China's CNOOC Limited Wins Both 'Producer' & 'Energy Company of the Year' Honors at Platts Global Energy Awards as Gas Natural Fenosa's Villaseca Takes Top 'CEO'

NEW YORK, Dec. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- CNOOC Limited, a leading Chinese oil and gas exploration and production company, took top international billing at tonight's 12th annual Platts Global Energy Awards, the industry's most recognized awards program, winning both the sought-after Energy Company of the Year honors and the  Energy Producer of the Year award.

Nearly 600 energy industry executives from 18 countries walked the red carpet into Cipriani Wall Street, the site of the 2010 black-tie dinner and energy awards ceremony, which was emceed by CNBC television anchor Amanda Drury. Winners in 17 performance categories received honors on stage, having been selected from more than 200 nominations worldwide by an independent panel of judges. The awards honor outstanding achievement in the energy industry, recognizing corporate and individual accomplishments, innovation and entrepreneurship.  

"Not only is this a first win for China in the Awards history, but CNOOC Limited ranks among an elite few companies that have taken home awards in two categories in the same year," said Larry Neal, president of Platts, the leading global energy information provider and host of the awards. "We congratulate CNOOC Limited for this dual win, and laud each of this year's winners and finalists for their innovation and leadership."

In its selection of Energy Company of the Year, Platts' panel of judges highlighted CNOOC Limited's surge onto the global energy stage. They pointed to its strong strategic investments, streamlined management, increased activities in engineering, construction and development, as well as its exploration discoveries and increased priority on social responsibility – all of which underscore the firm's commitment to becoming a truly "world class" energy company.

It was CNOOC Limited's 15 independent discoveries, numerous technical service contracts and nearly a dozen exploration appraisals, in addition to its strategic reach into South America and the United States, which helped the company best its competitors for "Energy Producer of the Year" and further demonstrated its global vision. CNOOC Limited presently ranks 29th in the 2010 Top 250 Global Energy Company Rankings,* a financial performance ranking published annually by Platts. It ranks sixth in the Asia-Pacific Top Ten.  

Rafael Villaseca, head of Spain's Gas Natural Fenosa, was named "CEO of the Year," largely due to the 2009-2010 merger and integration of Gas National and Union Fenosa, which created a gas and electricity giant with a 23-country footprint and more than 20 million customers. Judges said the full scope of Villaseca's leadership skills were visible in this one merger alone, which was completed during a period of heightened economic uncertainty and resulted in increased profits for shareholders, enhanced services for customers, new career prospects for employees, and development opportunities for the communities in which it operates.  

As in 2009, the Lifetime Achievement award was shared by two energy executives, one for industry-changing entrepreneurial engineering contributions and another for propelling changes in energy policy.  

Clean energy visionary and founder of Avalon EcoPower, Peter Cartwright was recognized for his industry-changing achievements, including the development of the independent power producer (IPP) sector and the advancement of geothermal energy and natural gas-fired power generation. A "clean and green energy" advocate, Cartwright has enjoyed a nearly 60-year career marked by countless innovations in thermonuclear energy for the Atomic Energy Commission, General Electric's Nuclear Energy Division, and the founding and leadership of power company Calpine.  

Betsy Moler, the first woman in the awards' history to receive Lifetime Achievement honors, stood out because of her exemplary commitment to advancing energy and environmental policy in the United States.  Throughout a 40-year career, largely spent in Washington, D.C., she has been a pre-eminent voice on energy policy, a tireless advocate for climate-conscious energy, and a trusted resource to public officials.  Key legislation such as The Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 and the Comprehensive Electricity Competition Act of 1998 can be attributed to her efforts.  Besides serving as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy in the Clinton Administration, Moler has been the longest serving and only member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to be appointed by three different U.S. presidents.

Rising Star, an award that honors an upcoming young company for its accomplishments and potential, went to the Netherlands' Green Gas international, B.V., founded in 2005. The firm's track record of steady profitable innovation in climate- and environment-friendly energy production set it apart from other entries. In less than five years, Green Gas took from concept to profitable business the idea of converting methane from coal mines and landfill gas into energy. Securing a 2006-2009 three-year compound growth rate of 354%, while simultaneously expanding its project portfolio to 50 in nine countries and reducing its green house gas emissions by more than three million tons of CO2 equivalent annually, was seen by judges as no easy feat.  

In addition to China, Spain, Netherlands and the United States, the 2010 Platts Global Energy Awards honorees hail from the United Kingdom, Italy, Pakistan and Canada.  The winners in all categories are as follows:  

For complete awards results, including the judges' rationale, please go to Platts Global Energy Awards:

• Website –  http://geaweb.platts.com,
• Media kit – www.platts.com/MediaKits/mediaGEA2010/no

The awards ceremony was preceded by the fourth annual Platts Global Energy Outlook

Forum on December 1, during which industry leaders, economists and government officials held wide-ranging roundtable discussions on the fact, fiction and outlook for global "clean" energy.

Capgemini served as the Platts Global Energy Awards principal sponsor for the eighth consecutive year and was joined by returning co-sponsors Elster Solutions, SAIC, Credit Suisse and SolArc, Inc.

* The Platts Top 250 Global Energy Companies Rankings™ are based on data from Capital IQ, a business, which like Standard & Poor's and Platts, is a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies.  To be ranked, companies must have assets greater than US$3 billion and must be publicly listed.

About Platts: Platts, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), is a leading global provider of energy and commodities information. With a century of business experience, Platts serves customers across more than 150 countries. An independent provider, Platts serves the oil, natural gas, electricity, emissions, nuclear power, coal, petrochemical, shipping, and metals markets from 17 offices worldwide. Platts' real-time news, pricing, analytical services and conferences help markets operate with transparency and efficiency. Traders, risk managers, analysts, and industry leaders depend upon Platts to help them make better business decisions. Additional information is available at http://www.platts.com.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies: Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a global information and education company providing knowledge, insights and analysis in the financial, education and business information sectors through leading brands including Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, Platts, and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2009 were $5.95 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/.

Non-U.S. media may contact in Europe: Shiona Ramage at [email protected] or +44207 1766153; or in Asia, may contact Casey Yew at [email protected] or +65 653 06552

SOURCE Platts

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