Members of the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), North Sea Chapter (IADC) gathered for its Annual Safety Awards Ceremony on 22 April at the AECC, Aberdeen.
Ivor McBean, Diamond Offshore, and Gary Holman, Awilco Drilling, Co-chairs of the IADC North Sea Chapter welcomed a large turnout to the event. Guest speakers on the evening were IADC President Jason McFarland and Steve Rae, Vice President QHSE, Archer.

“Everyone is aware of the extremely difficult times the industry is facing and despite the challenges and uncertain future in terms of oil price and activity levels, the industry will continue to focus on the most important aspect of our business – the safety of our personnel,” said Ivor McBean.

Gary Holman commented: “It is heartening to see the continued collaboration by our members in safety matters in workgroup meetings and with external bodies. This year has seen the Chapter issue a number of publications which relate to safety in our industry.”

A number of awards were presented to companies and installations for their safety record over the last year with the awards for best safety performance in 2015 going to Noble Drilling and Ensco in the Jack-ups category; Stena Drilling in the Floating Rigs category and Odjfell Drilling in Platform drilling.
Chairman’s Awards, which recognised individual rigs and their crews which had the best safety performance in 2015, went to Maersk Innovator, Maersk Drilling (Jack-up); Deepsea Atlantic, Odjfell Drilling (Floating Rig); and Dunbar, KCA Deutag (Platform).
The Associate Member Award was presented to Blaze Manufacturing Solutions.
The event was hosted by broadcaster and Deacon Blue drummer Dougie Vipond with entertainment from comedian and presenter Des Clarke. Funds raised on the evening will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support and the UK Oil & Gas Chaplaincy Trust.
A special donation will be made to VSA by The Val Hood Award, which was established in honour of a former colleague.
The full list of winners was as follows:
IADC NSC Safety Award Ceremony – 22 April 2016

ASSOCIATE MEMBER AWARD

Blaze Manufacturing Solutions

BEST SAFETY PERFORMANCE AWARDS 2015

• Jack-ups
Winner – Under 1 million manhours Noble Drilling
Winner – Over 1 million manhours Ensco

• Floating Rigs
Winner Stena Drilling
Runner up Odfjell Drilling

• Platforms
Winner Odfjell Drilling

CHAIRMAN’S AWARD

Best Safety Performance 2015 Jack-up Winner: Maersk Innovator, Maersk Drilling
Runner up: Ensco 71, Ensco
Best Safety Performance 2015 Floating Rig Winner: Deepsea Atlantic, Odfjell Drilling
Runner up: WilHunter, Awilco Drilling
Best Safety Performance 2015 Platform Winner: Dunbar, KCA Deutag
Runner up: Forties Charlie, Archer

CAPTION: L-R, back row: Ivor McBean, Diamond Offshore Drilling; Alistair McDonald, Odfjell Drilling; Ole Maier, Odfjell Drilling; Henrik Hundebol, Maersk Drilling; Ann Johnson, Blaze Manufacturing Services; Ally Malcolm, Awilco Drilling; Julian Hall, Ensco; Jools Coghill, Ensco and Gary Holman, Awilco Drilling
L-R, front row: Matt Brodie, Noble Drilling; Stuart Sutherland, KCA Deutag; Geoff Polson, Stena Drilling; Iain Mitchell, Stena Drilling and Ray Taylor, Archer