IADC CONNECTION • EDITORIAL
Our members make the industry
an exceptional global community
FROM THE PRESIDENT
One of my favorite aspects of this associa-
tion is the community, which somehow
manages to be both wide-reaching and
closely knit at the same time. We have
members spread throughout the world,
and every event I attend outside our
Houston headquarters still feels like I’m
right at home. I’ve never seen or expe-
rienced anything quite like it. This is a
group essentially comprised of business
competitors, and yet drilling contractors
gather frequently and fervently for many
reasons. Some of these reasons include
working together to keep people safe,
advocating for fair and sensible legisla-
tion, innovating changes in technologies
and techniques, and serving as a unified
voice for industry’s needs.

Ultimately, what it comes down to is
collaborating to further the best interests
of the drilling industry. That was the stat-
ed purpose of this association when it was
formed in November 1940, and it continues
to be our purpose today. While many of our
main goals have remained the same, this
association has seen a lot of changes over
the decades.

For example, IADC was originally estab-
lished as the American Association of
Oilwell Drilling Contractors (AAODC) and
initially focused on drilling contractors
within the US. That changed in 1971 when
we expanded both in name and in scope.

The industry grew exponentially as drill-
ing contractors started working in dif-
ferent regions around the world, and our
focus as an association shifted with this
growth. We expanded our activities to
different areas of the world while main-
taining activities within the US, and the
AAODC officially became the International
Association of Drilling Contractors.

Today, IADC has a network of regional
representatives who serve as local advo-
cates to foster connection and collabo-
ration among members in Europe, the
UK, Brazil, the Middle East, Asia Pacific,
Australasia, Africa and Latin America. A
core component of IADC’s global presence
42 is our 10 regional chapters outside the US,
which are run by local members. Regional
chapters provide connection through
networking events, professional develop-
ment opportunities, and targeted efforts
to address regional challenges . IADC’s stu-
dent chapters have continued to develop
outside the US as well, with a presence in
Saudi Arabia, India, Australia and – the
newest addition – Malaysia.

One primary area of focus for all IADC
regional chapters is safety. The Southern
Arabian Peninsula Chapter held a well-
attended HSE awards ceremony earlier
this year, and the Nigeria Chapter held a
similar ceremony in June. The North Sea
Chapter is currently undertaking a “Mental
Health in Energy” initiative, which aims
to drive cultural change in how mental
health is addressed in the energy industry.

The chapter has published a 15-page white
paper on the subject and recently hosted
an interactive “Mental Health in Energy”
workshop .

The Southeast Asia Chapter introduced
its inaugural safety awards presentation
during the IADC HSE and Sustainability
Asia Pacific Conference, held in Kuala
Lumpur in May. In addition to the Asia
Pacific conference, IADC also hosts an HSE
and Sustainability Europe Conference.

Conferences such as these are only pos-
sible because of the efforts of the dedicated
members who make up the conference
planning committees. These conferences
provide members with a forum to gather
and discuss significant topics. Other IADC
conferences taking place outside the US
this year include events in the Middle
East, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Caspian
region. IADC members outside the US are
engaged in a variety of advocacy efforts
affecting drilling contractors at the region-
al level. These members, along with IADC’s
team, build and maintain relationships
with local government officials, regula-
tors and other industry organizations. We
take part in important conversations to
Jason McFarland, IADC President
ensure the unique perspective of the drill-
ing contractor is heard and respected. The
Latin America Chapter is in the process
of responding to the reclassification of
drillships with a formal letter to regional
regulators. The IADC South Central Asia
Chapter has been addressing challenges in
India regarding imposed age restrictions
on MODUs. The Southeast Asia Chapter
has been working for better cabotage regu-
lation in Indonesia. In the North Sea, chap-
ter members have been advocating for
more support of drillers through visiting
and writing letters to parliament.

Another important way IADC region-
al chapters support their membership is
through opportunities for networking and
professional development. Many regional
chapters host events so local members
can gather for quarterly meetings or work-
shops on specific topics. For example,
the Southern Arabian Peninsula Chapter
recently held a “Soft Skills Communication
& Negotiation” training session for its
members. The Australasia Chapter recent-
ly hosted its 58th Annual General Meeting.

The Caspian Chapter and the Northern
Arabian Gulf Chapter, among others, hold
annual golf tournaments and networking
events. In June, the Brazil Chapter hosted
a family cookout day. The list of examples
could go on, but you get the idea.

IADC’s global efforts are far-reaching
and long-lasting. I bet the group of vision-
aries who started this association 83 years
ago would be astounded by the remarkable
work that has taken place and continues
to be carried out by IADC’s passionate
members. To all IADC members worldwide, thank
you for the countless ways you contribute
to making the drilling industry the excep-
tional community that it is. DC
J U LY/AU G U ST 2023 • D R I L L I N G C O N T R AC T O R