Subir Raha, the former chairman and managing director of Oil and Natural Gas Corp, has been awarded the prestigious 'Energy Executive of the Year' award instituted by London-based renowned energy journal Petroleum Economist.
Raha beat Elias Velasco Garcia of Union Fenosa Gas, John Lau of Husky Energy, Alexander Medvedev of Gazexport and Adnan Shihab-Eldin, acting secretary of OPEC to bag the award, industry sources said.
The winner was announced at the awards ceremony on Wednesday at the Banqueting House, Whitehall in London.
Raha has spent more than 35 years in the oil industry and held various posts including the top slot of India's most valuable company: ONGC.
In a communique, Petroleum Economist mentioned that "Raha's appointment in 2001 launched a progressive period of investment and exploration that secured numerous commendations for clean energy and transparency initiatives for the ONGC group. The development of education and research programmes demonstrated Raha's commitment to the future of ONGC and the industry at large."
The 70-year-old energy publication, which is the official publisher of most of the global energy events including World Petroleum Congress and World Gas Conference, has 10 Award categories, with the most coveted one being the 'Energy Executive of the Year Award.'