Engineer of Year Nominees, 2003: these men and women bring honor and skill to their career fields.

Curtis G. Blount

Nominated by the Alaska Society of Petroleum Engineers

For more than 18 years, Blount has been actively involved in coiled-tubing tool research and applied-technology development. His involvement in technology development includes coiled-tubing, cement-squeeze technology; thru-tubing, inflatable-packer development; coiled-tubing, electric-line development; concentric coiled-tubing design and testing; coiled-tubing completions; coiled-tubing permanent-elongation modeling development; and coiled-tubing drilling.

Much of this work resulted in "world-first" developments, including his involvement in implementing coiled-tubed drilling in Alaska more than 11 years ago. He has co-authored more than 25 technical papers and more than 20 patents, most dealing with coiled-tubing applications, development and applied technology.

In addition to being an active steering committee participant in many Society of Petroleum Engineers conferences and forums, he co-chaired the first SPE forum devoted entirely to coiled-tubing technology, twice co-chaired the SPE International Coiled-Tubing Association Roundtable, presented the SPE Applied Technology Workshop on Coiled-Tubing Drilling, was a World Oil Coiled-Tubing technology advisor, and has been guest speaker for numerous local SPE meetings. He is active in several American Petroleum Institute committees, the most recent being the task force on blowout preventer's equipment for remedial well work.

Blount currently is a well supervisor specializing in remedial well intervention and coiled-tubing technology for ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc., and advises for ConocoPhillips throughout the world. Previously, he was a well supervisor for ARCO and worked for Dresser Atlas as a completion engineer and pulsed neutron specialist. Prior to entering the oilfield, Blount studied nuclear engineering at Oregon State University.

Most recently, Blount traveled abroad as an SPE distinguished lecturer on coiled-tubing drilling technology during the 2002-03 SPE distinguished-lecturer circuit.

Blount enjoys water skiing, sporting clays, travel, hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities when he is not working.

Alan B. Christopherson, P.E.

Nominated by the Alaska Society of Professional Engineer's

Alan Christopherson is senior vice president of Anchorage-based PND Inc. Consulting Engineers. He earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Washington in 1975 and a master's in civil engineering from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 1981. He is a registered professional engineer in Alaska, Oregon, Washington, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, and has 28 years of experience in Alaska and Russia.

Christopherson came...