I’ve been writing for E&P since its launch 15 years ago, and during that time these pages have been full of amazing technological advances. These nifty tools and techniques rightfully get credit for helping solve challenging problems and, often, bringing in revenue.

But the people who develop these technologies don’t always get the credit they deserve. That’s why, since 1971, Hart has offered its Meritorious Awards for Engineering Innovation (MEAs). These awards have showcased game-changing technologies that demonstrate the ability to solve some of the industry’s biggest challenges.

Here’s how they work: By visiting epmag.com, entrants can request an account. Once they receive their log-in details, they can enter as many products in as many categories as they wish as long as all entries are complete by Jan. 31, 2015. There is no charge to enter.

For those of you who have entered in the past, you’ll note that we’ve expanded the seven categories we had last year and have added five new ones. New categories include onshore rigs, water management, subsea systems, floating systems and rigs, and marine construction and decommissioning. A full description of each category can be found at the MEA link.

Our judges include respected professionals with technical backgrounds who have extensive knowledge of the categories they are judging. Judges are carefully selected to avoid potential conflicts of interest.

So why should you enter? These awards carry a considerable amount of prestige. Technologies that win MEAs are deemed by an expert panel to be the best of the best and to have made a significant impact on the industry. I’ve seen MEA awards prominently displayed in the lobbies of major companies. I’ve had people thank me profusely when I give them their awards, even though I had no hand in the judging and simply administered the process. Small companies stand just as much of a chance as large companies since the entries are judged strictly on the merits of the competing technology. And oil companies that have developed a technology or technique stand as great a chance as service companies. Shell, for instance, won an award for its virtual source technology a few years ago.

Please take a moment to review the information on our website. The process is all done online and doesn’t take a tremendous amount of time. Help is an email or phone call away. Who knows—you might be making space in your own lobby soon!

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