The group of seven female students beat more than 800 other Grade 10 students throughout Western Australia to win first prize in the science-based competition, run by the club and the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association.

Under the program, petroleum industry guests voluntarily conduct presentations on exploration, drilling, production, transport, refining and sustainable development in the oil and gas sector to the schools involved.

After then taking field trips to two WA industry and education sites, the students work in teams to research and evaluate operations of the upstream petroleum industry and produce a project to reflect their understanding.

Applecross this year beat seven other schools in the finals to win a two-day onshore tour and familiarisation of the Burrup Peninsula.

During the tour, the girls will visit the liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, domestic gas and condensate handling facilities and take a local adventure tour of the state’s northwest islands.

WA Petroleum Club President Derrick O’Keeffe said he hoped the program continues to go from “strength to strength”.

“You couldn’t find a better place or time for being in the petroleum industry in Western Australia at the moment,” he told students at the award ceremony on Friday.

“We’re a very resource-based economy and the opportunities here are huge.

“Everyday we’re looking for additional people to come in and whilst you’re a few years away from that, those opportunities are out there.”

Companies such as BHP Billiton, Woodside, Apache Energy, ConocoPhillips Australia, Roc Oil, Arc Energy, Schlumberger Oilfield Services and Chevron Australia participated in the program, which has been operating since 1991.