Maersk Training and Shell announce new offshore training partnership for the Gulf of Mexico

The Shell Robert Training and Conference Center in Louisiana has established a new partnership with Maersk Training, which will see the global safety specialists deliver enhanced training to the US Gulf of Mexico (GOM) offshore workforce.

In a statement, Maersk Training said the agreement will “combine the world-class infrastructure and training set-up at the Shell Robert Center with Maersk Training’s experienced instructors and course-design methodology.” Shell will deliver a full suite of safety, pool survival, well control, and process training in the region as it does across several of its international hubs.

“This facility takes us to a new level in what we can offer to the market. The Robert Center has a proud history, and we look forward to building on that tradition. Our ambition is to integrate our high-end simulators with basic safety and survival training to create a truly holistic and fully integrated learning experience for our customers from beginning to end. In collaborating with Shell, we look forward to learning and developing future opportunities together,” said Matthew Roberts, Operations Manager at Maersk Training.

As well as existing courses, Maersk Training will offer new IADC and IWCF well control training, with planning for large-scale immersive simulator capabilities underway. Much of the work will focus on providing valuable “lessons learned” information from both service company and operator arenas to create a higher standard of training across the industry.

“Our courses provide essential industry training while also focusing on the root causes of failures and common issues, such as communication,” said Tyler Hamm, Business Development Manager at Maersk Training. “Offshore workers will get the opportunity to practice difficult operations and conversations in a safe environment with zero impact on live operations. We are excited to bring our proven human factors and crew resource management methodology to the Shell Robert facility and the wider workforce.”

The agreement will also see Maersk Training assist in Shell’s global initiative of creating a Lifeboat Center of Excellence for those working in the maritime, oil and gas and wind industries.

Michael Marciante, Operations Manager at Shell Robert, said: “We are excited to kick off our Lifeboat Center of Excellence initiative with Maersk Training, as these skills are paramount to safely operating in the Gulf of Mexico. The lessons learned from physically launching and handling a survival craft at our center far exceed what is capable on most platforms. Lifeboat safety training is absolutely crucial to the success of health and safety programs.”

The facility offers on-site lodging, allowing teams to safely quarantine while simultaneously performing essential on-site training while COVID-19 restrictions remain in place.

“This significant investment shows not only our level of concern for the safety and well-being of our Shell personnel and contractors, but also the entire Gulf of Mexico,” said Carmen Berry, Shell Robert Training and Development Manager. “We look forward to our new partnership with Maersk Training and are very excited be delivering a new suite of courses as well as embracing new digital opportunities for development.”