UK: Industry Talent Recognised in Offshore Achievement Awards

The offshore industry’s highest achievers were recognised at last night’s 2013 Offshore Achievement Awards, with Malcolm Webb, chief executive of Oil & Gas UK, picking up the Significant Achievement accolade.

The 27th awards ceremony, which saw a record attendance of 530 guests, took place at the Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre and was hosted by Scottish comedian Kevin Bridges. The industry’s top talent was celebrated in categories which included Great Large and Great Small Company, Safety Innovations and Emerging Technology.

The awards, which were supported by main sponsor TAQA Bratani for a second consecutive year, were successfully re-launched in 2011 by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Aberdeen section.

Ian Phillips, director of CO2DeepStore Ltd and the SPE board member who chaired the OAA organising committee, said: “The Offshore Achievement Awards is the pinnacle of the energy industry calendar and SPE Aberdeen is very proud to host this prestigious event.

“We made some changes to the awards this year, based on feedback from the 2012 process. We changed the titles of two categories to clarify the nature of the award and open up to a wider range of entrants. Companies operating in the offshore renewables sector were again eligible to enter, following last year’s decision to open up the awards to this increasingly important industry.

 “The calibre of entries we received this year were exceptional and we would like to extend thanks to every company who applied. Our judging panel, which comprised senior representatives from sponsoring companies and SPE Board members, faced some difficult decisions, particularly in the Innovator category, where the excellence of the entries led to two companies being declared joint winners along with another being highly commended.

 “From all of the entries we have seen, it is clear that there is much to be celebrated in the offshore industry, from small companies creating a step change in safety through to huge global organisations that are producing the next generation of industry leaders.”

 Malcolm Webb, chief executive of Oil & Gas UK and winner of the Significant Achievement award, said: “I am very honoured to have been recognised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers in this way but in truth all that I have ever achieved in my career has been the result of teamwork and so I thank not only the SPE Aberdeen but also the excellent team at Oil & Gas UK for this award.”

Leo Koot, managing director of main sponsor TAQA Bratani, said: “The awards ceremony was yet again a fantastic event and enjoyed by all who attended on the evening. The awards are a great opportunity to recognise achievements in the offshore industry. This year’s finalists and winners have demonstrated some truly innovative thinking, dedication to industry safety and drive to succeed. TAQA Bratani has been delighted to again support the awards and share in these celebrations.”

The 2013 Offshore Achievement Award winners in each category are:

 Significant Achievement

Malcolm Webb, Chief Executive, Oil & Gas UK

 Great Large Company Award

Axis Well Technology

 Great Small Company Award

ROVOP

 Young Professional Award

Graham Skinner – KCA DEUTAG Drilling Ltd

 Working Together Award

Maersk Oil/ Technip

Export Achievement Award

Online Electronics Limited

 Safety Innovations Award

Houlder

Innovator Award

Red Spider Technology – JOINT WINNER

Stork Technical Services – JOINT WINNER

Tendeka – HIGHLY COMMENDED

 Emerging Technology Award

Web Rigging Services

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Press release, March 22, 2013; Image: thinkpr