Speakers:

  • Mark Abbotsford
    Executive Vice President - Marketing and Trading, Woodside Energy

    Session: Balancing international and domestic supply demands in a post Mandatory Gas Code of Conduct environment

    Mark was appointed in 2021 to Woodside’s Executive Committee leading Woodside’s Marketing, Trading and Shipping Division. Mark has more than 20 years of commercial, marketing, trading, finance and M&A experience across roles based in Australia, Singapore, Japan and United Kingdom. Following the completion of the merger with BHP Petroleum in 2022, Mark was appointed Executive Vice President of Marketing and Trading.

    Mark has held a number of senior positions at Woodside, including Executive Adviser to the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, and Vice President and Group Financial Controller. Prior experience includes roles at the Western Australian Department of Treasury and BHP Iron Ore.

    Mark graduated from the Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School. Mark also holds a Master of Philosophy in Finance from the University of Cambridge, and a Bachelor of Economics (1.Hons) and MBA from the University of Western Australia.

    Mark is a Board member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WA) and GLX Digital.

  • Caroline Beattie
    General Manager, Future Energy, APA Group

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How fast can alternatives get to a scale where they can replace natural gas?

    Caroline is the General Manager of Future Energy at APA and is responsible for leading and delivering APA’s Future Energy strategy to deliver an organisational response to the growing hydrogen and clean molecules industry for the benefit of APA’s future growth platform. She is spearheading the APA Pathfinder Program which will help APA unlock the innovation, technology and new energy opportunities that will make APA truly world class in energy solutions, with an initial focus on clean molecules, off-grid renewables and storage.

    Prior to APA, Caroline is a seasoned energy industry leader spanning more than 25 years with in-depth experience in hydrogen, renewables, strategy and commercial and has a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry.

    Caroline has built expertise, knowledge and global relationships across the hydrogen industry over the past 5 years.

  • David Berman
    Commercial Director, ExxonMobil Australia

    Session: Ensuring ongoing energy security from the Gippsland Basin

    David Berman is the Commercial Director for ExxonMobil Australia and Esso Australia with responsibility for marketing, analytics, strategy and commercial operations. He has over 20 years of international experience with ExxonMobil in exploration, development, production, research and business development.

    David holds degrees in Science (Hons) and Commerce from the University of Melbourne, is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a Trustee of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia.

  • Anna Brakey
    Commissioner, Chair East Coast Gas Market Board, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)

    Session: ACCC update on gas policy and the Mandatory Code of Conduct

    Anna Brakey was appointed a Commissioner of the ACCC in December 2020. She is also an Associate Member of the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

    Anna Brakey has extensive experience in regulatory economics and public policy with over 25 years of experience working with regulators, government and within the private sector. She has had broad exposure to a wide range of infrastructure industries, including energy, water and transport. Additionally, she has worked on economic reform to social policy.

    Prior to starting at ACCC, Anna worked as an economist at Frontier Economics and held a number of roles at the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), including being a deputy Tribunal Member, the Executive Director of Strategy and Economic Analysis and the Chief Operating Officer. Anna’s expertise includes the Parliamentary Committee process, the New South Wales Department of Transport, the Australian Productivity Commission, the Bureau of Industry Economics and the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Additionally, Anna has worked for the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) on reforms to economic regulation and with the New South Wales Treasury on the sale of assets.

    Anna chairs the ACCC’s Infrastructure Committee, Communications Committee, Electricity Markets Inquiry Board and East Coast Gas Market Board, and is a member of the ACCC’s Competition Exemptions Committee and Agriculture Board.

    Anna holds a Bachelor of Economics from Australian National University and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment from Securities Institute of Australia. She is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

  • Nicholas Brischetto
    Consultant,

    Session: Masterclass A: Ethical sustainability reporting - ensuring transparency and compliance, backed by responsible action

    Nicholas Brischetto is passionate about increasing clients’ ability to anticipate and respond to risk through data-driven insights, seeing such an ability as essential to navigating a world of increasing change and uncertainty. He has nearly 20 years of experience delivering data-driven risk insights in the financial services industry in Australia and the UK.

    Until recently, Nicholas was a Partner in Deloitte’s Risk Advisory business, where he co-authored several papers on truthfulness and transparency in the transition to a sustainable and decarbonised future, including contributing to the AICD’s “A director’s guide to mandatory climate reporting”.

    He has expertise in monitoring extra-financial risks such as conduct issues across customer value chains and sustainability (ESG) risks across the broader extended enterprise, including supply chains and investment portfolios.

    He holds a Bachelor of Business (Banking & Finance), a Bachelor of Information Technology (Information Systems), and is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ).

  • Paul Broad
    former MD of Snowy and EnergyAustralia, currently Managing Director, McCloy Group

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Politics, Policy and Pragmatism: If only being right was enough!

    Paul is a respected executive with over 30 years’ experience in some of Australia’s largest electricity, telecommunications and water organisations. He has championed the power of the market and successfully led major strategic reforms and restructures of the water and energy industries. He has a reputation for innovation and macroeconomic reforms, and has been pivotal in shaping Australia’s energy future.

    Paul was appointed CEO and Managing Director of Snowy Hydro Limited in July 2013. He led the company through a period of sustained growth and strategic acquisitions which have strengthened its portfolio and doubled the size of its retail business. In 2017, Paul launched Snowy 2.0 - an ambitious expansion of the Snowy Scheme which will underpin the Australian economy’s transition to renewables. As the owner of many of the “peaking” plants (pumped hydro, peaking gas and diesel) Snowy Hydro is one of the major price setters in the National Electricity Market.

    Paul left Snowy Hydro in 2021 is currently a Special Advisor to NSW state premier Dominic Perrottet.

    Paul was the inaugural CEO of Infrastructure NSW, and CEO of AAPT, PowerTel, EnergyAustralia Sydney Water and Hunter Water. He is a former Chairman of the Hunter Development Corporation and Mandoe Media Ltd, and a Non-Executive Director of iiNet Ltd.

  • Scott Brownlaw
    Strategic Initiatives Manager, Standards Australia

    Session: Supporting the growth of renewable gases through internationally recognised standards and codes

    Scott Brownlaw is the founder and Director of BedRock Consulting, specialising in advisory roles in the oil and gas industry. His clients include exploration and production companies focused on Australia, Southeast Asia, and North America. He is now devoted to promoting clean energy. Recognising the importance of solar, wind, and batteries in the energy transition, he also believes the emergence of hydrogen as a vital medium for energy storage and transportation will play a significant role.

    Having worked in highly regulated pharmaceutical and oil and gas industries, Scott possesses a deep understanding of compliance and regulatory frameworks, which inform his work for Standards Australia.

