were excluded, while coal and gas-derived liquids were included.

Total Oil Liquids: A Broader Measure of Demand

When considering total oil liquids—which includes refinery losses, fuel usage, and a broader range of petroleum products—the U.S. again led with 20.307 million barrels per day in 2024, making up 19.4% of global demand. Interestingly, this marked a slight 0.2% increase from 2023, with a consistent decade-long growth average of 0.6%.

China followed with 16.473 million barrels per day, accounting for 15.7% of global total oil liquids demand, despite a 1.1% drop from the previous year. India once again saw positive momentum with a 3.7% rise, reaching 5.757 million barrels per day—5.5% of the global share.

The global total for oil liquids hit 104.710 million barrels per day in 2024, rising 0.8% year-on-year and averaging a 1.1% annual increase since 2014.

What This Means for Australia and AWCC

While Australia doesn’t feature in the top consumers list, it remains strategically important as an exporter, energy hub, and innovator in resource management and training. The continued global demand highlights the importance of well-trained personnel across all aspects of the oil and gas industry—from rig operations to emergency response.

At AWCC, we’re committed to equipping our students and workforce partners with the skills, knowledge, and practical expertise to meet these global trends head-on. Whether you’re a frontline worker, safety officer, or seeking a career in energy, understanding where the world is heading helps us all stay ahead.

As global demand continues to rise—albeit modestly—Australia must remain responsive, skilled, and agile. AWCC will continue to adapt and lead in training delivery, ensuring our clients and students are aligned with both current industry needs and future opportunities.

Source: Energy Institute 2025 Statistical Review of World Energy | Analysis adapted by AWCC

Skilled Hands Behind the Barrels: Why Australia’s Oil and Gas Industry Needs More Than Production Power

As global energy production continues to rise, the spotlight is often fixed on output volumes, national rankings, and year-on-year growth. The latest Energy Institute (EI) Statistical Review of World Energy shows the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Russia leading the charge in global oil production, with a combined daily output of over 40 million barrels in 2024.

Here in Australia, while we contribute a modest 350,000 barrels per day from both offshore basins like the North West Shelf and onshore assets in the Cooper and Surat Basins, our real competitive edge isn’t just in the ground, it’s in the people we prepare to work above it.

That’s where the Australian Well Control Centre (AWCC) steps in: building the capability behind the capacity, and providing skilled labour that meets both Australian and global operational standards.

The Production vs Proficiency Gap

Globally, oil production hit 96.89 million barrels per day in 2024, yet incident reports, operational inefficiencies, and well control issues have also climbed—often linked not to equipment failure, but human error and skills deficiencies.

In an industry where poor decision-making can lead to blowouts, production loss, and environmental disaster, there’s one thing more important than output: competence.

From snubbing in remote inland wells to well intervention in live offshore environments, it’s no longer acceptable for personnel to be qualified on paper alone. The industry needs professionals who are trained, assessed, and confident under pressure.

Australia’s Labour Challenge: Too Few, Too Fast

The Australian oil and gas sector is not immune to the global workforce crunch. With an ageing workforce, project ramp-ups, and expanding energy projects across QLD, WA, and NT, we’re seeing junior staff rapidly promoted into senior roles—often with limited field exposure or structured mentoring.

This trend puts pressure on safety systems and increases the risk of operational errors. We’re also seeing growing demand for short-notice labour hires, project-based contractors, and FIFO-ready staff with specific competencies in well control, intervention, and high-risk operations.

AWCC: Delivering the Workforce Behind the Industry

AWCC is not just a training provider. We are a nationally recognised, industry-aligned skills partner for the energy sector.

We offer:

• IWCF Well Control (Levels 2–4)
• IWCF Well Intervention Pressure Control (WIPC)
• Workforce readiness programs for FIFO, shutdowns, and project mobilisation
• Simulation-based assessments to ensure workers can apply theory in real-world conditions
• Custom training for onshore and offshore operations
• Pre-screened, industry-ready labour supply, trained and verified through AWCC programs

Our campuses in Toowoomba and Brisbane, with planned expansions to Chinchilla and Adelaide, allow us to supply talent across all major energy regions. We train hundreds of candidates each year for wellsite, rig, and remote field roles—preparing them for today’s production demands and tomorrow’s safety expectations.

Safety Starts with Skill

Oil and gas production, whether in the Gulf of Mexico or the Bowen Basin—is only sustainable when matched with safety. And safety doesn’t begin on the rig floor; it begins in the training room.

At AWCC, we push beyond compliance. We train for capability. We assess for performance. And we ensure that when a worker arrives at site, they’re ready to perform, not just observe.

That’s why our clients—operators, contractors, and labour providers—trust us not only to train their people but increasingly to supply them.

Final Word: From Training Centre to Field-Ready Workforce

Australia’s energy future depends not just on geology, but on human capacity. As global demand grows and new fields come online, the question isn’t just how much oil we can produce, but who we have to produce it safely.

If your organisation needs certified, capable, site-ready workers—or if you’re ready to build a workforce that performs under pressure—AWCC is your trusted partner.

Let’s power the industry forward—with trained hands, sharp minds, and the skills that matter.

Source: Energy Institute 2025 | Geoscience Australia 2024 | AWCC Workforce & Training Insights