And the winners of the 2025 EC Innovation Awards are …

Innovation took centre stage at the recent EC Leadership Conference, when the 2025 EC Innovation Awards were unveiled in front of leaders and teams from across the division. Held on Tuesday 14 October at Mandoon Estate in Perth’s Swan Valley, the awards presentation celebrated the creativity, dedication, and hard work driving our projects forward. 

Technology and Innovation Manager, Jason Cippitelli, announced the winners, praising the outstanding efforts that continue to raise the bar for safety, efficiency, and teamwork.  

Winner – LNG Compressor Jack Down System 

The winning innovation was a custom‑designed synchronised jacking system used to install three 3,600‑tonne LNG compressor modules on the Pluto Train 2 Expansion Project. This groundbreaking solution allowed modules to be fully fabricated offshore and installed onsite with precision, saving significant time and cost while setting a new benchmark for efficiency. 

“We’re so proud of the Alevro team for delivering such a complex and pioneering solution,” Alevro JV Manager, Rod Stribley said. 

“Their dedication, technical expertise, and collaborative spirit have set a new benchmark for how we approach major projects, proving that innovation and teamwork can achieve outstanding results.” 

Congratulations to contributors Rod Stribley, Tomasz Milewski, Jon Mallory, David Muirhead, German Arenas, Corey French, Travis Gaspar, Craig Williams, Ben Belyea, Nicholas Brown, Alberto Magni, Jerry Alconaba, and Max Vettrici for their remarkable achievement. 

Runners-up – Dome shelter lifting & 15‑tonne lifting frame 

Two innovations shared the runner‑up honours this year, both delivering practical solutions that improved safety and efficiency on the Kemerton Expansion Project. Led by Ranjit Bhabra, Josh Rule, Jack Read, and Nigel Paora, the teams were recognised for their ingenuity and commitment to finding smarter, safer ways of working. 

The first was the dome shelter lifting method, where the team redesigned the process to lift shelters off containers and disassemble them safely at ground level. This approach not only reduced risk but also saved hundreds of hours in the de‑mobilisation schedule. 

Equally recognised was the development of the 15‑tonne lifting frame with forklift tie‑in points, designed to reduce the heavy manual handling of pipe spools onsite. By enabling spools to be unloaded in a single lift via forklift, the team saved more than 1,000 labour hours, 256 equipment hours, and over $100,000 in costs. 

Reflecting on these achievements, Technology and Innovation Manager, Jason Cippitelli said: “What stands out is not just technical excellence, but the dedication and hard work of our teams. These solutions show how innovation can deliver safer, smarter, and more efficient outcomes.” 

Special commendation – The Talking Trowel 

A special commendation went to Melchor’s Talking Trowel initiative, led by Operations Manager Dylan Ogilvie. The project uses a simple blue‑painted trowel to spark conversations about mental health on worksites. Inspired by the Blue Tree Project, it reflects Melchor’s commitment to empathy, openness, and creating a supportive workplace culture. 

“Innovation isn’t just about technology; it’s also about people. The Talking Trowel reminds us to look out for our mates, to start conversations about mental health, and to create a culture where everyone feels supported.” 

Well done to all of this year’s nominees and also to the broader EC division for what has been a great year for innovation. We look forward to seeing what exciting innovations the next year brings!