Gav,
I could understand your situation from the post and want to have an update on ur present state.
As it is rightly said, getting an Employer sponsership is truly amazing but not too many gets that. It is the toughest route. I would recommend to work on ur VISA and then approach the recruiter. As far as the Energy Industry is concernerd, it looks like there are available jobs in the sourcing websites, but am not sure whether that many opportunities are open. But still hoping for the best, if you thought of moving, start the process in the name of Lord....
How was the job expo....any thought to share...
Regards,
Sengan