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IADC kicks off HUET accreditation program for the US Gulf of Mexico

IADC has launched its new accreditation program for Helicopter Underwater Escape and Water Survival Training (HUET) for the US Gulf of Mexico (GOM).

At the request of oil and gas operators in the GOM, including BP, IADC and its members developed the curriculum and program requirements for accrediting training providers to deliver a one-day HUET course that consistently meets a high standard.

This course, built by the industry for the industry, focuses on the specific knowledge and skills needed to prepare personnel for helicopter transport to warm-water work locations.

The HUET Development Team, primarily made up of operators and drilling contractors, formed in early 2013 to conduct extensive research, develop the program requirements, refine the curriculum and fully vet the new program. The research conducted during this phase included standards and programs developed by the US Coast Guard; BOSIET/OPITO; API; BSEE/SEMS; US, Australian, and Canadian aviation authorities; and the IADC North Sea HUET program requirements, among others.

“The HUET accreditation program offered by IADC delivers a single, consistent and robust standard for training suitable for Gulf of Mexico oil and gas operations. This accreditation also verifies that training organizations provide quality instructors, facilities and curriculum,” Richard Morrison, BP regional president, Gulf of Mexico, said.

Applications for the program can be obtained by emailing huet@iadc.org.

Julie Robertson, Noble, named IADC Contractor of the Year

In recognition of her career and significant industry contributions, Julie Robertson, executive vice president, Noble Corp, was recognized with the 2013 Contractor of the Year Award at the IADC Annual General Meeting in San Antonio in November last year.

“I am incredibly honored to receive this award. My career has been a result of the support I have received from my fellow Noble employees. Therefore, this is truly an award for Noble and the more than 8,000 employees I have the privilege and honor of serving every day,” Ms Robertson said.

The annual award was established in 1988 to recognize an individual drilling contractor’s outstanding lifetime achievements in technical innovation, safety and economic efficiency within the drilling industry.

Sponsored by National Oilwell Varco, the award is the only one in the industry reserved solely for drilling contractors. All recipients are nominated and selected by IADC member drilling contractors.

Ms Robertson began her career with a predecessor subsidiary of Noble in 1979. From 1989 to 1994, she served  consecutively as manager of benefits and director of human resources for Noble Drilling Services. In 1994, she was named vice president, administration.

From 1996 through 2001, she served as vice president, administration, of Noble Drilling.

In 2001, she was named senior vice president, administration, a role she served until 2006, when she was named to her current position.

“For more than 30 years, Ms Robertson has helped guide Noble to its place as a top-tier driller, not only shaping the company’s human resources and administrative practices but also driving Noble’s performance and extending its reputation for fair dealing, operational excellence and professionalism,” said Clay Williams, NOV president and chief operating officer, in presenting the award.

Cason Swindle named executive director of Well Control Institute

Cason Swindle, formerly director of learning and development at Noble, has been appointed executive director of the Well Control Institute (WCI). Additionally, Malcolm Lodge has been appointed director of training and assessment.

The WCI, initially announced in August at the 2013 IADC Well Control Conference of the Americas in Galveston, Texas, is expected to be fully operational by mid-2014. The mission of the WCI is to bring the drilling community together to improve well control performance and reliability worldwide.

The WCI is currently assembling both the Executive Board and the Advisory Panel, who will steer the institute’s mission and strategy.

Initially, the WCI will work on improving well control training and assessment. Development of the training and assessment standard is well under way.

In his role as executive director, Mr Swindle will be responsible for building the organization and serving as a liaison with industry stakeholders across the drilling community. He will lead executive board-directed efforts to ensure that the work produced by the WCI is consistent with the industry’s proactive approach to improving well control performance worldwide.

“Well control impacts the entire drilling community. In the many conversations we have had with industry representatives, including regulators, the response to the formation of the WCI and its vision has been extraordinarily positive. I’m very excited about the future as we move forward with the WCI to address this extremely important issue,” Mr Swindle said.

In his role, Mr Lodge will be responsible for development of the standard and the training and assessment materials in support of it, among other responsibilities. He has assembled a group of industry representatives who are reviewing currently available materials as they begin work on the standard.

In the coming months, the WCI will be communicating with all stakeholders, including contractors, operators and training providers, with updated information regarding WCI activities and projects.