Pupils from Aberdeen City and Shire schools have triumphed in this year’s STEM in the Pipeline competition, which tasked them with finding a solution to an oil and gas challenge.
Sponsored by the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA), BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, the Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain, the Energy Institute and the University of Aberdeen, the teams took part in a series of challenges to produce a Field Development Plan (FDP) for the fictional STEM oil field.
The tasks included subsurface work, production profiling, separator design, safety and the calculation of CO2 emissions, with the aim of engaging the young people in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) work.
Now in its 10th year, STEM in the Pipeline was extended to the Central Belt and Shetland for the first time this year, thanks to funding from the OGA, as part of a UK Government package of measures to support the oil and gas industry.
Brenda Wyllie, OGA Northern North Sea and West of Shetland Manager, who acted as one of the judges, said: “We are delighted to have played our part in rolling STEM in the Pipeline out nationally. Now, more than ever, it is important to promote the fantastic and varied career opportunities that the oil and gas industry can provide.
“The quality of FDPs submitted by the Aberdeen-based teams was exceptionally high and shows great promise for the next generation. I was particularly pleased to see the recipient of the MER UK Award consider a tie-back opportunity, a great example of MER UK in practice.”
Sedimentary, my dear Watson from Oldmachar Academy took first prize and were praised by the judges for a “very well written report, great presentation and fabulous stand”.
This was the first time the school had entered STEM in the Pipeline and project manager Likhit Macharla said the team had all hugely benefited from taking part.
He said: “Taking part in STEM in the Pipeline has improved our communication skills. Although we were friends before we started the project and we had a good idea of what working in the oil and gas industry involved, we were surprised by the level of technology that exists in the sector.”
6-ess from St Margaret’s School for Girls was awarded second prize and Wildcat Explorations from Robert Gordon’s College took third during the final held at BP’s North Sea headquarters.
RGB, also from Robert Gordon’s College, was awarded the MER UK accolade for Maximising Economy Recovery.
An additional prize for innovation was awarded to Elite Solutions from Aboyne Academy for the use of 3D printing.
Schools in West Lothian, North Lanarkshire and Shetland are due to present their findings early next year.
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Leona Minellas
Communications Manager
Oil & Gas Authority
Tel: +44 (0) 300 020 1072