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North Sea industry announces Piper Alpha Memorial Safety Scholarship

A memorial scholarship for young people entering the oil and gas industry was announced today (Wednesday, April 20), providing a long-lasting legacy of the Piper Alpha disaster.

The programme was launched by industry skills and safety body OPITO at the Step Change in Safety luncheon at Ardoe House Hotel, Aberdeen, where the first three recipients were named.

On the night of 6 July 1988, 167 men lost their lives following an explosion on the Piper Alpha oil platform, in what remains the world's worst offshore oil disaster.

Survivor Ed Punchard was at today’s event to share his experience and meet the students.

“It is important for us to remember the events of that night in a way which is about the future rather than the past,” he said.

“I believe that we need to empower a new generation of young people who will be involved in the oil and gas industry in the future, so that they will be fully aware of the dangers inherent in the industry and the need for safety to be a priority at every level.

“While we cannot bring those who were lost back, it is also important for their families to know that we have not forgotten them and these scholarships will provide a long-lasting legacy to their memory.”

David Doig, group chief executive of OPITO said: “Piper Alpha was a significant turning point for the oil and gas industry not just here in the North Sea but far beyond. It is vital that the lessons learned are not forgotten but are passed on to the next generation of offshore workers and managers, many of whom weren't even born when the disaster happened.

“The Safety Scholarship provides a lasting way of paying tribute to each of the victims by ensuring those who will be responsible for taking the industry forward into the next stage of its evolution are fully aware of the need for the highest levels of safety."

The annual scholarship will be open to all post graduate students undertaking MSc studies in Safety and Reliability Engineering; Subsea Engineering; Energy Futures (Oil & Gas) and International Business, Energy and Petroleum.

The first place has been awarded to Olusola Olusuyi, known as Sola, who is currently studying MSc Management at Robert Gordon University (RGU).

From the University of Aberdeen, MSc Subsea Engineering student, Pal Bipin; and Ada Bolu - who is currently completing her MSc in International Business, Energy in Petroleum – have also both been awarded scholarships.

Their dissertations on safety in the oil and gas industry were selected from a number of entries by a panel of judges including Professor Tom O’Donoghue, head of school of engineering at the University of Aberdeen and David MacIntosh, head of the masters programme at Robert Gordon University (RGU). Representatives from OPITO were also involved in the judging process.

Sola (24) said: “The OPITO Piper Alpha Safety Scholarship has provided me with the financial support I need to continue my studies and work towards achieving my future career goals. I also feel highly honoured that I will be given the opportunity to meet with professionals from OPITO, which will help to broaden my understanding of the industry and allow me to develop the skills and knowledge required to contribute significantly to the future of energy.”

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