At the FLAME 2005 conference  in Amsterdam today (Wednesday 23 February) votes were cast by delegates for the annual FLAME awards for excellence within the gas and utilities industry.

The awards recognising significant achievements within the industry were presented by Doug King, senior partner of Deloitte’s UK Energy, Infrastructure & Utilities Group. Doug commented:

“The Flame Awards reflect the news of the conference as to the most significant achievements that have been central to the development of the European gas markets over the past year. Each of them is well deserved.”

Winners:

• BG Plc – For its success in developing the LNG market and for the successful closing of the Dragon project at Milford Haven in the UK.
• Gas Natural – For constructive facilitation of the liberalisation of the Spanish gas market
• Qatargas II - For the most important gas infrastructure project in 2004.
• National Grid Transco - For the largest and most innovative transaction in the European gas market with the separation and sale of four of its eight gas distribution networks in Great Britain.

FLAME 2005, co-sponsored by Deloitte, is Europe’s largest meeting place for the gas industry with 600 attendees and it attracts numerous distinguished speakers from a broad range of companies, governments, industries and academia.

About Deloitte
In this press release references to Deloitte are references to Deloitte & Touche LLP.

Deloitte & Touche LLP is the UK's fastest growing major professional services firm based in 21 UK locations, with over 10,000 staff nationwide and fee income of £1,246 million in 2003/2004. It is a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, a leading professional services organisation, delivering world class audit, tax, consulting and corporate finance services, with around 120,000 people in over 140 countries. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is a Swiss Verein, and each of its national practices is a separate and independent legal entity.

Deloitte & Touche LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

The information contained in this press release is correct at the time of going to press.