The eighth edition of the Oil & Gas and Refining & Petrochemicals Middle East Awards has caused excitement in all quarters of the upstream, midstream, and downstream segments of the regional energy industry. This enthusiasm is clear from the significant increase in the number of nominations received this year, which saw a rise of 33% from last year. During the 82-day nominations period, which closed on 31 July, companies and individuals from all segments and verticals within the energy sector sent in their entries for this year’s 12 awards categories.
The 2017 awards have also seen a growth in the number of new companies that have submitted nominations – a figure that has soared by 43% from last year’s event.
The new digital platform that was introduced for nominations this year has played a significant role in boosting entries, having made it considerably quicker and more convenient for entrants to submit documents and information about their work and achievements.
The numbers speak for themselves, and the encouraging statistics obtained at the end of the awards nomination period is evidence of the overwhelming desire for recognition and celebration that prevails among industry stakeholders.
The team involved in organising the awards is proud of the way the event has been embraced by the regional energy industry this year, and is encouraged by the fact that the event continues to grow in stature, enabling us to reach out to more industry players year after year.
Before we reveal the shortlisted nominations for this year’s awards, we will hear from the remaining sponsors of the event – two of them having already shared their views in last month’s issue – about their association with the 2017 Oil & Gas and Refining & Petrochemicals Middle East Awards.
Orpic
Shaima Ahmed Al Aufi, manager of corporate communications services at Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic)
What role do you think the Oil & Gas and Refining & Petrochemicals Middle East Awards play in rewarding success in the regional industry?
These awards have been in the market for quite a long time and are credible awards, recognising leading players, innovative solutions, and best practices throughout the oil and gas industry, in both its upstream and downstream segments. They hold significant importance for Orpic as part of our aim to lead performance in the refining and petrochemicals industry.
Why do you feel it’s important to celebrate success in the energy industry?
Success is crucial to the existence, development, and sustainability of any business, let alone oil and gas companies. We, at Orpic, believe that celebrating the success of our achievements is the beginning of yet more challenging but rewarding experiences down the road. It has been said that “success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency”, so, as we keep pushing for operational excellence and consistency in our quality standards, it is important to celebrate success accordingly.
At Orpic, we have many success stories that need to be heard, starting with the ongoing growth of projects, namely Sohar Refinery Improvement Project (SRIP), Muscat – Sohar Product Pipeline (MSPP) project, and Liwa Plastics Industries Complex (LPIC) project, as well as all the in-country value (ICV) contributions, corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, and the environment enhancement programmes. Therefore, sponsoring the achievements of the oil and gas sector in the Middle East underscores the fact that we are contributing to the most important sector in the world.
We believe that the Oil & Gas and Refining and Petrochemicals Middle East Awards are a great opportunity to stand out, compete, and – above all – inspire other players in the market to be part of this regional acknowledgement.
What would you say of our campaign to shine a spotlight on factors that are crucial to the oil and gas industry?
Orpic is committed to promoting and improving awareness of its projects, initiatives, and operations, both internally and externally, as well as our environmental programmes, ICV initiatives, and CSR programmes. It is, therefore, vital to recognise the big role played by the corporate’s stakeholders in driving growth, operational excellence, and social responsiveness.
By recognising their remarkable contribution, you offer an all-round boost to both major businesses and their relevant stakeholders, striking a balance that could positively impact businesses, individuals, and communities, while at the same time optimising the opportunity to enhance the ICV. Bringing core businesses and related stakeholders’ initiatives into the spotlight has, therefore, become necessary to the development of the industry.
Additionally, Orpic aims to maximise the economic and social impact of its business operation by playing an active and positive role as a ‘good neighbour’ to all stakeholders. We believe that social investments strengthen our community engagement and the economic development of local communities, especially in the trying economic conditions we see at present.
AVEVA
Mohamad Awad, vice president of sales in the MEA region at AVEVA
What role do you believe these awards play in recognising achievements in the regional industry?
Recognising and rewarding achievements in this way emphasises to others the importance of investing in new diversification strategies and a movement towards innovation.
Eight years of awards celebrate the Middle East’s constant strive to become an industry leader and compete on an international level, with much to celebrate. Looking back at eight years of winners, you can see that bold steps have been – and are still being – taken by companies to improve cost and efficiency; health, safety, and environment (HSE); and operational excellence.
We often focus on what’s not working, and forget to recognise what’s gone well, to stop and celebrate it. A successful mindset requires cultivation, and celebrating success through awards helps us focus on the positive things.
