Schlumberger receives first service contractor SEMS certification

The Center for Offshore Safety (COS) announced that Schlumberger is the first service and supply contractor to achieve the voluntary COS member certification of its Safety and Environmental Management Systems (SEMS).

“The certification demonstrates a contractor’s desire to go above and beyond in the pursuit of continuous safety improvement,” Charlie Williams, COS Executive Director, said. “Contractors play a critical safety role in which good communications with operators are vital. Getting its management systems certified voluntarily shows the importance Schlumberger places on safety, the environment and the relationship between contractors and operators.”

SEMS, which focuses on establishing, managing and measuring barriers that protect against escalation to a major incident, are intended to foster continuous learning and improvement for safety and environmental management. The voluntary certification program for contractors requires participation in a COS program SEMS audit using independent verification by third-party auditors that have been assessed and accredited by COS.

“While the current regulations apply only to operators on the outer continental shelf, I believe that voluntary participation in the SEMS audit process demonstrates Schlumberger’s unwavering commitment to the safety and integrity of our industry,” Tom Teipner, Schlumberger President – North America, said. “Leadership is about transforming a vision into a reality. This audit was another step forward in that vision of transforming the outer continental shelf into an area in which the safety of our people and respect for the environment is critical in everything we do.”

Schlumberger achieved SEMS certification based on the outcome of an audit conducted by DNV GL Business Assurance USA, a COS-accredited audit service provider. The audit scope included Schlumberger’s head office, onshore manufacturing/service facilities, and verification of SEMS implementation at an active offshore location where Schlumberger was active. A total of 12 locations were visited during the SEMS audit.

“By successfully completing its SEMS audit, Schlumberger is sending a message to its customers and to the rest of the supplier community,” Chandran Ilango, Lead Auditor/Integrated Systems Sector Manager for DNV GL Business Assurance, said. “Interest in SEMS is growing rapidly as a way of harmonizing audits among operators and service providers, to bring the industry toward a more uniform safety and certification platform that can boost confidence and ultimately increase safety performance across the board.”

“While Schlumberger has had a comprehensive management system in place since the late 1980s, the SEMS certification audit provided a great opportunity to verify that our system meets the regulatory requirements of the US Outer Continental Shelf,” Rob Cummings, Schlumberger HSE Manager – North America Offshore, said. “The exercise not only highlighted the numerous strengths of our organization but also identified opportunities for improvement. This process of continuous assessment and progression ensures that our system is maintained to the highest standards in the industry.”

“We are proud to work with Schlumberger on SEMS compliance,” Faith Beaty, President of DNV GL Business Assurance USA, said. “They have shown tremendous leadership in pursuing SEMS certification which – though mandatory for offshore operators – is not yet required for service providers. Clearly, they are making a move toward the future and a strong statement about their commitment to safety and supply chain integrity.”

To learn more about COS, click here.