Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Disclosure of Conflict of Interest: Mr. Jim Crompton
In accordance with Section 15 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the "Academy shall make its best efforts to ensure that no individual appointed to serve on [a] committee has a conflict of interest that is relevant to the functions to be performed, unless such conflict is promptly and publicly disclosed and the Academy determines that the conflict is unavoidable." A conflict of interest refers to an interest, ordinarily financial, of an individual that could be directly affected by the work of the committee. As specified in the Academy's policy and procedures (http://www.nationalacademies.org/coi/index.html), an objective determination is made for each provisionally appointed committee member whether or not a conflict of interest exists given the facts of the individual's financial and other interests and the task being undertaken by the committee. A determination of a conflict of interest for an individual is not an assessment of that individual's actual behavior or character or ability to act objectively despite the conflicting interest.
We have concluded that for this committee to accomplish the tasks for which it was established, its membership must include among others, individuals with extensive knowledge of and practical experience with the current use of real-time monitoring technologies in the oil and gas sector.
To meet the need for this knowledge and experience, Mr. Jim Crompton is proposed for appointment to the committee even though we have concluded that he has a conflict of interest because of his current position with a consulting firm with clients in the area of oil and gas industry and investments with a major oil and gas company that have a value in excess of $10,000.
Jim Crompton is the Managing Director of Reflections Data Consulting, LLC, is an independent consultant for Noah Consulting, LLC, and was a leader in Chevron’s effort to modernize the oil field using digital technologies—a project he worked on for over a decade in collaboration with the Center for Interactive Smart Oil Field at the University of Southern California. Mr. Crompton has extensive current practical expertise and experience with the use of real-time monitoring technologies in exploration and production operations. We believe that Mr. Crompton can serve effectively as a member of the committee and that the committee can produce an objective report, taking into account the composition of the committee, the work to be performed, and the procedures to be followed in completing the work.
After an extensive search, we have been unable to find another individual with the equivalent combination of current practical experience with and specialized knowledge of real-time monitoring technologies as Mr. Crompton who does not have a similar conflict of interest. Therefore, we have concluded that this potential conflict is unavoidable.




Disclosure of Conflict of Interest: Wayne Hale, Jr
In accordance with Section 15 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the "Academy shall make its best efforts to ensure that no individual appointed to serve on [a] committee has a conflict of interest that is relevant to the functions to be performed, unless such conflict is promptly and publicly disclosed and the Academy determines that the conflict is unavoidable." A conflict of interest refers to an interest, ordinarily financial, of an individual that could be directly affected by the work of the committee. As specified in the Academy's policy and procedures (http://www.nationalacademies.org/coi/index.html), an objective determination is made for each provisionally appointed committee member whether or not a conflict of interest exists given the facts of the individual's financial and other interests and the task being undertaken by the committee. A determination of a conflict of interest for an individual is not an assessment of that individual's actual behavior or character or ability to act objectively despite the conflicting interest.
We have concluded that for this committee to accomplish the tasks for which it was established, its membership must include among others, individuals with extensive expertise and current practical experience with cutting-edge technology in remote monitoring and control operations in a variety of hazardous applications, including offshore oil and gas exploration and production.
To meet the need for this expertise and experience, Mr. Hale is proposed for appointment to the committee even though we have concluded that he has a conflict of interest because of his senior position with a consulting firm with clients in the energy sector.
Wayne Hale, Jr. has extensive expertise and experience with remote command and control operations and with safety, management, culture change, and operations in high risk environments based on his more than 32 year career with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and his current position as the Director of Energy Services, Special Aerospace Services, which provides expertise and technical consulting and analysis services related to remote monitoring and control operations.
We believe that Mr. Hale can serve effectively as a member of the committee and that the committee can produce an objective report, taking into account the composition of the committee, the work to be performed, and the procedures to be followed in completing the work.
After an extensive search, we have been unable to find another individual with the equivalent combination of current practical experience and expertise in cutting-edge technology safety, management, and operations in high risk environments as does Mr. Hale who does not have a similar conflict of interest. Therefore, we have concluded that this potential conflict is unavoidable.

Committee Membership Roster Comments