News Cuttings

IADC represents industry at G20 meeting in Moscow

IADC was among a number of international organizations invited to participate in the G20 Global Marine Environmental Protection (GMEP) group meeting held in Moscow, Russia, on 17-18 February.The GMEP workgroup was established as a new initiative on offshore oil and gas exploration and development and marine protection as the result of a proposal made by Russia in response to the Montara and Macondo incidents in Australia and the US.

The organizations were invited to make presentations on current activities and initiatives that might contribute to the workgroup’s mandate to exchange information about best practices for preventing and responding to incidents related to offshore oil and gas exploration and development, as well as maritime transportation.

IADC group vice president operations & accreditation Steve Kropla represented the association at the meeting. His presentation primarily focused on continued refinement and growing acceptance of the IADC HSE Case Guidelines; IADC’s work in establishing industry training standards through its accreditation programs such as WellCAP, Rig Pass and Ballast Control & Stability; and IADC’s involvement with numerous international initiatives such as the API/IADC Joint Industry Task Force and the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers Global Industry Response Group.

The GMEP group plans to continue development of a questionnaire on methods of sharing best practices with its members and selected international organizations and international experts, including those from non-G20 countries.  The group will consider responses to the questionnaire, along with a review of international marine environmental regulations of offshore oil and gas exploration, production and transportation to make final recommendations for a mechanism for sharing best practices.

IADC establishes Nigeria Chapter

IADC recently established the Nigeria Chapter based in Lagos. It will bring together members from indigenous and international companies to promote safety, training and environmental stewardship, as well as enhance industry relations with the general public. Dr Lee Hunt, IADC president, remarked: “The Nigeria Chapter will play a vital role in furthering the awareness of local policies and regulations affecting oil and gas drilling, production and service companies operating in the region.” Chapter officers are: chairman, Alex Illah, Transocean; vice chairman, Adeniji Ramoni, Saipem; secretary, Olushola Ismail, Oando Energy Services; and treasurer, Ben Agadagba, Lonestar Drilling.