Get Involved in IADC Committees - Play an Active Role in Advancing the Drilling Industry!

Get Involved in IADC Committees – Play an Active Role in Advancing the Drilling Industry!

11 January 2023

Topics

With the start of the new year, many people find themselves reviewing the past year and actively thinking about what they want the this year to look like. If your professional goals for this year include expanding your network, growing your skillset, taking opportunities to learn something new, or volunteering your time towards something you care about, you might consider joining an IADC Committee.

Much of what is accomplished at IADC is done so through the input, action, and collaborative efforts of our Members. This Association offers a variety of ways for Members to get involved, such as attending or presenting at an IADC conference, or participating in one of our regional or student chapters. Joining an IADC Committee is a great way to advance the drilling industry while also advancing your personal and professional growth. With 18 active committees and a plethora of subcommittees, there are a variety of options for you to choose from.

IADC Committees undertake initiatives that influence safe, efficient, and environmentally sound drilling operations worldwide. While all of our committees are open to welcoming new members to join on an ongoing basis, the following committees are actively seeking new volunteers.

Health, Safety, Environment & Training (HSET) Committee

IADC’s Health, Safety, Environment & Training (HSET) Committee was formed last year through combining two previously separate committees – Health, Safety & Environment and Workforce Development. The mission of the HSET Committee is to provide a forum to exchange best practices of committee members and to disseminate those practices to the IADC membership. Recently, HSET Committee members have been working on new Terms of Reference to assist with committee scope and goals.

According to Ryan Smallwood, HSE Manager – Content Development at Patterson-UTI and incoming Chair of the HSET Committee,

“One of the greatest benefits of attending the HSET Committee has been the relationships which have been built across various Drilling Contractors. Coming together for the health and safety of our employees is a beautiful thing. We are able to exist, not as competitors, but as collaborators for the common good of all. It provides a voice for contractors of all sizes to share ideas, discuss opportunities, and build a safer industry.”

When asked if he had any advice for people who want to get more involved with IADC, Smallwood shared the following insights:

“When I first started attending the meetings I felt like the outsider. I didn’t know anyone and, in many ways, it was intimidating. Quickly I realized that the overarching goals of the group help to foster an environment where everyone, no matter how new to the group or industry, is able to share their thoughts and ideas. My advice to anyone who is interested in getting more involved is to show up and lend us your voice. The IADC HSET Committee’s goal is to help each other drive the culture of the industry. Safety is a key foundational component of good business; more importantly, when safety becomes integrated into everything we do, it allows every family who sends a loved one off to work the confidence that they will return.”

If you’re interested in joining the HSET Committee or would like more information, please reach out to IADC staff liaison Brooke Polk at brooke.polk@iadc.org.

Cybersecurity Committee

The mission of IADC’s Cybersecurity Committee is: “To develop digital security guidelines for drilling assets that are built upon existing industry standards and best practices.” One of the committee’s main goals is to develop easy-to-use, practically applicable and tailored cybersecurity guidelines for drilling assets.

The committee has outlined the following objectives: Review existing cybersecurity regulations, industry best practices and standards of relevance for industrial control systems and drilling assets. This process begins with clearly defining the approach for standards to follow, and subsequently moving to align with standards that can be practically applied to drilling assets.

This past year, the committee has been working to establish a priority list of functional elements for cybersecurity risk mitigation, which will be utilized to provide revisions to IADC’s Cybersecurity guidelines. The revised guidelines are intended to provide for easier application of IADC cyber principles throughout the upstream supply chain.

If you’re interested in joining the Cybersecurity Committee or would like more information, please reach out to IADC staff liaison Jim Rocco at jim.rocco@iadc.org.

Technical Publications Committee

The mission statement of the IADC Technical Publications Committee is: “Create a comprehensive, practical, and readily understandable series of peer-reviewed publications on well construction and integrity in the energy industry to educate and guide personnel at all levels.” This past year, the Committee published the 11th book, “Fundamentals of Horizontal Wellbore Cleanout: Theory and Applications of Rotary Jetting Technology,” in its Drilling Encyclopedia portfolio. They also developed their first “DrillingIN” video book review.

Jonathan Lightfoot, Principal & Sr. Drilling Engineering Consultant at Oxy, provides great insight into being part of the Technical Publications Committee:

“Recently, I became aware of the IADC Technical Publications Committee (TPC) after reading several of their publications. IADC delivers excellent material, and I truly admire the exceptional commitment of industry professionals, technical experts and volunteers who serve on the committee. The first IADC book I read, ‘Drillers Knowledge Book’ by Dr. Leon Robinson and Juan Garcia, has been an excellent resource for solving common drilling problems. Discussing the writing process with Mr. Garcia inspired me to consider publishing myself. ‘Coiled Tubing Operations’ by Les Skinner also impacted me while listening to him speak about his experience writing a peer-reviewed book and the opportunity to contribute to the industry. My personal ambition is to author a book about directional drilling focused on wellbore positioning as it relates to the safe separation of subsurface wellbores. The first step to prepare myself is to provide peer reviews of publications in progress, and my experience with TPC so far confirms I’m on the right path. Contributing to IADC in this capacity is a chance for anyone interested, and I encourage others to get involved. This will help ensure future publications provide valuable insight to industry technical professionals at all levels of experience and may open doors to new prospects.”

Shermin Akhtar, Completions Fluids Product Champion at SLB, also shares her experience with the Technical Publications Committee:

“IADC is recognized worldwide as an esteemed industry association. Coming from a Drilling & Completions Fluids background, I was keen to get involved with peer reviewing technical books around these topics and contributing to IADC’s publication efforts. Recently, after becoming a new member of IADC’s Technical Publications Committee (TPC), I had the opportunity to attend TPC’s annual meeting in Galveston. It was a privilege to meet all the members who are very respected industry experts in their respective fields and to spend time with them discussing the evolving industry dynamics. The team was friendly and made me feel welcome, which I highly appreciate. In addition to the technical knowledge sharing on book topics currently being drafted, we also had very informative discussions on quickly evolving aspects such as sustainability and the role of digital and automation in the industry. Along with the depth and breadth of valuable knowledge brought in by experienced professionals, the contribution of young adults becomes prominent in our industry for providing fresh and modern approaches in the fast-changing energy industry business landscape. Based on my experience, I highly encourage industry professionals to apply for TPC membership, regardless of level of experience, specialization, or location. While being able to contribute, it is a great opportunity for anyone towards their own personal development, learning and professional visibility!”

If you’re interested in joining the Technical Publications Committee or would like more information, please reach out to IADC staff liaison Bill Krull at bill.krull@iadc.org.

Well Control Committee

The purpose of the Well Control Committee is to advance the Drilling Industry, from pre-drill planning to plug and abandonment including remedial work, by providing an international, industry-wide forum for collaboration and exchange of best practices related to well control.

This year the committee entertained several issues including enhancing “safety shares,” further alignment of inter-association well control working/task groups , and maintenance of drill string tripping log standardization. Well Control Committee participants have engaged the joint industry effort to coordinate an industry response to the recently proposed BSEE Well Control Rule “3.0” revision that aims to address well integrity and blowout prevention provisions on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.

If you’re interested in joining the Cybersecurity Committee or would like more information, please reach out to IADC staff liaison Jim Rocco at jim.rocco@iadc.org.

IADC Committees