SPE Aberdeen recognized for section excellence

The Aberdeen Section of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) has been awarded the SPE President’s Award for Section Excellence for the fifth consecutive year – the first of 190 SPE sections in the world to achieve this. 

The award recognises sections around the globe which display exemplary efforts in technology dissemination, membership programmes, contribution to society and the community, and innovation.

SPE Aberdeen received the accolade at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE) in Amsterdam during the President’s Luncheon on 27 October.

Outgoing 2012-2014 SPE Aberdeen chairman, Anthony Onukwu, said: “We are tremendously proud to have received the Award for Section Excellence for the fifth consecutive year, a fantastic achievement as the Aberdeen Section marks its 40th year. 

“I would like to extend a huge thanks to the SPE Aberdeen committee, all of whom are volunteers. Without their support, hard work and dedication, we would not have been able to host our annual programmes. We had organised globally renowned events, supported young people and students to pursue a career in the oil and gas sector and continue listening to and addressing the needs of our members and the wider industry.” 

The last 12 months have been filled with world’s first initiatives and events organised by SPE Aberdeen, such ‘Another Perspective on Risk’ in March, which saw experts warning that another disaster could be on the horizon if lessons are not learned from Macondo. At the recent ‘Breaking the Cycle of Discrimination’, industry leaders made a call to the global oil and gas industry to end “poster girls” at major oil and gas events.

SPE Aberdeen was also recognised for its technical events programme, featuring speakers from major oil and gas companies including BP, Odfjell Drilling, Dana Petroleum and Statoil. The section’s Young Professionals committee was highlighted for its efforts to support and motivate those in the early stages of their career.

Taking over the chairmanship from Mr Onukwu is Schlumberger’s head of surveying domain, Ross Lowdon. Mr Lowdon has been involved with SPE Aberdeen for 13 years as part of its Schools Career Guidance committee.

Mr Lowdon said: “Our recent 40th anniversary celebration saw SPE International President Helge Haldorsen urge SPE Aberdeen to continue encouraging innovation in the North Sea. Sharing best practice and knowledge is at the heart of all we do and being recognised for our efforts is a great motivator for years to come.

SPE is an international organisation, with thousands of members in the UK, each of whom is affiliated to one of three UK sections in Aberdeen, London and Great Yarmouth. Aberdeen is the largest of these sections with over 2,500 members.

Press Release