2011 Event Wrap

The South East Asia Australia Offshore Conference (SEAAOC) arrived in Darwin in October last year for its 17th Annual hosting.

The past 12 months had been a particularly busy and exciting time for the region’s offshore expansion with Inpex’s ongoing commitment to Darwin with it US$20+ billion Ichthys project in addition to a number of other major project developments including the potential expansion of the existing Darwin LNG plant to process Blacktip field gas, plus considerable interest in floating LNG across northern Australia.

And at the heart of it is the Northern Territory's ever strengthening position as a gas industry centre very much open for business.

SEAAOC remains as the major meeting place for all professionals involved in the ever expanding offshore sector and represents an excellent opportunity for key stakeholders to promote their contribution to the industry, and to discuss and debate the challenges faced by the oil and gas industry in a rapidly changing world.

SEAAOC 2011 was again co-located with the highly regarded "Mining the Territory" Conference to form NT Resources Week and encompassed an even larger trade exhibition which was again completely sold out!

One of the unique aspects of SEAAOC is the pre-conference masterclass and workshop day. This practical, scenario driven day provides attendees with a rare opportunity to converse, interact and hypothesise with the industry's leading experts.

This year's expert led masterclasses and workshops covered a diverse range of topics including, Shale gas evaluation and development techniques, and an executive summary of the LNG business which allowed attendees to put into place genuine workable solutions into their business with assistance from the experts who have already done it!

Thursday saw the conference kick off with the ever popular Ali Mills singing her renowned version of Waltzing Matilda before the Paul Henderson MLA, Chief Minister, Northern Territory Government ran through key achievements over the past 12 month in the Territory's gas development and set out an agenda for future prosperity over the next year.

A Government address from the Hon. Martin Ferguson MLA, Minister for Resources, Energy & Tourism placed the Top End in a very favourable position as a leader in the nation's resources developments.

Delegates were then presented with full updates on all the key projects underway by the oil majors, starting with ConocoPhillips Paul Dubuisson, Vice President Operations Drilling & Supply Chain, ConocoPhillips outlining the company's
Timor Sea LNG operation. Sean Kildare, General Manager Darwin, INPEX was next to present with a further update on The Ichthys Project and the company's impending final investment decision on its Darwin base.

Jurgen Hendrich, CEO and Managing Director, MEO and Eni Australia MD Antonio Baldassarre, rounded off the morning sessions with comprehensive analysis of their current and future operations and developments.

The afternoon sessions continued to provide insightful commentary on other major projects including the Magellan, Apache and Falcon operations.

Proceedings concluded for the day with networking drinks in the exhibition hall followed by the NT Resources Week Gala dinner which gave delegates the perfect opportunity to network and do business with their peers and clients whilst enjoying a lavish dinner and another entertaining speech from Gala Dinner sponsor, Inpex’s Mr Seiya Ito, Director, Managing Executive Officer Ichthys Project Division.

Day 2 began with an introduction to the new APPEA CEO in his first official presentation since joining the association, David Byers chaired the morning sessions introducing the Federal Opposition The Hon Ian Macfarlane MP, Shadow Minster for Resources.

The sessions continued with a special Floating LNG focus including the first Australian address from Jean-Francois Letellier, General Manager, GDF SUEZ Bonaparte followed by expert commentary on the current and future state of FLNG from Shell Development Australia, PTTEP Australasia, Flex LNG Management Ltd, UK and Lloyd's Register.

The 2011 closing dinner rounded off another excellent NT Resources Week in Darwin. Attendees enjoyed a lavish meal, excellent live music and a chance to let their hair down after a constructive week of learning and networking.

We look forward to seeing all back in Darwin for NT Resources Week 2012 on 18-20 September 2012!