Industry leaders tackle local content issue as Australia’s largest oil and gas event opens

Wednesday, Feb 20, 2013

The decision makers behind Australia’s largest oil and gas projects, including leaders from Shell, Chevron and Woodside, will come together at the Australasian Oil & Gas Exhibition & Conference (AOG) in Perth today to discuss how Australian firms can increase their chances of winning work on major resources projects.

The opening of Australia’s largest oil and gas event follows the announcement of a federal government plan to strengthen Australian participation on major resources projects.

Under the Plan for Australian Jobs, major projects worth $500 million or more will be required to have an “Australian industry participation plan”, identifying opportunities for local firms.

The plan is likely to be a hot topic in the Australian Industry Participation stream of the AOG Conference, which will examine how Australian firms can improve their chances of winning work on major oil and gas projects – both at home and abroad.

One of the most anticipated sessions of the conference, the stream will feature high-profile speakers including:

• Simon O’Brien - WA Minister for Commerce
• Ann Pickard - Country Chair Australia, Shell
• Colin Beckett - General Manager, Greater Gorgon Area, Chevron Australia
• Robert Edwardes - Executive Vice President Development, Woodside Energy
• Paul Johnson MBE - Energy Resources Supplier Advocate
• Innes Willox - Chief Executive, Australian Industry Group

Paul Johnson, who was appointed the Australian Government’s Energy Resources Supplier Advocate in 2012, said there was much good work happening in the sector to raise the capability of Australian firms to win work, but more could be done.

“Project developers should take into account the limitations faced by Australian suppliers in undertaking large procurement packages, accessing the necessary finance and obtaining sufficient numbers of skilled workers,” said Johnson.

“Small adjustments to the way projects are designed, engineered and procured can make a big difference to local suppliers.”

The Australian Industry Participation session will be just one of the highlights of the opening day of AOG 2013 at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The eyes of the oil and gas world will be on Western Australia, as the AOG exhibition plays host to 507 exhibitors from across 20 countries, including international pavilions from the UK, USA, Holland, Italy, China and Norway.

Representatives from UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), Subsea UK, the Energy Industries Council and Scottish Development International, including Scottish Enterprise Chief Executive Dr Lena Wilson and Director-General of UKTI Australasia Nick McInnes, are visiting Perth with a record-breaking 70 British companies set to showcase their latest products and projects in the exhibition.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the exhibition floor, the AOG Conference will deliver an expanded program comprising five streams and a series of high-profile local and international speakers.

Australia’s largest subsea event, the Subsea Australasia Conference will also get underway, exploring new advances, challenges and solutions
in subsea operations, drilling and well management, marine sediment transport, global demand for subsea talent and subsea fields of the future in a packed program of presentations.

AOG is happening at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre from 20-22 February 2013. The AOG Conference begins today at 9am, with the exhibition doors opening at 11am. To register or for full program details visit www.aogexpo.com.au

Source: Avviso