Editorial: Safety, advocacy and member service to remain key themes for IADC in 2017
By Andy Hendricks, 2017 IADC Chairman
I am honored to accept the role of chairman of IADC for 2017. As a long-time member of the association, I can confidently say that the work of this association is unparalleled when it comes to representing the interests of drilling contractors.
Market conditions remain difficult after such a historic decline in activity. Yet IADC has managed, even under these challenging and difficult circumstances, to continue to provide a space where members of the industry can come together to share experiences and develop solutions to common problems. It is a point of pride for me, as I hope it is for each of you, as well.
Even in the midst of a market correction, at the industry events and conferences I have attended recently, the primary talk has been about continuing to ensure safety in the inevitable upturn. I think this says a lot about our industry and our commitment to providing a safe working environment for every employee. Historically, incident rates have trended upward when the industry rebounds from a downturn. There is a lot of focus on getting it right this time by putting the correct training and safeguards in place to ensure that our incident rates continue a downward trend.
IADC is one of the associations that is leading the way with regard to developing programs and projects that have a strong safety focus. In 2016, we began the BOP Joint Industry Project, and we announced the availability of new crane and rigger accreditation programs, while strengthening our flagship well control training and accreditation program, WellSharp. We also partnered with the Wounded Warrior Project to employ service veterans who are trained to proctor WellSharp tests. I think it should be a huge point of pride for our industry that this IADC program now employs the largest number of Wounded Warrior Project veterans.
IADC has also seriously stepped up efforts to proactively engage with advocacy efforts in Washington, DC. Several members from both onshore and offshore member companies participated in meet-and-greet opportunities with members of Congress last year, which proved educational for both sides. This type of effort indicates a commitment by IADC and our members to serve as an educative resource, influencing policy and regulation with thoughtful discourse. Our Advocacy staff plan to organize several more of these in 2017, along with meetings with regulators, participation on key industry workgroups, and working in collaboration with other industry groups to enact fair, transparent and consistent regulation.
Another key theme for IADC this year remains a commitment to member service. IADC is only as strong as its members and can only be successful when its members participate on our committees, attend conferences and serve on workgroups that require the expertise and strong industry knowledge that IADC members possess. I have seen this first hand with members of my company. Those who have volunteered their time to IADC have made significant contributions that have undeniably made our industry better.
I am both honored and excited to serve as chairman this year, particularly given the deep roots of the IADC. IADC plays a very important role in our industry in terms of safety, well control and other aspects of performance that allow us to share important but non-competitive information among drilling contractors. This enables us to do a better job for the operators while keeping our people safe. I certainly wish to do everything I can this year to help build on that and continue the efforts of the past. DC
