Upstream was in attendance at today’s Arctic Oil & Gas Conference in Oslo and posted an interesting report. At the conference, Cairn Energy’s Engineering and Operations Director Phil Tracy wisely avoided the “can’t happen here, can’t happen again, can’t happen to me” traps. Instead, he correctly noted that:
An uninformed public are looking for guarantees we cannot give.
Kudos to Mr. Tracy. We are not politicians, and must be open and honest with the public. Yes, a disaster can happen again, but we will do everything possible to prevent it. While the professional opposition and their political leadership will never be satisfied, the public at large appreciates candid and honest responses.
I was personally required to give a point by point by point submission (covering HSE) to the Greenlandic authorities. Phil Tracy
I have to give high marks to Greenland. They resisted the cry to prohibit drilling, but challenged the operator and insisted on a top-notch operation. Well done!
Cairn operation offshore Greenland. Greenpeace provides moral support.
Bud's Offshore Energy (BOE) 