Following the launch during last month’s Offshore Europe, entries have opened Thursday, 1 October, for the 2016 Offshore Achievement Awards, sponsored by TAQA.
Supported by Offshore Engineer (OE), the annual awards are organized and hosted by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Aberdeen Section and recognize exceptional performance across a range of categories.
In addition to some familiar categories, such as Great Large and Great Small Company, Young Professional, Emerging Technology and Safety Innovations, for 2016 the awards will also include Environmental Innovation, Collaboration, Outstanding Skills Development Programme, Above and Beyond and Significant Contribution. This year, the Significant Contribution category is open not only to individuals, but also companies and projects which have made a significant impact on the offshore industry.
These additional categories represent an evolution of categories from previous years, and aim to give a wider range of businesses and individuals the opportunity to be acknowledged for their outstanding work in the offshore oil and gas and renewable energy sectors.
Ian Phillips, chief executive of the Oil and Gas Innovation Centre and the SPE Aberdeen board member responsible for the OAAs, said: “For the past thirty years the OAAs have celebrated all that is great about the offshore industry. Despite a difficult year for many companies and individuals, there are still some great success stories to be heard and the Offshore Achievement Awards is one of the industry’s most prestigious forums in which to share them. Celebrating success serves as an inspiration to many, and recognises the innovation, the teamwork and the determination within our industry.
“In the 30th year of the awards, SPE Aberdeen and the OAA judges are looking forward to finding out more about achievements over the last 12 months and we are particularly keen to identify the person, company or project which has made the most significant contribution to the offshore energy industry over the last thirty years. We are aware that there is much to celebrate in the UK’s world-leading offshore renewables sector. These successes will be given the same priority as those within oil and gas, and we encourage those working within renewable energy to apply.”
In addition to the renowned awards ceremony, the OAAs enables SPE to support a number of community and industry initiatives to inspire the next generation, and develop the skills required for the future offshore workforce. Workshops for young people, practical learning techniques for teachers, CV and mentoring programmes and thousands of pounds for student bursaries annually are just some of the initiatives that SPE Aberdeen and the OAAs help to support throughout the year. During this year’s Offshore Europe, groups of school age pupils were spoken to by senior industry figures and given a guided tour of the exhibition, designed to teach them more about the industry and potential career paths.
Pete Jones, managing director at TAQA commented: “It is critical that as an industry we continue to support the great initiatives that the SPE funds. Its work to nurture interest in science, technology, engineering and maths in young people is key to why we continue to support the OAAs. Despite the current challenges in the industry, it is vital to concentrate on the positives, highlighting and celebrating success. It is the individuals and companies pushing themselves to achieve the very best who are the future of our industry, and it is essential that as an industry, we continue to provide great opportunities for the next generation.”
The 2015 ceremony saw more than 500 industry professionals in attendance and winners included Maersk Oil, which won last year’s Outstanding Graduate Programme award. Gordon Ballard was recognised for his Significant Contribution to the offshore industry, whilst Murray Kerr of SengS Subsea was presented with the Young Professional accolade.
Shankar Bhukya, SPE Aberdeen Chairman, said: “The Offshore Achievement Awards are regarded as the most prestigious in the oil and gas calendar, and the competition continues to grow year after year. After a difficult 12 months for the industry, it is vital that we continue to acknowledge the individuals and companies who have significantly contributed to the sector, and shaped it into the ground breaking industry that it is today.
“Collaboration and innovation is key to continuing the growth and sustainability of the North Sea, and I look forward to hearing the success stories on the night.”
Entries from UK-registered companies operating within the renewables or the oil and gas industry are now open.
The 2016 Offshore Achievement Awards categories are:
• Emerging Technology
• Innovator
• Safety Innovations
• Environmental Innovation
• Export Achievement
• Collaboration
• Skills Development Programme
• Young Professional
• Above and Beyond
• Great Small Company
• Great Large Company
• Significant Contribution
The awards are open for entries until Tuesday, 1 December 2015, with the black tie ceremony taking place at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre on Thursday, 17 March, 2016. For further information and entry criteria, please visit www.spe-oaa.org.
Image: SPE ran a number of schools initiatives during this year’s Offshore Europe. Pictured second right is Elliot Kinch, Co-Chair of SPE Aberdeen Section Schools Career Guidance Committee.
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