Participates as a key note speaker in 2012 Gulf Petroleum Conference to discuss issues of research and development
Mr. Bader Al-Khashti, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) Managing Director for Research & Development & Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), said that KPC is keen on paying attention to human resources as a key to development and increasing production, in addition to attaching great importance to HSE programs in order to preserve and boost this human resource.
This came in a statement by Al-Khashti on the occasion of his participation in the Gulf Petroleum Conference and Exhibition - GPCE 2012 - organized by the Investors Group in April 2012. The conference is being held under the theme 'Gulf Petroleum Integration .. Prospects and Challenges'.
Al-Khashti said that HSE programs are among the corporation's strategic objectives and are directly supported by KPC's senior executives and affiliate companies. He added that these programs aim at boosting HSE culture and preserving the health of employees and insuring their well-being.
He emphasized that the corporation and its affiliate companies seek a leading role in the region in HSE performance as a strategic step to reach international level, and by following a strategic plan with specific and clear objectives.
Al-Khashti said that one of the most important roles of HSE group is placing strategies and comprehensive plans over HSE at the comprehensive level of the corporation and its affiliate companies, as well as following up and monitoring the implementation of HSE policies with sister companies in order to achieve the set objectives.
One of the goals, he said, is supporting and following up affiliate companies' commitment to implementing the corporation's system that runs HSE through regularly reviewing performance of these companies by the Implementation Committee and the Guidance Committee, and providing consultations and information about HSE because these bodies play a distinguished role in this domain.
Al-Khashti noted that one of the group's tasks is to investigate major HSE-related accidents, implementing HSE system in the oil complex and the affiliate companies, issuing reports on HSE performance of the oil complex and affiliate companies, supervise on the emergency plan and evacuation of the oil complex, carry out a evacuation drills and follow recommendations of the committee on development, upgrading capabilities of oil sector to countering oil leaks.
He said one of the group's recent major achievements was KPC's HSE Group's winning of a number of certificates and awards including the (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OSHAS 18001) regarding the implementation of the integration administration of HSE and Quality, and the DuPont Safety Awards 2011 regarding commitment of the senior management in the implementation of safety principles and criteria.
He added that the group established a unit to bolster health in the Health and Safety Department in order to preserve the health of employees in the oil sector and their families, in line with regulations of World Health Organization (WHO) and International Labor Organization (ILO). A committee was also formed to "study the phenomenon of psychological pressure among oil sector employees" because of the job's nature and the realization of employees of the importance of oil and what it means for Kuwait and its economy, in addition to the tough circumstances that most of the employees work under in this sector.
Al-Khashti unveiled the CEO's HSE Award that was launched out of KPC's awareness of the great importance of HSE and to encourage affiliate companies to support and develop relevant programs.
He also noted the creation of a team to administer the implementation of the strategic plans for HSE and security. This team, he added, will also place necessary mechanisms, criteria and tools to implement the strategic plan for HSE and security, and to work on developing it constantly, providing support and back-up for teams assigned to executing initiatives or projects, as well as removing obstacles facing them then offering suitable solutions to guarantee progress.
Regarding the investments of the Research and Development Sector at KPC, Al-Khashti said the program to invest in new energy technology aims at achieving strategic objectives through the marketing of the development of new and clear energy technologies, which will maintain long-term competitiveness of oil as a major energy source through usage of efficient and environment-friendly methods via active investment policy.
He added that investment opportunities are being assessed in accordance with these objectives, including the investments to develop types of low-carbon fuel, efficient transport means, advanced and permanent units to produce energy, in addition to the development of environment-friendly petrochemical products as well as direct and indirect investments to the development of promising technologies and financing early and medium stages of the new and clean energy technology companies.
Al-Khashti said that investment objectives are focusing on achieving strategic goals concerning the development of new energy technology and achieving financial revenues matching those accomplished by leading investment new energy funds, as well as exploring organized educational methods to develop expertise in the corporation. This is in addition to creating a wide-scale communication network of expertise through relationships with other investors in relevant sectors.
Al-Khashti said that R&D is one of the corporation's top interests in order to reach the level of the international companies. We can be leaders in the implementation of modern technologies and development of mechanisms of the corporation to make them suitable for requirements of the oil sector including technologies and research. This is added to the development by using the latest methods and modern technologies in all affiliate companies to cope with capabilities of the oil sector, which thus require backing young Kuwaiti cadres.
He said there is complete and continuous coordination between the R&D sector in the affiliate companies in order to place executive plans to carry out applied research in cooperation with research authorities in and outside Kuwait.
Outcome of these researches, Al-Khashti said, will help find the most suitable solutions for some problems facing companies working in the oil sector, as well as boosting production efficiency and expansion in refining and manufacturing operations of petroleum products in the State of Kuwait. This is in addition to cooperation with the planning sector to guarantee implementation of the corporation's strategies for scientific research and technology, and HSE.
On the feasibility of establishing a research center affiliated to the oil sector in the State of Kuwait, Al-Khashti said the center is one of the major pillars for KPC's research and technology strategy, which stipulates investments in R&D projects, administration and implementation of suitable modern technology in all of its operations in explorations, production, refining, manufacturing and petrochemical industry.
One of the tasks of the research center is to focus on implementing applied research in specific strategic domains in order to address technological and technical challenges facing the oil sector of Kuwait in the future in a drive to achieve objectives of the operational plans in the medium and long-term to have the most suitable consumption of hydrocarbon resources in the State of Kuwait
Objectives of the research center also include the development of national capabilities in the oil sectors including in the R&D domain through enabling Kuwaiti employees to acquire advanced skills, technical and scientific expertise in oil industry-related research.
Al-Khashti said oil conferences also play an important role to showcasing and discussing the latest developments in fields of oil, gas and petrochemical industry, thus paving the way to exchange views and benefit from the expertise of participating specialists. They are also considered one of the major pillars to fostering cooperation and public relations, as well as the role they play to highlighting the achievements and capabilities of the participants.
Therefore, said Al-Khashti, our active participation in these conferences helps us assess the current strategies and to have better scientific and practical vision to modernize, develop and follow up these strategies in order to accomplish objectives of the oil sector of Kuwait to ultimately realize a pivotal shift in the country with regards to the development of human resources, boosting capabilities and skills, honoring needs of international markets and keeping up with global development in this area.
The GPCE 2012, organized by the Investors Group, will take place on 9 & 10 April 2012 . Under the slogan "Gulf Petroleum Integration .. Prospects and Challenges", the event will be held under the auspices of Minister of Oil, , and Chairman of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation H. E. HANI ABDULAZIZ HUSSEIN. The event will see the participation of large companies operating in the oil and gas sector, as well as a host of global experts.
-Ends-
About the Investors Media Group
The Investors Media Group was established in 1999, and has created a place for itself in the Gulf region's financial circles. From the beginning, the Investors Group has been present at the side of the decision-makers of the financial sector, including banks, investment and real estate institutions, and businesspeople in the region. We also reach out to large corporations.
The Investors Group have great expertise in the production and the publication of high-quality media material with great precision and accuracy. It has also transferred its experience in handling media events into conference and activities, bringing innovation and excitement to make the greatest impact through these public and private events.
The Investors Group have organized many exhibitions and forums that saw regional and international participation. It also takes part and sponsors around 20 conferences every year.
For questions:
The Investors Group for Exhibition and Conference Management
Kuwait
Tel: (+965) 2265 4465
Mobile: (+965) 9989 9542
Fax: (+965) 2263 3929
Email: info@gulfpet.com
Website: www.gulfpet.com
© Press Release 2012
