noble · summer 2015 noblelink the noble link is published by and for the employees of noble...
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Summer 2015
NOBLELinkNOBLELink
The Noble LINK is published by and for the employees of Noble Corporation and its subsidiaries and for our clients and friends. Comments regarding the Noble LINK should be directed to:
John Breed, Noble Drilling Services Inc.13135 South Dairy Ashford, Suite 800Sugar Land, Texas 77478Email: [email protected]
Editor: John BreedDesign: Scott McFarlane
64
121418Columns
RIG UPDATESRigs head to the
Black Sea and Arctic
NOBLE NEWSWinning
performance from around the world
Years without a Lost-Time Incident
18 years Noble Max Smith
13 years Noble Homer Ferrington
Noble David Tinsley
9 years Noble Jim Thompson
8 years Noble Roger Lewis
Noble Danny Adkins
6 years Noble Hans Deul
5 years Noble Discoverer
Noble Joe Beall
4 years Noble Charles Copeland
3 years Noble Scott Marks
Noble Globetrotter II
2 years Noble Paul Romano
Noble Don TaylorNoble Gene HouseNoble Bully II
1 year Noble Regina Allen
Noble Sam TurnerNoble Amos RunnerNoble Bob DouglasNoble Houston ColbertNoble Jim DayNoble Sam CroftNoble Alan HayNoble Mick O’Brien
Hooked on Safety
Practicing a consistent technique of quartering upstream and getting a natural drift contributes to success in fly fishing. In much the same way, working safely is a function of consistently performing all the steps to safe operations to yield the catch of another day worked safely. Congratulations to the following rigs for consistent safety performance.
Plan your work, work your plan.
Plan: Categorize your lift and carefully plan each element of the job being done. Lift safe.
NO TIMEfor downtime in
Supply Chain
RIGGING &LIFTING Know the lift types
LISTEN UP!Safety message
in a song 20 Work Safe...Live Safe Beating the Heat
24 Noble Efforts Community Support & Scholarships
26 Technology Desk Preventing Hacker Attacks
28 Ethics Azimuth Beyond Tone from the Top
31 Noble Recognition Employee Promotions & Harnessing Workforce Potential
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FLEETDistribution
Noble is a leading offshore drilling contractor for the oil and gas industry. The Company owns and operates one of the most modern, versatile and technically advanced fleets in the offshore drilling industry. Noble performs, through its subsidiaries, contract
drilling services with a fleet of offshore drilling units, consisting of semisubmersibles, drillships and Jackups, focused largely on ultra-deepwater and high-specification jackup drilling opportunities in both established and emerging regions worldwide. Noble’s shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NE.”
SOUTH ATLANTICOCEAN
NORTH ATLANTICOCEAN
NORTH PACIFICOCEAN
SOUTH PACIFICOCEAN
C A R I B B E A N S E A
Bight ofBenin
Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of California
PanamaCanal
Strait ofMagellan
Gulf ofSan Jorge
San Matías Gulf
C a p e H o r n
River Plate
Gulf of Penas
Saint Helena
Tristan da Cunha
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Canary Islands
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Gran Canaria
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FuerteventuraTenerife
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Turks and Caicos
Guadeloupe
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Aruba
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Coco Island
Puerto Rico Virgin Is.
Galapagos IslandsIsabela I.
Fernandina I. Santa Cruz I.San Cristóbal I.
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Juan FernándezIslands
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South Orkney Islands
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Santa Inés IslandTierra del Fuego
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South Shetland Islands
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Lake Nicaragua
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Esperanza (Argentina)
Capitán Arturo Prat (Chile)
General B. O'Higgins (Chile)
Marambio(Argentina)Palmer (U.S.A)
Antarctic International Stations(Argentina-Brazil-Chile-China-Korea-Poland-Russian Fed.-Uruguay)
Orcadas (Argentina)
San Antonio
Guadalajara
Acapulco
Monterrey
TampicoMérida Cancún
Culiacán Miami
BarquisimetoMérida
Maracaibo
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Cali
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Rio BrancoPucallpa
Santarém
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SullanaPiura
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San CristóbalCiudad Guayana
Cayenne
MaturínCiudad Bolívar
Manizales
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GovernadorValadares
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Juàzeiro
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SPAIN
U.K
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BRAZIL
BRAZIL
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COLOMBIA
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U.S.A
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CHILECHILE
CHILE
CHILE
FRANCE
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MEXICO
N I G E R I A
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BURKINA FASO
LIBYA
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CAMEROON
GABON
NIGER
EQUAT.GUINEA
GAMBIA
GUINEA-BISSAU
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LIBERIA
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TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
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BELIZE
PANAMACOSTA RICA
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GUATEMALA
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EQUATOREQUATOREQUATOREQUATOREQUATOR
TROPIC OF CANCERTROPIC OF CANCERTROPIC OF CANCERTROPIC OF CANCER
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s c a l e a t t h e E q u a t o r
On the CoverThe Noble Houston Colbert, one of six JU3000N
high specification jackups in the Noble fleet, is currently operating off Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego under contract to TOTAL. To date this rig has successfully performed three rig moves and delivered two exploration wells and two development wells following delivery to the region. The rig’s operations are in an area of extreme remoteness in what is locally known as the “end of a straw.” Extreme weather with
up to 85 knot winds and complicated logistics are among the challenges that set this operation apart from drilling in more benign environments.
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Winston Churchill once held that “History is written by the victors.” In Churchill’s case, he was pointing to
the fact that whoever wins the war will largely influence how future generations will judge the victor’s ideas and beliefs, not just the outcome of a particular battle. Perhaps there is a larger meaning here, as well, for those of us in the offshore drilling business. When the history of this cycle is written, I fully believe Noble will be a victor and will help write the next chapter in our industry’s history.
That’s a bold statement in the face of moderating day rates, more than ample rig capacity, vacillating crude prices and, at least near-term, muted energy demand. Taken together, our industry is facing formidable headwinds. We have faced these winds before. For example, global oil prices went into free fall, declining from over $30 a barrel in November 1985 to nearly $10 by July 1986. The U.S. oil industry basically shut down. In late 1985, there were nearly 2,300 rigs drilling wells; a year later, there were barely 1,000. That indeed was a cycle that was both dark and deep.
History tells us these cycles happen, what drives them and how they end. For example, in 2000 supply began to struggle to keep up with rising demand. Global economic growth, especially in Asia, pushed demand for crude as the Chinese middle class began driving cars. Chinese oil imports, virtually nonexistent in 1985, have risen steadily ever since. As everyone buying a gallon of gas today can tell you, however, supply is currently outstripping demand but that won’t always be the case.
So what happens next? When the crude price drops nearer to the all-in cost of production, further exploration and investment can be discouraged. Indeed, this year, a number of operators have scaled back investments. This is important, since new investment is needed to offset naturally occurring production declines in existing fields. However again, as history tells us, production and demand will come into better alignment. The question for us is not if, but when, and what is the best way to position Noble for that coming reversal of fortune? That’s exactly what we focused on; day in and day out.
