What do you do if your oil and gas team is facing a crisis?

1 Identify the problem

The first step in any crisis management is to identify the nature, scope, and severity of the problem. You need to gather accurate and reliable information from various sources, such as field operators, engineers, analysts, regulators, and media. You also need to verify the facts and avoid jumping to conclusions or spreading rumors. You should assign a crisis leader who can coordinate the communication and decision-making process among the stakeholders and the team members.

2 Communicate effectively

The second step is to communicate effectively with your internal and external audiences. You need to inform them about the situation, the actions you are taking, and the expected results. You should also address their concerns and questions, and provide regular updates and feedback. You need to use clear, concise, and consistent messages that are tailored to each audience and channel. You should also be honest, transparent, and accountable for your actions and mistakes.

3 Collaborate with others

The third step is to collaborate with others who can help you resolve the crisis. You need to establish a crisis team that includes representatives from different functions, departments, and locations. You should also consult with experts, advisors, and partners who can provide technical, legal, or financial support. You should also cooperate with authorities, regulators, and media who can influence the public perception and the regulatory environment. You should also engage with your customers, suppliers, and communities who can be affected by the crisis.

4 Implement solutions

The fourth step is to implement solutions that can mitigate the impact and restore the normal operations. You need to evaluate the available options and choose the best one based on the criteria of feasibility, effectiveness, and sustainability. You should also monitor the progress and the outcomes of the solutions, and adjust them as needed. You should also document the lessons learned and the best practices from the crisis, and use them to improve your processes and policies.

5 Prepare for contingencies

The fifth step is to prepare for contingencies that can arise from the crisis or prevent future crises. You need to identify the potential risks and scenarios that can affect your operations, and develop plans and protocols to deal with them. You should also train your team members and test your plans regularly to ensure their readiness and responsiveness. You should also allocate resources and create backups for your critical assets and functions.

6 Support your team

The sixth step is to support your team during and after the crisis. You need to acknowledge their efforts and achievements, and provide them with recognition and rewards. You should also address their emotional and physical well-being, and offer them counseling and assistance. You should also foster a culture of trust, collaboration, and learning among your team members, and encourage them to share their feedback and suggestions.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?