Top individuals and companies in the energy industry were celebrated last night at the 2012 Offshore Achievement Awards.
These honoured included Amec, which triumphed in the great large company category, Professor Alex Kemp, who received the lifetime achievement accolade, and Emma Stephenson, of Shell UK, who was named best young professional.
Amec is a leading provider of consultancy, engineering, asset-support and project-management services. With 27,000-plus employees across 40 countries, the firm designs, delivers and maintains strategic and complex assets for its customers. In the UK, Amec now employs more than 5,500 people across its oil and gas operations.
Prof Kemp is one of the foremost experts on the economics of the North Sea oil and gas industry. He is professor of petroleum economics and director of the Aberdeen Centre for Research in Energy Economics and Finance at Aberdeen University.
Emma Stephenson, 26, cut short a holiday in China to be at last night’s event. She works as a process shift supervisor on the Anasuria floating production vessel and has been credited with achieving an excellent safety performance.
Nearly 400 people attended the 26th Offshore Achievement Awards ceremony at Ardoe House Hotel, near Aberdeen.
The awards were re-launched last October by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Aberdeen Section with the support of main sponsor Taqa Bratani and media sponsor the Press and Journal.
The ceremony was hosted by Scottish comedian Kevin Bridges, and winners were presented with trophies designed by Robert Gordon University student Jessica Barr.
Ian Phillips, who chaired the SPE awards organising committee, told the audience: “In this, the 26th year, the Society of Petroleum Engineers Aberdeen Section is proud to become the new custodian of these prestigious awards.
“The SPE has made a few changes this year. Award entries were sought from all over the UK, and we have extended the awards to encompass the increasingly important offshore renewables sector, including a new offshore renewables award, as well as opening all categories to companies in that sector.
“As always, the awards recognise excellence and outstanding performance in a wide range of categories. Winners can be justifiably proud that their success has been judged by a knowledgeable group of their peers.
“The quantity and standard of the entries this year has been superb. In some categories where things were especially close, we have selected an award winner and a second company to be ‘highly commended’ in recognition of their excellence.”
Leo Koot, managing director of Taqa Bratani, added: “The awards ceremony was a fantastic occasion and greatly enjoyed by those who attended. It presented the opportunity to celebrate excellence and achievement in the offshore industry, not only for established companies and individuals, but also those starting out and showing promise. I hope to see as much success at future ceremonies.”
Winners
Great Large Company, sponsored by Offshore Europe: Amec. Highly commended: Ace Winches.
Great Small Company, sponsored by Wood Group PSN: Alba Power.
Young Professional, sponsored by Red Spider: Emma Stephenson, Shell UK. Highly commended: Stuart Brand, 3sun Group.
Working Together, sponsored by Robert Gordon University: Veolia Environmental.
Offshore Renewables, sponsored by Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group and 3sun Group): Vattenfall.
Export Achievement, sponsored by Maersk Oil: Ace Winches.
Safety Innovations, sponsored by Petrofac: 3sun Group.
The Innovator, sponsored by BG Group: Expro Group.
New Idea, sponsored by Nexen: Coretrax.
Lifetime Achievement, sponsored by Aker Solutions: Professor Alex Kemp.
