The Energy Institute (EI) celebrated Aberdeen's best MSc students by hosting a special
competition last night.
The event, sponsored by Total E&P (UK) Limited, was organised by the EI Aberdeen,
Highlands and Islands branch to honour the best energy papers from MSc students at the University of Aberdeen (UoA) and Robert Gordon University.
This annual event brings together industry and academia, showcasing the latest thinking and research from MSc students as well as enabling them to network with prospective future employers.
Six students were shortlisted by the two universities. The judging panel included senior industry figures from TAQA, Wellvene, Goodwyn Energy, Premier Oil, Merlin ERD and Halliburton in addition to host Total Limited.
The overall winner, who received a £250 prize, was Simon Leiper from RGU. His winning thesis was entitled: “Study of Inflow Pressure Testing of Production Liners in The North Sea to Predict the Expected Results and Validate Field Tests”.
Gopnauth Bobby Gossai a recent graduate from the UoA received the second prize of £150 for his thesis: “Fiscal Regimes and Revenue Management for New Oil Producing Countries: An Economic Model for Guyana”.
The third prize of £100 went to Ibukun Okunmadewa from RGU for her thesis: “Modelling Matrix-Fracture Interaction during Water and Polymer Injection” Winning student Simon Leiper said: “I am astounded to have won first prize. There was an exceptionally high level of talent and to be selected out of so many students is a wonderful surprise. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many people from RGU’s School of Engineering, the EI, and the oil and gas industry who have assisted and supported me.” Simon added: "After over 20 years working in the offshore industry it was a real challenge going to university to study. However, being awarded the EI prize is a major confidence boost and now I have my Drilling & Well Engineering MSc, I look forward to progressing my career in oil and gas engineering.”
Nigel Bradburn FEI, of the local Energy Institute branch who moderated the evening said: "Once again the two universities in Aberdeen have proved to be centres of academic excellence. These two world-renowned establishments bring to the marketplace some innovative ideas as was demonstrated by the student submissions and reflected in the close judges scoring. It is really encouraging to see in-depth research coming from the next generation of industry practioners”.
Judge Paul Williams, the UK Business Unit Manager of Premier Oil commented: “I was really impressed by the quality of the presentations and abstracts presented by the students. These sorts of events give me confidence in the longevity of our industry and the quality of the people who will have a successful and varied career in what I believe to be a fascinating industry.”
Fellow judge Iain Hutchison the Managing Director of Merlin ERD added: “I am delighted to have sat on the Judging Panel at such a prestigious event and have found both the quality of the students and their research to be inspiring. At Merlin ERD we have built an exceptional business on the foundations of solid engineering principles delivered by excellent engineers. It’s great to see that the next generation are already aspiring to such high standards and I would encourage them all to continue this path. Excellence derives from delivering solutions to difficult problems; a skill all of the students seem to have demonstrated.”
Host Pierre Cuisnier, the Central Graben Area Asset Director for Total E&P UK Limited said: “As a Technical Partner of the Energy Institute, Total E&P UK is delighted to have hosted the Energy Institute MSc Best Energy Paper competition this year. The standard of presentations was very good, and it is inspiring to see so much enthusiasm, creativity and innovative spirit from the next generation of energy leaders. Congratulations to the two universities and to the competition winners!”