OE supports best MSc paper competition

The Aberdeen, Highlands & Islands branch of the Energy Institute (EI) is hosting its annual MSc Student Best Paper competition for postgraduate students in Aberdeen later this month, with support from OE (Offshore Engineer).

The event is organised by the EI branch to celebrate this year's best thesis papers from MSc students studying energy-related topics at Robert Gordon University (RGU) and the University of Aberdeen (UoA).

From a field of over 900 eligible MSc graduates, six have been shortlisted by the two universities and they will present their thesis to a senior industry panel of judges specially chosen by the EI. The winner will be presented with a limited edition copy of OE's oilfield themed MONOPOLY game by European editor Elaine Maslin. 

The three shortlisted students chosen to represent UoA are:-

  • Anthimos Pavlidis (MSc Subsea Engineering with Distinction)
  • Andrea Reischl (MSc (Econ) in Petroleum, Energy Economics & Finance with Distinction)
  • Kirsten Grieve (MSc Oil & Gas Engineering with Distinction)

From RGU the three selected students are:-

  • Sarah Strachan (MSc Oil & Gas Engineering with Distinction)
  • Lucy Obwogo (MSc Petroleum Production Engineering with Distinction)
  • Michael Groarke (MSc Drilling & Well Engineering with Distinction)

The judging panel comprises:- 

  • Dave Stewart - Chief Executive Officer, WoodGroupPSN 
  • Ray Riddoch - UK Managing Director & SVP Europe, Nexen Petroleum UK 
  • Rob Bain - Managing Director, Paradigm Flow Services  
  • Geoff Holmes - Chairman, Fourphase 
  • Steve Kew - Chief Operating Officer, Xcite Energy
  • Stuart McLeod - Managing Director, Delphian Ballistics
  • Ruud Zoon - Managing Director, GDF Suez E&P (UK) (part of the ENGIE Group)
  • Steve Jewell - Independent Consultant, Selgovia 
  • Jon Oliver Bryce - Chief Executive Office, Awilco Drilling 

Nigel Bradburn FEI, branch chairman said: ”This event is held to bring together industry and academia, showcasing the latest research and thinking from MSc students and offering them a chance to present to and network with key industry figures. 

“We are very fortunate to have such a high quality shortlist of students and it is a real privilege to listen to some of the brightest young minds destined to enter our industry.  We need to give them support and encouragement during what are difficult times for the sector and demonstrate that it offers a long-term career path.

“Once again, we have attracted a very high profile panel of CEOs, MDs and senior management spanning various aspects of the upstream sector.  We are extremely grateful they have taken time out of their schedules to judge this fantastic competition and we are indebted this year to WoodGroupPSN for kindly hosting the event at their Altens facility.” 

Professor Jim Anderson of Aberdeen University’s School of Engineering said: "The Energy Institute competition is an exciting event for staff and students at the University of Aberdeen and a great opportunity for selected students to showcase their dissertation work to a distinguished panel of industry representatives. We have an extensive range of energy-based MSc programmes that attract talented students whose work is of a consistently high standard, and this always presents a challenge when it comes to the selection of candidates for the competition.  Nonetheless this remains a great opportunity to showcase the quality of our students as well as the high quality and relevant research undertaken at the University to key decision makers.”

Dr Mohamed Amish, Oil and Gas Engineering Programme Leader, Senior Lecturer at RGU’s School of Engineering, said: “The Energy Institute MSc Student Best Paper competition is an exciting academic collaboration with our industrial partners. This is a part of our continuous support to students and our commitment for the professional development of future bright young engineers.”

Dave Stewart, CEO of hosts WoodGroupPSN said: “Wood Group is committed to supporting and developing new talent for the oil and gas industry. We are delighted to sponsor this year’s EI competition, which represents an opportunity for the next generation of bright young minds to share their innovative and inspiring ideas. We wish the shortlisted students all the best in the competition.”

The event will be held on Tuesday 24 November at WoodGroupPSN's Trafalgar House offices in Altens, Aberdeen.  It is free to attend and starts at 6pm.  Pre-booking is required via the EI website at  MSc student best paper competition

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