HOUSTON, Jan. 16, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In conjunction with the 6th Annual Australian American Chamber Energy Conference, scheduled later this month, a half-day workshop will be held on Friday, January 31, 2014 at the Hilton Post Oak. This workshop will attract executives and other energy professionals of oil and gas companies and energy service companies who are looking to establish or expand their business in Australia.
The workshop, titled "Australia Means Opportunities – Investing in Australia's Energy Sector" will include presentations from government officials, investment/financial firm and industry. The Hon. Kim Beazley, AC, Australian Ambassador to the United States, will give the keynote address to launch the half-day workshop.
Session 1: Access to Oil & Gas Exploration Acreage and Related Business Opportunities will focus on themes around upstream exploration and production, such as regulatory approval processes and frameworks, key investment considerations, and overviews of currently available acreage in onshore and offshore Australia. Presentations and session speakers are:
- "Development of the Oil & Gas Industry: Australian Government Perspective" - Thomas Bernecker, PhD, Senior Geoscientist, Geoscience Australia
- "A Roadmap for Successful Exploration in South Australia" – Barry Goldstein, Executive Director, Energy Resources Division, Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy – South Australia
- "Western Australia's Incentives to Assist Oil and Gas Exploration" – Jeff Haworth, Executive Director Petroleum, Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
- "Coal Seam Gas Framework" – Peter Green, Manager, Energy Geoscience, Geological Survey of Queensland
Session 2: Australia Means Opportunities – Cultivating Successful Investment Strategies will focus on the practical insights of entering the Australian market – including engaging in supply chains and setting-up operations – and will provide an overview and experiences of investing in Australia with practical aspects for raising capital in the Australian marketplace, while providing comparative aspects of doing business in Australia and the U.S. Session 2 features these presentations and speakers:
- "Achieving Investment Success in Australia" – Ashraf (AJ) Jahangir, Principal and Senior Vice President, Kleinfelder
- "Funding Investment Ventures in Australia" – Scott Speedie, Global Head of Specialised Finance, Commonwealth Bank of Australia
- "Commercial & Legal Aspects" – Lisa Butler, Senior Associate, Squire Sanders Law Firm
- "Doing Business in Australia: A Practical Primer for Americans Considering Opportunities Down Under" – Niels Marquardt, CEO, American Chamber of Commerce – Australia
The cost of the half-day workshop is U.S. $125 and $75 for Energy Conference registrants. Tickets may be purchased at on the AACC-Houston Website.
About the Australian American Chamber of Commerce-Houston
The AACC-Houston is committed to fostering business relations and promoting cross cultural understanding between Australia and the United States, and enhancing the quality of life of Australian expatriates in the Houston area. Complete details about the chamber are available at www.aacc-houston.org.