Wednesday 2 August 2006

UKOOA Launches Search for North Sea Pearls!

The search is now officially on for nominations to compete in this year's prestigious UKOOA Oil and Gas Awards.  Entries are now being accepted for the competition first held by the UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) in 2003 to celebrate young talent working in the UK oil and gas industry and recognise the valuable contribution of those building their careers in the sector today.

This year, for the first time, prizes will be awarded in three categories:

• The PearlAward for Overall Excellence, which recognises outstanding work by young people working in the industry today,
• The Pearl Award for the Young Technician of the Year, which recognises the vital contribution of our industrys young technicians, and
• The Oyster Award for Mentoring, which recognises the important role mentors play in passing on their knowledge and expertise to the next generation of oil and gas workers. 

Malcolm Webb, UKOOA's chief executive, said:  "The UK oil and gas industry is a world leader in technology, products and services and the key to this success is its people.  We have many highly talented men and women working in the industry today.  We need to keep attracting young people into this great British industrial success story by highlighting the opportunities open to them and so ensure our industry continues to thrive in the UK for many years to come.  What better way of doing this than to celebrate the achievements of those already working in the sector?"

Anyone currently employed in the UK oil and gas industry with at least two years' experience may enter.  However, the Award for Overall Excellence and The Young Technician of the Year Award is open to candidates aged between 19 and 30 only, and while entrants for the Mentoring Award can be any age, they must have at least five years' experience in the industry.    

As in the past, all nominations must include either a short essay outlining a personal vision for maintaining competitiveness in the UKCS, the theme of this years UKOOA Oil and Gas Conference, or for the Mentoring Award - a short case study illustrating why the nominee is being put forward, including evidence of the contribution they have brought to their company and to the UK oil and gas industry in general.

There will be one winner in each category who will receive a cash prize of £500 and a unique specially commissioned trophy designed by students at the Grays School of Art, Aberdeen. 

The closing date for entries is September 11, 2006 and the winners will be announced at the UKOOA Awards Dinner which will be held in the evening immediately following the UKOOA Oil and Gas Conference on November 7. 

Notes to editors

The UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) is the representative organisation for oil and gas companies licensed by the UK government to explore for and produce hydrocarbons offshore around the British Isles.  It has 39 members.

For more information, please call 020 7802 2400.