Technology Focus: Health, Safety, Environment, and Social Responsibility (August 2014)

Abstract

Technology Focus Stakeholders—especially those who do not like the oil and gas industry—have great expectations and are creative. We need to be more creative than they are. Does that mean that we need to do more? Certainly. But, more importantly, we need to do it better. And better sometimes means simpler. Complexity is a poison, a smoke screen that prevents us from seeing the picture correctly and making the right decision. The journey continues. That was the motto of the last SPE International Conference on Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE), which took place in Long Beach, California, 5 months ago. It underlines that HSE is not perceived anymore simply as a priority (as it was 10 years ago) but as both an asset and a value, and that we are on that road for years. HSE will disappear from our radar screen only when we have integrated it fully into our culture, when it becomes as natural as swimming or cycling, something that may not be instinctive but, once we have learned it, once a coach and practice have instilled it in us, it is in each of us, once and for all. Will it be definitively incorporated? Not really. If we do not practice, we will forget it, as happens with foreign languages. And that is because HSE culture is not a natural language. Not only do we have to learn it, but, on top of that, it evolves. New techniques and new challenges emerge every year. The HSE conference in Long Beach was attended by more than a thousand professionals. Many high-quality technical sessions were presented, and plenary and panel sessions addressed the current status and shaped the future. Nongovernmental organizations attended, challenged us, and had a chance to see what the industry really does. I encourage you to look at OnePetro, the SPE online library, and download papers. You will not waste your time. Some are really good. You will find updates on best practices, case studies, new technologies, and much more. Competency is the cornerstone of good HSE performance, and we must strive at being up to date. JPT