The 2026 Australian Energy Producers Excellence Awards have recognised some of the exceptional innovations and initiatives in the Australian oil and gas industry.
The awards, presented last night as part of the annual Conference and Exhibition in Adelaide, celebrate outstanding achievements in community engagement, environmental stewardship, innovation and technology, and workplace safety and wellbeing across Australia’s energy industry, and in communities where the industry operates.
Australian Energy Producers Chief Executive Samantha McCulloch said this year’s winners demonstrated the innovation, collaboration and leadership helping shape the future of Australia’s energy sector.
“These outstanding projects highlight some of the extraordinary work being undertaken across our industry to support communities, strengthen environmental outcomes, improve safety performance and drive innovation,” Ms McCulloch said.
“The calibre of this year’s finalists and winners reflects an industry committed to continuous improvement and delivering lasting benefits for the Australian community.
“On behalf of the industry, I congratulate all finalists and award recipients recognised for their outstanding achievements and contribution to Australia’s energy future.”
Award Winners
Community & Social Investment Award
ConocoPhillips Australia: Place based indigenous STEM embedding cultural learning in school
Recognised for the Buraligim Weiber (A Place of Learning) STEM program in Gladstone, which was co-designed by CQUniversity, schools, community and Traditional Owners to strengthen literacy, numeracy and cultural connection for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through hands-on learning experiences.
Environmental Stewardship Award
Santos: Moomba carbon capture & storage – generating ACCUs
Awarded for Australia’s first large-scale onshore carbon capture and storage project, which safely and permanently stored more than 1.2 million tonnes of CO2e in 2025 and is helping advance lower-emissions technologies in Australia.
Innovation & Technology Award
ExxonMobil Australia: Esso Australia’s Bass Strait Well Abandonment Campaign
Recognised for safely completing Australia’s largest offshore well abandonment campaign to date, abandoning 211 wells between 2019 and 2025 through continuous innovation, operational refinement and strong industry collaboration.
Safety & Wellbeing Award
INPEX: Ichthys LNG Phase 2b booster compressor module lift, hookup and commissioning project
Awarded for safely completing the precision offshore installation and commissioning of the 4,800-tonne booster compressor module at the Ichthys LNG central processing facility, delivering more than 848,000 offshore work hours with no lost time injuries, loss of containment or production trips.
