Page 12: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Apr/May 2014)

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Opinion

Thought Thought ThoughtStream

David Price, CEO, International Well Control Forum (IWCF)

Post-Macondo, attitudes still need to change any positive changes have for more consistency in training. We witnessed a sharp spike in course

M taken place in response to the We had already introduced audits for take-up following Macondo and the scru-

International Oil and Gas Producers training providers, but post Macondo we tiny it brought has enabled us to make

Association (OGP) recommendations took the step to increase the frequency further changes that would never have for well control training, following the and make them more robust. been accepted before.

Macondo tragedy, but a culture shift in We now have a system of four yearly The syllabus was reviewed with new behavior and attitude is still needed. audits, supplemented by spot checks subjects introduced around assurance of

The investigations found that, through when we’ve had a complaint or have a well integrity throughout the lifecycle of the chain of events, processes where concern about a particular center. With the well, particularly around barrier man- people could question, challenge or take 210 centers, we are carrying out one agement, casing and cementing and risk action were not always followed. audit per week, using quali? ed auditors assessment, contingency management

New training standards to improve who we have trained internally to con- and implementation.

knowledge and competency are being sider a number of factors including facili- New levels to training programs are introduced, but unless people involved ties, equipment, human resources, lesson being introduced including a basic intro- in well operations feel empowered to act, observations, practical assessments, and duction course at level one that could they will never have the desired effect. management systems even be taught in schools and universi-

This change in behavior needs to come ties and also a vocational competency from the top down and goes even further quali? cation at level ? ve for skilled

If we focus on than empowerment. engineers.

We need to be demonstrating an expec- Ultimately, we want to move well the safety critical role tation that those individuals will take the training from a system where a candi- step to shut the well in if they deem it to date turns up on the day, sits a test and of each individual in be necessary–and they need to feel sup- is handed a licence to a more continual ensuring process safety ported in their decision. style of learning.

As an industry, we often put the cart What Macondo made the industry as a whole, then perhaps before the horse with a culture of safety realize is that it’s not just about having training, rather than teaching people a piece of paper saying you can work. we can achieve more.

how to do their jobs properly and safely, It’s about the welfare of everyone on the because the two go hand in hand. If we installation; it’s about big organizations focus on the safety critical role of each It is a signi? cant undertaking for IWCF, being made bankrupt; it’s about the envi- individual in ensuring process safety as as a not-for-pro? t organization, but we ronment and it’s about whether govern- a whole, then perhaps we can achieve see the importance and in the future ments will allow us to continue to drill. more. would like to be in a position to further

We’ve still got some way to go for this increase the frequency. David Price became CEO at IWCF in to happen, but steps in the right direction Most centers have welcomed the 2009 after a career of more than 30 years are being made. audits. When needed, we will issue in the drilling industry.

International Well Control Forum improvement notices and return to focus Price previously worked as a consul- (IWCF) already had procedures for on areas of concern. We have in the most tant, primarily teaching and advising on accrediting training through a global severe cases, removed accreditation from well control matters for organisations network of providers with candidates, centers. It is only because we are fully such as SedcoForex, Santa Fe, Shell assessed via independently invigilated, independent that we can take that step. and BG. He worked in Europe, Africa, centrally generated examinations and a At the end of the day, the training being the Middle East and Asia with a variety practical assessment program. However, delivered should protect not just that per- of organisations including operators, overnight, Macondo placed a global spot- son when they turn up to work but every drilling contractors, training providers, light on standards and hit home the need one of their colleagues. universities and academic institutions.

April 2014 | OE oedigital.com 14 000_OE0414_ThoughtStream.indd 14 3/23/14 9:53 AM