Trophies for Industry Awards to be produced by RGU Student

Third year Gray’s School of Art student, Lauren McKenzie has won a competition to design and produce the trophies for the 2017 Offshore Achievement Awards (OAAs), taking place in March.
 
Host of the awards, the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Aberdeen Section, set students studying 3-D Design the challenge of creating a unique and creative trophy concept that reflects the aims of the OAAs.
 
Inspired by oil barrels and the transportation of oil over the years, Lauren’s design will be made from a combination of oak, ceramics and laser cut plexi glass with varying colours for each award category. Judges were impressed by the variety of materials used in Lauren’s prototype and the thought behind her concept.
 
Ian Phillips, SPE Aberdeen Chairman and chief executive of the Oil & Gas Innovation Centre, said: “It’s clear, as it is every year, that a significant amount of thought and effort has gone into each of the students’ award designs. I am continually impressed by the creativity of students from Gray’s School of Art who always work extremely hard on this project.
 
“Lauren’s trophy design is well thought out, and has delivered a truly unique concept which looks superb. I have no doubt winners will be delighted to receive the award on the night and display them proudly in their workplaces.”
 
26 year old Lauren from North Lanarkshire said: “I am delighted to have won this prestigious competition - especially amongst so many other brilliant designs.  The project has been great so far and I’m enjoying working for a client where I can experience working within a budget and to strict deadlines.  I’m proud that my design has been chosen to be brought to life and presented to winners next year.”
 
Individuals and companies within the offshore oil and gas and renewables sector have less than four weeks to enter the 2017 OAAs and have the opportunity to be celebrated amongst some of the industry’s highest achievers. The deadline for the awards, which are supported by principal sponsor TAQA, is Wednesday 30 November.
 
Sian Mutch, senior corporate communications advisor and one of the TAQA judges on the panel, said: "The level of originality from the students was very impressive and they had clearly spent a great deal of time understanding the oil and gas and renewable industries.
 
“It was a difficult decision but Lauren’s prototype stood out for its distinctive union of wood, glass and ceramics as well as its professional finish."
 
Entries for the 31st annual awards are being sought across twelve categories which recognise and celebrate the very best the industry has to offer, from new technologies and safety innovations to outstanding company and individual performances.
 
Winners in recent years include Expro North Sea, Maersk Oil and Aker Solutions (AKSO.OL) as well as companies focused on more niche technology including Delphian Ballistics, CETCO Energy Services and Interventek Subsea Engineering.
 
Companies and industry professionals can enter the awards by downloading an entry form from the OAAs website (www.spe-oaa.org).
 
The awards are open for entries until Wednesday 30 November, with the black tie ceremony taking place at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre on Thursday, 23 March, 2017.