When we set up Midland Valley 20 years ago the business plan was to bring an awareness of the advantage that Structural Geology could bring to the Upstream Oil and Gas Industry in identifying and reducing the risk arising from good looking, but implausible, geological models. At that time that largely translated to using the tools of structural geology to improve maps and sections. Now it translates as using the same scientific approach to improve 3D models and to investigate sensitivity and alternative scenarios.

The issues and problems that were around 20 years ago are still around today and in turbulent times for the upstream industry those who are best at using technology and smartest in using it appropriately still have the advantage. Now as then it's the people and the skills they possess that really count and this brings me to the Midland Valley Prize for best Student Structural Geology Project. We have always found structural geologists in our industry thin on the ground compared with geophysicists, sedimentologists and stratigraphers, despite the structure being the skeleton on which everything hangs. This then is ultimately the factor which limits our ability to derive best use from those other core skills.

I have always asked myself why there should be this in-balance in the geoscience skill set. The only reason I can come up with is that for many undergraduates, structural geology is the really scary course with all those problem maps, Mohr Circles, equations and horrible weather in the field. In fact it's no more scary than the other geoscience disciplines once undergraduates and postgraduates get a little encouragement to get past the initial horror.

As part of Midland Valley's Birthday celebrations I thought it would be good to give a little encouragement to this process for the next generation of professionals. So I came up with the idea of a prize for the best structural geology project for under graduates and post-graduates. I've kept the brief very broad to cover the whole field of structure, hard to soft rock, crystal to crustal, academic to commercial. The emphasis is on a good short story with great visuals. Thrill me, and you win!

I'll make allowances for your English, if it's not your first language, but not for your science, enthusiasm or ability to draw cool pictures. Midland Valley will announce the winners on its web site and let the rest of the world see what you've done, and who you are, and what structural geology does.

Structural geology has been my passion since undergraduate days and in judging the entries I'm looking forward to meeting new young professionals with the ideas and enthusiasm who will take this passion forwards.

Midland Valley celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. As part of our program of our birthday celebrations and to help further a general interest in Structural Geology we are offering a cash prize for the best project. The Prize will be available to undergraduate and post-graduate students and open to students worldwide.

The prize will be for the project which we judge to be the most interesting or innovative use of any aspect of structural geology submitted in 2003 by an undergraduate or post graduate student as part of a dissertation, thesis or course work submitted in whole or part of assessment for the degree of BSc, MSc PhD or equivalent.

The submission should be by email in electronic format (PowerPoint, Word or PDF format) comprising no more than 20 pages A4 equivalent including diagrams and preferably shorter. It may feature any topic in structural geology. Submissions will be on an individual basis.

The submission should reach Midland Valley by 10th November 2003. All entries should be sent by email to mve@mve.com

Entrants agree that Midland Valley may publish all or part of their entry with full acknowledgment of the author and institution on its web site or other appropriate format.

Midland Valley founder Dr Alan Gibbs will judge the entries. Winners will be announced on Midland Valley's web site in December 2003. The winner will be selected on technical merit, innovation and quality of presentation. Where the entrant's first language is not English the entrant should indicate this so that allowance can be made for foreign language entries.

All entries must be the original work of the student. Entries should include full contact details, details of academic institution and the contact name and email address of head of department or academic supervisor who has sponsored the entry. Midland Valley may contact the sponsor to confirm the student's status and originality of the entry.

Prize for undergraduate 1st prize 1,500 US $ 2nd prize $500 Prize for post graduate 2,000$ second prize 1,000$ Prizewinners will also receive a certificate of the award from Midland Valley

The successful entrant's nominated department will also be eligible to receive package of teaching licenses for 2DMove including three years support free of charge.

Winners and their departmental sponsor will be contacted directly once finalists have been selected.

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Alan Gibbs
Director
Midland Valley Exploration
14 Park Circus
Glasgow
G3 6AX
tel: 44 (0) 141 332 2681
fax; 44 (0) 141 332 6792

alan@mve.com

www.mve.com