AMEC went back to school to win top honours at the Offshore Contractors’ Association (OCA) awards in Aberdeen last night.
The international engineering and project-management company picked up the environmental accolade for its work with Newtonhill Primary.
The school partnership aims to help youngsters with educational and ecological projects while involving them in the oil and gas industry and raising their awareness of AMEC’s role in the sector.
The children now hold their pupil council and safety meetings at AMEC premises in Aberdeen, where they experience a business environment.
AMEC also picked up a second award, for health and safety, at last night’s OCA challenge awards ceremony in the Marcliffe Hotel attended by about 200 people.
This honour recognises the steps AMEC took to build on its safety culture by strengthening the role of supervisors on the Britannia Satellites project and making them accountable through a comprehensive five-part supervisory engagement process.
Kirsty Beetham, from Wood Group Engineering (North Sea), picked up the OCA’s future star award for training.
The 27-year-old from Bucksburn, Aberdeen, who is on the instrument graduate training scheme, has also worked voluntarily with local children as a science and engineering ambassador and acted as presiding judge in the north-east regional final for junior engineers for the Britain K’Nex Challenge.
The challenge award for technology and innovation was won by Aker Solutions for its work on the Frigg cessation project. The challenge of removing a massive module-support frame from the TCP2 installation included finding a way to restrain the structure during the journey to Shetland for demolition and disposal.
The team developed FlexSeaFast, a solution consisting of rubber pyramid gripper plates and elements which allow secure transportation at sea. The new technology has significant cost and safety benefits.
Principal guest speaker at last night’s event was Dave Blackwood, the head of BP’s North Sea business based in Aberdeen.
Bob Keiller, chairman of the OCA and chief executive of PSN, said: “The awards recognise best examples of the wealth of talent and creativity existing within OCA member companies. Through the efforts of people such as those receiving awards tonight we can be confident of overcoming the challenges we face in securing the long-term future of this vital industry and its valuable contribution to the UK economy.”