  • Ivana Bubevska
    Commercial LNG Consultant & Director, IB LNG Consulting

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Assessing the risks of Australian gas for international markets

    Ivana Bubevska is an independent consultant providing commercial advisory services to the LNG industry. Ivana has a diverse range of commercial experience supporting international entities including project developers, oil and gas majors as well as financial and legal institutions across the LNG and gas value chain and throughout the project lifecycle; from analytical evaluation, project structure conception and development to commercial readiness and throughout operations. Most recently, Ivana has been supporting a number of European LNG regasification terminals to successfully develop and negotiate their commercial agreements for the use of their capacity to import LNG into the UK and mainland Europe, including Hanseatic Energy Hub terminal in Stade, Germany. Prior to that, Ivana was developing and negotiating sale & purchase agreements for the export of LNG from North America to Asia. Ivana began her career as a commercial consultant at Gas Strategies in London and holds a Master in Science degree in Physics from Imperial College London.

  • James Byrne
    Head of Energy, Citi

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Where should the industry and financiers invest: pipelines, terminals, new fields… or leave it in the bank?

    James Byrne covers energy and utilities at Citi. James is an experienced analyst, rejoining Citi following a period as the CFO of a start-up. Prior to joining Citi, James was a petroleum engineer at Oil Search Ltd, with responsibility for production from an oilfield in Papua New Guinea. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of New South Wales.

  • Jon Cleary
    Executive General Manager, Commercial, Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG)

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Is a Western Australian gas crisis looming?

    Jon oversees the commercial operation of our gas and hydrogen production facilities, pipelines, and storage. He monitors the changing energy landscape, seeking strategic opportunities for growth across our national operations. He is responsible for expansion opportunities and new projects, both in the regulated and unregulated space. Jon brings invaluable experience to our Executive Team, having worked for the QGC and Woodside. He holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Master of Science.

  • Jai Coppen
    Senior Energy Sourcing Manager, Yara Pilbara

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Is a Western Australian gas crisis looming?

    Jai is the Senior Energy Sourcing Manager for Yara Pilbara in Western Australia with responsibility for assets including Yara Pilbara Fertilisers, which accounts for 5% of the world's tradeable ammonia. He oversees a portfolio including a 33PJ/annum gas book, green hydrogen, carbon credit trading, CCUS, water and electricity . 

    Jai has a broad background in the energy and maritime sectors including eight years at Shell in the domestic gas trading and origination business in Perth, LNG Marketing and Trading businesses in Dubai and sailing as a navigator on the company's North West Shelf LNG fleet.

    Previously, Jai served for six years as a Maritime Warfare Officer in the Royal Australian Navy and Royal New Zealand Navy, holding several leadership and operational planning roles globally.

  • Jim Cox
    Deputy Chair, Australian Energy Regulator (AER)

    Session: Future of natural gas through and post transition

    Jim has been involved with the AER since 2013. In 2017 he was reappointed as a full-time state and territory member of the AER Board for a further three-years.

    Jim Cox was appointed Deputy Chair of the Australian Energy Regulator on 1 June 2020 with his appointment commencing on 26 June 2020. In 2022 Jim was reappointed to the role of full-time AER Deputy Chair for a further two years.

    Jim has held positions with the Reserve Bank of Australia, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Social Welfare Policy Secretariat of the Department of Social Security. He was a principal economist at the Office of the Economic Planning Advisory Council between 1986 and 1989. Between 1989 and 1992 he was a consultant to the New South Wales Cabinet Office. Jim was Principal Adviser to the Government Pricing Tribunal of New South Wales from 1992 and was a member of IPART from January 1996 to September 2013. He was Acting Chairman of IPART in 2004, 2009–10 and 2011 and a visiting fellow at Monash University in 1985.

  • Matt Currie
    Principal Consultant, Oakley Greenwood

    Session: Masterclass B: Detailed gas market analysis: Price trends, electrification, supply demand balance, decarbonisation and LNG imports

    Matt has over 25 years’ experience within the electricity generation sector. His experience includes both the NEM and the WA, NT and North Queensland remote energy sector.

    Matt’s has a deep understanding of the economics of power generation and fuel supply and has a strong commercial focus. This has been demonstrated through his ability to provide off-takers with innovative power supply solutions taking advantage of emerging technologies particularly renewables and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

  • Steve Davies
    Chief Executive Officer, Australian Pipelines and Gas Association (APGA)

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Where should the industry and financiers invest: pipelines, terminals, new fields… or leave it in the bank?

    Steve Davies is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Pipeline and Gas Association. September 2017. Issues on Steve’s mind this year include: the future of gas in Australia, competition and economic regulation of transmission pipelines, stakeholder engagement and pipeline safety.

    Prior to being CEO, he was APGA’s National Policy Manager with responsibility for government relations and policy development for the gas transmission industry. After training as an engineer, Steve took a different path and has held a range of policy and regulatory roles related to infrastructure and resources in industry associations and the Federal Government. Having spent the majority of his career in industry associations, Steve especially enjoys the opportunities and challenges of working in small teams delivering a wide range of service to members.

  • Ian Davies
    Chief Executive Officer, Senex Energy

    Session: Ensuring government interventions do not strangle urgently needed supply from smaller producers looking to expand operations

    Ian has led Senex as CEO since 2010, navigating the business through significant growth and transformation. Under Ian’s leadership, Senex has transformed into a leading east coast natural gas supplier, committed to securing Australia’s energy future.

    Ian was formerly Chair of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) and served as a Director on the Board for five years.

    Before joining Senex, Ian was influential in the growth of the CSG-to-LNG industry in Queensland as Chief Financial Officer of Queensland Gas Company Limited (QGC). Ian led the negotiation of the LNG joint venture transaction with BG Group and the takeover offer for QGC by BG Group – the largest on-market takeover in Australian corporate history at that time. He also served as General Manager Business Development and General Manager Ports and Infrastructure, under BG Group ownership.

    Ian spent the early part of his career in corporate tax advisory within mining and energy with PwC in Brisbane and as an investment banker with Barclays Capital in London.

  • Brent Davis
    Senior Business Development Manager Renewable Gas, Jemena

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How can renewable gas projects start producing in the next couple of years (not next couple of decades)?

    Session: Building a future flush with renewable gas

    Brent is an accomplished commercial professional with a diverse range of domestic and international experience across the energy and utilities sectors. Brent is experienced in business development, market analysis, commercial strategy, financial modelling, impairment and balance sheet analysis.

    As a senior member of Jemena’s Renewable Gas team, Brent has been instrumental in the development and operation of the Western Sydney Green Hydrogen Hub, and the Malabar Biomethane Demonstration Project – Australia’s first biomethane to gas network injection project.

  • Phaedra Deckart
    Chief Executive Officer, Solstice Energy

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Getting more gas into the domestic market… at a reasonable price

    Phaedra Deckart is the CEO of the Solstice Energy Group, including Tas Gas Networks, and is leading its successful transformation into a diversified energy business. She has previously served as a senior executive at AGL and Santos.

