The 2023 Perth AOG conference has wrapped up for another year, positioning Western Australia, and the nation, as a global leader in the rapid development of new technologies needed to support the energy transition.
After two COVID-19 affected years, and more than 40 years of oil price volatility, construction booms, industry change, and innovation, AOG Energy remains Australia’s premier energy sector trade event.
On Thursday, March 17, day two kicked off with the Diversity & Inclusion Breakfast. Keynote presenter Rebecca Tomkinson, Chief Executive from the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA and panel, presented on the topic of “Driving Change to Create Respectful Workplaces”.
At the conference, Federal Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Madeleine King, emphasised her government’s commitment to Australia’s energy future.
Delivering a keynote address at the 2023 AOG Energy event, King began with an acknowledgment of the past and Western Australia’s resource sector’s history of coming to the nation’s economic rescue, seen most recently during the COVID-19 pandemic, before focusing firmly on our energy future.
“Carbon capture and storage is a key technology for lowering emissions,” King said pointing out that CCS should not be viewed as exclusively for use by the oil and gas sector but can also be applied to hard to abate sectors such as the cement industry.
She acknowledged that there have been some false CCS starts but is encouraged the industry is continuing to work with the technology and that government can have a role to play. Ms King highlighted the US government’s $2.25 billion investment to accelerate CCS uptake and capture millions of tonnes of CO2 and said her government will continue to provide targeted support for hard to abate sectors.
Australia’s energy supply future was also in focus as Minister King discussed today’s release of the Australian Energy Market Operator’s Gas Statement of Opportunities and her government’s support for ensuring domestic gas security. Ms King said the preferred approach to gas market issues was to work with the industry to find a market solution.
“I can reassure everyone that the Australian Gas Safety Mechanism remains a measure of last resort,” King said.
To conclude King thanked the industry, in particular the hard-working FIFO workforce, for its contribution to Australia’s economy.
“Today the industry provides 80,000 direct jobs and many more indirect jobs. And that is probably a conservative estimate,” she said. “All elements of the industry are important, but without the workers, it wouldn’t happen, so I thank you all.”
AOG Energy welcomed over 6800 visitors and exhibitors from over 40 countries.
For a recap of day one, click here.
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