The winner of the Offshore Achievement Awards (OAA) trophy design competition for 2025, in association with Gray’s School of Art, was announced today (Thursday 7th November 2025)
The 38th annual OAA awards, sponsored by Bilfinger, recognise outstanding achievements in the energy industry. Each category winner takes home a coveted OAA trophy designed each year by Gray’s School of Art 3D Design students.
Four 3D design students presented their concepts for the 2025 trophy to a panel of 6 judges and were tasked with creating a prototype for further judging. George Brown was selected as the 2025 winner with his design going on to be crafted into bespoke trophies for next year’s prestigious 2025 Offshore Achievement Awards.
Talking about the process, George says:
“My design process was holistic, encompassing thoughtful design and meticulous project management. I sought to honour every contributor, every industry, and the many methods that make such achievements possible. Prototyping took many forms, from humble materials like coffee stirrers and blue tack to ancient clay modelling techniques and AI. My goal was for both the creative process and the final design to reflect the core values of creativity and innovation that define the energy sector.
In my approach, I employed something I call companionship design an unconventional but immersive process that involved carrying each prototype with me. This strange practice allowed me to experience each version of the trophy as a “companion,” gaining insights and a hands-on understanding of its form, weight, and impact in different settings. This continual engagement with each iteration allowed me to refine and deepen my design concept in a very personal way.
The final design draws inspiration from the turbine, abstracted to symbolise the industry’s connection to the past, present, and future. I aimed to create a piece that not only acknowledges but celebrates the achievements that continue to propel us forward.”
OAA Committee Member and judge Nandini Nagra, Geophysicist at bp says, “I loved supporting the OAA trophy creation process. It was great to meet the Gray’s School of Art students, and to hear how each of them took on the brief. Each idea was so different, and it was evident that a huge amount of thought and research went into their trophy designs. The chosen winner, George, hit all aspects of the brief and created a trophy which embodies the changing industry, with a nod to its past. I can’t wait to see the final product!”
Winners of the OAA’s will be announced at a black-tie ceremony on the 13th March at the P&J Live in Aberdeen. The full list of OAA categories for 2025 are:
- Emerging Technology Award
- Field-Proven Technology Award
- Collaboration Award
- Sustainability Project Award
- Skills Development Award – sponsored by CNOOC
- Offshore Workplace of Choice – Judges Award – supported by RigRun
- Inclusivity Champion Award – sponsored by slb
- Industry Expert Award – sponsored by SLB
- Young Professional Award – sponsored by Harbour Energy
- Industry Transferer/Returner Award
- Significant Contribution Award
Entries are open until 29th November 2024, with finalists announced in January 2025. Entries are open to all UK-registered companies within the oil & gas and renewables sectors. Find out more and enter at: https://www.spe-aberdeen.org/oaa/nominations
