Mr Hemmingsen pointed to the industry’s proud history of overcoming challenges, which, he indicated, should light the way to improvements in environmental performance.
“We have developed new technologies, streamlined operations and developed an extraordinary safety culture,” he said. “Now we have a new challenge: visible and actionable environmental stewardship. It is time for us to take meaningful action that can make a difference for our companies and for our communities.”
He specifically cited emissions and energy consumption, urging the drilling industry to improve performance.
“The commitment is strong, but the actions are not as profound, or at least not very visible,” he said. “Our goal should be to create an environmental culture that matches our safety culture and record.”
Mr Hemmingsen called for an industry benchmark to facilitate measurement of corporate environmental efforts and company-to-company comparison. “This would create high standards for our industry,” he said. “We also need systems for reporting environmental efforts that would facilitate transparency and guarantee similarity in standards.”
IADC, he said, can consolidate and facilitate an industry view. Last year, IADC established the Environmental Policy Advisory Panel to guide members on strategies, actions and policies on the environment.
“The panel will also reach out to operators and other stakeholders and improve our industry’s image and reputation,” Mr Hemmingsen said.
Click below to view a 5-minute interview with Mr Hemmingsen on these issues, conducted by Mike Killalea, IADC group vice president/publisher.
