Awards
Each year Australian Energy Producers recognises outstanding work and achievements in the energy industry, with a number of awards presented during the annual Australian Energy Producers Conference.
Congratulations to the following 2026 recipients:
ALAN PRINCE AWARD
Best Peer-Reviewed Paper. This prestigious award, named after the first editor of the Australian Energy Producers Journal, previously known as The APPEA Journal, is presented annually to the authors of the best peer-reviewed paper. Selected by peer reviewers and the Technical Program Committee, this award honors outstanding technical publications in Australian oil and gas exploration and development, representing the pinnacle of industry excellence.
Delivering Australia’s Biggest Frac: Revolutionary Sand Logistics and Automated Bulk Handling Systems in the Remote Beetaloo Basin
Authored by Toseef Ahmad, Kelvin Wuttke, Jon Bennett, Dion Baggio (InGauge Energy), Chris White (Beetaloo Energy Australia)
DR STEVE MACKIE AWARD
Best Extended Abstract. In 2024, this prestigious award was re-named the ‘Dr Steve Mackie Award’, after the Technical Program Committee Chair, and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal for 17 years (2007 – 2024).
The Technical Program Committee, introduced the concept of an Extended Abstract in 2008. An extended abstract is a short research paper whose ideas and significance can be understood in less than an hour. This award is given to the Extended Abstract judged the best by the Technical Program Committee and which is published in Supplement 1 of the Australian Energy Producers Journal.
Play analysis in the Daralingie Shelf Area of the Warburton Basin, South Australia
Authored by Paul Strong, Chris Cubitt, (South Australia Department for Energy and Mining), Tim Rady (Geomorph Energy), Rob Kirk (Rob Kirk Consulting), Carmine Grasso (Consultant), Sharon Tiainen, Jo-Anne Hart (South Australia Department for Energy and Mining)
BEST ORAL PRESENTATION AWARD
This award is judged by the delegates at the annual Conference and is given to the presenter who was judged as the best from those presenting in an oral session within the Technical and Business Program. It looks to congratulate presentation style and delivery combined with its technical content.
Assessing Geomechanical Risks for a Potential Underground Hydrogen Storage Project using 3D Geomechanics – A First in Australia
Presented by Zachariah Pallikathekathil (SLB)
BEST VISUAL PRESENTATION AWARD
The concept of a Visual Presentation allows for some authors to communicate their message in a visual rather than an oral way. Many of the areas of our industry are best presented in this fashion – some winners of the Alan Prince Award have chosen to present their material visually. This award is judged by the Technical Program Committee and is based on the presentation style along with its technical content.
A World Class Geothermal Lithium Resource in the Cooper Basin Region, South Australia: Potential for Enhanced Domestic Energy Security Using Sustainable Production Methods
Presented by Geoff Freer and Tim Scholefield (Hydro Lit)
BEST CUSTOM BUILD
Beach Energy
BEST SHELL SCHEME STAND
i.safe Mobile
AUSTRALIAN ENERGY PRODUCERS EXCELLENCE AWARDS (2025-2026)
The Australian Energy Producers Excellence Awards, showcase the oil and gas industry’s unwavering commitment to maintaining high environmental and safety standards and positive integration with community and stakeholders.
Community & Social Investment Award
This award recognises an outstanding contribution to community and social investment within the Australian oil and gas industry.
ConocoPhillips Australia: Place based indigenous STEM embedding cultural learning in school.
Recognised for the Buraligim Weiber (A Place of Learning) STEM program in Gladstone, which was co-designed by CQUniversity, schools, community and Traditional Owners to strengthen literacy, numeracy and cultural connection for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through hands-on learning experiences.
Presented to (L-R) Dr Linda Pfieffer, Deputy Dean Research, School of Education and the Arts, CQ University; Jan-Arne Johansen, President, ConocoPhillips Australia; Chantale Lane, Stakeholder Relations Manager , ConocoPhillips Australia.
Environmental Stewardship Award
This award recognises an outstanding contribution to environmental stewardship within the Australian oil and gas industry.
Santos: Moomba carbon capture & storage – generating ACCUs.
Awarded for Australia’s first large-scale onshore carbon capture and storage project, which safely and permanently stored more than 1.2 million tonnes of CO2e in 2025 and is helping advance lower-emissions technologies in Australia.
Presented to Alan Stuart-Grant, Executive Vice President Midstream and Energy Solutions, Santos.
Innovation & Technology Award
This award recognises an outstanding contribution to innovation and technology within the Australian oil and gas industry.
ExxonMobil Australia: Esso Australia’s Bass Strait Well Abandonment Campaign.
Recognised for safely completing Australia’s largest offshore well abandonment campaign to date, abandoning 211 wells between 2019 and 2025 through continuous innovation, operational refinement and strong industry collaboration.
Presented to Tim Woods, Wells Manager Australia, ExxonMobil Australia.
Safety & Wellbeing Award
This award recognises an outstanding contribution to safety and wellbeing within the Australian oil and gas industry.
INPEX: Ichthys LNG Phase 2b booster compressor module lift, hookup and commissioning project.
Awarded for safely completing the precision offshore installation and commissioning of the 4,800-tonne booster compressor module at the Ichthys LNG central processing facility, delivering more than 848,000 offshore work hours with no lost time injuries, loss of containment or production trips.
Presented to Ben Olislaegers, INPEX Phase 2b Project Delivery Manager, INPEX
For full information on the Australian Energy Producers Excellence Awards, please visit Australian Energy Producers Website > Events > Excellence Awards.
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