    With more than 25 years’ experience in domestic and global markets, Phaedra is one of Australia’s strongest advocates for the role gas continues to play in the energy transition to diversified and renewable energy in Australia. 

    She began her career in law, before moving into the business side of the energy industry.

    At AGL, Phaedra managed the sourcing and origination of gas, power and coal deals while navigating the transition to firmed renewables. She played a lead role in the company’s LNG import project.

    During her years at Santos, she held commercial, corporate, gas and LNG marketing positions.

    Phaedra is the first female CEO of Solstice Energy and is a vocal advocate for women in leadership.

    Solstice Energy is an electricity retailer and the gas network distributor and largest gas retailer in Tasmania. It is also pursuing new projects, such as bio-fuels and renewable gases, as part of the state’s future energy mix, further cementing it as a diversified energy company.

  • Cameron Dorse
    Executive General Manager, Gas Markets, Jemena

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Where should the industry and financiers invest: pipelines, terminals, new fields… or leave it in the bank?

    Cameron joined Jemena in 2006, and Executive General Manager, Gas Markets, he is currently responsible for the commercial and operational performance of Jemena’s billion-dollar gas transmission portfolio, gas processing assets, in addition to the company’s major gas projects.

    Prior to commencing as Executive General Manager, Gas Markets, Cameron was Chief Digital Officer at Jemena. He has more than 20 years experience in the energy industry, having held CIO positions and senior business operational roles within Alinta, TRUEnergy and TXU. He also has significant international experience rolling out new IT systems and processes for Mars Inc. across Asia and China.

    Cameron holds a Masters of Science degree in Biometry and a Bachelor of Science degree (Honours) in Mathematics and Statistics from Edinburgh University. He is also a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

  • David Fallon
    General Manager of Energy Transition, Chevron

    Session: Reducing the carbon profile of natural gas through CCS

    David Fallon is the General Manager of Energy Transition for Chevron Australia. David and his team manage efforts to reduce the carbon intensity of Chevron Australia’s assets, and work collaboratively with Chevron’s New Energies organisation to evaluate and progress new lower carbon business opportunities in Australia.

    David joined Chevron in 2010 and has worked across all of Chevron’s Australian LNG assets, including the Gorgon and Wheatstone LNG projects, in a variety of engineering/ technical and operational roles before taking on his current role in October 2021.

  • Bill Farren-Price
    Head of Gas Research, Oxford Institute for Energy

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Politics, Policy and Pragmatism: If only being right was enough!

    Bill Farren-Price is a Senior Research Fellow and Head of Gas Research at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. Until early 2023, he was the director of macro oil and gas intelligence at Enverus, a leading US oil and gas data analytics firm. Bill has reported and researched the Middle East energy industry for 25 years, as a specialist journalist and for the past 16 years in research and advisory. Before joining Enverus, he founded and managed Petroleum Policy Intelligence, a consultancy providing advisory to oil trading, investment and research clients, which was acquired by Enverus in 2018. From 2007-10, he led oil research at Medley Global Advisors. His career as a journalist ran from 1993 to 2007, culminating in a stint as editor of the Middle East Economic Survey (MEES) in Cyprus. Bill holds a BA from SOAS at the University of London.

  • Kenneth Foo
    Associate Director, APAC LNG, S&P Global Commodity Insights

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Assessing the risks of Australian gas for international markets

    Kenneth is the Singapore-based Associate Director for the S&P Global Commodity Insights Asia-Pacific LNG pricing team. In this capacity, Kenneth spearheads Platts' pricing, market analysis and methodology coverage of LNG markets across Asia and the Middle east. In particular, he is directing the development of the Platts JKM and WIM benchmarks in physical, financial and forwards markets, as well as the LNG Market-on-Close process. Previously, Kenneth developed pricing and analysis of the coking coal, metallurgical coke and steel markets in Asia for Platts. He is a frequent speaker at LNG conferences at major LNG trading hubs in Singapore, North Asia, and the UK.

  • Andrea Gaffney
    Head of Corporate Affairs, Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG)

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: What is the role for renewable gases in the future energy system?

    Andrea is a senior executive with over 30 years’ experience working across Australia’s energy sector in carbon and low carbon technologies. With deep capability in building profiles and managing reputations Andrea has worked extensively in external affairs, driving key policy reforms to modernise and shape Australia’s energy market.

    Andrea has significant strategic communications capability, and has established and led the communications and corporate affairs function for several organisations and is highly experienced in media management (both traditional and digital) and crisis communications.

    She has authored a children’s book “The Electric Solar Sisters” to enable teachers to teach and children to learn about renewable energy.

  • Andrew Garnett
    Chair, Australian Gas Industry Trust

    Session: Opening remarks from the Chair

    Until 2023, Professor Andrew (Alf) Garnett led UQ’s Centre for Natural Gas, a large multi-disciplinary research programs contributing to future energy transitions through natural gas and through carbon abatement.

    He is a former Shell and Schlumberger executive and has deep industry experience, having worked widely on oil and gas developments across the globe for the past 30 years, most notably, those with high greenhouse gas emission footprints.

    Alf’s research focusses on the energy trilemma (energy security, energy affordability, environmental sustainability). Alf is also charged with leading research into the potential development of large-scale carbon capture and storage in Queensland.

  • Patrick Gibbons
    Partner, Orizontas

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Politics, Policy and Pragmatism: If only being right was enough!

    Patrick is a former diplomat, policy advisor and business consultant with specialist expertise in climate change, energy, resources, environmental, investment and public policy issues. He understands the connections between these real-world commercial issues and politics.

    For almost 20 years he has been at the forefront of Australian climate policy development, advising both sides of politics as a senior member of staff in Federal and State ministerial offices, working for major international energy and resource firms, and the financial sector.

    He helped establish key parts of Australia’s current climate policy framework including the Emissions Reduction Fund and Safeguards mechanism. Patrick commenced his career in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and represented Australia in the Middle East and at international climate change negotiations. He has a MBA in Energy Finance from the University of Texas at Austin, a MA International Relations and Bachelor of Economics (Hons) from Monash University.

  • Scott Grierson
    Chief Executive Officer; Managing Director, Valorify

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: What is the role for renewable gases in the future energy system?

    Dr Scott Grierson is in charge of business development, management, technology and research commercialisation at Valorify, using his scientific background in the thermochemical conversion of biomass and waste.
    Scott is a former member of the ARENA Advisory Panel and has extensive experience in infrastructure and engineering consulting.

  • Varun Gujral
    Chief Executive Officer, Asia Pacific GEMS, ENGIE

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Assessing the risks of Australian gas for international markets

    Varun has an in-depth knowledge of the gas and oil industries and rich experience in marketing and energy risk management. He has been with ENGIE Singapore since 2012. Previous roles include Manager - Crude Marketing and International Trade for Cairn India and DFM-Risk Management for Indian Oil Corporation.

