International Oil & Gas Recruitment Agency
Hire qualified oil and gas professionals worldwide.
Global Recruitment Experts is an international oil and gas recruitment agency placing permanent, contract, and executive talent across upstream, midstream, and downstream operations. We support operators, EPCs, service companies, LNG producers, and refinery operators hiring across the US, UK, Canada, Australia, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.
Why Operators, EPCs, and Energy Companies Work with GRE
For over 15 years, we have helped oil and gas companies fill technical roles that are hard to source and hard to get wrong. Our consultants have direct energy sector experience, which means they understand the difference between an acceptable CV and a candidate who has actually worked offshore, on a major EPC project, or in a high-hazard refinery environment.
We work with international oil companies, national oil companies, EPC contractors, oilfield service providers, LNG producers, and refinery operators. Our process covers targeted sourcing, technical assessment, visa coordination, and relocation from initial brief through to first day on site. For companies scaling hiring across multiple regions, we also offer Recruitment Process Outsourcing.
We work with:
- International and national oil companies (IOCs and NOCs)
- EPC contractors and engineering consultancies
- Oilfield service providers
- Technology and equipment suppliers to the energy sector
- LNG producers and petrochemical refiners
Hire proven oil and gas talent worldwide.
Global Recruitment Experts delivers permanent, contract, and executive staffing for upstream, midstream, and downstream projects.
Talk to a Global Staffing Specialist
Let our experts connect you with proven oil and gas talent worldwide.
Oil & Gas Staffing Services: Permanent, Contract and Executive
Permanent Placement
We match long-term hires to your technical requirements and project environment. Every placement goes through role-specific sourcing from global candidate pools, full credentialing and technical verification, and a single point of contact managing the process from brief to offer. We handle relocation logistics and onboarding coordination where needed.
Frequent placement regions: United States, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Singapore, Australia, Canada
Contract and Project Staffing
For project-based and time-limited requirements, we supply pre-screened professionals with international field experience. Assignments typically run three to 24 months, with extension or permanent conversion options available. We staff both onshore facilities and offshore platforms, including remote site mobilisation.
Current demand locations: Gulf of Mexico, North Sea, Middle East offshore fields, LNG terminals in Asia-Pacific, Alberta oilsands
Executive Search
Leadership recruitment for C-suite, operations management, project directors, and senior technical roles in the energy sector. We source candidates who have delivered safely in complex, multi-jurisdiction environments and can demonstrate a track record against production targets and capital budgets.
Typical briefs include: Country Manager, VP Operations, Project Director, Drilling Manager, Chief Engineer, Head of HSE.
Upstream, Midstream and Downstream Recruitment
Upstream
Exploration, appraisal, drilling, completions, and production operations. We place petroleum engineers, drilling engineers, well site supervisors, geoscientists, and production technologists across onshore and offshore assets.
Midstream
Pipeline construction and integrity, LNG processing, gas treatment, storage, and transportation. We recruit pipeline engineers, corrosion specialists, SCADA technicians, and LNG operations teams.
Downstream
Refinery operations, petrochemical manufacturing, and product distribution. We source process engineers, refinery operators, turnaround planners, and inspection engineers for brownfield and greenfield facilities.
Technical Disciplines We Recruit
- Mechanical, piping, and pipeline engineering
- Electrical, instrumentation, and telecoms
- Process engineering, process safety, and loss prevention
- Drilling, well engineering, and petroleum engineering
- Subsea, marine, and subsurface roles
- Civil, structural, and architectural engineering
- Project controls, cost estimating, and scheduling
- HSE and environmental management
- Commissioning, completions, and start-up teams
North America
Shale production in the Permian, Eagle Ford, and Bakken, offshore Gulf of Mexico developments, and a growing LNG export sector are driving consistent demand for petroleum engineers, HSE leaders, and process specialists. We place both permanent hires and contract professionals for operators and service companies across the Lower 48 and deepwater Gulf.
Primary Market
United Kingdom & North Sea
Decommissioning projects across the North Sea, alongside active production assets and energy transition roles, are creating sustained demand for offshore engineers, subsea specialists, inspection engineers, and HSE managers. We work with operators and tier-one contractors across the Aberdeen and London markets. GRE’s UK office is based in Slough and covers recruitment across the UK, continental Europe, and North Sea-focused projects globally.
Primary Market
Canada
Alberta oilsands operations, LNG export projects on the BC coast, and offshore developments off Newfoundland and Labrador generate consistent demand for drilling engineers, completions specialists, project controls professionals, and environmental managers. We also support the growing pipeline and midstream sector in Western Canada. GRE’s Canadian office is based in Markham, Ontario and serves employers across Western Canada, Ontario, and Atlantic Canada.
Primary Market
Australia and Asia-Pacific
Australia’s LNG, offshore, and energy infrastructure sectors create ongoing demand for LNG operations teams, instrument engineers, project managers, HSE leaders, and commissioning specialists. We also support hiring across Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and wider Asia-Pacific markets for petrochemical, offshore, and technical operations roles.
Active Market
Middle East
Major programmes in UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are driving ongoing demand for EPC project managers, refinery specialists, commissioning engineers, and technical supervisors. Both greenfield megaprojects and brownfield expansion programmes are active, with strong demand from IOC and NOC clients.
Active Market
Secondary International Markets
We also support hiring in South America, China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Malaysia for operators and service companies managing international project portfolios.
Growing Markets
How to Hire Overseas Oil and Gas Workers
Hiring overseas oil and gas workers requires more than finding qualified CVs. Employers need candidates with the right technical background, verified certifications, site experience, mobility, and the ability to meet visa, relocation, and project mobilisation requirements.
