In all my 40 years’ experience and career in the oil industry, both here in the UK and abroad as an expat, I have never experienced anything like our current coronavirus turmoil. And I think I speak for all of us both inside and outside of the energy industries. When the virus began to spread throughout the country in March this year I must confess to being a bit dubious about the non-stop, 24-hour media coverage. There was the conspiratorial reports as to the origin of the virus; bats and other animals being caged in the most brutal of conditions in so-called 'wet' markets in Wuhan, China. There followed other propositions that the Chinese government intentionally concealed knowledge of the virus to bring possible economic mayhem to Western businesses and societies. Well, if that is the case, then President Xi Pinjing has succeeded. But as an ingrained sceptic, I am still to be convinced. I ask myself, why hasn’t the World Health Organization not implemented an official enquiry into the outbreak in China?
My worry is about the current and future economic, business and employment prospects for all of us in the UK. Last week I read about the first Covid-19 cases offshore in the North Sea. Now that was scary. Not only do we rely on North Sea products such as oil and gas to keep our societies going, but we also rely on a stable crude oil price to maintain business ventures across the board. Back in June the price of a barrel of Brent crude dipped to below $20.00/barrel - this in contrast to its highest ever price of $136.00/barrel back in 2008. Energy keeps all our lives moving and our incomes safe but a vicious germ such as Covid-19 is day-by-day causing job cuts and lay-offs, business closures, schools, colleges and universities closing, the majority of national and international sporting events cancelled - the list goes on - and at the end of the day we can all appreciate that money really does make the world go round whether we like it or not.
So that is the negatives out of the way. Well, have I anything positive to offer? I know people in many areas of life and in the newspapers, etc, have likened this pandemic to the horrors of World War II. In a way it is but in a way it is not. First of all mankind is not attacking and killing mankind. We are not dropping bombs, invading countries and taking prisoners. No, we are at war with one of the deadliest viruses ever known to man. I would just echo the UK Government advice, self-isolate, only go out if necessary - supermarkets for food, etc, pharmacies and exercise - by doing so, we shall win this war and get our lives back to normal. It will take time but then in these dark times, patience IS a virtue.
Lastly, I shall quote that ancient Hebrew saying, 'This too shall pass!'
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