News Cuttings
Denkowski promoted to VP of accreditation programs
IADC’s Mark Denkowski has been promoted to vice president of accreditation and certification programs. He joined IADC in April 2011 as managing director.
Mr Denkowski will remain in charge of all accreditation and certification activities. IADC’s accreditation and certification programs are ISO 9001-certified and oversee accreditation through WellCAP, Rig Pass, Competency Assurance and Drilling Industry Training. The accreditation department is also involved in the STEPS Network and OSHA initiatives.
“Mark brings a wealth of practical drilling industry experience to IADC,” Dr Lee Hunt, president of IADC, said. “His extensive background in the drilling industry training will serve him well in leading our skilled accreditation team to provide ever-better services and programs for our members.”
Mr Denkowski has more than 30 years of industry experience and has worked for Smedvig Asia, Santa Fe, GlobalSantaFe, Transocean and Frontier Drilling. He has a BS degree in earth and mineral science from Pennsylvania State University.
Regional VP Fischer to retire after 20 years with association
After two decades of service with the association, IADC regional vice president – Middle East and Africa Ken Fischer will retire on 3 February, his 20th anniversary.
Over his career with IADC, Mr Fischer has supported the association’s global efforts in a wide range of areas. He has served in the departments of membership, publications and operations and has worked extensively with members in the drilling and well services division. Throughout his career, Mr Fischer has served as official liaison for the IADC Contracts Committee; he is also a founder of the IADC Underbalanced Operations Committee, the forerunner of today’s UBO & MPD Committee.
He also has represented IADC around the world, in regions such as the Middle East, North Sea, Asia and Africa. In recent years, he has led IADC’s efforts to establish the Middle East Operations Forum.
IADC president Dr Lee Hunt recognized Mr Fischer’s dedicated service with a plaque at the 2011 Annual General Meeting in Austin, Texas, in November. “Ken has done an admirable job of building IADC’s membership, reputation and effectiveness,” Dr Hunt said.
In accepting his service award, Mr Fischer thanked all members for their friendship and collaboration over the years.
AOF highlights regulatory, legal updates
IADC held its second 2011 Asia Operations Forum (AOF) and luncheon meeting on 22 November in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The meeting featured presentations on regulatory changes and international legal developments.
Denys Hickey with Singaporean law firm Ince & Co discussed key provisions of the US FCPA and UK Bribery Act, the increasing regulatory burden they’re posing and the impact of new competition laws in the region, as well as piracy.
Derek Morrow, IADC industry affairs consultant, speaking on behalf of IADC VP – offshore technical & regulatory affairs Alan Spackman, highlighted pressing industry concerns on transboundary oil pollution liability. He provided updates and developments and summarized the proceedings to date and the current status of IADC involvement with the IMO on this matter.
IADC plans to hold its next AOF on 24 April, ahead of the IADC Drilling HSE Asia Pacific 2012 Conference & Exhibition, 25-26 April, in Singapore.
Revised, reorganized WellCAP handbook available online
The WellCAP Handbook for Accreditation, Form WCT-01, has been updated and revised, with all WellCAP accreditation criteria consolidated into one document. Other changes made to this version of the handbook include:
• All program requirements previously published as bulletins, from Bulletin 04-02 to Bulletin 11-04, are now included in WCT-01;
• The WCT-01 document has been reorganized to more clearly delineate accreditation criteria, accreditation processes and accredited training providers’ responsibilities post-accreditation; and
• Appendices have been added to list all WellCAP forms frequently used by accredited training providers and to provide an index of frequently asked questions with referenced page numbers.
WellCAP-accredited training providers are encouraged to obtain and review a copy of the revised handbook and review its new content. The document is available from IADC Accreditation and Certification staff or through IADC’s website.
North Sea Chapter donates £5,000 to Scottish charity
The IADC North Sea Chapter (NSC) has made a £5,000 donation to the ARCHIE Foundation, the official charity of the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and community-based Child Health across the North of Scotland.
NSC chairman Jon Richards of Diamond Offshore and vice chairman Darren Sutherland of Prospector Offshore presented the check to David Cunningham, ARCHIE chief executive.
Mr Richards said, “We are very pleased to make this donation to help the ARCHIE Foundation continue its excellent work in providing additional services and resources for children receiving medical care.”
The NSC has donated more than £70,000 to local charities in the last five years.