  • Rohan Harris
    Executive Director, Oakley Greenwood

    Session: Masterclass B: Detailed gas market analysis: Price trends, electrification, supply demand balance, decarbonisation and LNG imports

    Rohan Harris is an economist who has worked in the energy, water and consulting industries for more than 20 years. Rohan has significant experience in the areas of: tariff design; regulatory strategy and analysis; cost benefit analysis; energy and water policy; and electricity, gas and water demand forecasting. Rohan’s focus has predominately been on either the theoretical, economic, aspects related to these topic areas, or on the quantitative assessments (modelling) required to support the decisions or outputs related to these topic areas.

  • Stephen Harty
    Chief Executive Officer, GLNG Operations, Santos GLNG

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Building a regulatory regime that is workable for all parts of the gas value chain

    Stephen joined GLNG as Chief Executive Officer in 2019 and has responsibility for the overall management, safety and operation of the GLNG project. With over 25 years of oil and gas experience, Stephen has worked in a variety of operations, project development and marketing roles across Europe, Asia, Middle East, North America and Australia. 

    With this global perspective Stephen has a keen interest in the growth of the Australian east coast gas market, and has been heavily involved in the development of the ADGSM since 2017 and each of the HOA’s negotiated in that time. 

    Stephen is also a non-executive director of CS Energy Limited, a Queensland owned energy company that generates and sells electricity, an energy retailer to commercial and industrial businesses, and is investing in new energy assets including renewable hydrogen, solar and wind farms, and battery storage. 
        
    Stephen holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) from the University of Ballarat Australia, a Master of Business Administration from Deakin University Australia, and is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

  • Jeremy Hasnip
    Head of Energy Transition, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How fast can alternatives get to a scale where they can replace natural gas?

    Jeremy has over 30 years’ experience in the power and banking sectors, and he has been with SMBC for 12 years. In April 2022 he commenced a newly created role in which he is responsible for driving the bank’s new energy transition business across Asia and Australia. He is focusing on advising on and financing opportunities in hydrogen, CCUS, e-mobility, energy storage, biofuels/SAF, and advanced resource recovery technologies. For the previous 10 years he led the bank’s activities in the Power and Renewables sector in Australia completing 80 transactions and providing commitments totalling more than $7 billion.

    He has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, green field project development, corporate & project finance, and in leading financial advisory transactions in the power and natural resources sectors. He has worked previously for 5 years with Corpac Partners, a boutique corporate advisory firm where he was head of debt advisory following 5 years as a director in corporate finance for Westpac Banking Corporation.

    Jeremy worked for leading UK electricity company Powergen plc for 10 years in roles covering power trading, regulatory affairs (competition law/trade practices), strategy and corporate development / M&A in both the UK and Australia.

    Prior to this he worked for Alstom as a power station commissioning engineer and in design, manufacturing, and project management of large green field nuclear and thermal power plants up to 4,000 MW scale.

    Jeremy holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Imperial College London, and an MBA with Distinction from the Warwick Business School.

  • Mark Hatfield
    Managing Director, Australia, Chevron Australia

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Is a Western Australian gas crisis looming?

    Mark Hatfield is the managing director of Chevron Australia and head of the Australasia business unit located in Perth, Western Australia. Mark is responsible for Chevron's upstream interests and activities in Australia. This includes leading the development and operations of the Gorgon and Wheatstone natural gas projects; participating interests in the North West Shelf Venture; oil production operation on Barrow Island; and exploration and appraisal activities offshore Australia. Mark joined Chevron in 1982 as a production engineer in New Orleans after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma. In 1992, he earned a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of New Orleans.

  • Russell James
    General Manager Hydrogen & Future Fuels, ATCO Australia

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How fast can alternatives get to a scale where they can replace natural gas?

    Russell James has two decades experience in the energy industry, and has significant experience in the delivery of small to large scale energy and utility infrastructure projects. He has extensive knowledge of gas and energy markets, pricing, and regulations. Over the last five years Russell has led or played a key role in all ATCO's hydrogen related activities, including development of the world class Clean Energy Innovation Hub at ATCO’s Jandakot operations, a demonstration of solar, battery and renewable hydrogen production through electrolysis.  As part of this, Russell conceptualised and sourced funding from the WA Government Renewable Hydrogen Fund for the Hydrogen Vehicle Refuelling station, which is successfully being used to fuel a fleet of Toyota Mirai’s.  The successful development and operation of ATCO’s Clean Energy Innovation Hub is informing the development of solutions in industrial processes, heavy haulage transport, and large scale domestic and export opportunities.

    Russell works closely with Government and industry to identify opportunities to develop green hydrogen development opportunities and was part of ATCO’s team to secure $800,000 from the Federal Government’s Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), to support the development of a renewable hydrogen export value chain from New South Wales (NSW) to Germany.  In addition, Russell is exploring other opportunities to develop commercial hydrogen production facilities to service and supply heavy industry.

  • Dale Koenders
    Energy & Utilities Research, Barrenjoey

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Getting more gas into the domestic market… at a reasonable price

    Dale joined Barrenjoey in June 2021 as the Head of Energy & Utilities Research. Prior to Barrenjoey, Dale held roles as the Head of Investor Relations at Ampol and as a top-rated analyst at Citi and JP Morgan, while also having spent time in various Project Manager and Engineering roles for Sydney Gas and AGL. Dale holds a Masters in Finance from London Business School (2010) as well as a Bachelor of Petroleum Engineering from UNSW (2004). Dale is consistently recognised as one of the leading equity analysts in the industry.

  • Mendo Kundevski
    Director, Energy Transition, S&P Global Commodity Insights

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How fast can alternatives get to a scale where they can replace natural gas?

    Session: Opening remarks from the Chair

    Mendo Kundevski is an energy transition director for S&P Global Commodity Insights in Melbourne, complementing S&P's energy transition and climate teams with nearly two decades' experience. He has led global and national strategies and projects, such as in carbon markets, hydrogen, renewables, bioenergy and developing energy transition and climate change roadmaps.

    As a trusted advisor to governments and industry, some of his prominent achievements include:
    • Advising the International Hydrogen Council
    • Advising United States, Japanese, South Korean, Australian companies and industry
    • Leading supervisor and author of Australia's first Bioenergy Roadmap
    • Contributing author of Future Grid for Distributed Energy report
    • Lead author of Biogas Opportunities for Australia report
    • Contributing to the Victorian Energy Efficiency and Productivity Strategy
    • Leading the Connecting Embedded Energy reforms of Australia's electricity sector.

    Mendo has held several executive roles as a strategy consultant and research positions. He was also a senior energy advisor to the Victorian State Government. From 2004 - 2008, he served as a councillor for a Melbourne municipality, leading sustainability, climate change, finance and economic portfolios. Mendo has a Bachelor of International Relations (First Class Honors) from the University of Melbourne. As a United States expert, his honors' thesis explored US climate policy and politics.

