The APEGGA Frank Spragins Technical Award

William Grey Ayrton, P.Geol., PhD

For his technical expertise, moral and ethical integrity, and his mentoring and communication skills, the APEGGA Frank Spragins Technical Award is bestowed on Bill Ayrton.

Dr. Ayrton obtained a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in geology from McGill University in 1959, as well as a master's degree and PhD from Northwestern University in 1963 and 1964, respectively. He immediately began work with Amoco Canada Petroleum Company Ltd. in Calgary, where he received training in hydrocarbon exploration. It was at his urging, as chief geologist, that Amoco adopted a training and career development program with a strong mentoring component.

After leaving Amoco, Dr. Ayrton pursued his career as an independent with Blue Sky Oil & Gas, Petromark Minerals, Canadian Westgrowth, and Flame Resources Ltd. Since 1985, he has been a consultant active in generating oil and gas players and advising companies on their training and professional development programs. He has contributed many technical papers to the geological community and received the Link Award for outstanding oral presentation of a geological paper.

Dr. Ayrton's conviction that communication is the key to success has driven his desire and ability to instruct his employers, co-workers, students and the general public. One of his primary communications initiatives was the mentoring program first developed at Amoco and continued throughout his career. Many geologists have been well served by his advice, not only one-on-one, but through his activities on many technical committees. For example, he originated the Student Industry Field Trip in 1976 and is still involved in this effort, an initiative that attracts the best geological students from across Canada.

He is currently chair of The CSPG (Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists) Advantage, a program that is developing courses to aid members in maintaining their technical competence. Non-professionals and students have also benefited by attending his many presentations on geology.