As a first-time sponsor of these awards, why did AVEVA decide to support the event this year?
At AVEVA, we are motivated by success, and those of our clients. These awards are a way to promote the momentum of the great things that are currently being achieved, which will inspire others to innovate for the future.
Sponsoring the Young Professional of the Year award is important to AVEVA, as the future belongs to the youth of today. They are the next innovators and leaders. Recognising the great things they bring to our industry is essential.
Awards speak volumes. As a coveted third-party endorsement of achievement, they place the nominees and winners at the forefront of the industry. Years of support from some of the biggest and best NOCs and service providers is testament to the quality of the recognition gained by being a part of the awards.
How important do you think it is to recognise performance in areas such as operational excellence, HSE, and corporate social responsibility (CSR)?
While progress has been made in certain areas, the industry is not yet where it needs to be. Refocusing attention on new technology for preventative strategies, and programmes to maintain and enhance momentum in operational excellence, HSE, and CSR are crucial. Even after 29 years, Piper Alpha still serves as a shocking reminder of the inherently hazardous nature of our industry, and shining a spotlight on initiatives taking place in these vital domains allows us to encourage further sustainable, innovative solutions and ideas for the oil and gas sector.
This year sees the introduction of three new categories for the downstream sector: Sour Gas and Sulphur Management of the Year, Logistics Service Provider of the Year, and Water Management Solution of the Year. Do you believe that our efforts to highlight achievements in downstream operations are justified?
The downstream segment includes complex and diverse activities and is experiencing a period of rapid change. With refining margins under pressure for the medium and longer term, largely because of over-capacity and relatively slow demand growth, it is right to highlight the achievements of players that have improved their ability to compete more aggressively in the market. Ensuring people continue to innovate and achieve throughout the entire oil and gas business chain is crucial for the industry’s future.
DIA33
Nadeem Raza, group chief executive officer at DIA33
What role do you think the Oil & Gas and Refining & Petrochemicals Middle East Awards play in recognising achivements in the regional industry?
Awards and recognition are an opportunity to display, recognise, and inspire the achievers, passionate and ambitious inventers, collaborators, contributors, and developers in any industry. The Oil & Gas and Refining & Petrochemicals Middle East Awards aim to highlight a deserving few, and they are objective when it comes to showcasing organisations and individuals for their commendable achievements.
Why do you believe it’s so important to celebrate success within the regional energy industry?
Energy is a metaphor for the global fabric. Anything and everything depends on energy, in its various forms. From food, shelter, clothing, and comfort, to travel and exploration, the energy industry has transformed the world, and the whole concept of living. Celebrating the energy industry is no less than celebrating life.
As a first-time sponsor of our awards, what made DIA33 decide to get involved this year?
We’re in a difficult marketplace, with unyielding cost pressures, product proliferation, and regulatory scrutiny. In this setting, we believe in empowering those that are pioneering innovative approaches to business, the environment, and sustainability.
As a chemical distribution company, DIA33 is, therefore, thrilled to support this work by promoting awareness of the important work being done by this year’s nominees and winners. We have seen the growth of these awards for the last five years now, and we are extremely pleased that DIA33 is able to sponsor the Oil & Gas and Refining & Petrochemicals Middle East Awards this year.
We are looking forward to presenting the very prestigious award of Downstream Project of the Year, as it particularly shows the development of this industry and its value, not just within the Middle East, but across the global refining and petrochemicals market.
This year, along with Downstream Project of the Year, we have three newly introduced categories that target the downstream sector: Sour Gas and Sulphur Management Project of the Year, Logistics Service Provider of the Year, and Water Management Solution of the Year. This makes a total of four categories out of a dozen that pertain to the refining and petrochemicals sector of the industry. Do you believe that our efforts to highlight downstream operations, in addition to recognising achievements in the upstream segment, are justified?
Downstream operations include refining, processing, and converting crude into thousands of products that are essential for producing millions of finished products that are used by people all over the world every single day. However, such processes also produce many by-products, like sour gas and sulphur. It’s vitally important that these by-products are handled efficiently – and that those involved in managing the waste actually help to make the planet greener.
Meanwhile, recognising logistics providers at the same time as applauding the manufacturers is very logical, as the logistics service providers are the ones that actually deliver the things you need to your doorstep.
