Offshore Achievement Awards 2016 open for entries

The 2016 Offshore Achievement Awards (OAAs), organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Aberdeen Section, this time with new categories, has been launched.

The awards were launched at this year’s Offshore Europe exhibition in Aberdeen, during which the SPE ran workshops for schools to teach them more about the oil and gas industry and the career options available.

According to the SPE, the new categories were added to give more businesses and individuals the opportunity to be recognised for their work.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the awards since their inception by Scottish Enterprise. In 2011, the SPE Aberdeen Section re-launched the awards, which are now open to both oil and gas and renewables companies.

The SPE explains that the new categories include Environmental Innovation, which focuses on technologies or systems that have reduced the industry’s environmental impact, and Collaboration, which recognises multiple companies or inter-company teams effectively working together on a project, or those collaborating closely with the community on CSR initiatives.

The Outstanding Skills Development Programme Award will recognise companies bringing new talent to the industry, the SPE says, giving an example of entering the industry through graduate schemes, apprenticeships or military conversion programmes. On an individual level, Above and Beyond has been introduced and is open to any individual who goes beyond their daily role to contribute to their company or the industry in general, SPE says.

Furthermore, in recognition of the 30th anniversary of the awards, Significant Contribution is open, not only to individuals, but also to the companies or projects which have demonstrated the most significant professional contribution to the offshore energy industry.

Ian Phillips, chief executive of the Oil and Gas Innovation Centre and the SPE Aberdeen board member responsible for the OAAs, said: “Collaboration, innovation and making efficiencies are focal areas for the UK oil and gas industry in the current climate, and the OAAs recognise companies and individuals developing new ideas, initiatives and ways of working which will ensure the long-term future of the industry.”

“Despite a troubled year for the oil and gas sector, there are still many success stories to be heard and the Offshore Achievement Awards is the premier forum in which to share these. Likewise, there is much to celebrate in the UK’s world-leading offshore renewables sector and these successes will be given the same priority as those within oil and gas.”

“SPE Aberdeen is committed to inspiring and investing in the next generation – of people and of technology – and the OAAs is an excellent way to share ideas and spark an interest in the leaders of tomorrow.”

Aker Solutions has supported the Offshore Achievement Awards since the relaunch and is sponsoring the 2016 Significant Contribution award.

Matt Corbin, managing director of Aker Solutions’ UK Subsea Business, commented: “We all have a responsibility to the next generation, as well as to the companies we work for, to find ways to build the oil and gas workforce of tomorrow.”

“As an industry, we have to attract, nurture and develop talent at the earliest stages. Aker Solutions works hard to ensure we have that steady pipeline of talent through our graduate and apprentice schemes as well as schools engagement programmes. In supporting the Offshore Achievement Awards, we are supporting SPE Aberdeen with its efforts to interest and attract the workforce of tomorrow, and celebrating those companies who share our philosophy and are making a real contribution to the industry today, and for tomorrow.”

Entries from UK-registered companies operating within the renewables or the oil and gas industry will open October 1, 2015. The deadline for entries is December 1, with finalists being announced in January 2016. The black-tie ceremony is taking place at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre on Thursday, March 17, 2016.

The 2016 Offshore Achievement Awards categories are:

– Emerging Technology

– Innovator

– Safety Innovations

– Environmental Innovation

– Export Achievement

– Collaboration

– Outstanding Skills Development Programme

– Young Professional

– Above and Beyond

– Great Small Company

– Great Large Company

– Significant Contribution

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