IMIST has been developed by the oil-and-gas training-standards body OPITO and is delivered in partnership with Atlas via eLearning. Tailored to meet each region's specific workforce, language, and geographic needs, the course assesses basic safety knowledge in nine subject areas. It thus helps the offshore industry meet regulatory compliance obligations and produces a safer workforce and workplace.

The three newly added regions are becoming key areas in the oil and gas industry. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), Vietnam ranks third in the Asia-Pacific region in proven oil reserves, with the country's oil production set to rise by around 50,000 barrels per day within the next two years. Indonesia is a leading exporter of both coal and natural gas, with the EIA stating the natural gas production in the region has increased by more than a quarter since 2005.


According to Oil & Gas Thailand expo 2012, the only specialised event in the region, Thailand's Map Ta Phut industrial complex has grown into one of the world's biggest petrochemical hubs, housing all the main refineries.

The addition of three new languages to the IMIST programme will further ensure the estimated 1.5 million workers employed in exploration and production activities across the world are trained to the same standard throughout the industry, as well as helping improve competency in South East Asia.

With many of the industry's largest organisations investing heavily in a region with excellent natural resources and renewable energy potential, it's of key importance that one industry standard is set for everyone.

John Rowley, CEO of Atlas said, "Southeast Asia is a fast growing energy market with an abundance of natural resources currently being explored. The translation of the IMIST initiative into Vietnamese, Thai, and Indonesian will support the workers and help improve competency in the region."

"We want to reach as many people as we can with IMIST to improve basic safety knowledge. The goal is not only new workers but also experienced people in the industry. We seek to ensure that no matter where they are in the world, workers can be sure that their colleagues are trained to the same level."

"As IMIST continues to be translated into new languages and rolled out in more countries, the oil and gas industry can strive upon the highest standard of safety and competency."

Originally developed for the English speaking market, IMIST has been translated into Hindi, Arabic, Bahasa Malay, French and now Vietnamese, Thai and Indonesian.

Having recently been adopted by LUKOIL, one of the biggest Russian oil business groups, IMIST is to be rolled out to its E&P workers in Iraq with the goal of ensuring the highest safety standards in the country.