We present the finalists
The entries that were received for each of this year’s 12 awards categories have been assessed, evaluated and appraised, and the successful nominations have been shortlisted as follows:
CSR Initiative of the Year
AGOC’s (Aramco Gulf Operations Limited Company) Local Community Programmes – Saudi Aramco
Participation in Jusoor Social Projects – Orpic
Participation in Ramadan Aman initiative – ENOC
Downstream Project of the Year
Duqm Refinery Project – Duqm Refinery and Petrochemical Industries Company
Project Black Pearl – Vopak Horizon Fujairah Limited
Sadara Project – Sadara Chemical Company
Sohar Refinery Improvement Project – Orpic
HSE Initiative of the Year
After-Hours Safety System – DADM Enterprises
KOC & Emerson WirelessHART Project – Emerson
McDermott Operational Values – McDermott International Inc
Predictive Personal Protective Equipment & Worksite Supervisory System – Saudi Aramco
Logistics Service Provider of the Year
Agility
ATS Shipping
DIA33
Integra Petrochemicals
Schmidt ME Logistics
Oilfield Services Company of the Year
AlMansoori Specialized Engineering
Pipe & Well O&M Services Co
Weatherford Middle East Asia
Oil & Gas Woman of the Year
Dr Abeer Olayan – Senior research scientist, Saudi Aramco
Dr Esra Younis Ahmed AlKhadhar AlHosani – Instrumentation and control engineer, ADCO, an ADNOC Group company
Fatma Al-Otaibi – Team leader, Information Solutions, Exploration & Production, Research & Technology, Kuwait Oil Company
Gina Fyffe – CEO, Integra Petrochemicals
Nabilah Al-Tunisi – Chief engineer, Engineering Services, Saudi Aramco
Rebecca Liebert – president and CEO, Honeywell UOP
Operational Excellence Strategy of the Year
Cable Deployed ESP System – Saudi Aramco
Corporate Operational Excellence Programme – Yanbu NGL Fractionation Department, Saudi Aramco
Excellence Journey – Saudi Aramco
LEAN Six Sigma – Weatherford Middle East Asia
People, Process, Performance: Field Development, North Kuwait – Kuwait Oil Company
Sour Gas & Sulphur Management Project of the Year
Design and Development of an Innovative Downhole Corrosion and Scale Monitoring System in High-Temperature Sour Gas Wells – Saudi Aramco
Shah Gas Development Project – Al Hosn Gas
Technical Innovation of the Year
Date Seed-Based Sized Particulate LCM and Formation Strengthening Materials – Saudi Aramco
Novel and Effective Fluid Loss Solution in Highly Fractured Formations – Global Chemical Company LLC/ TBC-Brinadd LLC
Shallow Water Inspection and Monitoring Robot – Saudi Aramco
Smart DAS Up-Holes for Simultaneous Near-Surface Characterisation and Deep Reflection Imaging on Land – Saudi Aramco
SuperButol – Saudi Aramco
Unique Coil Tubing Inspection Technology – AlMansoori Inspection Services/ iRobotics
World’s Slimmest CT Tractor for Matrix Acidising Stimulations in Extended Reach Wells – Saudi Aramco
Training Initiative / Programme of the Year
Emerson & KOC Competency Development Programme – Emerson
Localisation Initiative in Partnership with King Fahd University for Petroleum & Minerals – Honeywell UOP
NextGen – Weatherford Middle East Asia
NGLFD Operator Development Programme – Saudi Aramco
Sadara Apprenticeship Programme – Sadara Chemical Company
Vocational Training Programme for Employees – SNC-Lavalin
Water Management Solution of the Year
Construction and Commissioning of BTX Removal System to Absorb the BTX Components from the Waste Water Stream – Saudi Aramco
Multi-Stage Water Treatment System with Porous Ceramics – Saudi Aramco
Sokalan RO 3500 – BASF
Zero Liquid Discharge Water Treatment Solution for Produced Water Recycle and Oil Recovery – Saudi Aramco
Young Oil & Gas Professional of the Year
Abdul Rahman Bin Omar – EXPEC ARC, Saudi Aramco
Dr Esra Younis Ahmed AlKhadhar AlHosani – Instrumentation and control engineer, ADCO, an ADNOC Group company
Fatima Al Zaabi – Industrial trent engineer, Turbine Services & Solutions
Marwa Hassan – Engineer, Design and Evaluation Systems for Client, AlMansoori Specialized Engineering
Mohammed Al-Ghazal – Engineer, Saudi Aramco
Sahil Gandhi – Chief operating officer, Unique Group
Zainab Al-Saihati – Field drilling engineer, Saudi Aramco