  • Ying Luo
    Chief Adviser and General Manager of Strategy, Cooper Energy

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How does the gas sector build effective and diverse leadership?

    Ying has almost 15 years of experience working in the energy sector in onshore gas, LNG and hydrogen.

    She began her career as a Graduate Mechanical Engineer with Santos. She progressed through several roles over the following decade including Production Engineer, and Operations Engineer where she implemented solutions to design and operability issues identified during the commissioning and start-up of the GLNG Project upstream wells and facilities.

    Ying also worked in the Corporate Strategy and Planning team, providing oil, LNG and domestic gas market analysis, supporting the development of Santos’ 10-year strategic plan. Her last four years with Santos were as the Project and Strategy Lead for the Energy Solutions division. Ying developed, implemented, and maintained the Energy Solutions strategy and led a portfolio of emissions reduction, renewable integration and hydrogen projects.

    Most recently she worked as the Senior Adviser, Hydrogen Development for the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group where she led the development of Australia’s largest renewable hydrogen production and blending project in Albury-Wodonga, Victoria.

  • Rochelle Macdonald
    Executive General Manager, Operations, Squadron Energy

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Where should the industry and financiers invest: pipelines, terminals, new fields… or leave it in the bank?

    Dr Rochelle Macdonald has over two decades of experience in the ports and marine industries across regional Australia; and has held roles in operations, engineering, development, strategy, and project delivery. She is committed to the optimisation, efficiency and reliability of Squadron’s operating assets, to enable a successful transition to a green energy future.

  • Angela Macdonald-Smith
    Senior Resources Reporter, Australian Financial Review

    Session: Assessing the aftermath of recent gas policy and the long term trajectory for domestic gas

    Angela Macdonald-Smith writes on the resources industry with a focus on energy, including gas, oil, electricity and renewables.

  • Jordan McCollum
    National Policy Manager, Australian Pipelines & Gas Association (APGA)

    Session: Macroeconomic modelling of a renewable gas target

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How can renewable gas projects start producing in the next couple of years (not next couple of decades)?

    Jordan is a career gas industry professional, experienced in the commercial, operational and innovation management and optimisation of technically complex energy value chains. Jordan seeks to now utilise this experience to drive policy change which enables the Australian transition towards a net zero emission future.

    Previous roles include Business Development Manager – Energy for the CSIRO; Commercial Advisor for Jemena; and over 8 years with Origin Energy.

  • Samantha McCulloch
    Chief Executive, Australian Energy Producers

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Building a regulatory regime that is workable for all parts of the gas value chain

    Session: Natural gas as a partner to the net zero future

    Samantha McCulloch is the Chief Executive of Australian Energy Producers (AEP), the peak national body representing Australia's upstream oil and gas industry. 

    An internationally recognised carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) expert, Ms McCulloch has a highly informed view of the critical role the oil and gas industry continues to play in meeting global energy and climate goals. 

    Before joining AEP in 2022, she spent seven years at the International Energy Agency including four years as head of the CCUS Unit. 

    Ms McCulloch has more than 20 years of policy, industry and technical expertise from previous roles within government, industry associations and the private sector in Australia and internationally. 

    She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Commerce (with Distinction) from the University of Wollongong, as well as a Master of Public Policy from the Australian National University.

  • Shahana McKenzie
    Chief Executive Officer, Bioenergy Australia

    Session: Delivering 20% of Australia’s domestic gas with biomethane by 2030

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How can renewable gas projects start producing in the next couple of years (not next couple of decades)?

    Since joining Bioenergy Australia in 2017 Shahana has led the creation of important industry alliances including the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Alliance of Australia and New Zealand, the Renewable Gas Alliance and the Cleaner Fuels Alliance.  She has successfully advocated for Australia’s first Bioenergy Roadmap released by the former Energy and Climate Change Minister Angus Taylor and more recently the creation of a Jet Zero Council for Australia announced by Minister King. Shahana is the creator of the Renewable Gas Challenge charged with replacing 20% of Australia’s domestic gas with renewable sources by 2030.  Bioenergy Australia has increased membership by 400% under her tenure and now includes leading domestic and global brands.

    Shahana has a reputation for building strong collaborative relationships within industry and government. She previously sat on the ASBEC Cities and Infrastructure taskforces, was a co-convener of the Living Cities Alliance, a member of the Parliamentary Friendship Group for Better Cities, and was invited to sit on the Federal Government’s Cities Reference Group Chaired by the Minister for Cities, Angus Taylor. Listed in The Australian – Black Book of Green People, Shahana founded public campaigns including the Living Cities Alliance, The International Festival of Landscape Architecture, My Park Rules, Parks Changing Australia and KIDSCAPE.

  • Leila Ngadi
    General Manager, Energy and Carbon Markets, Stanwell

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Assessing the risks of Australian gas for international markets

    Leila has progressed through various trading roles within various major Australian energy utilities (including Stanwell Corp and EnergyAustralia) and developed an in depth commercial understanding of the electricity, environmental, oil, gas and carbon trading markets in Australia and internationally. She has been responsible for the optimisation of those commodities and the teams of trading professionals & analysts required to effectively attain the earning targets within a risk framework.

  • Stuart Nicholls
    Chief Executive Officer, Strike Energy

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Getting more gas into the domestic market… at a reasonable price

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Is a Western Australian gas crisis looming?

    Mr Nicholls joined Strike as its Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director in early 2017. Mr Nicholls has led the transformation of Strike from its exploration roots into one of Australia’s first integrated developers of gas, renewable energy and fertilisers. Mr Nicholls has a broad ranging background across the energy landscape that included time in the up and downstreams at Royal Dutch Shell across most disciplines primarily from within Royal Dutch Shell’s gas businesses. He has a key focus on the transition of our energy system and his commitment to lead Strike to be carbon neutral by 2030. Mr Nicholls previous experience also includes six years with the Australian Army in senior leadership positions and he has worked in Australia, The Netherlands, Myanmar and Malaysia in corporate and operational capacities and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from UWA.

  • Jane Norman
    Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Cooper Energy

    Session: Assessing the aftermath of recent gas policy and the long term trajectory for domestic gas

    Jane has worked and studied in Australia and the UK and brings 30 years of industry experience in the energy markets. She began her career with Shell International Exploration & Production as a Process Engineer in operations and then as a Commercial Advisor in The Hague, Aberdeen and London.

    Subsequently, in London, Jane held corporate finance and equity capital markets roles with Cazenove & Co (now JP Morgan Cazenove) and Goldman Sachs.

    Jane returned to Australia to join Santos where she held senior commercial, corporate strategy and Executive Committee roles. She led major strategic initiatives at Santos and played a key role in Santos’ growth strategy, in particular the merger with Oil Search.

