February 2016 FSO Class at National Oilwell Varco
On February 8-11, PESA hosted its 23rd annual Oil and Gas Industry Training Program for 25 U.S. foreign and civil service officers. The training program was developed 23 years ago to educate global energy influencers on technological innovations and business dynamics of our industry, allowing for stronger relationships between industry/US 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 Chevron, Citi, Exxon Mobil, FMC Technologies, Halliburton, National Oilwell Varco, Oceaneering, Rice University’s Baker Institute, Schlumberger and Western-Geco.
FSOs also had the unique opportunity to meet with 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 government and industry expertise on international policy and the global energy market.
For the first time in 2016, PESA’s International Programs Committee directed development of the FSO Program course and delegated company participation for individual training sessions. Committee members include committee chairman Jock Pool – Oceaneering International, Inc., Phil Avocato – Chevron, Clent Rawlinson – DistributionNOW, John Harrington – Exxon Mobil, Jon Landes – FMC Technologies, Inc., Mike Bowie – GE Oil & Gas, Bob Moran – Halliburton, David Hutchison – National Oilwell Varco, Dan Domeracki – Schlumberger and Steve Green – Weatherford. 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.
“The PESA FSO Industry training course is a collaborative effort designed to familiarize foreign and civil service officers with an overview of the energy industry that will drive stronger collaboration with industry operations in country and influence informed energy policy decisions at their respective international posts,” said Leslie Beyer, PESA President. “Like other PESA training programs, the FSO Industry Training course addresses advanced technologies that drive our industry, as well as the dynamic geo-political and economic landscape that we operate in.”
PESA Directors and Advisory Board met with the FSOs for an industry dinner on the first evening of the course, and additional PESA members attended a membership luncheon with the FSOs on the last day of the program, February 11, at Schlumberger. Keynote speaker Sarah Ladislaw, Director and Senior Fellow, Energy and National Security Program at CSIS discussed current U.S. energy policy and the global energy industry. As the world’s energy market continues to evolve, developing strategic relationships to facilitate communication between the foreign and civil service officers and members of the service and supply sector remains crucial. To meet the growing interest from the US State Department and Foreign Service Institute, PESA now conducts FSO Trainings twice a year. The next training session is scheduled for August 2016.
PESA thanks all of the companies and individuals who provided their time, expertise and leadership to make this critical program a success.
