The Banksia Awards were founded in 1989 to acknowledge excellence, dedication, leadership and outstanding achievement in various areas that contribute to the environment and a sustainable future.

Nominations for the 2003 Banksia Awards were called for twelve different categories ranging from business responsibility and leadership to infrastructure and services.

The awards also include the Prime Minister's Environmentalist of the Year award, which is open to any Australian individual, organisation or group that has made a sustained contribution to the environment by providing leadership or inspiration in environmental management or protection.

Apache, the only company represented for the award, has been recognised for its contribution to the environmental management effort it undertook in the Victoria and Double Island Oil Field Developments.

Innovative construction methods were developed to protect the sensitive marine environment during the installation of two offshore oil platforms and connecting pipelines.

This new benchmark in pipeline installation resulted in no significant damage occurring to the more than 1,300 coral bomboras located within the shallow marine environment along the pipeline route.

Out of 65 finalists nominated for the 12 award categories, Apache was the only oil company.