Offshore West Africa (OWA) has stated that the issue of Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) will be a focal point for discussion considering the issues of risks involved as part of the oil exploration business in the midst of low crude price regime.
Director of Operations, Africa, PennWell Corporation, Dele Olaoye, explained during a recent media interaction that the conference is the most global in West Africa with participants coming from over 40 countries and all continents.
Mr Olaoye said about six country pavilions on the exhibition floor are expected at the next event in June 2017.
These include the USA Pavilion (already confirmed by the United States Department of Commerce) and Scottish Pavilion (already confirmed by the Scottish Development International).
Other pavilions would include Ghana, Angola, United Kingdom and Nigeria.
Speaking further, he said “Occupational health and safety management should continue to be top priority today despite the global low crude oil regime.
“According to DuPont studies, during low oil price regime, there is typically an attendant increase in incidence rates which would manifest about three years after the trend commences.
“This is because organisations in their bid to cut-costs impact on health and safety measures. Any cost savings that affects occupational health and safety could imply that such an organization is delaying the evil day. The eventual loss usually far outweighs the perceived immediate savings.”
Olaoye added that “the issue of health and safety cannot be over emphasised.
“When people cut cost, in every organisation, the first thing they intend to do is to get rid of marketing budget, the second thing they think of is get rid of training.
“Eventually, many go as far as to get rid of personnel which could include key staffs with years of experience and competence.
“Usually, there is no deliberate focus to ensure that these measures do not affect the overall measures in place to safeguard people and their health, the environment as well as assets.”
Besides, he stated that “one other key issue worth mention is contractor management during low oil price regime. Negotiating or renegotiating contracts needs to be carefully guarded to ensure people’s lives, their health, and the environment as well as company assets are not negatively impacted during project execution.”
On the needed for collaboration to ensure safer workplace within the oil and gas industry, he said PennWell Corporation has created a platform for interaction between industry stakeholders during the forthcoming Offshore West Africa – Conference & Exhibition 2017.
During OWA 2017, a section of the Exhibition floor has been earmarked for presentations of topical and relevant occupational health and safety papers.
These presentations will be open to all delegates, exhibitor personnel and visitors to the exhibition to attend.
“The idea is to create an avenue to engage key players including; governments, operator companies, investors and other participants,” he concluded.
Offshore West Africa Conference and Exhibition is scheduled to hold in Lagos in from June 6 to 8, 2017.