    During her time at Santos Jane helped drive the transformation of company performance - helping to establish the growth strategy focused on cash generation and shareholder returns and, more recently, the company’s energy transition strategy. Jane holds a Bachelor of Science (Pure Mathematics and Chemistry) and Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Hons) from the University of Sydney and a Graduate Diploma in Management and Economics of Natural Gas (Distinction) from the University of Oxford. Jane is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

  • Melissa Perrow
    General Manager Energy, Brickworks Building Products

    Session: Critically assessing the value proposition of alternative gases

    Melissa Perrow is the General Manager Energy at Brickworks Limited and is responsible for managing the energy needs as a large user of electricity and gas. Melissa has transformed Brickwork’s east coast gas strategy, transitioning from a retail customer to a wholesale gas participant in all of the Short Term Trading Markets and the Victorian gas market. The transition to wholesale gas markets has provided Brickworks with cost and flexibility benefits. Melissa has 20 years of wholesale energy trading experience gained across electricity, gas, carbon and green markets and holds a Bachelor in Applied Science, a Bachelor of Business, a Graduate Diploma in Technology and a Post Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance. She is currently studying a Global Masters of Business Administration.

  • Amy Philbrook
    Non Executive Director | Hydrogen Technical Lead for Australasia, Our Atmosphere | Arup

    Session: Dissecting the logistics of large-scale hydrogen production for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (e-SAF)

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How does the gas sector build effective and diverse leadership?

    As the Australasia Hydrogen Technical Leader, Amy Philbrook leads projects related to the development and implementation of hydrogen solutions for our clients. With her specialised engineering and technical expertise, she develops strong links between hydrogen and the rail, aviation, water, and maritime sectors to help our clients transition to net zero.

    Amy has a depth of experience in hydrogen and clean energy sector previously serving as Head of Strategy for Clean Fuels at ATCO, where she led the development of projects for clean fuels, including hydrogen, carbon capture, and biogas.

    Prior to that, as the Hydrogen and Bioenergy Technical Lead at the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), she led the organisation’s hydrogen research and development round, developed and managed its entire bioenergy portfolio, and led the energy from waste Business Research and Innovation Initiative (BRII).

  • Kaushal Ramesh
    LNG and Power Markets Research, Rystad Energy

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Is a Western Australian gas crisis looming?

    Kaushal is the Head of Rystad Energy’s Gas and LNG Analytics and manages their published LNG research, focusing on LNG trading, shipping, and investments. His past advisory work includes project economics, regulatory impact studies, market entry strategies and LNG contract negotiations. Prior to joining Rystad Energy, Kaushal worked multiple roles at ExxonMobil LNG, managing commercial operations of LNG and condensate cargoes from the Gorgon project, and gas and power sales contracts in the Asia-Pacific, including domestic gas sales into Western Australia. He has also advised spot cargo trades and LNG contracting and investment decisions.

  • Angus Rich
    Principal Consultant , Oakley Greenwood

    Session: Masterclass B: Detailed gas market analysis: Price trends, electrification, supply demand balance, decarbonisation and LNG imports

    Angus offers a wealth of technical expertise balanced with commercial experience drawing on 25 years focusing on the gas and power sectors in the resources and energy industry. His expertise spans across engineering to business development disciplines.

    Angus’ work at Oakley Greenwood has encompassed electricity wholesale market modelling as part of policy development for Infrastructure NSW and due diligence as part of IFM and QIC’s bid for NSW Government’s Transgrid sale process. He has also conducted technical and commercial due diligence advising Clayton Utz on contract negotiations for a central thermal plant offtake and Macquarie Bank on potential investment into a CNG project in the Pilbara region. He has been engaged by mining companies, such as South32 and Rio Tinto, on remote power solutions and strategies covering conceptual studies to final Power Purchase Agreement formulation and negotiations. He has a practical and technical understanding of integration of renewable solutions and the challenges these present for integration into remote and grid based systems.

  • Andrew Richards
    Chief Executive Officer, Energy Users Association of Australia (EUAA)

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Getting more gas into the domestic market… at a reasonable price

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Building a regulatory regime that is workable for all parts of the gas value chain

    Andrew has over 30 years of energy industry and infrastructure development experience having held a variety of senior management roles in the areas of sales and marketing, public and stakeholder relations, media and communications, strategic planning, policy development, stakeholder engagement and political advocacy.

    For the last 6 years Andrew has been Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Users Association of Australia (EUAA).  The EUAA is the peak national body representing Australian commercial and industrial electricity and gas users.   EUAA membership covers a broad cross-section of the Australian economy including significant retail, manufacturing, mining, materials and food processing industries. 

    Under his leadership the EUAA has positioned itself as a highly respected thought leader and advisor to energy industry players, regulators and governments and is recognised by these stakeholders as a strong advocate for energy users. 

    Andrew continues to play a key role in a range of energy market reform processes being undertaken by AEMO, AEMC and the ESB where he has recently joined the Post 2025 Market Design Advisory Group.  Andrew is also involved in the Federal Government Energy Industry Roundtable, ACCC Infrastructure Consultative Committee and a number of State Government key stakeholder roundtables. 
    Andrew is a strong advocate for cross industry collaboration and is involved with numerous energy industry customer councils and advisory groups.  Andrew has also been central to the formation of The Energy Charter, an industry led collaboration designed to improve energy user outcomes.  Andrew is a member of the Independent Accountability Panel that reports annually on industry progress towards this objective.

  • Joel Riddle
    Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Tamboran Resources

    Session: Potential for Beetaloo Basin natural gas to support East Coast shortfall and drive emissions reduction

    Mr Riddle has more than 27 years' experience in the upstream oil and gas industry. Prior to joining Tamboran, he served as Vice President, Commercial and Strategic Planning at Cobalt International Energy, where he worked closely with executive management in the initial evaluation and implementation of the exploration growth strategy in the Gulf of Mexico and West Africa, playing an instrumental role in Cobalt’s $1 billion initial public offering in 2009 and subsequent $3 billion capital raising in 2010 and 2011.

    Prior to his position with Cobalt, Mr Riddle served in various management positions including business development, commercial and strategic planning with Unocal Corporation and Murphy Oil Corporation. In these roles, he was involved in the development and implementation of each company's new business and LNG growth strategies in Southeast Asia and Australia. Prior to Unocal Corporation, Mr Riddle was a senior associate with Andersen Consulting, serving upstream exploration and production clients on strategy and performance improvement engagements.

    Mr Riddle began his career in 1997 as a senior reservoir engineer with ExxonMobil, serving various assignments focused on upstream oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico.

    Mr Riddle holds a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago.

    Mr Riddle is currently on the Board of Directors on the Australian Energy Producers (AEP), and is the Chairperson for the Greenhouse & Energy Policy Committee for AEP.

