Program for university students underscores BP's commitment to science, technology, engineering and mathematics education

HOUSTON - BP today announced the campus team winners of the 2015 US Ultimate Field Trip (UFT), an annual competition that asks university students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics(STEM) fields to solve a real-world global energy challenge.

The winning teams, from seven top universities across the country, will now advance to the national finals at BP's US headquarters in Houston in April. 

The campus team winners are: Aquasolve from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); Aquam Inc from Pennsylvania State University; Owls from Rice University; The Maroon COG from Texas A&M University; TEAMILLINI from the University of Illinois - Urbana - Champaign; Blastoise from the University of Oklahoma; and Roden Analytics from the University of Texas. 

Now in its third year in the US, the UFT competition is one of the many ways BP works with universities to support STEM education initiatives and provides students with opportunities to explore energy industry careers. 

"BP believes that addressing America's energy challenges requires long-term partnerships between the private sector and leading educational and scientific institutions," said Khymberly Booth, US university relations director for BP. "The UFT has proven to be a fun and effective way to do just that."

Participants in the 2015 contest were asked to identify and develop a novel technical solution to reduce the amount of water used and find an effective use for water produced by drilling operations.

The grand prize winner of the US competition will join the winning teams from Ultimate Field Competition contests in the UK, Canada and Angola on a two-week field trip to BP's natural gas operations in Trinidad and Tobago.

About BP:

Over the past five years, BP has invested nearly $50 billion in the US - more than any other energy company. BP is a leading producer of oil and gas and provides enough energy annually to light the entire country for a year. Employing more than 18,000 people in all 50 states, BP supports about 200,000 jobs total through all of its business activities. For more information, go to www.bp.com/us

Notes to editors:
  • BP's Ultimate Field Trip began in 2010 in the U.K. and was extended to the US in 2013.
  • To date, more than 4,000 students have participated and winning teams have come from universities in the US, UK, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago and Angola.
  • BP funds about $60 million in university research, education and recruitment activity at more than 50 US universities annually.

Office: BP press office, Houston
Phone: +1 281 366 4463
Email: uspress@bp.com

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