AFTER weeks of deliberation, the Adipec Awards Regional Select Jury (RSJ), has shortlisted the finalists who will be in the running for the prestigious Adipec 2012 Awards. The Adipec Awards, which acknowledge innovation in the region’s oil and gas sector, are taking place on November 11 at the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort in Abu Dhabi.

Following are the finalists, which have been selected from 170 entries in six categories:

In the first category, for Best Mena Oil and Gas Project, the finalists are Linde, Adma-Opco, Saudi Aramco, KOC/Weatherford, Royal Dutch Shell and Emerson.

The second category, Best Mena Oil and Gas Innovation or Technology, includes Siemens, Saudi Aramco (shortlisted for two projects), and joint entries from ExxonMobil and Zadco, and from Royal Dutch Shell, KOC and Halliburton.

The third category of Best Mena Oil and Gas HSE Project has shortlisted PDO, Unique Maritime Group, Baker Hughes, Total, Adma-Opco and Emdad.

Wintershall, Shell Iraq, Oman LNG, ExxonMobil, Maersk Oil Qatar, OMV and PDO are in the running to win the award for Best Mena CSR Initiative.

The category for Best Mena oilfield/gas field management has two projects from Saudi Aramco, and entries from KOC/Weatherford, PDO, KOC.

The finalists in the last category, Best International oil and gas project, are Kuwait Petroleum International, Baker Hughes and Wood Group.

“The record number and exceptional quality of competition entries reflect the GCC’s continuing investment in intellectual capital and technical innovation to support the successful implementation of complex hydrocarbon projects,” says Dr Ali Obaid Al Yabhouni, CEO of Adnatco/NGSCO and UAE Governor for Opec.

“All entries were thoroughly evaluated during a complex judging procedure before the shortlist was selected. Once again, the Adipec awards have showcased the region’s role as a global industry leader,” he adds.

Comprising 21 leading industry representatives, the awards jury had the unenviable task of choosing from 170 competitive submissions.

In mid-October, all judges of the regional select jury will convene in Abu Dhabi to select a winning entry in each category.

The Adipec Awards were created to incentivise industry leaders in the region, as well as to add a competitive edge to the Middle East’s oil and gas sector, focusing on innovative and unique projects, technology, field management, health and safety and corporate social responsibility.