Oil firms such as Hess, StatoilHydro and supermajor Shell are all in search of trained individuals so they can launch oil exploration operations from Port Isabel in Texas, a report indicates.

Director of the Port Isabel-San Benito Navigation District Bob Cornelison told local news provider the Brownsville Herald that the companies had all come in search of qualified individuals to allow them to launch offshore drilling operations.

He noted that the firms had approached the port for the provision of services for drilling, but added that there is currently a need for skilled workers.

"If we can provide the job training, they'll come," Mr Cornelison said, adding that he hopes the training facilities available will meet the needs of the firms and that over time the port will play a role in satisfying the demands of the offshore oil industry.

Besides searching for trained individuals, these oil companies also invest in their own training programmes. For example, Shell earlier this month confirmed the completion of an indigenous training programme in Nigeria, designed to improve project management in the region.

Oil and Gas Directory: Training and Development