The oil and gas industry is a volatile marketplace. Not only does the price swing up and down, but pipes swing around, come uncoupled, break, burst, and worst case explode. An oilfield can be like a minefield, as accidents are just waiting to happen. Company leaders must hire executives who can navigate the insurance industry like a tiger in the jungle. Choosing the right kind of insurance and how much to buy may present a challenge, but by understanding the insurance system, the process becomes easier to manage.
Insurance Iceberg Runs Deep
Before choosing insurance, an energy company must assess itself and determine where it works, what it does, and what kind of insurance liabilities might arise based on location and work. For example, if a company works in an unstable part of the world, it might face problems such as terrorism, regime change, sudden policy shifts, political risk, and on/offshore physical damage to rigs and capital equipment. These risks are just the tip of the insurance iceberg; each category of risk runs much deeper.
State of the Industry
There are several major trends that impact the oil and gas insurance industry entering into 2017:
- The oil and gas industry has become safer over the past several years, due to the rise of technology that has removed a lot of human elements.
- Despite the lower rates of accidents, when one does occur, insurance claims are generally higher than in the past, due to the use of this more complex technology coupled with the entrance into emerging markets.
- The improvements in safety over the past several years, along with tighter risk management budgets at energy companies, have created an increasingly competitive energy insurance market, which may negatively impact the value of energy insurers.
- The past two years have been hard on the industry due to the high production from Saudi Arabia and OPEC members. The higher production has flooded the market and pushed prices down to incredibly low levels not seen for more than 10 years. The low prices have eaten into profits and put many U.S.-based companies out of business or lead to being gobbled up by larger corporations.
- Insurance companies, such as Allstate, have lost millions in bonds due to the decline in oil prices. According to Bloomberg Business, Allstate lost some $75 million after a major plunge in crude at the end of 2014, early 2015. Most insurance companies hold bonds in the energy industry, so Allstate was not alone with its major bond losses.
These five factors have made insurance more expensive for this industry. However, 2017 has proved to be a potential boon year for the oil and gas industry with Brent crude at $55.45 by mid-January. This should increase profits and put the industry back on track.
Rates Fall as Profits Rise: Time to Shop Around
While the prices are still going to be high compared to the pre-fall of oil prices, this year offers relief with a renewed industry. Profits will climb for oil companies and insurers bonds will also climb, in part, helping to offset the associated costs of insurance. With that in mind, it will be a good time to review your company’s insurance coverage, and assemble your risk management team to start scouting out new, potential insurers and the better deals that they can offer as quarter two ramps up.
When buying, keep in mind your company might be better off to have more coverage, especially if a lot of your equipment and workers have been idle during the oil price recession. Equipment will need to be primed and worker’s skills will need to be re-sharpened as they get back on the rigs. The industry has trended towards fewer accidents, but when they do occur they have a bigger impact on people, equipment, and environment.
Detailed Risks Associated with the Oil and Gas Industry
- Builder’s Risk Insurance
- Cyber Risk
- Directors & Officers Liability
- Employment Practices Liability
- Errors and Omissions
- Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
- Marine Liability Insurance
- Maritime Employers Liability
- On/Offshore Rig Property Damage
- Political Risks (Confiscation, Expropriation, Nationalization & Deprivation) Insurance
- Pollution Legal Liability
- Products & Liability Recall
- Professional Liability
- Riggers Legal Liability
- Terrorism
- Transport and Cargo Legal Liability
Eissler, former editor-in- chief of Oil & Gas Engineering magazine, previously worked as an editor for Dubai-based The Oil & Gas Year Magazine.
- Eric R. Eisslerhttps://energiesmedia.com/author/eric-r-eissler/
- Eric R. Eisslerhttps://energiesmedia.com/author/eric-r-eissler/
- Eric R. Eisslerhttps://energiesmedia.com/author/eric-r-eissler/
- Eric R. Eisslerhttps://energiesmedia.com/author/eric-r-eissler/
- Eric R. Eisslerhttps://energiesmedia.com/author/eric-r-eissler/
- Eric R. Eisslerhttps://energiesmedia.com/author/eric-r-eissler/
Oil and gas operations are commonly found in remote locations far from company headquarters. Now, it's possible to monitor pump operations, collate and analyze seismic data, and track employees around the world from almost anywhere. Whether employees are in the office or in the field, the internet and related applications enable a greater multidirectional flow of information – and control – than ever before.