For the 23rd consecutive year, PESA hosted its Foreign and Civil Service Officer Training Program in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State on Aug 1-4. To date, more than 600 FSOs have completed the training program and continue to utilize the connections developed with PESA member companies. The week-long industry training program exposes foreign and civil service officers (FSOs) to industry and subject matter experts on topics including:
| geopolitical economic outlook | business lifecycle of an exploration project | seismic technology |
| rig systems | subsea fields | hydraulic fracturing |
| contract term negotiations | government payment transparency | local content policy and programs |
| international trade compliance | energy commodities markets | digital transformation of oil & gas |
| LNG technology |
Ali Moshiri, President, Chevron Africa & Latin America Exploration & Production, spoke to the FSOs at the opening session.
Presentations were delivered by Baker Hughes, The Baker Institute at Rice University, Chevron, Citi, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, FMC Technologies, GE Oil & Gas, National Oilwell Varco, Oceaneering, Schlumberger and WesternGeco. By receiving an in-depth overview of the energy industry, the program facilitates the FSOs to make informed energy policy decisions at their respective international posts.
Through presentations and facility tours, the FSOs engaged in question and answer sessions with experts and saw firsthand the advanced technology that drives the industry. The curriculum, developed by the PESA International Programs Committee, provides insight into the industry’s dynamic geopolitical and economic landscape. The committee, which delegates company participation in individual training courses, focuses on expanding and specializing the content. Committee members include committee chairman Jock Pool, Oceaneering; Matthew Armstrong, Baker Hughes; Ken Medlock, The Baker Institute at Rice University; Irene Flores, Chevron; John Dabbar, ConocoPhillips; Clent Rawlinson, DistributionNOW; John Harrington, ExxonMobil; Jon Landes, FMC Technologies; Mike Bowie, GE Oil & Gas; Bob Moran, Halliburton; David Hutchison, Consultant; Dan Domeracki, Schlumberger and Steve Green, Weatherford.
Ambassador Craig Kelly, Senior Director, Americas, International Government Relations, Exxon Mobil Corporation, gave the keynote address.
At a Membership Luncheon, held on the final day of the program at GE Oil & Gas, PESA members received a unique opportunity to interact with the FSOs and keynote speaker Ambassador Craig Kelly, Senior Director, Americas, International Government Relations, Exxon Mobil Corporation. Ambassador Kelly, who previously served as former Chief of Staff to U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and spent 26 years with the U.S. Foreign Service, shared his expertise on international policy and the global energy market. PESA members also shared their perspectives and discussed concerns regarding international energy policies with the FSOs. The connections made through this program establish a valuable and mutually beneficial resource between members of the service and supply sector and the officers serving abroad.
“I cannot thank you enough for the excellent training program that PESA organized. In the midst of international sanctions, it was more than helpful to have high access to industry leaders in Houston to better understand their perspectives, and learn about the best practices being employed for compliance,” stated a 2015 program participant. “Upon return to my international post, I was able to better assist many U.S. companies seeking guidance with sanctions compliance issues.”
Developing these strategic relationships facilitates crucial collaboration in the ever changing energy market. To meet the growing interest, PESA now conducts FSO Trainings twice a year with the next training session scheduled for February 2017. PESA thanks all of the companies and individuals who provided their time, expertise and leadership to make this critical program a success.
