IADC: Safer Oil and Gas Operations a Result of Industry Collaboration

Houston, Texas (9 April 2015) – IADC President and CEO Stephen Colville discussed safety and technical improvements in the offshore industry since the Macondo incident five years ago this morning during a call that also included Jack Gerard President and CEO, American Petroleum Institute (API) and Randall Luthi, President, National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA).

His remarks as prepared for delivery follow:

Drilling today remains absolutely essential – hydrocarbon energy predominantly powers our world, enabling and sustaining all human wellbeing. It is inarguable that our lives would change massively for the worse without continued access to reliable and plentiful energy. But we recognize that we must continue to strive to drill ever more safely, cleanly and efficiently – for everyone’s sake.

Macondo was a tragic incident, one which necessitated carefully considered and coordinated responses from our industry. Since then, an unprecedented level of collaboration to research and understand the failures that contributed to the incident has resulted in new technologies, operating systems and programs that address both equipment and safety culture.

Development work on Automated kick detection systems, emergency containment and production infrastructure; improved pore pressure prediction during planning and sub-salt drilling; and improved well control and response modeling for reliability based well design have all been instituted since 2010.

At IADC, there was a real recognition that since drilling involves our rigs, our people and our equipment, drilling contractors are responsible for ensuring their ability to drill safely, cleanly, efficiently and responsibly

Throughout IADC, our almost 1800 members share the belief that well control is the most critical area for successful operations. To that end all our members, across all areas of the industry, are working together through IADC on the creation of programs and solutions that address well control training, safety and performance.

The best example of this is the creation of the Well Control Institute. The WCI is a unique industry Well Control oversight body, comprising representatives from across the industry, working to develop solutions to issues such as rig crew communication, personnel competence, human factors and situational awareness.

In a similar vein, IADC has just launched WellSharp, a total root and branch revised well control training program, introducing training specifically targeted to every employee with well control responsibilities, whether office-based or rig-based. The training program is rigorous, with content for prevention, situational awareness, barriers and risk awareness and management.

The IADC Deepwater Well Control Guidelines and Drilling Manual have been completely revised, with information representing the latest technologies, and are essential resources for rig personnel.

About IADC

Since 1940, the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) has exclusively represented the worldwide oil and gas drilling industry. IADC’s mission is to catalyze improved performance for the drilling industry by enhancing operational integrity and championing better regulation to facilitate safer, cleaner and more efficient drilling operations worldwide. For more information, visit the IADC website at www.iadc.org.