When it comes to assessments on the forward price of crude, there’s a new prediction almost every day. Some experts forecast continued erosion on price. Others predict that the U.S. benchmark for oil will finish the year well above $60 a barrel. As for me, I believe it is nearly impossible to accurately predict future crude prices because there are just too many variables. The key is to prepare for a broad range of possible outcomes and that is just what we have been doing at Noble for the last few years.
First and foremost, we are staying true to our core beliefs and safety culture. We have positioned ourselves for cycle transparency with substantial backlog, strong customer relationships, excellent performance and a focus on safety. The daily ebb and flow of economic and political news is in my view just noise. A hopeful sign on Monday may well be undone on Tuesday, and more importantly, we can’t really impact things on the macro level. In working safely, safeguarding the environment and delivering operational excellence for our customers, we keep our hands on the tiller of issues we can impact. Our message to the troops is to stay focused, stay positive and above all, work safe.
Cycles Happen…
CHAIRMAN’SLetter
3
We are also staying close to our customers, as we always do, helping them understand the value we create. A race to the bottom of the dayrate curve is not always in their best interest. To be clear, they care about dayrates, but lower dayrates are not a substitute for top-tier performance. Our goal is to be a partner in the process, helping them bring efficiency, uptime and stellar execution to every well we drill. Done well, these Noble attributes lower finding costs, a key consideration in a low oil price environment.
The Noble fleet is among the most technologically advanced and capable in the industry, which sets us apart from some of the other established names and puts us on par with many of the newer names who have entered the space. Ensuring we have the right assets, in the right places is an ongoing effort. This was a factor in our decision to retire three rigs earlier this year. Said simply, we have worked hard to become a higher-spec driller, capable of addressing the most challenging of drilling opportunities. That’s an advantage we hold today and it’s an advantage I believe we will maintain going forward.
Our continuing focus on reliability also is central to recognizing the full benefit of our contract backlog. Today our maintenance, operations and sourcing groups have a laser-like focus on driving uptime performance. Technology has helped simplify some aspect of this process, but at the end of the day, it is the professionalism and diligence of our teams that is driving our performance to new heights in measurable ways. Having guided investors to anticipate our downtime to be around 7 percent through the first half of 2015, we delivered far better performance, with downtime running around 4 percent. That equals real value for our customers and better earnings for Noble.
In the current industry environment, another priority at Noble is to maintain a solid balance sheet and adequate liquidity to manage through the cycle. We are doing a great job managing our debt and our excellent execution has provided strong cash generation from operations — almost $200 million more cash than expected through the first half of 2015.
The bottom line here is that Noble has successfully navigated these economic waters before and I believe we are doing what it takes to be positioned well for the inevitable upturn in the drilling market. That upturn will happen, and Noble is taking the steps necessary to position for advantage. In this, I have full faith in the Noble team to get the job done as they lead us into the better days ahead.
David W. Williams Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
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Noble Sam Croft Receives Honors
Leaders representing many of the top businesses in North American shipping gathered recently to celebrate
the winners of the Lloyd’s List North American Maritime Awards 2015. High on that list was the Noble Sam Croft, which was named as the recipient of the North
American Offshore Industry Operator of the Year Award.
The Croft is one of four new ultra-deepwater drillships Noble owns based on the Hyundai Gusto P10000 hull design, capable of operations in water depths of up to 12,000 feet and offering a variable deck load of 20,000 metric tons. The Croft is equipped to operate in up to 10,000 feet of water while offering DP-3 station keeping, two complete six-ram BOP systems, multiple parallel activity features that improve overall well construction efficiencies and accommodations for up to 210 personnel.
All four rigs are equipped with a 165-ton heave compensated construction crane to facilitate deployment of subsea production equipment, providing another level of efficiency during field development programs.
Lloyd’s was particularly impressed with the fact that the Croft was delivered on time, under budget with more than 2.2 million man-hours with no Loss Time Injuries during its construction. They also noted that upon arrival to the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, the vessel passed the U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Compliance inspection without deficiency; and broke the world record in setting the heaviest casing and landing string run ever, all within just three months from the start of operations.
and the
Winner is...
NOBLENews
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“I’d like to pass on my thanks to Noble for the successful operation on the first well drilled by the Noble Sam Turner. It’s great to get the first one under our belts. Generally the rig and the team have performed well since the start of the well and the signs are that operations will continue to get better as everyone becomes increasingly familiar with the equipment. It can be a difficult period working with a brand new rig, so thanks to all involved in getting the first well done with little problem time. I now look forward to what I hope is a safe and efficient operation on the rig’s first HPHT well.”
Derek Charlton
HEAD OF DRILLING & WELL SERVICES - MÆRSK OLIE OG GAS A/S“You must be very proud of the achievement
that your teams, onshore and offshore, have made to date on Shearwater SW01s1, especially given the significant milestone of today’s report, with the production liner now run to TD and cemented in a text book fashion. SW01s1 in my view represented the most technically challenging well to drill on the Noble Hans Deul program to date and today’s report represents yet another successful milestone reached on the well. Congratulations to you, and your teams from your colleagues in ExxonMobil! This milestone required state of the art engineering, planning and excellence in execution in order to achieve.
Richard N. Cutt
Drilling Advisor ExxonMobil Development Company
In Other Words...Praise from Noble Customers
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The Noble Globetrotter II was so named due to its pioneering design. Smaller, narrower and equipped with a tower that could be
lowered using its onboard crane, it was thought that there were few offshore drilling locations that the Globetrotter design could not reach.
However, this claim had not been rigorously tested until this year when Noble Globetrotter II was mobilized to work for Shell in the Black Sea.
The briefest glance at a map of the area shows the immense challenge of accessing the Black Sea via the Mediterranean. From easy sailing between Gibraltar and west Turkey, the transit becomes immediately complicated as the land masses close in between Bulgaria and Turkey. Access from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea is via the Sea of Marmara, which separates Asian Turkey from European Turkey. The Sea of Marmara then connects to the Black Sea through the Bosporus Strait. It was through this narrow highway that the Globetrotter II needed to pass in order to reach its commitment for Shell.
This posed a phenomenal feat to accomplish. A challenge for all drilling rigs to cross the Bosporus Strait into the Black Sea is that they must pass underneath several bridges. To complicate matters further, per Turkish government regulations, the air draft (the distance from water level to the highest point on the rig) must be less than 58 metres.
How would a conventional rig face this challenge? It would need to have a section of the derrick removed in order to reach the required air draft. The derrick would then need reassembling afterwards, an extensive process which has historically taken up to around three months. There could be significant delays while waiting on weather as conditions, particularly wind, would need to be very favorable for the derrick builders to be able to work and for equipment lifts to take place safely. A large floating crane would need to be rented to remove and reinstall the top derrick section and associated equipment. All in all, the process would require
an extensive and expensive shipyard visit with significant out of service time.
