APPEA 2023 Conference & Exhibition Awards Recognize Top Authors, Exhibitors, and Speakers

The APPEA 2023 Conference & Exhibition brought together experts and exhibitors in Adelaide for a week of energy policy debate and displays.

APPEA has again recognised the best displays and contributions to discussion about energy policy with the APPEA Awards.

APPEA's concurrent program provides an opportunity for the exchange of ideas and best practice in all aspects of our technical and commercial operations.

This is a tangible example of how our industry is committed to information sharing and collaboration. This section of the conference is sponsored by BP.

The technical and business program was again developed under the guidance of APPEA Honorary Life Member, and Technical Papers Chairman, Dr. Steve Mackie, with support from the Conference Technical Program Committee.

This impressive and, without question, world class program is in turn published in The APPEA Journal each year.

The APPEA Journal will now also be published in AAPG's Data pages to give the authors and the industry worldwide recognition.

These awards recognise the authors and presenters who have achieved excellence in their written papers and the presentation of their endeavors.

Best Extended Abstract

The first award is for the Best Extended Abstract published in Supplement 1 to The APPEA Journal.

The winner is Matthias Raab and Geoffrey O'Brien from CO2CRC for their paper "Australia's CCUS opportunities to nuance the energy transition".

Extended abstracts offer another way for authors to present the findings of their research and innovation to a wide audience.

The introduction around 13 years ago of this style of shorter paper has allowed quality material to be distributed to the industry and be recognised in The APPEA Journal.

Best Visual Presentation

The visual presentation section (formally known as poster presentations) is an important contribution to the APPEA conference and exhibition.

Every year, the industry's best and brightest undertake hours of work with the results being proudly displayed for delegates to view and engage with.

It is critical research work that we all benefit from. It presents an idea opportunity for those presenters who may not wish to present an oral presentation, or their material presents more effectively on canvas or digital format.

The winning presentation was "Challenges and Lessons Learnt from Northern Territory (NT) Orphan Well Project" by Shaun Hingerty from the Northern Territory Government.

This was an excellent presentation that addresses those wells that are the responsibility of the Northern Territory Government due to companies surrendering acreage.

It provides insight into how to address the fugitive methane emissions.

Best Oral Presentation

A paper can be well-written, but it is also important at an event like this that it is well delivered.

This award, for the 'Best Oral Presentation, is awarded to the paper and the presenter that, in the opinion of the judges and the Conference delegates, who had the opportunity to vote via the Conference app, was the best presented technical or business paper at the Conference.

With that in mind, the winner is David Bason from COR2RC for his presentation in 'Session 18 - Innovative Carbon Solutions', titled 'Carbon dioxide-enhanced oil recovery in Australia - techno-economic evaluation, carbon dioxide source/sink networks and current policy landscape.'

This is an award voted by peers - so a special one to receive at a conference with over 100 speakers.

Alan Prince Award for Best Peer Reviewed Paper

This is a highly prestigious and eagerly sought award.

It is named after Alan Prince, the inaugural editor of The APPEA Journal and a Reg Sprigg Gold Medalist.

The Alan Prince Award for goes to Marita Bradshaw, and co-authors for their paper titled "Australian salt basins - options for underground hydrogen storage."

The criteria for the exhibition awards includes: originality in stand design, innovative use of space, and the creative ways the exhibitor and their staff communicate their offering and tells their story to delegates.

INPEX sponsored the 2023 Exhibition.

Best Booth – Shell Scheme

The winner of the Best Booth – Shell Scheme award for APPEA 2023 goes to Optimal Group Australia.

The judges were particularly impressed with the innovative use of the walling, the impressive interactive and relaxed communication style of their staff combined with their technical knowledge in a innovative sector.

Best Booth – Custom Build

Each year the originality of the design, the importance for increasingly sustainable practices and the need to ensure key messages are projected clearly to attending delegates - are of the upmost importance. These stands demand a level of investment of time and money and all companies are to be commended on their builds this year. The exhibition was outstanding.

The custom booth award was very competitive with honourable mentions to CSIRO, who actually won this award last year, Santos, Woodside and Rock flow dynamics. 

But the winner is Chevron Australia.

Chevron's booth was informative, engaging and provided a great meeting place for delegates. 

The judges were particularly impressed with the overall design, delegate interaction, communication tools and the energy of the staff on the booth itself.