Stunning image of Cooper Basin wins national photographic award

An oil and gas industry worker has won a national photographic competition with a stunning snap that highlights both the beauty and often-demanding conditions the sector’s workforce operates in to deliver wide-ranging benefits to Australians.

Shannon Hemmings, a Graphic Designer for Beach Energy in South Australia, is the Overall Winner of the In.Site Photographic Awards for her photo (below) of a beam pump in the Cooper–Eromanga Basin.

The photograph was selected from nearly 100 entries from across the country as part of the awards, sponsored by Australian Energy Producers’ initiative, Brighter.

Entries will be displayed at the Australian Energy Producers Conference and Exhibition in Perth later this month.

Ms Hemmings said her winning photo “shows workers in the Cooper Basin, in the harsh Outback sun”.

“They’re positioned just right to include the nodding Donkeys in the background,” she said.

“It’s a nod to the toughness of those working in such extreme conditions.”

The awards, in their fifth year, are open to Australian Energy Producers member company employees who submit photos highlighting the environment, community and people within the natural gas industry.

Australian Energy Producers Chief Executive Samantha McCulloch said: “We continue to be impressed by the quality and quantity of the submissions – a reflection of the industry’s connection and relationships with people, the environment and communities where we operate across the nation”.

“The competition offers the perfect opportunity to celebrate the beauty and hard work of the sector, along with the surrounding towns, cities and landscapes in which it operates.”

“These amazing photographs showcase the best aspect of Australia’s oil and gas sector – the people who are so passionate about our great sector.”

“The competition also supports a good cause, and as part of it, we are proud to make a donation to the Fred Hollows Foundation.”

“Well done to all the winners. I encourage everyone to view all the photos entered on the Brighter website gallery.”

The Environment category was won by Bindi Gove, Head of External Affairs at Cooper Energy, based in Victoria, for her extraordinary image (below) of the Otway Basin.

Ms Gove said: “This spectacular coastline has been the backdrop to offshore drilling for the east coast domestic market for decades.”

“The tourism, energy and fishing industries have long known about the richness of the Otway coastline.

“Its dramatic cliffs and rugged seas have sorted many a seafarer over the years – some without success – hence the legacy of shipwrecks.

“The abundance of the Otway’s offshore gas has and will continue to contribute to Australia’s economic prosperity.

“It’s exciting to think that as we move away from higher emitting coal-fired power, we will move towards the much lower-emitting gas to provide the reliability for wind and solar energy in the grid.

“My photo is not just a celebration of what has been, but what is and will be our future – an area where tourism, agriculture, fishing and the energy sectors operate harmoniously.”

Janet Outhwaite, Senior Process Engineer at Santos, based in Brisbane, won the Community Award for her photo of Papua New Guinea from the air, spotting small villages on the banks of the infinite winding rivers to the sea.

Ms Outhwaite said: “The endless networks of snaking rivers catch the eyes of passengers flying overhead.”

“Small clearings and thatched rooves offer a glimpse into what life in a river community would be like.

“We’re privileged to experience a country with such an amazing culture and natural diversity.”

The People category was taken out by Queensland-based Chris Owen, External Affairs at Origin Energy.

His photo (below) captures a multi-skilled operator undertaking an inspection at a water transfer station in south-west Queensland.

“This role allows me the unique opportunity to visit and go behind-the-scenes at sites within our exploration and production portfolio, including Australia Pacific LNG’s assets in Queensland’s Surat and Bowen Basins, where Origin serves as the upstream operator,” he said.

“While shadowing Origin’s multi-skilled operators during their operations across the Surat Basin gas field, I photographed one of the operators as she conducted inspections at the Orana Water Transfer Station, about 30km south-west of Chinchilla.

“These site visits never fail to fascinate and enlighten me, revealing the complexity of gas operations and the dedicated effort required to ensure the safe and reliable supply of gas to both our export and domestic customers.”

Media contact: Brad Thompson on 0401 839 227

High-res photographs can be accessed here.