Report from NOF Energy’s Annual Awards Event

NOF Energy, the UK business development organisation for oil, gas, nuclear and offshore renewables sectors, has celebrated the stars of the industry at its Annual Awards and Dinner.

Hosted by TV presenter, Wendy Gibson, the event at the Hardwick Hall Hotel in Sedgefield, County Durham showcased some of the energy sectors’ success stories and rewarded a number of its leading lights.

Clinching the top title of Company of the Year was subsea umbilical systems specialist, DUCO Ltd. Part of energy industry project management, engineering and construction multi-national, Technip, the company has over 30 years history supplying umbilical systems from its operation in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

In the past 12 months DUCO Ltd has strengthened its position as a world-leader in the industry and as the engineering and support centre for umbilicals within the Technip group. DUCO Ltd was previously named NOF Energy Company of the Year in 2006 when it also won an award for its training provision.

Pipelay and trenching systems company IHC Engineering Business Ltd, based in Stocksfield, Northumberland, collected the Innovation and Technology prize for the creation of the Saipem J-Lay Tower.

Built for the new build vessel Saipem FDS2, the J-Lay Tower is the most versatile pipelay systems in the world and was supplied to allow the installation of large diameter subsea pipelines in water depths of up to 3000m.

Darchem Engineering Ltd won the best international business award for delivering significant growth in exports. This has been achieved through a growing presence in multiple sectors including oil & gas, nuclear, aerospace, marine and automotive across all continents.

The celebrations continued at the event when Steven Rooney 29, from Heerema Hartlepool Ltd, collected the New Talent Award.

Steven is a former Hartlepool College Apprentice of the Year and has become lead welding engineer at Heerema responsible for all welding engineering activities during the construction of large, high-value, complex steel structures for the offshore oil, gas and renewable energy industries.

In addition to the awards ceremony, 400 invited guests enjoyed a Victorian-themed evening, which included entertainment provided by Chas Hodges from ‘Chas n’ Dave’ who performed some classic Victorian sing-a-long tunes.

The musical theme continued with an after-dinner speech by actor, comedian and musician Brendan Healey who was once part of legendary North East group, Lindisfarne.

 The categories and winners of the NOF Energy Awards 2011 were:

Company of the Year, sponsored by Stapleton International– DUCO Ltd

International Business Award, sponsored by A&P Tyne Ltd – Darchem Engineering

Innovation & Technology Award, sponsored by Hydratight Ltd – IHC Engineering Business Ltd

New Talent Award, supported by the Department for Energy and Climate Change – Steven Rooney, Heerema Hartlepool Ltd

Tom Nightingale, Marketing Manager at DUCO Ltd, said: “We are delighted to win the NOF Energy Company of the Year Award. It reflects the skills and innovations we have developed together with the hard work and commitment of our team. This is the second time we have won this award in recent years, which demonstrates the consistent quality of products and service we deliver to our customers.”

George Rafferty, Chief Executive of NOF Energy, said: “The energy sector supply chain is a jewel in the crown of British industry and the UK economy. The NOF Energy Awards recognises the continuing excellence being demonstrated by companies within the supply chain and rightly celebrates their achievements.

He added: “The NOF Energy Annual Awards and Dinner is one of the most anticipated events in the energy sector calendar. Thanks to our headline sponsors; Wilton Group, Mech-Tool Engineering and Ward Hadaway, together with the support of our members, everyone had a wonderful evening celebrating our exceptional and innovative industry.”

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Offshore Nieuws Staff, December 9, 2011; Image: nofenergy