Clearview National June 2017 - Issue 187 | Page 8

INDUSTRYNEWS Reduce oil & gas production to restore supply-demand parity » » THE DEMAND-SUPPLY IMBALANCE in the oil & gas industry over the past couple of years has had far-reaching economic and geopolitical implications for the global market. The strong production in the North American and Russian markets led to an oversupply, which triggered a price crash and economic instability in the euro zone, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Africa region, and low demand in Asia-Pacific. Further, the low revenue inflow compelled oil & gas majors to roll back their capital expenditure (CAPEX) and oilfield services. As the oil rig count in the US almost doubled and the production from tight oil surged, some Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) members were compelled to decrease production to restore balance to the global production. However, they may not be able to withhold production for an extended period as they have to produce enough oil to break even on production costs. Similarly, if non-OPEC producers continue to increase production, there could be a double dip in global oil prices. “The participants that will survive the unpredictable price fluctuations will be the ones that do not depend solely on the oil & gas industry for revenues,” said Frost & Sullivan Energy & Environment Industry Analyst Mahesh Radhakrishnan. “Oil companies that are vertically integrated will be ideally positioned to optimise their operations, as they will have a stable downstream business, which usually profits when oil prices are low. National oil companies with localised operations could focus on their mature fields and turn them into profitable wells.” In countries where oil & gas production is responsible for more than 80% of the gross domestic product, low prices will result in a current account deficit. The worst hit segment will be oilfield services, as oil companies will pressure them to produce more for less. “Even though oil prices started to increase toward the end of 2016 and early 2017, this situation is likely to reverse if more production cuts are not agreed upon by both OPEC and non-OPEC producers,” noted Radhakrishnan. “A double dip in oil price can lead to further drop in investments, which could impair the economic ecosystem globally.” RECORD TROPHY ROUT » » GLAZERITE INSTALLERS HAVE beaten all previous records, taking a fantastic five out of seven national trophies – including overall winner – at the annual Network VEKA Awards. Top of them all, scooping its 15th national Network VEKA Award as Member of the Year, as well as the £1.5million-plus category, was Aberdeen-based Thistle Windows and Conservatories, followed by NV founder member Goliath Homeworld of Cannock in the £1m-1.5m category, Shane Howells of Ledbury in the £750k-£1m and MG Window Systems of Northampton in £500k-£750k. Glazerite UK Group Ltd also saw another 15 of its installer partners listed as finalists in the national categories, including six in the two, smaller turnover, categories where it did not have a winner, and over half (12 out of 23) of the total new entries and re-entries into the organisation’s elite 100% Club. This year’s Network VEKA Awards had been reconfigured to replace the UK regional trophies with seven national awards, in six categories based on turnover plus a Member of The Year, 8 » JUN 2017 » CL EARVI E W- U K . C O M as well as trophies for best new member in the North and South respectively as before. The ceremony was held at the Chesford Grange Hotel, Warwick, where the trophies were presented by Network VEKA brand ambassador, snooker legend Steve Davis. “Our installer partners have excelled themselves yet again,” said Jason Thompson, Director of the Glazerite UK Group Ltd, after the presentation. “The trophies are a credit to every one of the winners but we are also very proud of our absolute commitment to helping them and all of our installer partners to grow with the best possible support that any trade fabricator could offer.” He added: “It is well worth noting that these winners, just as in previous years, are those businesses that have fully embraced the Network Veka package and made the best use of everything it offers – something that we at Glazerite have always encouraged our member installers to do. This year, the change in the awards to a national base means all the members are competing against their peers on a level playing field rather than region by region.” The team from Member of the Year winners Thistle Windows and Conservatories, receive the award from snooker legend Steve Davis. (Top left) The Goliath team; (right) Shane Howells; (bottom left) Thistle. (MG Windows was unable to attend). www.glazeritewindows.co.uk