This is where the design of the Globetrotter II came into its own. The rig does not have a conventional derrick. It is equipped with a Multi-Purpose Tower (MPT) that was designed specifically with the challenges of top section removal in mind. The top section of the MPT is outfitted with removable electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic services, and one of the shipboard cranes is large enough to perform
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To Get to the Other Side…Noble Globetrotter II shows benefits of unique design with recent crossing into Black Sea
the removal and re-installation of the section, thus eliminating the need for a large floating crane or an extensive shipyard visit.
How did the challenge progress? Firstly, a brief stop at Besiktas shipyard in Turkey was required to add light winterization to prepare the rig and the crew for the cold winter days in the Black Sea. A specialized skid was built and installed on the vessel to secure and store the top of the MPT once it was removed for the transit along the Bosporus Strait
into the Black Sea. The team also installed Shell’s skip and ship equipment for cuttings handling, changed out the ROV umbilical, as well as performed some other client requested projects. The critical activity though was the main lift of the top section of the MPT which was flawlessly performed on January 1. After completing final inspections, on January 6 the rig departed Besikitas and made its way across the Bosporus Strait.
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With the bridge crossing complete, the challenge of reassembly had just begun. The tough environmental conditions became immediately clear upon arrival at Eregli port in the Black Sea. Snow and high winds caused the port to shut down for 3 days. The sheltered location of the port nevertheless enabled the team to prepare for the reinstallation of the MPT. After the weather cleared, the project team and rig crew began the process of successfully reinstalling the 170 ton section and reconnecting all services. The rig was ready to go to work on January 16. The project was completed safely, under budget and ahead of schedule.
What is remarkable is that the entire process from arrival in Besiktas shipyard until the ship was drill-ready took less than one month, and this included the many days needed to complete the various client requested projects. This is thought to be about one third of the average time taken by other rigs that have made the crossing. Equally impressive was the incredible performance of the rig on its first well location in Turkey. As Firas Adi, Noble Operations Manager, described: “the rig performed very well for a period lasting over 5 months with minimal downtime or major events. Shell and their partners were very pleased with the rig’s performance”.
Operations were completed on July 7 and the rig sailed off location back to port at Eregli where the team went through the process of removing the MPT again. This time it took only four days and the rig departed port on July 12 back to Sile-1 location for the final DP (dynamic positioning) trials. The trials were completed on July 16 and the rig sailed through the Bosporus, arriving in the Canakkale Port in the Marmara Sea on July 18, where it reinstalled the top section of the MPT. This also took only four days, another major milestone. Excluding the time needed for DP trials, the rig was able to disassemble, transit the Bosporus and reassemble the MPT in 11 days, an achievement that cannot be overstated. The rig departed port on July 22, headed for Gabon where it will drill another well for Shell.
Overall, the unique capability of the Globetrotter II design resulted in immense cost and time savings for the customer and the flexibility to easily access what has historically been a very inaccessible market. This was a phenomenal accomplishment, truly illustrating the rig’s “globe-trotting” capabilities.
The Bosporus Strait is a narrow and complex natural channel with several sharp turns and changing currents.
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One of the shipboard cranes is large enough to perform the removal and installation of the top
section of the MPT, thus eliminating the need for a large floating crane or a shipyard visit.
10
Noble Discoverer Returns to the ArcticThe Noble Discoverer has returned to waters off of Alaska where the rig is in position for
operations this summer. During the relatively short Arctic drilling season, Shell intends to drill in the Chukchi Sea on the Burger prospect. Consistent with our commitment to the environment, Noble’s focus is on assuring the Discoverer operates exceptionally well. A major aspect of that preparation has been operational readiness and assurance programs included preparing the rig for Arctic service and training for the crew to ensure safe and environmentally protective operations. Significantly, 40 percent of the crew has prior Arctic drilling experience and approximately $200 million has been invested in the vessel in the past few years. These improvements included a new main engine, new lower-emission generators, new deck cranes, additional winterization and additional hull sponsons for improved stability.
About Noble in AlaskaNoble is also committed to the people of Alaska. Since 2012, we have registered 21 Alaska
suppliers for local purchasing of equipment, parts, and services. Noble has also been working to develop an Alaska-based workforce as part of a program implemented in January 2014, creating 20 entry-level development positions onboard the Discoverer. These crew members have been trained using Noble’s training and “Knowledge, Skills and Ability” programs, including training on-the-job and at our Lower-48 facilities.
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Rigging & Lifting Initiative
The new Rigging and Lifting Operations procedure was created to enhance the performance of lifting operations on all Noble
assets. The sheer volume and criticality of lifting operations warranted a thorough review of how this type of work is approached and executed. The new procedure combines updated regulatory requirements with industry and Noble best practices that help employees plan and conduct lifting operations in a safe manner that will set them, and Noble, up for success.
To begin with, it was imperative that enhanced access to training became mandatory. By creating multiple levels of training for our workforce, Noble is providing the opportunity for formalized skill development to go along with on-the-job training. To supplement training, a nine question Pre-Lift Pocket Card Checklist has been provided for reference as the baseline for every lift that is made. A Lift Categorization Flowchart, containing criteria for assigning each lift as General, Complicated, or Critical, has also been incorporated as a guideline that ensures appropriate measures have been taken into consideration for each lift. In addition, a new template has been developed to allow employees to document their lift plans and execute an in-depth assessment of the varying factors associated with each lift.
The goal is to provide our employees with all of the tools necessary to carry out lifting operations in the safest manner possible while protecting people and assets. This
procedure provides the guidance and structure for achieving this goal. We will continue to build upon this framework by incorporating the feedback we receive from the field as we seek continuous improvement of our policies and procedures.
Joey Kawaja, Regional Manager - U.S. Gulf of Mexico, summarizes “The development of the new Rigging and Lifting Operations procedure is another example of introducing a policy that incorporates Noble and Industry best practices into one global document. This procedure was developed by Noble personnel and is something we can all be proud of. Now that we have the procedure, it is the responsibility of everybody to ensure we operationalize the procedure into every lift we make, whether that is utilizing the deck cranes, making a lift with hoist on the rig floor, or maintenance rigging up to change out a motor. Utilizing our nine question Pre-Lift Pocket Card Checklist will ensure every lift is a safe lift.”
NO to allQuestions
NO to allQuestions
YES to anyQuestion
YES to anyQuestion
Ask:• Does the operation involve the lifting of
personnel?• Is the load in excess of 90% of the crane
capacity or the rigging equipment WLL?• Does the load require more than one
lifting appliance?• Is load significantly fragile?• Is the load significantly expensive and
irreplaceable?• Inadequate headroom for the lifting
appliance and slings?• Is further engineering input required?• Are synthetic slings being used?
Ask:• Is the load in excess of 75% of the crane
capacity or rigging equipment WLL?• Is this a blind lift?• Is the load missing designated lift points?• Does the load require cross hauling or
involve multiple lifting appliances?• Is the lift taking place in a confined
space?• Is the load of an odd shape with a high
or unknown center of gravity?• Is this the first time a lift of this type
has been carried out?
