PRISMA European Capacity Platform named Project of the Year at European Gas Conference

Jan. 31, 2013 - PRLog -- The brand new PRISMA European Capacity Platform, BP’s Vice President for Shah Deniz, Al Cook, and Dr Jonathan Stern of the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, were honoured at the annual European Gas Conference Awards at the Palais Coburg in Vienna on Wednesday evening.  During the awards ceremony, which was attended by leading experts from the European gas industry, PRISMA was named Project of the Year; Al Cook was named Executive of the Year, while Dr Jonathan Stern was honoured for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry.  More than 300 industry leaders are gathered in the Austrian capital for the leading European gas event at a time when the industry faces significant opportunities and developments.

Project of the Year

On 1 January 2013, the PRISMA European Capacity Platform became the new brand for European gas capacity booking.  Established by an alliance of nineteen network operators from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, the new joint capacity platform is described as a major step towards an integrated European gas market linking the gas markets of seven different countries in the core of Europe.  

Receiving the award on behalf of PRISMA, Mr Harald Stindl, Joint Managing Director of the Austrian network operator Gas Connect Austria, said:  “we are very honoured to receive this award.  PRIMSA proves that when European network operators work close together towards a joint goal and bundle their experience in the field of capacity booking platforms, the involved partners can succeed in implementing the NC CAM already two years ahead of its time.  We believe that the new European platform PRISMA will be a major step towards an integrated European gas market.”

Executive of the Year
“Thank you for this award. I am very honoured to receive it,” Al Cook, BP’s Vice President, Shah Deniz Development said on receiving his award.  “As you know, the last two weeks have been a sad and difficult time for BP, and for all others involved in the tragic events at In Amenas, in Algeria.” Cook added.

“I hope that this award can be a reminder that through partnership – between countries, companies and contractors – we can take on projects that no one organisation could ever deliver. Through partnership we can bring benefit to all the stakeholders along this 4,000 kilometre development. And through partnership we can improve the energy security of Europe by bringing natural gas from the Caspian Sea to consumers here for the very first time,” Cook said.

“I hope that this award tonight can be a small reminder of the good we can do by working together – for countries, for companies and for consumers alike,” Cook concluded.

Outstanding Contribution
Dr Jonathan Stern of the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies was honoured for being “a neutral analyst, who takes into account all options and considerations, when analysing current energy topics, in Europe and in an international context.”  Additionally, he constantly contributes with his fruitful statements to discussions at energy events.

Event dates and location:
Day 1:  29 January 2013:  LNG Focus Day
Day 2-3:  30-31 January 2013:  Conference days
Day 4:  1 February 2013:  Post-conference master class
Location:  Vienna Marriott Hotel, Parkring, Vienna, Austria