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bp at Offshore Technology Conference: agility and partnerships crucial to net zero transition

Release date:
25 August 2021
A marked change in tone and topics at this year's Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), contrasted with the last time we gathered in 2019, captured the industry's shift in focus toward emissions reductions and a net zero future
Rob Kelly speaks at a podium at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston
Kim Krieger speaks on a webcast with two other individuals at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston
Sarah Hill speaks at a podium at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston
Rob Kelly speaks at a podium at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston
Kim Krieger speaks on a webcast with two other individuals at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston
Sarah Hill speaks at a podium at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston

bp’s three keynote speakers each tackled topics related to our goal of reaching net zero emissions, sharing how we’re working towards that goal by building a more sustainable supply chain, strengthening partnerships, and using technology to reimagine energy. These keynotes included: 

  • VP Digital Production and Products, Rob Kelly
  • VP Operations bpx energy, Kim Krieger
  • GoM & Canada Senior Manager Procurement, Sarah Hill

Our leaders were excited to share our ramped-up investments in renewable energy with the help of partnerships with Equinor, Lightsource bp, CleanEnergy, Amazon, and more. They all noted the role oil and gas will play in this transition to meet consumers’ needs and, importantly, fund the shift to cleaner fuels.

 

Rob Kelly spoke directly to workers in the energy industry discussing his own experience working with bp and explaining how employees can help companies reach net zero.  

 

“Many of you out there are wondering how you fit into the energy transition. The answer is by using the skills you’ve learned throughout your career and the most important is an agile mindset."

 

Rob Kelly, VP Digital Production and Products

 

Kim Krieger, in a joint session with OTC and the NAPE Summit, discussed ‘Synergy in Energy’ outlining bp’s partnership with Equinor and how bp is creating more efficiencies in our US oil and gas portfolio to bring down emissions.   

 

“The world has a finite carbon budget and this is an opportunity for us to take the lead."

 

Kim Krieger, VP Operations bpx

 

Kim Krieger and the bpx team are committed to zero routine flaring by 2025 and already invested more than $300 million to help meet this target.

 

Sarah Hill, in ‘The Journey to Net Zero Emissions: Challenges and Actors,’ explored bp’s work in low carbon electricity and our efforts to partner with countries, cities, and industries on the path to net zero.  

 

“We will put sustainability at the heart of everything we do; this is the most exciting time to work here.”

 

Sarah Hill, GoM & Canada Senior Manager Procurement  

 

Sarah Hill and her team finalized a partnership with the City of Houston to invest $2 million in the city’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) as well as provide technical assistance. 


Other bp representatives participated in panels on a variety of topics including the importance of diversity and inclusion, advancing offshore wind technology, and challenges with COVID-19. Among those panels, bp paved the way to launch a supplier diversity session in 2019 to discuss how inclusion can help shape a low carbon future and, now in its second year, the event continued to gain popularity. The panelists from bp were:

  • VP Low Carbon Energy, Nastassja Hagan
  • VP Production, Lori Knutson
  • Senior Director Workforce Diversity and Inclusion, Tamara Page
  • Senior Relationship Manager, RC&S, Jane Stricker
  • Business Development Manager, Jonathan Lee 

About OTC

 

Houston’s OTC is one of the largest industry conferences in the world focusing on the development of offshore resources and related technologies. With COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s conference was different than most, but our representatives made the most of the hybrid event by wearing masks, social distancing, and presenting virtually when possible.