  • Clyde Russell
    Asia Commodities and Energy Columnist, Thomson Reuters

    Session: Opening remarks from the Chair

    Clyde analyses a cross-section of commodities produced and consumed in Asia with a view to identifying market trends and anomalies. He specialises in crude oil, natural gas, coal, iron ore and copper, but also writes on gold and increasingly on the intersection between climate change and energy policies.

  • Bronwyn See
    Director, Australian Gas Industry Trust

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How does the gas sector build effective and diverse leadership?

    Bronwyn is an internationally recognised business developer who converts partnerships into market leading opportunities. With over 20 years’ experience in the energy industry, she has commercialised numerous innovative industry projects in Australia and within the Asian region. 

    She was recently a finalist in the 2022 Global Gas Awards for her work on renewable energy to renewable gas. Bronwyn has originated several green hydrogen and ammonia projects in Australia and has been responsible for forming consortiums involving leading Australian businesses and international energy players. She currently works as a business development executive at a leading Australian energy retailer.

    Passionate about the energy transition and access to opportunities for all communities, Bronwyn is an awarded conference speaker on topics relating to energy transition within the Asian region. She regularly briefs international delegations visiting Australia to upskill on energy transition.  Bronwyn has been appointed to a number of industry consultation committees, acts as a contributor at the Grattan Institute and a Fellow at the University of Melbourne focusing on energy transition and the green economy.

  • George Sfinas
    Engagement Manager Electricity and Gas, Standards Australia

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How can renewable gas projects start producing in the next couple of years (not next couple of decades)?

    As Engagement Officer at Standards Australia, George liaises with stakeholders in the Building and Construction, Water and Waste, and Timber sectors across Australia to ensure Australian standards are contemporary, relevant and reflective of industry. George is also responsible for maintaining balanced and suitable Technical Committees across the these sectors.

  • Jim Snow
    Adjunct Professor, Energy Initiative | Executive Director, University of Queensland | Oakley Greenwood

    Session: Examining the macroeconomics of biomethane versus hydrogen

    Session: Masterclass B: Detailed gas market analysis: Price trends, electrification, supply demand balance, decarbonisation and LNG imports

    Jim is the Executive Director of expert consulting firm Oakley Greenwood and is an Adjunct Professor with the UQ Energy Initiative.

    Jim is a Chemical Engineer and has spent over 35 years in the energy sector working in all facets of the industry and has not only built assets in gas and electricity but is also recognised as a regulatory economics and market design expert, and regularly delivers public talks and workshops on industry issues.

    He has also held senior executive positions with Energy Developments Ltd running their Development and Construction Group, was CEO of Hunter Electricity, CEO of Consulting for Energetics Pty Ltd and was a founding Vice President in Australia of the Boston based consulting firm Charles River Associates which evolved to become Oakley Greenwood in Australia.

  • Tina Soliman Hunter
    Professor, Macquarie Law School, Centre for Energy and Natural Resources Innovation and Transformation (CENRIT)

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: What is the role for renewable gases in the future energy system?

    Professor Tina Soliman Hunter is a Professor of Energy and Resources Law at Macquarie University, and the Director of the Centre for Energy and Natural Resrouces Innovation and Transformation (CENRIT) at Macquarie University. She was also the former Director of the Aberdeen University Centre for Energy Law (AUCEL).

    She teaches and researches in the area of petroleum law (offshore), Arctic resources law, enrgy law, and fluvial sediments in Siberia. She has received academic qualifications in marine sediments and geology, political science, applied science, and law, completing her PhD at the University of Bergen in Norway. Much of her research is multidisciplinary in nature, and includes working with engineers, geologists and political scientists.

  • Josh Stabler
    Managing Director, Energy Edge

    Session: How prepared is our energy market for the next three winters?

    Joshua Stabler has extensive experience in supply-side market operations for the electricity and gas sectors, and as an advisor and system developer in the Australian energy industry.

    Joshua is the architect of the Gas Market Analysis Tool (GMAT), which is utilised by gas producers, LNG participants, gas generators, end users, financial intermediaries and banks. Joshua is also the author of The Edge – Gas Market Update report.

  • Tim Stock
    Director, Hydrogen and Clean Energy, NSW Office of Energy and Climate Change

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: What is the role for renewable gases in the future energy system?

    Tim Stock has over 15 years of commercial and government experience in the clean energy industry in Australia and abroad. Currently, he is the Director of Hydrogen and Clean Energy programs at the Office of Energy and Climate Change within NSW Treasury, where he is leading the development and implementation of the $3 billion NSW Hydrogen Strategy. Tim also leads several other government-led sustainable and renewable energy initiatives and is also the chair of the National GreenPower Accreditation program.

  • Kathryn Sydney Smith
    General Manager - Corporate Affairs, Chevron Australia

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How does the gas sector build effective and diverse leadership?

    Engaging, impactful and innovative corporate executive with a strong background in transformative leadership and ‘teaming’. Kathryn's expertise is built from hands on experience in corporate, government and NGO environments, that span Australian, International and US based jurisdictions. She is known for:

    Aligning and inspiring teams to deliver high impact results.
    A relentless commitment to perpetual improvement.
    The ability to engage and connect with stakeholders from all corners of the world.
    Anticipating and de-risking work challenges early to create value.
    Acting as a trusted advisor and coach to those around her.

  • Elly Thorne
    Commercial Manager, ExxonMobil Australia

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: How does the gas sector build effective and diverse leadership?

    Elly has worked for ExxonMobil for 10 years, commencing her career as an Engineering Intern at Altona Refinery in 2013. She has since held a number of positions in both Australia and the UK with experience in Portfolio Management and Optimisation, Joint Venture Management, Natural Gas sales and Trading, Supply Management and Value Chain Optimisation. Elly is an active committee member for the Women in Energy Network, and is passionate about her advocacy for inclusion and diversity in the workplace.

    Elly holds a Bachelor of Engineering (BE), Chemical Engineering, as well as a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biochemistry from Monash University.

  • Hon Peter Tinley
    Chair, Economics and Industry Standing Committee, Government of Western Australia

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Is a Western Australian gas crisis looming?

    Peter Tinley AM MLA is a current member of the Western Australian parliament.  On the successful election of the McGowan Labor Government Peter served as a minister from 2017 to 2021.  He chairs the Standing Committee on Economics and Industry, currently conducting an ‘Inquiry into the WA Domestic Gas Policy’, due to be tabled in May 2024.

    He is a former soldier of 25 years, serving the majority of his time with the Special Air Service Regiment with his final appointment as the Chief Operations Officer.  His service included operations in Lebanon, Israel, Syria, Bougainville, Afghanistan and Iraq.  In the latter two operations Peter was appointed as the deputy commander of the SAS task group.

    On leaving the army in 2005, Peter owned and operated several businesses in the building and mining sectors before entering the parliament of Western Australia in 2009.

