I'm proud of Halliburton
By KEVIN WILSON
Houston Chronicle
I am a Halliburton general manager in Baghdad, and I work as part of the Restore Iraqi Oil, or RIO, team. In the execution of this mission, I have been constantly astounded and disturbed by the inaccuracies and, what seems to be, blatant media sensationalism about my company's work.
As someone who has been in the petroleum industry for 20 years, I have a common bond, a family relationship, with others in the business. The oil and gas business is much like playing a team sport, and we have a real sense of camaraderie. Our roles vary. We can be on the same team or we might be direct competitors.
Other times, we are on different squads but working side by side for the same client. Because Halliburton and KBR employees work with so many people in the industry worldwide, many of us have received dozens of questions regarding the profits we are generating, quality of our work and other issues related to our integrity.
Halliburton is trusted by our clients and the communities we serve, and I am here to defend that reputation.
I want to communicate one message to all of the people I've personally known in the oil field. Let me unequivocally state the following:
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The statements you have been hearing about supposed wrongdoing or questionable integrity are false.
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When we arrived, the Iraqis were on the verge of a full-scale, countrywide riot because looting had destroyed the infrastructure necessary to supply gas for cooking, fuel for heating, and gasoline for transportation. Also, it is important to remember there was limited electricity.
The Defense Department asked Halliburton to begin purchasing, truck rental, route transportation and distribution of fuel for all of Iraq. All fuels must be treated with TEL (leaded gasoline component), and this must be procured from the few places around the world where it is still used. Then, it is shipped to distribution points.
This was a critical mission, and it was dangerous because of the violence throughout the country. We received the assignment, and were instructed to begin imports immediately. Regular fuel delivery did begin very shortly thereafter, and I believe it prevented or alleviated a national crisis. Our people performed impressively under extraordinary and extreme conditions. This fuel importation has grown in scale and it continues now.
KBR did not ask to be in the fuel shipping business. In fact, we have tried to facilitate local suppliers taking over the mission. However, we have had to keep control of the mission until others prove they are capable of performing the task. Therefore, there have been many delays.
KBR works on a cost-plus basis. There is no mechanism or capacity to price-gouge, as we have read in the newspapers. We have to complete voluminous paperwork, including permissions and proof of a subcontractors' process and delivery. That is all the company makes, a few cents on the dollar. I simply do not understand the people who have accused us of unethical practices.
The Defense Department approved that the fuel be delivered from Kuwait, even though it was at a higher cost than Turkey. It's unfair to accuse Halliburton of paying too much for Kuwaiti fuel when we were told where to buy the fuel and given approval to purchase it from a specific supplier. Those who have made those statements don't have a full knowledge of the facts.
Working for the government means that the process and paperwork must be followed perfectly even under urgent conditions.
The pressure, spotlight, security events and constant changes make this mission daunting.
Halliburton has assisted and facilitated many subcontractors, even some direct competitors, so they could work in Iraq. Many companies have declined to work on current projects in Iraq because of the security risks to people and equipment.
We see high turnover rates, and it is difficult to attract replacement employees. The offer of employee bonuses doesn't work for those who don't want to join our volunteer army. That truly is our role. Like our soldiers, we go to the same hostile places, at the same times, but we do not have tanks or guns. We are grateful to the troops who protect us while we work.
Physically, this is demanding work with long hours. We wear body armor and helmets but you would be amazed how quickly, and without complaint, our employees adapt. This is also true of the "NBC" (nuclear, bio, chem) suits, equipment, nerve gas injectors and training that all of us had to learn, wear and endure.
We try to sleep in the midst of security threats. We worry about our people who are in the field, and we have patched our injured workers. Worst of all, we have escorted bodies back to families, a difficult but honorable duty.
We are the right company to do this work in Iraq supporting our troops and helping rebuild the country.
I am personally proud of the coalition, our nation, our president and our military. I am especially honored to work for Halliburton and to work alongside the many employees who have had many accomplishments against incredible odds.
This article is: chron.com |