The following apply:• Single lifting appliance • Basic rigging/slinging • Known weight• Dedicated lifting points • Below 75% utilization of crane
and rigging • Personnel are trained and competent• Load is pre-slung and all rigging
is within certification • Lifting operation has been
performed before• All hazards have been
adequately addressed
This is a Complicated Lift
Requires the following:• Detailed JSA• Reference the Pre-lift Pocket Card Checklist• Toolbox talk and task-specific lift plan• Lead Rigger approval• Supervised by Lead Rigger
This is a General Lift
Requires the following: • Detailed JSA• Reference the Pre-lift Pocket Card Checklist • Toolbox talk• Supervised by Lead Rigger
Know the Different Lift Types
This is a Critical Lift
Requires the following:• Detailed JSA• Reference the Pre-lift Pocket Card Checklist• Toolbox talk and task-specific lift plan• Permit to Work• ARM approval• Supervised by ARM/Lead Rigger
Identify the need for a lifting operation.
Lift Safe.
13
Plan your work, work your plan.
Plan: Categorize your lift and carefully plan each element of the job being done. Lift safe.
14
In today’s world of e-commerce, many businesses never close. Stores open their doors 24 hours a day, global
enterprises that operate across time zones and support customers and suppliers non-stop. Today being “on the payroll” day-in and day-out is the goal and the avoidance of downtime is a critical concern.
At long last, the rest of the commercial world is catching up with the offshore drilling industry.
No time for DOWNTIME
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To answer the challenge of downtime, Noble has implemented an effective and efficient inventory system throughout its global fleet, with the goal of improving the efficiency of operations and reducing the risk of downtime.
“The supply chain for an offshore drilling rig can be very complex and difficult to manage and many of the parts are highly specialized,” says Brian Wolf, Noble’s Vice President of Global Supply Chain
“Critical parts must be not only readily available, but we must navigate the logistics of moving these parts to where they are needed on a moment’s notice.”
Prior to 2009, Noble, and most offshore drillers for that matter, had the luxury of maintaining inventories of a few key components at each rig. Decisions on what parts to keep on hand were largely based on personal experience and historic experience. As rigs grew in complexity and the fleet grew more globally dispersed a more systematic approach was needed.
“Noble was quickly moving into a new era of offshore operations, with a more high-spec, high capability and technologically-advanced fleet,” Brian says. “Our challenge was to develop a plan for implementing an effective inventory management system leveraging Noble’s SAP ERP system and standards for critical spare management. At the same time, our task was also to facilitate a culture change throughout the fleet.”
Understanding the NeedOwners of a Rolex watch may believe them to be
among the most complex and demandingly made products in the world – but in reality they contain fewer than 120 moving parts. By comparison, many of the systems aboard a modern drilling rig have thousands of individual parts – all made to exacting tolerances. Failure of any of these parts can bring drilling to a halt.
“For example, the engines that power our HHI drillships are made up of over 1,500 distinct and unique parts,” says Rod DeVersa, Director of Procurement. “When you consider that each of the four ships has six engines – that represents tens of thousands of individual parts. “It’s not necessary that we have all of those individual parts on hand at any one time, but clearly we have to understand how likely they are to fail and how best to get replacements if they are needed. In the case of the main engines installed on the HHI ships, we inventory over 350 of those unique parts for routine and preventative maintenance requirements.
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On Noble’s drilling rigs today, heightened attention to preventive maintenance, regimented order points and mandated minimum stock levels are the norm. When the reorder points are reached, a requisition is automatically proposed, reviewed, approved and sent to a buyer in Supply Chain who sources and manages the purchase order. This helps ensure that in as much as possible, parts are on hand at the rig level for many of the most often replaced parts. Efficiency of the procurement process is strengthened with fixed price and delivery contracts that account for fifty percent of all materials supplied to the rigs.
When it absolutely has to be there overnightHaving the right part on hand or available at
a vendor can sometimes be just half the battle. Getting the part to a rig on the other side of the world often falls to Kevin Smith, Noble’s Senior Logistics Manager.
“We have worked hard to establish close working relationships with freight forwarders who meet our high standards for business and process transparency, as well as them offering real time ability to track and trace our shipments.”
For Noble, a delayed supply shipment is more than a temporary inconvenience. “If we’re waiting for a part or material and not having that item prevents us from doing our work, our clients and our revenue are directly impacted,” says Kevin. “It would be a big problem if a critical part is lost in transit and we could not supply our rigs with the parts they need.”
“By working closely with our suppliers and our forwarders – a missed shipment rarely happens – even to remote locations. We all understand clearly that the ramifications of not having a smooth-running
logistics operation can have a profound impact on our bottom line. We never want a rig to go offline because we are waiting for materials,” he adds.
Materials and supplies are sent via air, ocean, or ground shipments to regional hubs, then into the country nearest to the offshore rig being supplied. Logistics providers in each country handle customs and last-mile shipping, then make deliveries to shore bases operated by Noble.
One such shore base is located at Bayou Black, Louisiana, which handles freight shipments bound for the Company’s fleet in the Gulf of Mexico. In 2014, the Bayou Black facility coordinated the shipment of more than 3,200 “packages” bound for Noble rigs. This volume is all the more impressive when you consider that they represented a combined weight of more than 5 million kilograms (11 million pounds) and a value of more than $100 million. Most important was how the timely movement of those materials supported Noble’s performance.
“Noble’s materials management team today is a key contributor in Operations ability to reduce
For some critical parts, Noble has created its own internal source of supply – which includes both parts for subsea systems and topside components. Management of the system is performed at our “Noble North,” facility located near Houston’s Intercontinental Airport. That complex, spanning more than 25 acres and 90,000 square feet of storage under one roof, serves as a hub for many long-lead-time critical spares.
17
downtime,” says Therald Martin, Vice President Operations - Eastern Hemisphere, Operations. “This process has now been refined to a point where their use of historical ware and failure data such that even for our newbuilds, they have the correct material for spares even before field operations start. This approach is clearly driving uptime performance.”
Off the shelfNoble’s global supply chain encompasses large,
highly technical equipment as well as standard supplies used by rig crews such as switches, electric motors and valves. The Company purchases materials and supplies throughout the regions it operates in and employs buyers who are responsible for those specific areas.
Approved purchase orders are sent via electronic information interchange to freight forwarders, each of whom has a two-way EDI link to Noble’s SAP system. “We get items into our supply chain system as soon as possible, so we work with contracted logistics providers that have a link to us,” Smith says.
“As Brian and his team have continued to centralize his supply chain group with the capital spares warehouse, we are better prepared to deal with any planned or unplanned event with efficiency through their control of available spares and equipment,” said Ronald James. Vice President of Operations - Western Hemisphere, Operations
Strong supplier relationshipsSolid relationships with suppliers also help Noble
overcome the logistical challenges that are inherent in operating a global, high-spec fleet. Direct spend with our suppliers is in excess of $700M annually. Of that, the top 10 make up more than 50 percent of the total, making Noble a significant customer to parts and components suppliers.
