Australia: Queensland Government to Host international Gas Symposium

Top level experts and industry leaders from across the world will gather in Brisbane later this year for a two-day international Gas Symposium hosted by the Queensland Government.

Queensland Treasurer and Minister for State Development and Trade Andrew Fraser announced the program as a world first congregation of international leaders and experts from the new coal seam gas to liquefied natural gas industry.

Mr Fraser said it was only fitting that the Queensland Government play host to the world’s best minds on gas after ushering in the first CSG to LNG export industry.

“Queensland took first mover advantage in terms for delivering a new cleaner more efficient energy source for the increasingly energy hungry Asian region,” Mr Fraser said.

“Now we are bringing the best of the best to the state’s capital for a high level think tank canvassing all aspects of the industry. Registrations are limited and open as of today.”

Mr Fraser said the program would cover everything from environmental regulation to international market conditions and economic and employment growth opportunities.

“The Gas Symposium will highlight the demand for LNG as a key global transitional fuel source, and an opportunity to open doors for local businesses via new supply chain prospects.

“There hasn’t been a cleaner energy development like LNG for a generation. Electricity produced using LNG is 70% cleaner than brown coal and 50% cleaner than black coal.

“It brings with it challenges and opportunities and we want to continue to lead the discussion on how best to deal with these issues.”

Mr Fraser said delegates would participate in networking and supply chain information sessions and have access to regulators, gas producers, industry leaders and allied business operators.

Senior executives from the leading LNG projects in Gladstone will be joined by experts from Scotland, Canada and France as well as key Queensland Government Ministers and Departmental officials.

Speakers include:
·Noel Tomnay, Head of Global Gas, Wood Mackenzie;
·Ken Mullen, President and Chief Executive Savannah Energy;
·Kyel Hodenfield, Vice President Unconventional Resources, Schlumberger;
·Jim Knudson, Senior Vice President, Queensland Gas Company;
·Mark McFarlane, President, Santos GLNG;
·Page Maxson, Project Director, APLNG; and
·Andrew Faulkner, CEO Arrow Energy.

Mr Fraser said Queensland was well positioned to take its place as an export hub for LNG in the Asia Pacific.

“It’s timely for industry to come together and exchanges ideas on how we can collectively continue to develop a world class industry in a safe and sustainable manner – and it’s highly appropriate for Queensland to play host,” Mr Fraser said.

“Queensland’s gas success story is a great platform to showcase what is happening in the CSG to LNG sector around the globe.

“We’re not without our challenges but we are setting the pace for a clean energy revolution capable of supplying other regions around the world.”

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Source: cabinet.qld.gov, September 9, 2011;