Latest News — Gas Today — The magazine for Australia’s natural gas industry

Women in Energy: Gas

FutureGAS 2011 concluded with a panel session and networking event for women in the gas industry, held at sponsor Deloitte’s offices from 6.30–8.30pm, which focused on how women might help meet looming skills shortages in the natural gas sector.

FutureGAS 2011 – once again a success for MWM

After the successes of FutureGAS in 2009 and 2010, MWM Energy Australia took up the major sponsorship as Event Partner at FutureGAS 2011.

A year on from the PRRT

Discussions surrounding the proposed extension of the petroleum resource rent tax and a potential carbon price are likely to distract the gas industry from broader tax issues affecting the sector. KPMG national Tax Leader for Energy and Natural Resources Rod Henderson outlines the key tax issues facing gas companies.

Business marketing: the value of advertising online

Does your marketing plan include a budget for online ads? Find out why placing advertisements online is no longer an optional extra.

Governing gas – one on one with Martin Ferguson

Gas Today sat down with the Hon Martin Ferguson to discuss the Federal Government’s perspective on the issues which are shaping Australia’s gas industry. Katherine St Lawrence and Stephanie Clancy report.

Three reasons to invest in gas-fired power generation

Investec Bank (Australia) is developing the 1,000 MW Cherokee Gas-Fired Power Station, located approximately 65 km southeast of Adelaide, as sole sponsor and principal. Here, Investec’s Mark Headland reveals his top three reasons for investing in gas-fired power generation.

Gas: fuel for the future by a country mile

Philip St Baker is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ERM Power, which began as a specialist advisory firm and has now expanded its operations to include electricity sales, generation and gas procurement. Here he speaks to Gas Today about ERM’s activities in the gas industry.

Reinventing the wheel in CSG

As Australia begins its odyssey into the coal seam gas market, it would be reasonable to suspect there is a combination of excitement and apprehension running through the industry. Although it is universally recognised that no two basins are alike and even differences can exist from well to well, there are some comparisons that can be drawn between the United States and Australian markets.

Overlapping tenure in Queensland: a new regime

The Queensland Government has sought feedback on proposed new laws to better manage conflicts arising out of overlapping tenure, writes Carter Newell resources Partner James Plumb.

Tips for lean CSG facility design

Coal seam gas developments offer unique challenges to gas plant design and processing due to the low well productivity, low wellhead flowing pressures and the large number of wells required compared to conventional gas wells. Uhde Shedden Australia has developed the Lean Engineering approach to deliver substantial cost and schedule savings when designing CSG facilities.

5 minutes with Graeme Bethune

Dr Graeme Bethune is Chief Executive and founder of EnergyQuest. With 30 years' experience in economic and financial analysis and ten years in senior business development and finance roles with Santos, Dr Bethune is now the lead author of major EnergyQuest reports and consulting studies for energy producers, energy buyers and governments.

2010 a record year for LNG, gas and oil in Australia: EnergyQuest

Wed, 9 March 2011 Increasing global demand for Australian LNG as well as growth in domestic gas-fired power generation has culminated in Australia setting a new natural gas production record in 2010, the latest EnergyQuest industry report card shows.

Skills gap: a top recruitment trend

Skills shortages in Australia’s gas industry will reach new heights as competition from mining employers heats up. Hays Oil & Gas Regional Director Simon Winfield says this shortage of talent is the top recruitment trend that will dominate the market in 2011.

Queensland: skilling up for the gas industry

Gas Today speaks with representatives of the CSG/LNG industry and government bodies in Queensland about the initiatives currently underway to ensure the state’s large-scale gas projects have the necessary skilled workers to be completed on time and on budget.

5 minutes with Julie Beeby

Julie Beeby became Chief Executive Officer of WestSide Corporation in August 2010, coming from Peabody Energy where she was General Manager – Strategic Planning and Projects. Dr Beeby has a wealth of experience in the industry, notably being appointed as a Queensland Resource Industry Ambassador in 2009. Gas Today spoke to Dr Beeby about developments ahead for the coal seam gas industry and advice for current and future participants.

An unconventional opportunity

Non-conventional gas exploration is ramping up in Australia, and it’s not just coal seam gas deposits that are attracting attention. Beukelman & Associates Engineering Director Paul Beukelman outlines non-conventional gas exploration and production options, drawing upon the United States’ experience to date.

FutureGAS: talking topical issues

Thu, 3 March 2011 Landholder liaison is becoming an issue of increasing importance in the Australian gas industry and with this in mind, Day One of FutureGAS 2011 will feature a special landholder liason panel session.

FutureGAS 2011 program online!

Thu, 17 February 2011 The conference program for FutureGAS 2011 is now online!

Get ahead – get to FutureGAS 2011!

Australia’s whole-of-industry gas conference and exhibition, FutureGAS 2011, is returning to Brisbane in March with an expanded program, larger exhibition and the ever-popular networking events.

Negotiating Australia’s first LNG export contract

Australia has been supplying Asia with LNG since 1989. Katherine St Lawrence interviewed former Shell lawyer Shane McCarthy, now retired, about his experience negotiating the contract that delivered Australia’s first ever LNG exports.

Short-term gas trading market begins operation

Following its official launch by the Australian Energy Market Operator on 1 September 2010, the short-term trading market is making a significant impact on the way the Australian gas industry operates. Gas Today spoke to an industrial user and a retailer about the changes to the market.

2010 election: repercussions for the gas industry

As the dust settles and the Gillard Government gets down to business, one might well ask whether there are implications for the gas industry. The top issues are the stances the new government will adopt with respect to the control of greenhouse emissions and regulation of the production sector of the gas industry.

Natural gas on the agenda at 2010 APIA Convention

Thu, 16 September 2010 Discussions and presentations at the 2010 Australian Pipeline Industry Association Convention continued the Association’s focus on raising the profile of natural gas as the sensible fuel in a carbon constrained future, according to Chief Executive Cheryl Cartwright.

Paramedics: caring for the gas industry

It is important to ensure the safety of workers on any worksite, whether in a remote location or in an urban area. Gas Today talks to Aspen Medical’s Robert Ball and LifeAid’s Alan Close about the importance of having experienced medical staff on gas worksites.

Supporting the offshore industry

Offshore oil and gas exploration in Australia peaked in 2009, resulting in a boom in the construction of offshore support vessels. Following this boom, GO MARINE’S Brad George outlines the challenges to be faced and opportunities to be seized in this burgeoning industry.