Emergency preparedness
The complex nature of our business means we must be prepared to respond to a range of possible disruptions such as major accidents, political instability or extreme weather. Preventing incidents through good project planning, design, implementation and leadership is our primary objective. If a spill or other unplanned event occurs, we have procedures and processes in place to respond effectively.
The corporate Crisis Management & Emergency Response (CM&ER) team is responsible for maintaining emergency response preparedness on a global scale, providing proactive training, resources and supplemental staffing assistance in the event of an emergency. Additionally, regional teams maintain groups of well-trained response professionals for local incidents. We conduct multiple emergency preparedness trainings and exercises at the global and regional level each year to further enhance our response capabilities while retaining an intense focus on prevention. Thorough investigations of all significant incidents are conducted in partnership with BUs and corporate HSE to understand the root cause and share lessons learned to prevent future incidents.
Preparedness policies
Our corporate Crisis and Emergency Management Plan outlines the framework used to manage our response to significant incidents of all types. A Crisis Communications Functional Support Plan outlines how we will communicate with internal and external stakeholders, including emergency responders, regulatory agencies and community members, should an incident occur. Each business unit maintains emergency response plans specific to each asset’s potential risks. Response plans are available to all employees, contractors and designated suppliers.
We have a comprehensive tiered response framework to efficiently mobilize the appropriate teams in an emergency. A Tier 1 response is fully managed at the business unit level with oversight from the business unit president. If the response exceeds the capabilities of an individual business unit, the Crisis Management Support Team and Global Incident Management Assist Team (GIMAT) will be activated as part of our Tier 2 and Tier 3 response frameworks. During Tier 2 and 3 responses, global leaders including the executive leadership team receive routine updates and provide guidance and oversight to the affected business unit. The Crisis Management Support Team provides functional, strategic and/or tactical support to the affected business unit during a significant incident or crisis. The GIMAT is comprised of subject matter experts from across the company who have undergone extensive emergency response training.
Training and exercise
Each year, we conduct multiple emergency response training events and exercises for our global operations in compliance with company standards and local regulatory requirements, including the U.S. Oil Pollution Act.
Scenario training and exercises provide an opportunity to evaluate incident management systems at various levels throughout the company. Lessons learned and best practices from key exercises are shared within our internal emergency response community and with external response partners and vendors to further enhance capabilities.
In 2023, the corporate CM&ER team conducted four large-scale response exercises. The corporate CM&ER team in conjunction with the Norway BU and the Information Technology function conducted an exercise designed to test and strengthen our cybersecurity incident response plan, business continuity plan, and optimize collaboration between local staff and corporate teams. Another exercise tested the oil spill response plan at Teesside in the United Kingdom. In Alaska, the Aviation function tested their mass-casualty response plans and practiced establishing a family assistance center. In Canada, a multiday tank fire exercise was conducted with the Alberta Energy Regulator.
24/7 monitoring
Our Crisis Management Notification Process is anchored by a hotline — staffed 24 hours per day, 7 days per week — that allows stakeholders to report emergencies. The number is publicly available and is included in product transport paperwork. If assistance is required, a ConocoPhillips representative will coordinate the activation and/or mobilization of resources as necessary.
