RIL, Cairn, GAIL, IOC among finalists for Platts awards

Seven Indian firms, including Reliance Industries (RIL), Cairn India and Indian Oil Corp (IOC), figure in the list of finalists for "the Oscars" of the energy industry, the Platts Global Energy Awards.

The 2011 finalists, drawn from 19 countries and chosen from more than 200 nominations, were announced today by programme host Platts, a leading global provider of energy information.

"Seven energy companies from India, including Indraprastha Gas, RIL, GAIL India, IOC and Cairn, have been chosen as finalists under various categories in the Platts Global Energy Awards, an annual programme recognising exemplary industry leadership," Platts said in a press statement.

Established in 1999 and often described as "the Oscars" of the energy industry, Platts Global Energy Awards highlight corporate and individual innovation, leadership and superior performance in 19 categories spanning the entire energy industry.

An equal number of Indian companies were among the finalists for the Global Energy Awards in 2010.

This year, RIL was nominated in two categories, one of which is a newly introduced category -- Petrochemical and Blendstock Innovation Award -- highlighting innovations in this important, petroleum-related industry.

RIL is also up for honours in another category for its energy efficiency initiatives.

Gas utility GAIL India is in fray for the Downstream Operation of the Year Award, while Cairn's success at the huge oilfield it discovered in Rajasthan has put it in fray for the Energy Producer of the Year Award.

IOC is one of the contenders for the Construction Project of the Year, IGL for the Industry Leadership Award and Sea Water Electricity for the Sustainable Technology Innovation of the Year Award.

Platts said along with awarding companies and industry leaders in specific performance categories, Platts will also name the 2011 Energy Company of the Year, which will be chosen from the entire list of finalists.

"Winners in all categories are selected by the programme's independent panel of judges, which includes former regulators, past heads of major energy companies, leading academics and international energy experts," it added.

Nearly 600 guests are expected to attend the black-tie dinner at New York's Cipriani Wall Street on December 1, when the 2011 Global Energy Awards will be presented by Platts.