“One of our greatest strengths is removing impediments to the smooth flow of items,” Brian adds. “We’ve established relationships with suppliers who understand our urgency and our needs. They understand that our rigs are counting on the items they make to arrive and that in a very real sense – time is money.”
18
Listen Up!Noble Clyde Boudreaux crew tunes in
to innovative safety message
Listening to music through earbuds is not something you will see on the drillfloor of a Noble rig, but you may well hear thumping
bass and rock show vocals pounding out a safety message during a pre-tour meeting aboard the Noble Clyde Boudreaux.
Those memorable tones are part of two music videos produced by crew members to help drive home the importance of safety. Far from the dry and predictable safety videos of days past, these videos takes a fresh approach to communicating an important message. As important is the fact that there’s solid science supporting the effort.
Lights, camera, hardhatThe videos, which feature nearly a dozen members
of the rig crew, were cast, filmed and recorded using the talent and situations encountered every day. By filming on the rig, the safety staff and rig management concluded that the message is more immediate and relatable to the crew, as opposed to the standard or generic videos sold commercially. The crew members also enjoy the opportunity to see themselves on screen, and to play a part in communicating the importance the rig places on safety.
Customer supportAs with all rig activities, Noble believes in
working closely with our customers. Safety is no exception — and cooperation in this area is particularly keen between Noble and Shell — which has successfully utilized the Boudreaux in the Gulf
of Mexico, Brazil and currently in Australia. For their part, Shell supported the use of the videos and sees them as supporting safety and crew cohesion aboard the rig.
“I really support the videos we have been making,” says Fokko Schröder, Shell’s Senior Drilling Supervisor aboard the Noble Clyde Boudreaux, “For me, the videos are a real morale booster, and more importantly, you can put in the video all sorts of examples of how to work safe and avoid unsafe working practices.”
How it worksThink about a song you first heard years ago and
the odds are that with little effort the particulars of that song can often be recalled simply by “playing” the song mentally.
Psychologists have long been fascinated by this connection between music and memory. Hearing an old song can take you back decades in the blink of an eye. That’s helpful if you are learning the alphabet or a foreign language, to be sure, but what about music’s ability to impact safety culture? It turns out that music’s benefits to memory and its ability to influence behavior aren’t limited to the classroom.
In fact, today music as a teaching tool has gone mainstream — with applications ranging from public service announcements targeting teens and distracted driving — to treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
19
The video contributors onboard included (L-R): Toney Jett (ET), Brenham Daniels (SSE), Leigh Sutherland (STS) and
Dwayne Te Aho (Shell Safety Coach)
One of the reasons the link between music and memory is so powerful is that it activates such large areas of the brain. A recent brain imaging study found that music activated the auditory, motor and emotional regions of the brain, and did so more completely than other activities such as reading or engaging in a conversation.
The motor areas process the rhythm, the auditory areas process the sound, while the limbic regions are associated with the emotions. The study found that whether their participants were listening to the Beatles or Vivaldi, largely the same areas of the brain were active. Adding imagery to the music, such as with a related video, further enhances the effect.
“In memory terms,” says Dr. Victoria Williamson, Vice Chancellor’s Fellow for the Arts and Humanities
(Music) at the University of Sheffield. “We often find that music can be a bit of a mixed bag — sometimes it helps with learning but sometimes it can get in the way. The key is to tow that line between stimulation and distraction…In your case, you have hit the right end of the spectrum.”
“We call this kind of effect ‘elaborative encoding’, basically you make a memory easy to make and draw on later if the initial presentation of the to-be-remembered information is more elaborate, multi-sensory, and active in mind.”
The team is already working on this year’s song and video, which will air soon. To watch the video “Hands Free Rules”, visit: http://vimeopro.com/noblecorp/link
20
“Everyone complains about the weather, but no one does anything about it,”
holds Mark Twain’s famous expression – but that isn’t exactly true at Noble, where the Company is in the forefront of addressing extreme work related weather concerns from the Arctic to the Equator.
In the Middle East, for example, heat stress is a major challenge for workers who are engaged in outdoor activities. This can be particularly important for team members who spend hours in temperatures that could lead to ailments such as stroke, cramps, rashes and exhaustion.
Starting in April each year, daytime temperatures in the Middle East can easily reach 120° F (49° C). By the end of September, it starts to cool down – to around 95° F (35° C). Working in these conditions safely means paying special attention to a number of
factors – with proper hydration topping the list.
“Heat stress can be a significant hazard in our operations and we are constantly raising awareness of our crews regarding eating and drinking habits,” says Odis Cobb, HSE Supervisor, Middle East. “We encourage our people to stay ahead of dehydration issues by drinking a three to one ratio of electrolytes to water as early in the day as possible.
“For the members of the crew who observe Ramadan and fast during the day – we take the added step of facilitating them working on night shifts to further reduce risk. In addition, we have huge fans called blowers that can provide much needed ventilation to cool off,” Odis adds.
Beating the Heat
On and off the job
WorkSafe...
21
Knowing what to look for…Beyond personal wellbeing, even mild dehydration
leads to deterioration in short-term memory, simple visual orientation, simple arithmetic, and complex motor coordination. For this reason – individual crew members also play an important role in protecting themselves from heat stress.
“On the rig, with regard to heat stress, we foster a culture of being proactive with your health on and off the job,” notes Michael Brainerd, Safety & Training Supervisor aboard the Noble Globetrotter I. “For example, people are encouraged to acclimate themselves to heat at least one week before they arrive. This means staying outside more and staying hydrated. Knowing what and when you are eating such as light meals during the hottest part of the day and lots of fruit (bananas and oranges) for increased electrolytes.”
Three types to learnThere are three basic types of heat-related illness:
heat cramps, heat exhaustion—and the most serious—heat stroke.
Heat cramps occur mostly in the muscles of the legs, often causing severe pain and spasms. Intense exercise and sweating in hot temperatures can initiate these cramps. Fortunately, the treatment is simple. Find a cool place, rest and drink plenty of fluids, especially sports drinks, like Gatorade. In most cases, the cramps eventually subside.
Dehydration can also cause heat exhaustion. Along with heavy sweating, symptoms include dizziness, weakness, nausea, extreme thirst, anxiety and sometimes a low-grade fever. Treatment for heat exhaustion is similar to that of heat cramps, but should be sought more urgently. If your condition
does not begin to improve after moving to a cool place and drinking fluids, seek medical help.
The most dangerous heat-related illness is heat stroke, which is also life threatening. Heat stroke occurs when the brain cannot properly regulate body temperature under extremely hot and humid conditions. When body temperature rises rapidly over 105 degrees an individual can lose consciousness and slip into a coma. Unless heat stroke is treated immediately, it can be fatal.
“It’s very critical that each person watch out for each other and when they see their buddy showing signs of heat stress, talk to them and support them to take action,” says Michael. “We have a tendency to be macho out here sometimes and heat stress is nothing to mess around with.
“Everyone knows their own body and their tolerance for heat. We encourage everyone to know their own situation and be smart about what they are taking into their bodies. For example many people take supplements and medicines for many different reasons. These can increase your need for water making you dehydrate quicker and/or even speed up your heart rate,” Michael adds.
