The mood has definitely changed. That much has been clear at the biannual Offshore Europe mega conference in Aberdeen. The hubris evident at the 2013 event ('before the fall') gave way to gloom two years later. This week's 2017 event was noteworthy for its 'realism', bordering on the optimistic. Things are certainly better than they were.
The vibe reflects the progress the industry is making globally. The North Sea arguably invented the offshore industry of the late 20th century, exporting its locally honed technical skills and expertise to all points globally.
Operators, under the severest financial pressure, focused on maximising production uptime as well as cutting out costs. As a result, volumes are up 11% in two years, a big contribution to the 40% reduction in unit operating costs since 2014.
This recovery in fortunes may prove fleeting. The UK after all is 'ultra mature', lacking a commercial development pipeline of substance and with decommissioning of multiple projects and pipelines still looming.
We expect production to decline again from 2019, probably terminally. But the sterling efforts of the last two years have bought time. The benefits of lower costs are now well understood and a sustained focus on efficiencies will prolong the UKCS's life.
Oil and gas companies are presenting dual credentials - avid cost-cutters with newly stabilised finances. Strategies are being adapted to the reality that lower prices will persist for some time.
The focus is on cost efficiency, cash flow metrics and tight capital discipline. Dividends are sacrosanct, for the Majors at least; investment almost secondary in terms of capital allocation. Capital expenditure is targeted at low-risk opportunities, and IRR is usurping NPV as the benchmark for new projects.
Growth for growth's sake is off the agenda.The implications are that production profiles may decline and companies may get smaller - but returns should improve.
It's an ultra-conservative approach that has yet to hit home with sceptical investors. The shares of the Majors have underperformed the wider global stock market by 22% in 2017. The industry outside the US L48 is still struggling to attract capital.
Besides the oil price, there are big challenges looming over the sector such as peak oil demand and the energy transition. But these will play out only in the longer term, and in the meantime there is much that can be done to bolster confidence in the sector. Talking with providers of capital in Aberdeen, here is a list of to-dos.
Cash flow neutral in 2017 doesn't mean the job is done. Maintain tight discipline on capital and grow cash flow. Free cash flow growth in a flat price environment into 2018 and 2019 will send a strong message to providers of capital.
Drive down costs - the low-cost producers will be king, and make money in any price environment. High grade the portfolio by selling non-core, high cost assets. Seize opportunities in the current soft M&A market that can strengthen core, advantaged positions.
Better a declining production profile with improved returns on capital and increased certainty of dividend sustainability than investing for growth and the risk - or probability - of diluted returns.
Stick with the conservative approach. Bury the recidivist tendency to fall back into the bad old ways.
Will it be different this time? It has to be different because the challenges of oversupply and potential disruption are new. The encouraging sign is that change is underway. The industry just needs to make it structural rather than cyclical.