Risk Management at ExxonMobil, by Patricia Sparrell at ARC World Industry Forum 2013

Risk Management at ExxonMobil, by ExxonMobil's Patricia Sparell at ARC World Industry Forum 2013.
Risk Management at ExxonMobil
Keynote speaker, Patricia Sparrell, Department Manager, Automation, Optimization & Global Support at ExxonMobil Research and Engineering, explained the company's approach to risk management.
"Breakthrough technology is all very exciting," Patricia agreed, "but at the same time, we all have a lot of installed technology that we have to keep running safely and efficiently. ExxonMobil is one of the few companies that is still fully integrated, from upstream exploration and production, to downstream refining, chemical production, and marketing. We feel that this provides us with a competitive advantage and risk management is fundamental to this."
Patricia explained how the company's management systems have evolved for continuous improvement, starting with a focus on facilities and engineering starting in the 1960s; safety, security, health, and environment (SSH&E) programs, procedures, and practices starting in the 1970s; and SSH&E management systems starting in the 1980s. According to Patricia, "Prior to implementing the management systems, we were missing the hearts and minds of our employees in our efforts to manage SSH&E-related risks."
The company's management systems, based on continuous improvement principles, provides structure, a disciplined approach, and a platform for sustainability and continuous improvement. The risk management policies are defined within ExxonMobil's Operations Integrity Management System (OIMS). According to Patricia, OIMS provides a structured, systematic corporate-wide commitment and complies with international standards for occupational safety, health, and environmental systems. The goal is to achieve safe and environmentally responsible operations and compliance with all SSH&E laws and regulations.
General Sessions Tuesday