Pupils at an Aberdeenshire secondary school have scooped the top prize in an oil and gas challenge.
The team from Meldrum Academy won the 2014 Stem in the Pipeline challenge, using their physics, maths, chemistry and geology skills to solve a difficult oilfield problem.
A total of 16 teams from across the north-east took part in the annual competition, run by TechFest.
Representatives from BP, Chevron, E.On Exploration and Production, ConocoPhillips and Senergy also took part, offering guidance and support to the teams.
They were challenged to produce a field development plan for a fictional oilfield, which involved considering design, safety and the calculation of CO2 emissions.
Each group submitted a report to TechFest, and at the final event at BP’s headquarters in Dyce, the teams made a presentation.
Team Mullan Rouge, from Meldrum Academy impressed the judges with their “first-class presentation” to land first prize, with Gordonian Oil Co from Robert Gordon’s College coming second, followed by Titanium from Westhill Academy.
Team Earth, Wind and Stem from Banchory Academy scooped the prize for innovation.
TechFest deputy managing director, Edwina Keown, said: “The Stem in the Pipeline project is a great way for secondary school pupils to put all of their knowledge and skills into practice to solve a problem which is relevant to the oil and gas industry.
“Along with the support of mentors and academics, the students have been working very hard over the last four months and have each put in more than 40 extra-curricular hours which culminated with them presenting all their findings to the industry professionals, who have kindly given their time to help with the project.
“Year on year the students excel in this project and always demonstrate very high levels of passion, intelligence and ingenuity.”
The schools which took part in this year’s event were Aberdeen Grammar, Robert Gordon’s College, the Gordon Schools in Huntly, and Aboyne, Banff, Kincorth, Kemnay, Ellon, Banchory, Inverurie, Portlethen, Westhill, Alford, Fraserburgh, Meldrum and Turriff academies.