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Winners announced at the 34th Offshore Achievement Awards virtual ceremony

August 17, 2020

Jeanette Forbes, winner of the Significant Contribution Award

The winners of the 2020 Offshore Achievement Awards were revealed in a virtual ceremony on 14 August, with joint prize-winners announced across several categories, demonstrating the high calibre of entries this year and the tough job faced by judges.

This year Jeanette Forbes, a successful industry entrepreneur and founder of the PCL Group, inspiring STEM mentor and energy sector ambassador, clinched the ‘Significant Contribution’ Award for demonstrating unparalleled support in promoting STEM to young women in education and her business mentorship efforts in the community.

In the new ‘Energy Transition for Future Generations’ category, the judges received a wide range of applications, from exceptional company efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of their operations, to technology advances which will help Scotland and the UK achieve their net zero targets.  

With a high number of exceptional entries, the judges decided it was only fair to name two award winners in this category. BP was recognised for its company-wide approach to decarbonisation, whilst Pale Blue Dot Energy was hailed for its pioneering Acorn hydrogen and CCS projects which aim to move the dial in the industry’s energy transition ambitions.

Commenting on the virtual celebration, Ian Phillips, chairman of SPE Aberdeen said:

“I want to commend our 2020 award winners and finalists, each of whom embody the excellence, innovation and ambition in the UK offshore industry. It is clear from the calibre of entries, and the number of joint winners this year, that there is an exceptional pool of talent present in the sector.

“From strong, passionate individuals making admirable contributions, to large organisations striving to make the industry a better place for generations to come, our finalists and winners should be justifiably proud of their success.

“The evening’s virtual celebrations honoured the brightest and best, giving a much-needed boost to the sector after weathering Covid-19, inspiring all of us to push ahead and support each other in the net zero journey.”

Donald Taylor, Europe managing director at principal sponsor, TAQA said:

“TAQA is a long-term supporter of the SPE Offshore Achievement Awards, and we’re pleased to once again support the SPE and help celebrate and showcase the ingenuity and dedication of the companies and individuals in the offshore industries. 

“Despite not being able to be together physically to celebrate this year, it continues to be vital to recognise and celebrate achievements during challenging times.

“A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to support the awards this year, a spirit of collaboration has been key to making this year’s virtual event such a success.  Finally, congratulations to the all the well deserving winners.”   

‘Significant Contribution’ winner and PCL Group CEO, Jeanette Forbes said:

“I am absolutely delighted to be only the second woman to win the Significant Contribution Award and I look forward to hearing of other female recipients in the coming years as we look to the future of our industry.  Piper Alpha changed the world for those working in O&G.  We that continue to work in the industry must, and I emphasise must, change the environment and transition to leave a significant legacy built around new energy innovation”.

The winners for the 2020 Offshore Achievement Awards are:

Emerging Technology – sponsored by BP

Deep Casing Tools

Tendeka

Innovator - sponsored by Petrofac

Modus

HSE Innovation

JFD Global

Energy Transition for Future Generations – sponsored by CNOOC International

BP

Pale Blue Dot 

Outstanding Skills Development – sponsored by Skills Development Scotland

Sparrows Group

Young Professional – sponsored by Chrysaor

Erin Ingram, TAQA

Gavin Morris, Bilfinger Salamis

Internationalisation – sponsored by the Energy Industries Council

N-Sea

Great Company – SME sponsored by Offshore Europe

ITC Hydraulics

Great Company – Large

Serica Energy

Significant Contribution – Sponsored by Oceaneering

Jeannette Forbes, PCL Group