Wednesday 3 September 2003

UKOOA SEARCHES FOR A UKCS PEARL TO CELEBRATE 30TH ANNIVERSARY

The search is on to find the UK oil and gas industrys most promising young employee for a special award to be presented at the UK Offshore Operators Associations (UKOOA) 30th Anniversary Energy Dinner in November.

The UKOOA Pearl Award is to be presented to the oil and gas employee also celebrating a 30th birthday in 2003 whose contribution, vision and commitment to the future of the UKCS personifies the success of the industry to date.

Steve Harris, UKOOAs acting director general, said: UKOOA is marking three decades of service for the oil and gas industry by celebrating the achievement and potential of the new generation who will carry the sector forward through the next thirty years. The UKCS offers a challenging future for young people joining the industry today and we are delighted to announce this award to highlight the talent and achievement that may be found within the sector.

Companies are being invited to nominate candidates who will have to submit a short essay on how they see the future of the UKCS. A shortlist of nominees will then be invited for interview and the winner announced at the Energy Dinner in Aberdeen and presented with a cheque for £500 and a specially commissioned trophy.

The closing date for entries is 30 September.

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Note to Editors

1.The UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) is the representative organisation for companies licensed by the British Government to explore for and produce hydrocarbons in UK waters. It has 29 members.

2.The UK Offshore Operators Association was formed in June 1973. It replaced the UK Offshore Operators Committee which, under the earlier name of the UK Operators Committee, was founded in 1964. The new Association was born from the recognition that with the North Sea on the brink of developing into a major oil and gas province attracting an increasing number of operators, a more formal organisation was required to meet the growing needs of the industry.

3. Nominees must be 30 years old for at least part of 2003; that is, have a date of birth between 1 January, 1972 and 31 December, 1973, inclusive.

4. Full details of the UKOOA Pearl Award, including the entry form and the rules and regulations are available on www.oilandgas.org.uk.

For more information, please call 020 7802 2400.