  • Alex Underwood
    Managing Director, Empire Energy Group

    Session: Beetaloo update - NT doing the heavy lifting for Australian gas

    Alex Underwood has served as Managing Director of Empire Energy Group since 2018 and has led the recapitalisation of Empire and its strategic repositioning to one of the leading players in the world class Beetaloo shale gas basin. Empire acquired Pangaea Resources in 2021 to add to its substantial Beetaloo position, has carried out 2 seismic programmes and drilled four wells in the Beetaloo, including Carpentaria-3H, the longest horizontal section of any shale gas well onshore Australia. Following encouraging flow testing results, Empire is now on the verge of sanctioning its Carpentaria Pilot Project which would represent the first gas produced from the Beetaloo. Alex’s 20 years of oil and gas investing, financing and management experience also includes most recently 2 years with CBA as Director in the Natural Resources Division and 10 years with Macquarie Bank as Associate Director in the Energy Markets Division in Sydney and Singapore.

  • Adam Watson
    Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, APA Group

    Session: Building a future for gas in a net zero world

    Adam Watson was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director in December 2022. He joined APA Group in November 2020 as Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

    In his role as CFO, Adam was responsible for APA’s technology, finance, taxation, treasury and capital markets, risk, cyber and physical security, procurement, real estate and shared services activities.

    Adam has deep local and international experience in the industrial and manufacturing sectors and in the development, delivery and operations of critical infrastructure. He previously held senior executive roles at Transurban, Australia’s largest infrastructure business, along with Melbourne Airport and BlueScope Steel. Adam has deep experience in public private partnerships and his senior leadership roles have spanned finance, commercial, strategy, corporate development and operations.

  • Rick Wilkinson
    Chief Executive Officer, EnergyQuest

    Session: Independently assessing realistic timelines for the supply/demand crisis – where are we headed?

    Rick Wilkinson is the CEO of EnergyQuest, which he joined 8 years ago. He has more than 37 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. He has held senior positions in the areas of commercial negotiations, LNG contracting, gas wholesaling and retailing, as well as technical field engineering.

    Rick held various roles with Santos over 13 years, including President GLNG and Queensland where he oversaw the initiation, and definition for final investment of the CSG to LNG project, and Vice-President Commercial of Santos.

    He has been an Associate with management consultants, McKinsey & Co., and held managerial and engineering positions with Schlumberger (now SLB) in Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Sudan and the USA.

    Rick is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Queensland – Centre for Natural Gas.

  • Bill Williams
    Principal Consultant, Oakley Greenwood

    Session: Masterclass B: Detailed gas market analysis: Price trends, electrification, supply demand balance, decarbonisation and LNG imports

    Bill has worked for or consulted to a range of large international energy and resource sector majors as well as Australian energy sector participants including start-ups. A qualified Engineer with MBA Bill brings the capability to engage collaboratively with all project functions and insure an integrated approach to project development and execution.

    Bill is recognised for his detailed and robust approach, insightful analysis and ability to close difficult transactions.

  • Perry Wilson
    Head of Advisory – Australia, Rystad Energy

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Where should the industry and financiers invest: pipelines, terminals, new fields… or leave it in the bank?

    Perry is the Head of Advisory – Australia for Rystad Energy. He was educated as an engineer in the UK and US and is experienced across a variety of geographies (Europe, Africa and Oceania) and industry sectors (Energy & Resources, Finance, Manufacturing & Transport – Road, Rail and Sea). He specialises in strategy development, M&A and policy advisory across the energy supply chain and is passionate about supporting business with their energy transition, connecting the reality of safe and affordable energy with realistic climate ambition.

  • Mark Wiseman
    Co-Head of Asia Pacific Energy Research, Macquarie Group

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Building a regulatory regime that is workable for all parts of the gas value chain

    Mark Wiseman joined Macquarie Equities in 2020, from Goldman Sachs where he was an executive director and looked after the energy and utilities sectors in Australia and New Zealand for a decade, followed by three years covering Asian upstream and integrated energy names from Hong Kong.

    Prior to Goldman, Wiseman was at oil giant ExxonMobil as a financial analyst for three years. He also had a stint at Grant Thornton.

  • Kathy Witt
    Principal Research Fellow, UQ Centre for Natural Gas

    Session: Building social licence creating shared value for regional stakeholders - benefits and challenges of new energy projects

    Dr Kathy Witt is an internationally-recognised senior social science researcher and currently an Advance Queensland Fellow at the UQ Centre for Natural Gas. Previously working in the areas of environmental and community change for the Queensland Government, Kathy went on to receive her PhD in 2013 before joining UQ-CNG’s Social Performance research team in 2014. Kathy specialises in the social dimensions of land use, natural resource management and energy technologies and transition, particularly in relation to sustainable regional development.

    Leading the UQ-CNG Social Performance team, Kathy currently studies the cumulative social and economic effects of energy development for local communities, and non-technical risks. Her recent work focusses on social acceptance and ‘social licence’ across a range of industries and technologies, including the cattle industries, future fuels, hydrogen, carbon capture, use & storage and utility-scale renewable energy. Through her work Kathy has fostered mutually trusting and enduring relationships with different stakeholders including in the agricultural and energy sectors. She has collated and analysed longitudinal data on town and regional social and economic indicators alongside community members’ own interpretations of lived experience.

    While currently in a research-focussed position, Kathy has previously lectured in Effective Stakeholder Engagement, Environment and Community, Global Challenges in Agriculture, Non-Technical Risks and Sustainable Energy.

  • Neil Young
    Chief Executive Officer, Elixir Energy

    Session: Gas appraisal in the Taroom Trough - next to Wallumbilla

    Neil Young is the Managing Director of ASX listed junior energy company Elixir Energy, a role he has held for more than five years.  Under Mr Young, Elixir pioneered the emerging CSG and green hydrogen industries in Mongolia, and in the last few years has added the Grandis Gas Project in Queensland.

    Mr Young has more than twenty five years experience in senior management positions in the upstream and downstream parts of the energy sector, focusing on business development, new ventures, gas marketing and general commercial functions.

  • Misha Zelinsky
    Journalist; Director, AustralianSuper

    Session: PANEL DISCUSSION: Politics, Policy and Pragmatism: If only being right was enough!

    Misha Zelinsky was appointed as a Director of AustralianSuper in October 2023. Misha is a leading public policy specialist, a Fulbright Scholar, war correspondent, economist, lawyer, unionist, and author. He is currently Expert Associate with the ANU National Security College and a columnist with The Australian Financial Review and Foreign Policy Magazine. Current directorships include Chair of the NSW Labor Foreign Policy Committee and Director with The McKell Institute. He was formerly Assistant National Secretary of the Australian Workers’ Union serving for six years. Previous directorships include Cbus Super and the Manufacturing Industry Skills Council. Misha holds a Fullbright Scholar Certificate and completed a Master of Public Administration at the London School of Economics. He holds a Bachelor of Laws, a Bachelor of Commerce (Econ and Marketing), and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the University of Wollongong.