The Annual IADC North Sea Chapter Safety Awards took place last month and were a celebration not only of the outstanding commitment to safety within our industry, but also the critical role played by the oil and gas drilling community in people’s every day lives.
These are challenging times for the North Sea, and yet the Chapter remains committed to maintaining the capability required through a highly experienced workforce, a skilled supply chain, and by providing dedicated support to the industry and our Members. Whatever we’re focused on, safety is at the core.
This message was echoed robustly on the night by our Chapter Chair Michael Boyd, and by IADC Senior VP of International Development Mike DuBose, who we were delighted to host once again. Global IADC Chair Roddie Mackenzie delivered a truly inspirational address, underlining the fundamental importance of drilling—not only in the North Sea, but on a global scale.
As always, the Safety Awards were an excellent opportunity for us to raise funds for a worthy local cause. This year, we were proud to award £5000 to the UK Oil & Gas Chaplaincy Trust Fund, donated in the memory of former Chapter employee Val Hood.
A huge thank you to our Awards sponsors—Valaris, Axess North Sea, HMH, OES Asset Integrity Management, Shelf Drilling, and Westerton Access—and a sincere thanks to all those who attended to celebrate the following safety performances of the past year:
Best Safety Performance – Jack-Ups
- Winner: H&P
- Runner-Up: Shelf Drilling
Best Safety Performance – Floating Rigs
- Winner: COSL Drilling Europe AS
- Runner-Up: Well-Safe Solutions
Best Safety Performance – Platform Drilling
- Winner: Archer – the well company
- Runner-Up: H&P
Associate Member Award
- Winner: ADC Energy Ltd.
- Runner-Up: Probe Manufacturing and Fabrication
Chairman’s Awards
- Jack-Up: Valaris Limited for the Valaris 248
- Floating Rig: COSL for the COSL Promoter
- Platform Drilling: H&P for the Ninian South
Chairman’s Special Award (to an individual making a remarkable contribution to improving safety)
- John Peel, Leadership Facilitator, Well-Safe Solutions
