Improving trust through sharing lessons: Origin Energy and NOPSEMA's perspectives from the Crowes Foot Seismic Survey
David Baldwin A and Stuart Smith BA Chief Executive Officer, Integrated Gas, Origin Energy
B Chief Executive Officer, NOPSEMA
The APPEA Journal 57(3) - https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ16278
Published: 29 May 2017
Abstract
In late 2016 Origin Energy were about to commence the Crowes Foot seismic survey offshore of Portland, Victoria in the Otway basin. Simultaneously a new piece of scientific research was nearing publication in a respected journal that directly related to impacts to Rock Lobsters which inhabit most of the south coast of Australia. These factors coupled with stakeholder complaints and human biases led to a reputational incident and regulatory intervention.
Post the survey, Origin Energy reviewed the facts leading up to the circumstance. Looking for organisational behavioural lessons as well as operational lessons elucidated rich learning for the company. Origin shared their organisational insights with NOPSEMA and proactively sought the regulators perspective on the circumstance and the outcomes of the review. NOPSEMA was able to share with Origin its own lessons and together the lessons learnt were refined to three key takeaway points for each organisation.
In this session Origin Energy and NOPSEMA will share frank reflections on the behavioural influences within their respective organisations. Attendees will learn how the organisations have listened to each other's feedback and identified changes that can help to build trust between industry, regulators and the wider community. These lessons are relevant for all oil and gas companies, regulators and advisors around the globe.
David Baldwin joined Origin in May 2006 and is responsible for Origin's Integrated Gas business, which manages the Company's portfolio of natural gas and LNG interests across Australia, New Zealand and internationally, as well as exploration and development activities focused on the growth of the gas and LNG businesses. Integrated Gas includes Origin's interests in Australia Pacific LNG, as operator of the upstream and pipeline components of the joint venture and as gas marketing agent. Prior to this role, David was Chief Executive Officer of Origin's LNG business and was also previously the Company's Chief Development Officer. Until April 2011, David was Managing Director of integrated energy company Contact Energy in New Zealand, in which Origin had a 53.1 per cent interest. He serves on the Board of Australia Pacific LNG and is a former Director of Contact Energy Limited (2009–2015). Before joining Origin, David held senior roles with MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company (now Berkshire Hathaway Energy) in Asia and the United States, and with Shell in New Zealand and the Netherlands. David holds a Master of Business Administration from Victoria University and a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) from Canterbury University. |
Stuart Smith was appointed CEO of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) in September 2014; Australia's independent regulator of offshore safety, well integrity and environmental management of offshore oil and gas facilities around Australia. Prior to this appointment, he spent 11 years with the Western Australian Public Service as Director General for the Department of Fisheries (2008–14) and Acting Director General and Deputy Director General for the Department of Industry and Resources (2003–2008). Stuart has also worked previously in the Australian Public Service (1989–2003) where he held industry development and regulatory roles in Canberra, Melbourne and Perth. Stuart holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Western Australian and a Graduate Diploma in Economics from the Australian National University. |
