Oilfield equipment and services jobs in the United States climbed slightly in November for the third month in a row, but it’s still a tough slog with pandemic-related job losses down by nearly 92,000, according to a new analysis.

OFS jobs

The Petroleum Equipment & Services Association (PESA) said the domestic oilfield services (OFS) and equipment sectors added an estimated 2,665 jobs in November, according to preliminary data by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). 

Estimated job losses related to energy demand destruction from Covid-19 “now total 91,680,” according to PESA. “OFS employment is down 81,610 jobs since November 2019.”

The BLS data showed the OFS sector gained 1,498 jobs in September and added 5,091 jobs in October, said PESA researchers. 

“OFS...