Global Recruitment Experts helps operators, EPC contractors, LNG facilities, refineries, offshore projects, and oilfield service companies recruit international oil and gas talent for permanent, contract, and executive roles. We support hiring across upstream, midstream, and downstream operations, including drilling, completions, production, pipeline, LNG, refinery, petrochemical, commissioning, HSE, and project controls roles.
A successful international oil and gas hiring process usually includes:
- Define the project requirement
Clarify whether the role is permanent, contract, rotational, offshore, onshore, remote site, or project-based. The brief should include technical requirements, location, schedule, certification needs, mobilisation deadline, and compensation range. - Identify the right overseas talent markets
Not every country will produce the same candidate pool. GRE helps employers identify where suitable oil and gas professionals are most likely to be found based on discipline, project type, language requirements, regional experience, and relocation willingness. - Verify technical qualifications and field experience
Oil and gas hiring carries higher operational risk than general recruitment. Candidates should be screened for role-specific experience, project exposure, safety record, certifications, offshore readiness, and familiarity with high-hazard environments. - Assess visa, work permit, and relocation requirements early
International hiring timelines depend heavily on immigration requirements, documentation, medical checks, notice periods, and travel logistics. These issues should be reviewed before final interviews, not after an offer has already been accepted. - Shortlist candidates who can realistically mobilise
The strongest candidate on paper is not always the right hire if they cannot relocate, meet site requirements, or start within the project window. GRE prioritises candidates with verified availability, realistic compensation expectations, and clear mobilisation pathways. - Coordinate offer, compliance, and onboarding
Once the preferred candidate is selected, employers need a structured process for offer negotiation, documentation, visa coordination, relocation support, travel, accommodation, and first-day readiness.
For employers managing urgent project hiring, international expansion, offshore staffing, or multi-country recruitment, GRE provides a single recruitment partner for sourcing, screening, compliance coordination, relocation support, and post-placement follow-up.
How Our Oil & Gas Recruitment Process Works
Needs Assessment:
Define scope, timelines, technical requirements, and regional hiring context.
Targeted Sourcing:
Access active and passive candidates from our global oil and gas network.
Screening and Technical Evaluation:
Verify credentials, certifications, field experience, and offshore readiness.
Shortlist and Interview Coordination:
Present qualified candidates and manage the interview process.
Offer and Negotiation:
Secure the best candidate under competitive terms.
Visa and Compliance Support:
Manage immigration, work permits, and in-country regulatory requirements.
Relocation and Mobilisation:
Coordinate travel, accommodation, and site onboarding.
Post-Placement Follow-up:
Check in at 30, 60, and 90 days to confirm retention and performance.
Recent Oil & Gas Recruitment Results
US Gulf Coast LNG Operator
Placed 28 commissioning specialists in 90 days across instrumentation, process, and electrical disciplines.
Middle East Refinery Expansion
Placed 20 senior engineers across mechanical, piping, and process safety disciplines in under four months, across two sites.
Asia-Pacific Offshore Project
Filled 15 subsea and drilling roles ahead of first oil, including subsea engineers, drilling supervisors, and a completions manager.
Ready to Build Your Oil & Gas Team?
Whether you are staffing an LNG facility, scaling refinery operations, or mobilising an offshore drilling team, we deliver vetted energy professionals prepared for complex, multi-jurisdiction projects.
Common Questions
What employers ask before hiring across borders.
How do employers hire overseas oil and gas workers?
Employers should start by defining the role, project location, technical requirements, certifications, mobilisation deadline, compensation range, and visa requirements. GRE then identifies suitable international talent markets, screens candidates for oil and gas experience, verifies qualifications, and supports interview coordination, offer negotiation, relocation planning, and onboarding.
What roles can GRE recruit for overseas oil and gas projects?
GRE recruits for upstream, midstream, downstream, LNG, refinery, petrochemical, offshore, pipeline, and EPC projects. Common roles include drilling engineers, petroleum engineers, HSE managers, commissioning specialists, process engineers, project controls professionals, pipeline engineers, refinery operators, maintenance leaders, and senior project managers.
Do you recruit for both onshore and offshore roles?
Yes. GRE places technical, operational, and leadership talent for onshore facilities, offshore platforms, FPSO vessels, and remote project sites. We can support hiring for roles that require specific site experience, safety credentials, rotational schedules, and mobilisation planning.
How quickly can you present candidates?
For urgent contract and permanent oil and gas roles, GRE can typically present an initial shortlist within seven to 14 business days. Final hiring and mobilisation timelines depend on candidate availability, notice periods, visa requirements, site documentation, and the destination country.
Which oil and gas sectors do you cover?
GRE recruits across upstream, midstream, and downstream oil and gas, including LNG, petrochemicals, pipeline, refinery operations, offshore projects, and EPC environments. We also support energy transition and renewable integration roles for companies managing conventional and low-carbon energy portfolios.
Can GRE help with visas and relocation for international oil and gas workers?
Yes. GRE supports international recruitment by helping coordinate visa requirements, work permit documentation, relocation planning, travel logistics, and onboarding steps. Exact requirements and timelines vary by country, candidate nationality, role type, and employer documentation.
Do you recruit across the US, UK, Canada, Australia, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific?
Yes. GRE supports oil and gas recruitment across major international hiring markets, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. For companies hiring across multiple geographies, GRE can coordinate one search strategy across several markets.
Do you support urgent project hiring?
Yes. GRE supports urgent contract, project, and permanent hiring for operators, EPCs, service companies, LNG facilities, refineries, and offshore projects. For urgent searches, GRE prioritises candidates with relevant site experience, verified certifications, realistic availability, and clear mobilisation pathways.
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Compliance Note
GRE operates in full compliance with the NHS Code of Practice for international healthcare recruitment (UK), relevant immigration laws in all primary markets, and data privacy regulations including GDPR.
