An employee of Aberdeenshire based ThinJack has reached the finals of a prestigious industry award.

Michael Smith has been named as a finalist in the Young Technician of the Year section of the 2010 Oil & Gas UK Awards which celebrate the people and businesses which make an exceptional contribution to the industry. The winners will be announced during a dinner at Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre on November 4th.

Caithness-born Michael completed a three year apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering at Dounreay and worked on the decommissioning of the nuclear power station for a further two years before moving to Invergordon as a rigger on the refurbishment of semi-submersible drilling rigs. Michael’s diverse career has also included time as a gamekeeper and a butcher. He joined ThinJack in the role of Mechanical Technician in December 2008.

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Westhill-based ThinJack has created an international track record for its revolutionary technology. ThinJack is a steel envelope which can be inflated with up to 2,500 bar of hydraulic pressure to exert hundreds of tonnes of force, making it an ideal separating and jacking solution in hazardous, difficult or restricted areas. The bespoke service is primarily used for the rig less separation of seized well flanges and is also used to remove concrete weight coat from pipelines.

The company is headed by Guy Bromby and Alastair MacDonald and is based at Arnhall Business Park, Westhill. ThinJack employs five people and has recently completed service operations offshore Angola, the USA, The Netherlands and the UK North Sea.

Commenting on reaching the finals of the 2010 Oil & Gas UK Awards, Michael said: “I am delighted to have been considered for the Award and excited at reaching the finals. I’ve had lunch with the two other finalists, from BP and Shell, and we had some great discussions. This is an adventure for me and reinforces my fascination with all parts of the oil and gas industry”.

ThinJack Director Guy Bromby added: “Michael has worked tirelessly during the last two years in both offshore operations and improving our systems, including calculating our system designs and installing them into a computer aided design software package. His contribution significantly enhances the company’s efficiency and he is well respected by clients, colleagues and suppliers.

“Reaching the final of the Young Technician of the Year Award is a well deserved achievement for a likeable and modest person who practices a range and depth of skills in his work.”

(GK/KMcA)