22
Water your laWn,Noble employees living in the southern
United States can attest, summers can be brutal. The hot, humid conditions are
not only tough on gardens, but also on gardeners. When people are exposed to extreme heat, they can suffer from potentially deadly heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States, even though most heat-related deaths are preventable. Importantly, many of the heat-related emergency room visits relate to non-work activities such as keeping yards or summer sports exertion.
When you are looking at the seven-day forecast hoping to see a rain cloud, pay careful attention to the heat index. The heat index is the “feels like” temperature which combines the effect of the air temperature and relative humidity. Relative humidity above 60 percent hampers sweat evaporation and reduces the body’s ability to cool. Remember that heat index is higher in full sun than in shade, so try to work in the shade whenever possible.
Heat-related illnesses always are a concern in summer – not just during record-setting heat waves. Prevention always is preferable, so plan yard work to minimize risks. However, it also is important to know the symptoms, and immediate treatment options for early signs of heat stress to protect you from a potentially life-threatening problem.
Prevention The key to preventing heat exhaustion is to plan
your outdoor work. It should be timed early in the morning or early evening whenever possible when the sun is less intense and temperatures are not at their peak. This may be a change in habit for those that have relocated from cooler climates.
Loose-fitting, light-colored clothing is best Light colors reflect light and heat. Dark colors
absorb heat. Loose-fitting clothes allow for more air circulation and better sweat evaporation.
A wide-brimmed hat always is a good option. Light colors are preferable. Straw and ventilation holes also help to keep your scalp cooler by increasing air circulation. Neck flaps also are a good way to protect the back of your neck from sunburn.
Drink lots of fluids Before, during and after outdoor work.
Replenishing fluids is critical. Water is the best option, with sports drinks a good option if you are worried about salt depletion. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Plan the work — work the plan Plan your yard work around shade patterns. Do
as much outside work that is limited to sunny areas as early in the morning as possible. Delay outside chores that can be done in the shade until later in the day. If natural shade is not available, you can make your own. Beach umbrellas can provide temporary shade that can be moved. Realize that
...LiveSafe
23
umbrellas can blow over in windy conditions, so keep that in mind to prevent other injuries while trying to prevent heat related illness.
SymptomsThere are two types of heat exhaustion — water
depletion and salt depletion. Symptoms of water depletion include excessive thirst, weakness, headache and loss of consciousness. Also note that dark-colored urine is a sign of dehydration. Salt depletion is noted by nausea, vomiting, frequent muscle cramps and dizziness. If not addressed, heat exhaustion can lead to a heat stroke which can damage the brain and other organs.
Treatment. If you find yourself feeling dizzy or have other signs of heat exhaustion, take action immediately. Get out of the sun and sit down. Apply water to the skin by washing the face, taking a cool bath or shower, or by applying wet compresses to reduce body temperature. Increasing air circulation with a fan also helps to speed up water evaporation from the skin and naturally cools the body. Also, drink water or a sports drink to replenish water and salts. If symptoms don’t improve in 30 minutes, seek medical help immediately.
Whether at home or on the job, the key to working safely in hot weather is to learn to recognize the causes of heat-related illnesses. Identifying and responding to early symptoms can protect you, your team members, your family and friends.
and yourself
24
Team Noble Crosses the Finish Line with Record Contribution to Fight MS
Long before the bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush make their springtime appearance on
the rolling hills between Houston and Austin, Texas, Noble’s MS-150 team members are training for the challenging two-day fundraising bike ride which helps help fund important research aimed at ending the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis. Over the past few years, Team Noble has grown to more than 65 employees and family members participating as riders and volunteers. This year, the team raised more than $306,000, a 60 percent increase over the team’s 2014 performance.
This year’s performance was bolstered by the teams’ “Virtual Rider” program, which facilitated and encouraged participation by Noble’s offshore crews. Ron Swan, Noble’s Worldwide Maintenance Director, says, “The final numbers are in from the Virtual Rider competition and I could not be more proud of all of the individuals who helped make this group effort such a success. Currently, Team Noble Drilling Virtual Riders are in first place with our fundraising efforts, with the Noble Tom Madden leading the way having raised a total of $9,536 towards the fight against MS.”
The crew of the Madden set an initial goal of $6,000 and beat it by $3,536 with a collective effort by all of the rig’s employees, as well as FMOG, Oceaneering, Swaco & Franks International. As a result, the crew of the Madden will be named the “Fundraiser of the Year — in recognition of Jennifer McDaniel.” Congratulations also go to the Noble Sam Croft and Noble Danny Adkins, which both reached the top fundraising level with the MS Society and Tour of Champion status. These rigs have both also qualified for the Tour of Champions.
The MS Society depends on support from members, friends, corporate partners and the public at large. Nationwide income in 2014 was $232.7 million, the majority of which came from private contributions such as those raised by Team Noble.
To learn more about Team Noble or make a donation, please visit: http://www.noblecorp.com/ms150
NOBLEEfforts
25
Educational Fund Scholarship Winners Named
By some estimates four years of college today costs more than $70,000 for tuition, fees, and
room and board. As a result, finding the funds needed to complete a degree can put a strain on almost any family’s budget. That’s where the Noble Educational Fund Scholarship Program, a merit-based, competitive scholarship program sponsored by The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation fits in, providing scholarships to eligible dependents of full-time employees of Noble Entities, including Noble Drilling and Noble Energy. These $20,000 four-year scholarships are open to students seeking an undergraduate education at institutions of higher learning or post-high-school training at vocational technical train ing institutions. Students may apply as high school seniors or at any point during their post-secondary education.
Competition for the scholarships is keen and this year there are three winners from Noble Drilling.
• Eli McFarlane, who will be attending the University of St. Thomas to joint major in Environmental Science and International Studies. Eli is the daughter of Scott McFarlane, Manager — Corporate Identity and Design.
• Megan Nguyen, who will be attending Clemson University where she will major in Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering. Megan is the daughter of Hung Nguyen, Director — Global Health, Safety and Environmental Programs.
• Michelle Stewart, a Sophomore studying to be a Registered Nurse at the University of South Alabama. Michelle is the daughter of Daxton Stewart, Assistant Driller on the Noble Jim Day.
Extended Reach
The drillship Noble Sam Croft has incredible reach with its ability to drill in 10,000 feet of water and
construct wells up to 40,000 feet. As astounding as that may sound, the crew of that rig has an even bigger reach and is making a difference in the lives of children more than 8,500 miles away in Talakag, Bukidnon in the Philippines. That’s the location of the Bethany Christian Home for Children, which opened just after World War II to offer services to orphaned, abused or abandoned children.
In April, the crew pooled their resources to help this group which had been brought to their attention by Janci Barrios with Sodexo, who helped facilitate the effort. Roy Olsen, who serves as Captain for the vessel, says, “The response from the ‘brothers on the Croft’ showed the heart everyone had for this; one of those moments that reinforces one’s faith in mankind.”
