DOT 2013: Vardeman emphasizes values, safety, people in opening plenary

Offshore staff

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – The plenary keynote presentation to start the 2013 Deep Offshore Technology Conference & Exhibition came from Don Vardeman of Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

“The recurring theme throughout my remarks … will be the importance of values and how those must pay a central role in every decision we make, every second of every day,” said Vardeman, VP, Worldwide Project Management, for Anadarko.

Continuing with the theme of safety, Vardeman illustrated Anadarko’s LifeSafe program with some testimonials about how the program from other employees.

Another value introduced in the keynote was “Servant Leadership” and how the approach includes demonstrating caring for one another, being intolerant of any injury, a commitment to safety rules and procedures, and empowerment of the individual to speak up and to stop work if something seems unsafe.

“True servant leaders see to serve first – putting the interests of others above their own. A true servant leader will lead by example, demonstrating ethical behavior mixed with career skills and expertise,” said Vardeman.

He said that mind-set also should extend to relationships with contractors.

The values of people and passion plus open communication were the next traits mentioned by Vardeman.

This passion and communication extends to the transfer of knowledge and sharing of experience among the people with years of experience and those with less. He commended DOT as a “great forum for this exchange of information and expertise.”

These values are compatible with the necessary commercial focus required to sustain the industry, and the technological advances that come along with a focus on getting the job done.

One important element of commercial focus he stressed is the necessity to accept and mitigate risk, whether in financing, local content, emerging nations, and nationalization plus the role of national oil companies.

10/22/2013