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IADC North Sea Chapter recognizes excellence during annual Safety Awards Ceremony

The IADC North Sea Chapter (NSC) has once again recognized the very best in safety performance at its annual Safety Awards Ceremony, held in Aberdeen on 24 April.

Then-NSC Chairman Lee Reborse welcomed a large turnout at the event. Guest speakers included Tom Burke, President and CEO of Rowan Companies, and Jim House, VP North Sea for Apache.

Multiple awards were presented recognizing various safety records achieved over the past year.

This year, awards for best safety performance in 2014 went to North Atlantic Drilling and Noble Drilling in the jackups category; Awilco Drilling and Transocean in the floating rigs category; and Odfjell Drilling in platform drilling.

Chairman’s Awards, which recognize individual rigs and their crews that had the best safety performance in 2014, went to Ensco 92, Ensco (jackup); WilHunter, Awilco Drilling (floating rig); and Murchison, KCA Deutag (platform).

The Associate Member Award was presented to Falck Safety Services.

Funds raised during the evening were donated to Alzheimer Scotland and Mental Health Aberdeen.

Liz Craddock joins IADC to lead Washington, DC, office, advocacy activities

Elizabeth “Liz” Leoty Craddock has joined IADC as Vice President, Policy and Government Affairs, leading the association’s Washington, DC, office. Ms Craddock most recently served as the first female Majority Staff Director of the US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee under Chair Sen. Mary Landrieu. In this role, she oversaw the passage of the BLM Permit Processing Improvement Act and more than 80 public lands bills.

“Liz was Staff Director of one of the most bipartisan committees on Capitol Hill and the one known for getting things accomplished,” said Taf Powell, IADC Executive VP, Policy, Regulatory and Government Affairs. “We are excited to have such a thoughtful leader join our Washington, DC, office to advocate for sensible legislative and regulatory policy in the US.

“Liz will help IADC ensure that federal and state governments and other stakeholders are aware of the industry’s determination to operate reliably, to protect the environment and human safety, and to continue the impressive achievements of recent years.”

Ms Craddock joined Sen. Landrieu’s office in 2006, serving as Legislative Director and Counsel, coordinating the senator’s legislative affairs, developing legislation on behalf of the senator and providing vote recommendations. She was part of the senator’s team that passed the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, which opened 8.3 million acres in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, as well as established revenue sharing for the Gulf energy producing states.   

Ms Craddock has also worked for US Congresswoman Karen Thurman and Congressman Dale Kildee. She spent time during law school working for the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Ms Craddock received her B.A. in political science and B.S. in public relations from the University of Florida, and earned her J.D. from Tulane University Law School. She is a native of Delhi, La., and a member of the District of Columbia bar.

“It’s an honor to join IADC and have the opportunity to continue to advance energy policy for this country on behalf of our membership. IADC is a first-rate organization, having a sincere desire to drill safely and in an environmentally conscious manner. I look forward to maintaining IADC’s excellent reputation in Washington, DC, and in states around the US,” Ms Craddock said.

IADC Australasia Chapter celebrates its 50th year

The IADC Australasia Chapter celebrated its 50th Annual General Meeting on 19 May in Melbourne. The chapter owes its existence to the formation of the Oilwell Drilling Contractors Association of Australia (ODCAA) in 1964. Those who convened the group were visionary pioneers who shared a passion for providing leadership to the drilling sector of the Australian E&P industry.

In the 50 years since, the ODCAA and the subsequent IADC Australasia Chapter have made significant contributions to the industry, particularly with regard to well control training.

This commitment, first as the ODCAA Well Control School and later through partnership with the National Drilling and Well Control Program, ensures that vital training and assessment of competency in well control is widely available in Australia. Thousands of rig crew members, drilling engineers and industry professionals in the region have benefited from these programs, with the positive impact directly attributable to the chapter.

In a letter to the chapter marking the occasion, IADC President/CEO Steve Colville noted, “In the last 50 years, the industry has seen huge changes, challenges and technological advances. By encouraging and facilitating members to meet, interact and engage on issues affecting the Australian drilling industry, the IADC Australasia Chapter contributes to the vision set by IADC, where members are offered an opportunity to connect, collaborate and create. Truly something to celebrate, and I would like to personally congratulate the chapter on behalf of the entire association.”

IADC Competence Assurance Guidelines available online

The IADC Competence Assurance Guidelines document is now available. The guidelines are the product of the IADC Workforce Development Committee.

The document lists essential definitions to ensure programs and managers speak the same language with regard to competence. The function of competence management systems, key roles in a program, management commitment, and quality assurance are explained. Finally, types of data and information management, competence assessments, resources for defining competencies and elements of an implementation plan are provided.

IADC Houston Chapter donates $95,000 from annual fundraisers to charities

On 2 June, the IADC Houston Chapter donated $40,000 to Home Run Hitters International, which works to create meaningful communication opportunities for children with disabilities.

The chapter also donated $55,000 to the Oilfield Christian Fellowship, which distributes bibles throughout the industry.

“The Houston Chapter is honored to support and to be a part of the Home Run Hitters International organization,” said Jeff Kessler, IADC Houston Chapter Chairman and Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Blake International Rigs. “The children have multiple impairments, and this organization provides opportunities for them to have fun, to communicate and to have control of the environment around them. The ultimate goal is for the children to have fun interactions, independence and celebrate their accomplishments.”

Since 2003, the chapter has donated nearly $1.65 million to various charities and scholarships enabled by various chapter events.

Click here to access more information about the chapter.

Click here to access the Competence Assurance Guidelines on the IADC website.