Nexen Inc. - Buzzard takes home two Energy Institute awards

Nexen's Buzzard project took home two awards from the Energy Institute November 15 in London. Paul Harris, project manager for International Oil and Gas, accepted the Platinum Award for Project of the Year and Ian Sharp, director of operations for Nexen Petroleum UK Limited, accepted the Communications Award.

The Energy Institute hosted this international event, now in its seventh year, that recognizes individuals and organizations in the global energy industry for setting new standards of excellence and innovation. The Energy Institute is the leading chartered professional membership body for those working in energy and has a combined membership of 13,500 individuals across 100 countries.

At the event, Mr. Harris gave attendees an overview of the project from start to finish and also thanked those involved in this successful venture.

"Over 17 million man hours by thousands of people all over Europe have made this project a reality," Mr. Harris. "It’s been a remarkable feat of co-ordination and timing, and I’d like to thank every one of them. This award is due to their hard work, dedication and commitment to a development project that was truly unique."

The Communication Award recognized outstanding contribution to communication within the energy industry, covering internal and external communications with such stakeholders as regulators, employees and shareholders. Key factors included excellence in leadership, innovation, personality and benevolence. Other companies short-listed for the Communication Award included Warwickshire County Council and Tesco Stores Ltd.

The Platinum Award for Project of the Year recognized outstanding achievement, fresh thinking and strategic and innovative problem solving. The judging criteria included strategic innovation, return on investment and setting an energy industry standard. Nominees for the International Platinum award included Atkins and The Hong Kong and China Gas Co.

Completing the Buzzard development on budget and in just three years was a major accomplishment. It included safely managing more than 17 million staff hours, coordinating hundreds of suppliers and contractors, lifting over 25,000 tonnes of steel and battling harsh North Sea weather conditions.