In.Site Photographic Awards: 2023 Winners announced

A Queensland oil and gas industry worker has won a national photographic competition with a stunning snap of  a beam pump at sunrise.

David Warren, a Senior Field Development Planner for Santos in Queensland, is the Overall Winner of the In.Site Photographic Awards for his photo of a beam pump at sunrise in the Cooper–Eromanga Basin.

Entries will be displayed at next week’s APPEA Conference and Exhibition in Adelaide.

Mr Warren, who will receive a $5,000 voucher from Ted’s Cameras, said of his winning photo: “A beam pump or ‘nodding donkey’ is an iconic sight in my industry.

“After working night shift as a rig supervisor and on my drive back to camp one morning, I stopped and took a few photographs, capturing this iconic image with the early sun beaming behind it. After working in the basin for 12 months, it was always a picturesque occasion seeing the sunsets and sunrises, and even more special to capture it with my camera.”

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

View the full gallery of 2023 entries here.

APPEA Chief Executive Samantha McCulloch said: “These amazing photographs showcase the very best aspects of Australia’s oil and gas sector by capturing our relationships with people, the environment and communities where we operate across the nation.

“The competition opened in March and we were overwhelmed by the quality and quantity of this year’s submissions. Thank you to all those who entered.

“The competition also supports a good cause. We will donate $5000 to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

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

Overall Winner: ‘Beam Pump at Sunrise’ – David Warren, Senior Field Development Planner, Santos

Winner, People: ‘Conversations Over the Fence’ – Travis Hayto, Contractor, Mitsui E&P Australia

Winner, Environment: ‘Under Starry Skies’, Philip Allen, Geologist, Allen Geological Services 

Winner, Community: ‘Blue Carbon Partnership’ – Shannon Hemmings, Graphic Designer, Beach Energy

Learn more about In.Site and view the gallery here.