On August 19-22, PESA hosted its highly-regarded Oil and Gas Industry Training Program for 27 U.S. foreign and civil service officers from the Departments of State, Trade and Commerce.
The training program was developed 25 years ago to educate global energy influencers on technological innovations and business dynamics of our industry, allowing for stronger relationships between industry/U.S. interests abroad and promoting better-informed decisions at embassy posts around the world.
Throughout the week, the group heard from industry and subject matter experts at Baker Hughes, a GE company, BP, Chevron, Citi, ConocoPhillips, Gaffney, Cline & Associates, Halliburton, NOV, Rice University’s Baker Institute, Schlumberger and TechnipFMC.
PESA’s International Programs Committee, who directs and develops the FSO Program, includes Committee Chair Lindsy Sallee, NOV; Board Liaison Chris Cragg, Oil States International, Inc.; Board Member Matt Armstrong, Baker Hughes, a GE company; Mike Bowie, Baker Hughes, a GE company; Felix Soepyan, BJ Services; Andy Knapp, BP; Chris Berrie, Caterpillar Oil & Gas; Jill Kano, Chevron; Mack Moore, ConocoPhillips; Elizabeth Stephens, DistributionNOW; Todd Ennenga, Halliburton; Dr. Ken Medlock, Baker Institute at Rice University; PESA Past Chair Dan Domeracki, Schlumberger and Jeff Mathews, TechnipFMC.
This committee of both PESA members and operator partners develops the FSO training course curriculum with a focus on specializing technical content and promoting industry’s achievements in efficiency, sustainability, global poverty reduction and local content development.
On the afternoon of first day of training, the FSOs toured Wiess Energy Hall at the Museum of Natural Science, where they were able to experience the comprehensive and technologically advanced exhibition on the science and technology of energy.
PESA Board and Advisory Board Members met with the FSOs for an industry dinner on the third evening of the course. Deputy Assistant Secretary Kurt Donnelly, U.S. Department of State, addressed the group, thanking PESA for directing the program and emphasizing the importance of collaboration between industry and State.
The program concluded with lunch for the FSOs on August 22, at Schlumberger. During the lunch, attendees had the opportunity to hear from Cynthia Conner, Senior Advisor, Energy and Environment, British Embassy, Washington. Conner addressed the critical importance of how Foreign Service Officers influence international negotiations/actions and how that impacts our industry. She also shared insights into the mission of the British Consulate in Houston/Washington and British views on the energy sector.
[su_quote cite=”Leslie Beyer, President, PESA”]“The PESA FSO Industry training course is a collaborative effort designed to familiarize foreign and civil service officers with the energy industry, driving stronger collaboration with operations in country and influencing informed energy policy decisions in country. Like other PESA training programs, the FSO Industry Training course addresses advanced technologies that drive our industry, as well as the dynamic geopolitical and economic landscape in which we operate.”[/su_quote]
To meet growing interest from the U.S. State Department and Foreign Service Institute, PESA conducts FSO trainings twice a year. The next training session is scheduled for February 2020.
PESA thanks all of the companies and individuals who provided their time, expertise and leadership to make this critical program a success.
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