PROTECTING the environment and behaving in a sustainable manner is “no longer the preserve of a few enthusiasts”, but is a “matter of essence” for every person and organisation, the current chairman of the International Association of Drilling Contractors warned last month.
Launching IADC’s 2009 environment conference in Stavanger last month, current chairman Claus Hemmingsen said the drilling sector had a track record of acting responsibly, but that there was room for improvement.
Hemmingsen, who is also CEO of Maersk Drilling, told delegates that the forthcoming COP15 environment conference in Copenhagen was unlikely to have direct impact on offshore oil&gas drilling activities as it would be at supra-national level.
“But it underlines the importance that has been given to this subject and is clear indication that we cannot ignore this development,” he said.
Notwithstanding, he pointed out that now was the time for the drilling community “to show the world that we actually do care for the environment”.
“I see an industry that is taking responsibility and has always been doing that. But we can do more. Up to now, we have mainly focused around three main areas … equipment and technology, environmental management systems and the environmental culture. Today, our motto is reduce, reuse and recycle. We want to create awareness and facilitate an environmental culture that can match the outstanding and excellent safety culture of IADC, and IADC members in particular.
“By acting in an environmentally sustainable way, I have to stress that it is important for us to walk the talk. Being green is more than just another PR stunt.”
Hemmingsen warned that the current global economic crunch must not be used as an excuse for doing nothing.
“It is important to stress that, in my opinion, we cannot afford not to act. The world demands greener solutions; it is our job to help in providing this.
“As an industry, we want not only to go with the flow; I think we need to be in the front line, creating best practices and showing the way for other parts of the oil&gas industry.
“It does require further training of our personnel, and we need to set up common standards for all of us. We need to be able to measure what we do and measure our performance … to identify areas where we’re doing good and where we’re doing less good, and hopefully, where we can improve.”
Besides the introduction of an environmental policy advisory board last year, Hemmingsen pointed out that the IADC was engaged worldwide trying to facilitate a positive impact on environmental solutions, including establishing international guidelines for all members.
He pointed to the current Green Rig campaign as a means of achieving best practice at every level aboard drilling rigs – setting an example.
“The whole industry will be able to take advantage of a benchmarking system. Benchmarks, in turn, give us the opportunities to compare and create common standards and to appear as a united industry that takes our responsibilities serious.
“We have to be ready to do something in order to actually enhance our performance. That can only be done by a profound effort by us at the IADC and all our members in the different drilling companies. It is important that we take this challenge seriously.”
Further, Hemmingsen said it was essential to get buy-in from the oil companies.
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