The study found that slightly more oil and gas equipment suppliers were expecting growth than exploration and production firms.

BBC: Bank study claims oil jobs bonanza

However, the study did show that developing long-term strategic alliances with suppliers and customers enhanced the other operational practices.

ECONOMIST: What's in the journals, September 2008

This has caused a fury on the political left, which complains that the study included estimates of direct and indirect jobs (such as equipment suppliers) but also "induced" jobs, or jobs created when oil workers spend their salaries at, say, hotels, restaurants or bowling alleys.

WSJ: Review & Outlook: The Non-Green Jobs Boom

The study was funded by a group including Nissan, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers, GE, the union body IndustriAll and the European Climate Foundation.

BBC: Car drivers 'will save cash thanks to CO2 rules'