In total, the crew raised more than $1,150 which was used by the organization to meet the needs of the 30–40 children who call the facility home. In acknowledging the crew’s gift, Rose A. Longcob, Bethany’s CEO noted, “Our children’s lives have been touched and blessed through your sharing your life and resources and in demonstrating your compassion for our children.”
26
Hollywood often portrays hackers as lonely guys working out of their basements. But, in reality, the greatest threat often
comes from organized, well-financed groups that use technical and social skills to take over entire computer systems. In countering these attacks, employees play a key role in guarding against hackers.
Remembering your password is easy when you don’t update it often. It also exposes computer networks to prying eyes and ill intent. That’s why hackers hope you have something in common with the majority of computer users. According to a report by Info Security Europe, 65 percent of workers use identical passwords for different purposes including personal banking, websites and access to corporate applications. Many people make it easy for hackers by using easy-to-guess passwords: the top five passwords are password, 123456, 12345678, abc123 and QWERTY.
A number of recent high profile hacking cases have driven home the importance of data protection and the rise in risk from what were formerly common practices.
As a member of the Noble team, you play an important role in protecting our Company’s information assets. In fact, our team members are our first line of defense against the unauthorized access, misuse or theft of Noble’s data. Muni Chatarpal, Noble’s Information Technology Security Manager, shares the following recommendations to avoid becoming a hacker’s next victim:
1. No company email on public computers. Hackers today add a key logger (a program that captures all your keystrokes without your knowledge) to public computers at places like airports and Internet cafes with the intention of capturing your username and password information.
2. Be careful when using ‘free’ Wi-Fi. Resist the temptation to use public Wi-Fi. Hackers can easily hijack one’s account and access email, social media accounts and even your online banking.
3. Avoid listing company email addresses publicly. Cyber criminals troll for email addresses and can potentially use your email address and credentials to commit a variety of illegal activities on your behalf. Don’t make it easier for the hacker by giving them easy access to your company email.
HackerFrom your phone to your desktop, hackers can strike anywhere
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4. Create strong passwords and don’t use the same password for different accounts. A password at one site or email address is a gateway for further hacking. In particular, when it comes to online banking or other core business activities, make sure that unique passwords are used for each financial institution.
5. NEVER share passwords with anyone. Noble team members should avoid sharing password information with colleagues, friends or even loved ones - and NEVER provide your password to anyone that calls you. Scammers often conduct social engineering attacks by posing as law enforcement or Internet support companies to obtain credentials.
6. Change online behavior. Be careful about the sites you visit and the information you share with complete strangers. Here are some basic guidelines to follow: Avoid downloading videos
and other files from unknown websites. If you receive an unusual email from a friend, don’t download any attachments or click on any links until you can verify that they have sent it. If you suspect it to be a “phishing” attempt – use the installed PhishMe Reporter on your Email to report it or alert Noble’s IT Service Desk. If you ever suspect that your credentials have been compromised, change your password immediately and notify Noble’s IT Service Desk.
7. Keep your computer updated. For personal computers, make sure that you have installed the latest security patches for your Operating System and that you have installed the latest signatures for your Anti-virus program.
Ideally passwords should be long, complex and a combination of letters, numbers and special characters. Users of the Noble network can change your password as often as they like – but must always comply with our mandatory password updates. The longer you use the same password, the greater the likelihood that it can be exposed and end up in the hands of hackers. We suggest changing passwords every 90 days or even more frequently.
“The bottom line is that we are all targets since we have something they want and all of our team members need to have their ‘IT hat’ on whenever they are logged in,” says Muni. “After all, the stakes are high and with a little care and attention we can deny access to vital company and personal information.”
AttacksDon’t
make it easy for
them.
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Many companies, including Noble, take
pride in their “corporate culture.” At the most fundamental level, corporate culture can be thought of as a set of shared beliefs, norms and values that defines what is important and what is appropriate.
In communicating corporate culture, there is a lot of emphasis on the “Tone from the Top”—as seen in the messages and actions of Noble’s senior management. Just as important is our “Tone from the Middle”—the behaviors and actions of middle management”, as demonstrated at Noble by line management, both onshore and on the rig, in managing their teams and crews.
Beyond fromtheTop
Driving a Culture of Ethics and Compliance
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Middle ManagementStrong middle management is the driver at the
deckplate for employee engagement and a healthy ethical culture — creating a work environment where employees are committed and engaged, do a good job, and do the right thing. Weak middle management, however, often has the opposite effect.
For example, workplace studies have shown that employees’ loss in confidence of their manager’s ethical behavior can be a predictor of a decline in the overall ethical culture at a company. In addition, research also indicates that employee perceptions of whether or not their company is an ethical company is based on how they view their manager’s ethical behavior. Other studies have shown a direct correlation between job dissatisfaction and unethical conduct; further emphasizing the degree of influence and impact that middle managers can have on their crews and direct reports, as well as on the overall ethical culture at a company.
Employees typically interact with their direct managers or supervisors and may have little to no regular interaction with senior management. An employee’s manager or supervisor is often the sole representation of the company and its values to that employee.
Middle managers also typically receive the most reports of concerns or allegations of misconduct (as compared to other methods/individuals who receive such reports). Employees will often raise concerns or allegations directly with their managers. A survey conducted by the organization, Corporate Executive Board, indicated that “66% of misconduct allegations are received by front-line managers, yet only 57% of these managers feel comfortable addressing employee concerns”.
Communication SkillsHow a manager handles such a discussion with an
employee and how a manager acts on an ethical or compliance concern will have a significant impact on employees and the company.
1. Does the manager truly listen to the concern the employee is raising or does the manager appear distracted or annoyed?
2. Does the manager maintain his/her composure during the discussion, creating an environment consistent with our “Open Door” Policy in which the employee feels comfortable raising and discussing concerns with the manager?
3. Does the manager thank the employee for bringing forward the concern?
4. Does the manager address any retaliation concerns the employee or others may have in raising the issue?
5. Does the manager appropriately act on the concern—whether it be looking into the concern himself/herself and/or escalating the concern within his/her management chain, the Designated Person Ashore, or Corporate Compliance to look into?
6. Does the manager circle back with the employee to let them know that the concern was looked into and properly addressed (for example, only sharing details with the employee as appropriate in line with protecting the confidentiality and integrity of any investigation conducted)?
ETHICSAzimuth
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In addition to appropriately fielding concerns about alleged misconduct, what are some other management behaviors that demonstrate ethical leadership and help to create an ethical culture?
Managers should:
• Talk frequently about Noble’s ethical commitment, elements of our Code of Conduct, and most importantly, our values: Honesty and Integrity, Safety, Environmental Stewardship, Respect, and Performance
• Anticipate ethical dilemmas which may typically arise in the manager’s area of responsibility, for example incident reporting, accuracy in recording activities, etc.
• During the planning process, talk with your team about how our values and ethical commitment apply to the work and specific steps and decision points during the process
• Recognize ethical issues when they do arise and ask questions (i.e. troubleshoot) when the ethical action is unclear; and make decisions consistent with Noble’s values, ethics, Code of Conduct, and corporate policy
• Report concerns about unethical actions/ behavior to senior management, the Designated Person Ashore, or Corporate Compliance.
