What it means to take energy forward?

At the end of August, we launched our 2019 corporate responsibility report highlighting how Baker Hughes is focusing on making energy safer, cleaner and more efficient for people and the planet – hence taking it forward. This is aligned to our customers’ vision in the region and we’re working with them hand in hand to drive and achieve this vision with a focus on three main pillars: planet, people and principles. Our strategy is focused on leading with our technology and resilience, while creating an inclusive workplace.

Planet

We’re reaffirming our commitment to net-zero emissions. We reported 31% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions, versus the 2012 baseline; and 14.5% of our electricity consumption comes from renewable sources. As an energy technology company, we’re leading the energy transition by developing new tools and technologies for carbon life-cycle assessments. In 2019 we invested $678M in research and development and were granted 2,700 patents; some of our most promising research areas include carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS), hydrogen, energy storage, artificial intelligence, and additive manufacturing. Most of these R&D activities are being localized and supported by our Dhahran Technology Center 4.0 in Saudi Arabia in collaboration with regional clients and academia, with an aim to help collective de-carbonization efforts in the Kingdom.

People

As a company we’re constantly looking at how we can attract, retain and develop talent. Diversity and inclusion are key areas for us and are part of our DNA. Today, 17% of our global workforce is female and 19% of our senior leadership is also female. I’m proud to say that the number of female hires in Saudi Arabia, for example, has increased 70% year over year. We’ve also launched a Digital Hub in our Dhahran Technology Center 4.0, with 100% female hire rate. We have several employee resource groups, such as the Women Network, Enabled and Multicultural, that are active in the region and support different employee groups.  Additionally, we’re constantly looking at how we can support the communities where we operate through charitable and in-kind contributions as well as employee volunteering. Looking at recent examples, in March 2020, Baker Hughes has provided a donation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Health Endowment Fund to combat the spread of COVID-19 and to provide the resources needed to Saudi Arabia’s healthcare workers. Additionally, we’ve leveraged the Baker Hughes Foundation to partner with UNICEF to drive an employee fundraising campaign to support Lebanon after the recent crisis that took place in August 2020. 

Principles

We have clear objectives towards ethics and governance. Compliance has always been and will continue to be a top priority for us. Health, safety and environment are also at the core of how we operate. We have had 354 perfect HSE days in Saudi, North Gulf and East Mediterranean region in 2019. Looking at the recent COVID-19 crisis, our focus has been clear from day one, keeping our employees safe and driving business continuity. We’re working with our customers in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq and beyond, to reduce the risk of the spread and infection, as well as mitigate the impacts to our business operations, our employees and the communities in which we operate. We have leveraged our additive manufacturing capabilities in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, in collaboration with local academia to support front line workers with the required 3D printed PPE to during this pandemic.

Our purpose has always been clear and we’re committed to achieving it. We’re using our talent, technology and resources to drive real change in the energy industry and the world. This is part of our responsibility and I personally commit to helping achieve it.