The 2nd International IEF Symposium on Human Resource Management in the Energy Industry
Manama, Bahrain
Under the Patronage of the Minister of Oil of the State of Bahrain HE Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the International Energy Forum convened the 2nd Symposium on Human Resource Management in the Energy Industry in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation, and the National Oil and Gas Authority of the Kingdom of Bahrain, with the support of the Institute for Energy and Finance, Tamkeen, and the Boston Consulting Group as IEF Knowledge Partner, in Manama, The Kingdom of Bahrain on 17-18 May 2017.
The Minister of Oil of the State of Bahrain HE Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the Secretary General of the International Energy Forum HE Dr Sun Xiansheng and the Special Representative of the Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation HE Alexander Novak, the Director of the Department of Public Service Management (HR) and mobilization preparation of the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation, Mr Vladimir Smirnov, presided over the Symposium proceedings.
Mindful of the many changes that have taken place since the State of Qatar hosted the 1st IEF Symposium on Human Resource Management in Doha on the implications of the petroleum crunch of 2009, the cyclical nature of the energy industry, and the long-term transformations taking place in respect of energy transition, digitisation and labour market dynamics, participants discussed the implications of a new market environment and energy transition for human resource management in the energy industry.
Delegates acknowledged that global energy security and industry performance will continue to depend on how human resource management navigates both cyclical and irreversible transformational trends occurring in the energy industry and wider global economic system. Sessions focused on:
- Historical trends, key challenges and their interrelations moving forward.
- Implications of the new physical energy market environment.
- Impact of energy transition on human resource management, and
- Identification of options and solutions
The 2nd International IEF Symposium on Human Resource Management in the Energy Industry: Implications of a New Market Environment and Energy Transition
Opening Session | Welcome and Opening Statements
- HE Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Oil, Bahrain
- HE Sun Xiansheng, Secretary General, International Energy Forum
- Mr Vladimir Smirnov, Special Representative of the Minister, Director of Department of Public Service Management (HR) and mobilization preparation, Ministry of Energy, Russian Federation.
Session 1 | Setting the Scene - revisiting history, identifying key challenges and their interrelations looking forward
What has changed since the IEF Symposium in Doha discussed tackling the human resources crunch in the petroleum sector in 2009?
- The impact of industry cycles on human resources
- How will the energy transition impact future talent acquisition?
- What is the role of human resource management in shaping corporate strategy?
- How are human resources managed as an investment for a sustainable future?
- How can gender equality be improved in the energy industry?
Session moderator: Mr Ivan Marten, Senior Partner and Managing Director, Boston Consulting Group
Speakers
- Mr Georgiy Simonyan, Deputy Director General, Gazprom Export, Russia
- Mr Ahmed M. El-Toukhy, Middle East and Asia HR Manager, Schlumberger
- Mrs Reem A. Al-Ghanim, Division Head Women Development & Diversity Management & Professional Development Department, Saudi Aramco
- Mr Mohammed Hussain, Manager – Learning and Development, BAPCO, Bahrain
- Mr Vladimir Smirnov, Director of Department of Public Service Management (HR) and mobilization preparation, Ministry of Energy, Russian Federation
Session 2 | Implications of the new physical energy market environment
In response to a lower price environment, challenges from new entrants, and greater consensus on the need for an energy transition, the industry has been forced to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and explore new business models. Uncertainties in this new environment go beyond the traditional boom-bust cycle creating new challenges and opportunities in human resource management. As the industry adjusts to this new reality, how does human resource management contribute to shaping our energy future?
- How does human resource management contribute to improving the efficiency of the industry and overall energy sector performance?
- What are the best practices in managing human resources in a naturally cyclical industry?
- How adequate is the engagement of the oil and gas sector in capacity building and the reskilling of human resources?
- How is talent replenished in an increasingly fluid human resource market?
Keynote Speech: Mr Simon Ashley, VP HR IST, BP Oil International Limited
Session moderator: Mr Jassim Isa Al Shirawi, General Manager, Oil and Gas Affairs, National Oil and Gas Authority, Bahrain
Speakers
- Ms Natalia Erpsher, Head for Organizational Development, Department of Personnel Policy and Organizational Development, Rosseti, Russia
- Mr Yusuf Fakhro, Human Resource Manager, Gulf Petrochemical Industries (GPIC), Bahrain
- Ms Rajia Baqer Hussain, Director - Human Resources, Energy and Water Agency, Bahrain
- Mr Li Xihong, Chief Representative, Sinopec, Saudi Arabia
Session 3 | Impact of Energy Transition on Human Resource Management
The world’s leaders have determined the need to transition towards a lower carbon future. This transition impacts the regulatory environment, industry image and public perceptions. How can the industry attract, retain and nurture talent in highly competitive markets faced with increasingly complex and fluid policy environments and manage the risk and opportunities of new technologies to its advantage?
- How can the oil and gas sector best tackle competition for talent within and beyond the energy industry?
- How does the public perception of the energy sector impact talent acquisition?
Keynote Speech: Mr Ren Yicun, Deputy Director General Human Resources, CNPC
Session moderator: Ms Svetlana Epikhina, Member of the Council for Professional Qualifications in the field of personnel management, Russia
Speakers
- Ms Valentina Mitrofanova, Deputy Chairman of the Professional Qualifications Council in Human Resources Management under the President of the Russian Federation. Head of the Group of Professional Standards, Russia
- Mr Faisal Al-Qanass, Director, Human Resources Business Partnering Corporate HR, SABIC
- Mr Vivek Sharma, Director and Lead, Oil & Gas People Advisory Services MENA, Ernst and Young
Session 4 | Concluding Session: Options and Solutions
Considering the challenges and opportunities discussed in foregoing sessions, what options can be pursued to attract and retain the needed human resources skills in view of the cyclic industry developments addressed in Session 2, and energy in transition policies addressed in Session 3.
- How can the industry meet millennial’s expectations for career development?
- What are the best practices in engaging academia to attract young talent for the energy sector?
- How can industry, government, and academia work together to provide innovative training programmes for the energy sector of the future?
- What lessons can be drawn from country experiences with in country value/ local content requirements?
Session moderator: Dr Sun Xiansheng, Secretary General, International Energy Forum
Speakers
- Ms Marwa Al Saad, Head of Training and Development, Tatweer Oil Company, Bahrain
- Ms Tamara Solovykh, Deputy Director, Personal Department, Rosneft, Russia
- Mr Alexander Belousov, Director, Energy Institute of the Belgorod State Technological University named after V. G. Shoukhov (BSTU), Russia
Roundtable Discussion and Closing Remarks | Session moderators
- Mr Jassim Isa Al Shirawi, General Manager, Oil and Gas Affairs, National Oil and Gas Authority, Bahrain
- Mr Ivan Marten, Senior Partner and Managing Director, Boston Consulting Group
- Ms Svetlana Epikhina, Member of the Council for Professional Qualifications in the field of personnel management, Russia
- Dr Sun Xiansheng, Secretary General, International Energy Forum
Previous International IEF HR Symposiums
- International IEF Symposium
13-14 April 2009, Doha, Qatar
