COVER STORY
Introducing the Council MERGING PESA & AESC RESULTS IN A STRONGER SECTOR By Kevin Broom, Energy Workforce & Technology Council
T
he 2021 merger of the Petroleum Equipment & Services Association (PESA) and Association of Energy Services Companies (AESC) was a very welcome development across the sector, given both organization’s long history of leadership in energy services. As Board Co-Chairs Rod Larson, President & CEO, Oceaneering International, and Gay Wathen, Vice President of Mobile Rigs, NOV Inc., reflected, the decision was based on the desire to unify the energy technology services sector and present a stronger advocacy voice.
a shared reputation, whether it’s how we treat safety for our people, how we participate in our communities, how we treat the environment. It’s important for us to make sure we’re all successful in that regard.”
A MERGER OF EQUALS
The co-chairs see several advantages from the merger, including expanded geographical reach and complementary areas of expertise — PESA’s advocacy, workforce development and work on energy transition, ESG, and diversity and inclusion marry well with AESC’s focus on health, safety and strong relationships with regulatory agencies. “Safety doesn’t just happen,” Wathen said. “It’s the result of diligent effort from companies across the industry and our alliance with OSHA, where we invite them to our rigs so they can see operations and provide feedback before issues become a problem.” “PESA’s government affairs team had significant Washington influence and that carries over to the Council,” Larson said. “AESC brings great mobile representation of the core of ESG in local communities, and the “A unified sector has always been important,” Larchapters where local managers can son said. “As a representative of the jump in on things and get involved. industry, I think local, state and federal “We’re going to need The two organizations zippered up governments need to understand their together very well.” constituents are really engaged in a energy. We have As the world proceeds in its quest positive way — providing jobs, giving a growing middle for cleaner and lower carbon energy back and being critical parts of the solutions, it’s imperative for compalocal community.” class around the nies to take ESG seriously to position Telling that story helps position the world, and they’re their companies in the marketplace industry for long-term prosperity, even and document progress, they said. It’s in a time of transformation. going to want more also critical for attracting capital. “Our industry is so much about relaenergy and a better “A year ago, John Daniel (Dantionships,” Wathen said. “When we all iel Energy Partners) told us about a come together for the same purpose, standard of living. time when he was in London with an it makes us stronger. It gives us a We can’t tell them investment banker,” Wathen said. cohesive ability to fight for the things “He asked the banker to define the we believe in.” that they’re going to criteria to invest in a company, and a While many companies are fierce have to wait.” primary factor was, does the company competitors in the marketplace, Larson and Wathen agreed it’s necessary — Rod Larson have an ESG rating? If there was no ESG rating, then the company would for the sector to work cooperatively not be considered for an investment on issues of common concern to imopportunity.” prove and elevate the industry. “So many companies are doing “The general public doesn’t think of good things,” Larson said. “They need to tell the story to us as being one company or another,” Larson said. “It’s 6
Well Servicing Magazine/July 2021