Leadership Crucial Leaders in a rig management position play a
crucial role in affirming the ethical culture on the rig--they are the “Tone at the Top” and it is critical to their crews and to Noble that they demonstrate and reinforce exceptional ethical leadership and behaviors.
Why is ethical culture important at Noble? Having a strong ethical culture at Noble is important for several reasons:
• Higher employee morale and job satisfaction, which helps with employee retention and recruiting
• More productive and engaged workforce
• Positive impacts to Noble’s reputation and overall value to the stakeholders
• Prevents and deters misconduct (less lawsuits, investigations, fines/penalties)
In addition, at Noble, we administer a Compliance Survey each year to better understand employee views and understanding of compliance, the effectiveness of Noble’s Compliance Program, and potential opportunities for improvement – in other words, the ethical culture at Noble. It is administered online and on an anonymous basis. Please look for the announcement for this important survey later this summer and keep the items discussed in this article in mind when you complete it.
In discussing ethical culture and the role of management, it’s important to remember that if you have concerns about the legality of any conduct or concerns about potentially unethical conduct, including compliance with the Code of Conduct or Company policy, as a Noble employee, you are obligated to report it. You can report such concerns by speaking with your supervisor, any senior manager in the Company, the
Designated Person Ashore, a Human Resources representative, Legal, Corporate Compliance, or by calling the NobleLine (toll-free in the U.S. and Canada at: 1-877-285-4162 or Collect at 704-544-2879 if calling outside the U.S./Canada). In addition, our policy protects against retaliation for reports in good faith or assisting in good faith with an investigation or proceeding.
Our Obligation to Report
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EMPLOYEERecognitionPromotions and AdvancementNovember 2014 – August 2015
BrazilChad Conn Rig ManagerBrian McMahon Assistant Rig ManagerDennis Rab Master
Europe & West AfricaBruce Boyle Drilling SuperintendentMartin Hendriks Rig ManagerAndrew Jolly Assistant Rig ManagerRyan LaComb Rig ManagerMeindert-jelto Meindertsma Assistant Rig Manager Gordon Mitchell Assistant Rig ManagerBauke Postmus Assistant Rig ManagerVaidas Sabonis Assistant Rig Manager
Middle East & India Raymond Dunn Regional Manager - Far East/OceaniaAubrey Fenton Assistant Rig ManagerPerry Hammond Drilling SuperintendentRodney Lyles Assistant Rig ManagerJoe Stanford Drilling Superintendent
United StatesRafael Burgos Subsea Projects EngineerNeil Daboul MasterJavier Hernandez Director - TaxJessie Jordan Operations ManagerShannon Knapp Training Management SupervisorCurtis Laskowski MasterMichael Leahy MasterSpanky McGehee Director, Simulator and Technical Training ProgramsJimmy Mouton Assistant Rig ManagerHolli Perdue Claims AdjusterJohn Schieferstein MasterChristopher Sharpley Rig ManagerAdam Sokol MasterRyan Tasma Assistant Rig ManagerJames Walden MasterAaron Zaidel Drilling Superintendent
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Harnessing the Potential of Noble’s NEXT Generation Workforce
At Noble, we believe that a key ingredient to our success is our ability to plan. From
our shipyard projects to end of well maintenance planning is essential, and that is particularly true for managing the incredible talent and significant potential of our industry-leading team members. With this in mind, Noble has taken steps to improve its employee performance evaluation process.
The process, which went live on June 1, captures performance measurement, feedback, progress, and goal setting, but most importantly, helps ensure success for every team member. The process was designed to be completed both onshore and offshore and will help employees see how their role and expected contributions fit within the bigger picture of the organization.
“Assessments, when done candidly, fairly, and constructively, are important to both Noble and our team members,” says Tom Madden, Noble’s Vice President & General Manager of Administration. “It has been my experience that people at all levels of an organization actually like to know how they’re doing. They want and need meaningful feedback. It can also give an employee time to course-correct, if needed, to improve performance and support individual career growth and development. I think the changes we have made clearly support that goal.”
Based on feedback from the most recent Worldwide Rig Management Meetings, as well as a survey of select supervisors and employees on the 2014 performance review process, a number of key improvements were included in the review process for the current year.
“Simplicity was the goal,” notes Brian Woodward, Noble’s Global Operations Manager. “We simplified the evaluation process dramatically, such as reducing the key attributes section by nearly 50 percent. We also streamlined the approval process into five basic steps so managers, supervisors, and employees can concentrate on the performance appraisal itself instead of the procedural aspects. Now supervisors have more time to focus on what really matters – having an honest conversation about what is going well, what can be improved, and what development is required for employees to reach their goals.”
“What we heard from our team members both onshore & offshore was that they needed a review program that focused on both current performance and improvement opportunities – but in a simple to use format,” says Jessie Jordan, Operations Manager.
“In the end, career growth is each individual’s own responsibility. What we want our managers & supervisors to do is to develop a trusting relationship where they can offer feedback and ensure that our team members know their contribution is valued and how they can make the most of the opportunities they have here at Noble. I believe the new performance review is a great step in that direction.”
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RIG UPDATESRigs head to the
Black Sea and Arctic
NOBLE NEWSWinning
performance from around the world
Years without a Lost-Time Incident
18 years Noble Max Smith
13 years Noble Homer Ferrington
Noble David Tinsley
9 years Noble Jim Thompson
8 years Noble Roger Lewis
Noble Danny Adkins
6 years Noble Hans Deul
5 years Noble Discoverer
Noble Joe Beall
4 years Noble Charles Copeland
3 years Noble Scott Marks
Noble Globetrotter II
2 years Noble Paul Romano
Noble Don TaylorNoble Gene HouseNoble Bully II
1 year Noble Regina Allen
Noble Sam TurnerNoble Amos RunnerNoble Bob DouglasNoble Houston ColbertNoble Jim DayNoble Sam CroftNoble Alan HayNoble Mick O’Brien
Hooked on Safety
Practicing a consistent technique of quartering upstream and getting a natural drift contributes to success in fly fishing. In much the same way, working safely is a function of consistently performing all the steps to safe operations to yield the catch of another day worked safely. Congratulations to the following rigs for consistent safety performance.
Plan your work, work your plan.
Plan: Categorize your lift and carefully plan each element of the job being done. Lift safe.
NO TIMEfor downtime in
Supply Chain
RIGGING &LIFTING Know the lift types
LISTEN UP!Safety message
in a song 20 Work Safe...Live Safe Beating the Heat
24 Noble Efforts Community Support & Scholarships
26 Technology Desk Preventing Hacker Attacks
28 Ethics Azimuth Beyond Tone from the Top
31 Noble Recognition Employee Promotions & Harnessing Workforce Potential
Summer 2015
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The Noble LINK is published by and for the employees of Noble Corporation and its subsidiaries and for our clients and friends. Comments regarding the Noble LINK should be directed to:
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