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The 2015 Offshore Achievement Awards,organised and hosted by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Aberdeen Section, have opened for entries today, with a new category added which will recognise investment into the future talent of the energy industry.

This year’s new category, Best Graduate Scheme, will recognise companies which offer a graduate programme that demonstrates outstanding contribution to the student community and investment in the next generation of industry leaders and technical specialists.

Ian Phillips, chief executive of OGIC (the Oil and Gas Innovation Centre) and the SPE board member responsible for organising the OAAs, said: “We are pleased to announce that the Offshore Achievement Awards are once again open for entries. As in previous years, we hope to attract a high calibre of entries from companies large and small.”

“This year, the Scottish oil and gas sector has come under much scrutiny in light of the Wood Review and the Scottish referendum. In particular, the call for game changing technologies and out of the box thinking to maximise recovery has never been higher. The Offshore Achievement Awards is the leading forum for recognising the remarkable innovation that goes on in companies across the industry.”

Last year’s ceremony saw more than 500 industry professionals attend. Winners included Hydrasun, which picked up the Great Large Company award and Brian Nixon, who was recognised for his Significant Contribution to the offshore industry.

Last year’s new categories, Inspiring Leader and Environmentalist, were presented to Steve Nicol of Halliburton and TWMA respectively.

Pete Jones, managing director of principal sponsor TAQA, said: “We’re extremely proud to be involved with the Offshore Achievement Awards again this year. Fostering and growing young talent and is vital in our industry and it’s very exciting to be recognising and celebrating this in a new award category this year. We have a number of placement students and graduates currently working with us and the value of the energy, ideas and ambition they bring should not be underestimated.”

Ross Lowdon, chairman of SPE Aberdeen, said: “Innovation in the oil and gas industry is going to be key in the continued growth of Aberdeen as the European energy hub. These awards encompass that spirit of innovation and achievement, celebrating what is best in the industry and providing a showcase for the new technologies that will drive the development of the North Sea in future years.”

The awards are now open for entries from UK-registered companies operating within the renewables or the oil and gas industry.