The oil and gas industry must attract new graduates in order to meet increasing energy needs across the globe, it has been stated.

According to Martin Grant of engineering and design consultancy Atkins, the energy industry as a whole must invest $10.5 trillion (£7.1 trillion) and employ an extra 500,000 engineers to meet rising demands.

Writing on the Channel 4 website, Mr Grant stated that the oil and gas industry could step up recruitment by as much as 50 per cent next year in order to meet global needs.

The industry expert said: "It is clear that the pool of engineers is too small at present.

"While the challenges can be great and the responsibilities immense, this is a profession that must flourish."

He added that the recent Deepwater Horizon oil spill should serve to highlight how the oil industry must recruit "the brightest graduates" in order to avoid future crises and improve productivity.

BP has now spent in excess of $2 billion on the cleanup operation following the explosion of the deepwater drilling rig on April 22nd.

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