Paul Lyon is a PhD candidate from the National Centre for Petroleum Geology and Geophysics (NCPGG).

Paul wins a return airfare to London, accommodation, meals, and transfers to Bristol, the Somerset Coast and the English Channel, to study PSI's pt Accreditation Course. Following successful completion of the course, Paul will be entitled to use the "Method for Detecting Direction and Relative Magnitude of Maximum Horizontal Stress in Earth's Crust".

Nicole Williams, PSI's Manager Global Operations said the win was an example of how local talent can apply new geological approaches to explain previously misunderstood structural interpretation of seismic data.

"I think it's interesting and heartening that a young PhD candidate from the NCPGG won it, too. We had lots of entries from oil company people, and while we are hearing about the lack of talent around - clearly, this isn't so," said Williams.

Most entries recognised Line 1 as coming from the Robe area of the South Australian onshore Otway Basin. Line 2 is some 70km to the ESE of Line 1, although noting the location of the lines was not considered in the judging of the competition.

The standard of seismic interpretation was high, less so, the explanation of structural similarities and differences between the two lines. Paul's winning entry recognised significant compressional events within a "classic rift", using average data.

A full discussion of Paul's winning entry is available on PSI's website, . www.predrillstress.com