Australian Energy Producers

Last updated
Australian Energy Producers
Australian Energy Producers
AbbreviationAEP
Formation1959
Purpose Trade Association, Lobbying
Headquarters Canberra, Australia
Membership200
Board Chair
Meg O'Neill
Chief Executive
Samantha McCulloch
Website https://energyproducers.au/
Formerly called
Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA)

The Australian Energy Producers (AEP), formerly known as the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA), [1] is a peak industry body representing Australia's oil and gas exploration and production sector. Founded in 1959, [2] AEP is headquartered in Canberra, Australia. [3]

Contents

Public Relations and Lobbying

AEP is one of Australia's most powerful lobby groups. [4] The AEP has engaged in public relations and lobbying efforts to promote the oil and gas industry and influence government policies. [5] These activities have included media relations, advertising, community engagement, and lobbying for industry-friendly policies.

AEP has utilized various public relations firms to support its communications and advocacy efforts. One such firm, CMAX Advisory, has been identified as working for AEP. [6] The F-List, a report by Clean Creatives, named CMAX Advisory as one of the "most polluting agencies" in Australia due to its representation of fossil fuel clients. [6]

However, AEP has faced criticism for greenwashing and prioritising industry interests over public good. [7]

Australian Energy Producers Conference

The organisation hosts the annual Australian Energy Producers Conference and Exhibition, Australia's largest event dedicated to the energy sector. [8] The conference serves as a key platform for industry leaders, government officials, customers, and financiers to discuss and shape the future of Australia's energy landscape.

In 2010 the then 'APPEA' conference won "Association or Government Meeting of the Year" award from Meetings & Events Australia. [9]

Protests

On the 20th May 2024, climate activists from organisations including the Conservation Council of WA and Extinction Rebellion protested the conference in Perth, Western Australia. [10] The protest aimed to express opposition to AEP's promotion of gas expansion in the state and to highlight the growing public concern about the impact of fossil fuel projects on climate change and biodiversity. [10]

The protest targeted the "Welcome" cocktail reception at the WA Museum Boola Bardip, where attendees included AEP Chair and Woodside CEO Meg O'Neill, WA Minister for Environment, Energy, and Climate Action Reece Whitby, and Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King. [10] These individuals are all pushing for more gas projects in WA. [10]

The protesters demonstrated outside the museum, chanting for climate action and an end to new fossil fuel projects. [10]

Australian Energy Producers Journal

The Australian Energy Producers Journal (ISSN 1326-4966) is produced each year in conjunction with the conference and is distributed to conference attendees. The first edition of the Australian Energy Producers (then APEA) Journal was published in 1961. The Australian Energy Producers journal is listed on the ERA (Excellence in Research for Australia) 2012 Journal List as ERAID 1707. [11]

Governance

The Australian Energy Producers (AEP) is governed by a Board of Directors composed of representatives from leading oil and gas companies in Australia. The Board meets quarterly to oversee the organisation's activities and strategic direction. [12]

Current AEP Chair and Vice Chair:

Current Australian Energy Producers Board:

Former Directors

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economy of Brunei</span>

The economy of Brunei, a small and wealthy country, is a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation and welfare measures, and village traditions. It is almost entirely supported by exports of crude oil and natural gas, with revenues from the petroleum sector accounting for over half of GDP. Per capita GDP is high, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production. The government provides for all medical services and subsidizes food and housing. The government has shown progress in its basic policy of diversifying the economy away from oil and gas. Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration in the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion although it has taken steps to become a more prominent player by serving as chairman for the 2000 APEC forum. Growth in 1999 was estimated at 2.5% due to higher oil prices in the second half.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Global Climate Coalition</span> Lobbyist group against reduction of greenhouse gas emissions

The Global Climate Coalition (GCC) (1989–2001) was an international lobbyist group of businesses that opposed action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and engaged in climate change denial, publicly challenging the science behind global warming. The GCC was the largest industry group active in climate policy and the most prominent industry advocate in international climate negotiations. The GCC was involved in opposition to the Kyoto Protocol, and played a role in blocking ratification by the United States. The coalition knew it could not deny the scientific consensus, but sought to sow doubt over the scientific consensus on climate change and create manufactured controversy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fossil fuel</span> Fuel formed over millions of years from dead plants and animals

A fossil fuel is a carbon compound- or hydrocarbon-containing material formed naturally in the Earth's crust from the buried remains of prehistoric organisms, a process that occurs within geological formations. Reservoirs of such compound mixtures, such as coal, petroleum and natural gas, can be extracted and burnt as a fuel for human consumption to provide energy for direct use, to power heat engines that can propel vehicles, or to generate electricity via steam turbine generators. Some fossil fuels are further refined into derivatives such as kerosene, gasoline and diesel, or converted into petrochemicals such as polyolefins (plastics), aromatics and synthetic resins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ConocoPhillips</span> American multinational energy company

ConocoPhillips Company is an American multinational corporation engaged in hydrocarbon exploration and production. It is based in the Energy Corridor district of Houston, Texas.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd is an Australian petroleum exploration and production company. Woodside is the operator of oil and gas production in Australia and also Australia's largest independent dedicated oil and gas company. It is a public company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and has its headquarters in Perth, Western Australia. In the 2020 Forbes Global 2000, Woodside was ranked as the 1328th-largest public company in the world.

The American Petroleum Institute (API) is the largest U.S. trade association for the oil and natural gas industry. It claims to represent nearly 600 corporations involved in production, refinement, distribution, and many other aspects of the petroleum industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NNPC Limited</span> National Oil Company of Nigeria

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited is a state-owned oil company in Nigeria. Still a fully-owned government company, it was transformed from a corporation into a limited liability company in July 2022. NNPC Limited is the only entity licensed to operate in the country's petroleum industry. It partners with foreign oil companies to exploit Nigeria's fossil fuel resources. The NNPC, with an asset of $153B (USD), is the largest national oil company in Africa. The company boasts of extensive infrastructure and investment in the downstream, midstream and upstream of the Nigerian petroleum industry.

Barry Jones is the former chief executive of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fossil fuels lobby</span> Lobbying supporting the fossil fuels industry

The fossil fuels lobby includes paid representatives of corporations involved in the fossil fuel industry, as well as related industries like chemicals, plastics, aviation and other transportation. Because of their wealth and the importance of energy, transport and chemical industries to local, national and international economies, these lobbies have the capacity and money to attempt to have outsized influence on governmental policy. In particular, the lobbies have been known to obstruct policy related to environmental protection, environmental health and climate action.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fossil fuel phase-out</span> Gradual reduction of the use and production of fossil fuels

Fossil fuel phase-out is the gradual reduction of the use and production of fossil fuels to zero, to reduce deaths and illness from air pollution, limit climate change, and strengthen energy independence. It is part of the ongoing renewable energy transition, but is being hindered by fossil fuel subsidies.

The Oklahoma Energy Resources Board is an agency of the state of Oklahoma. Funded voluntarily by Oklahoma's oil and natural gas producers and royalty owners, the OERB conducts environmental restoration of orphaned and abandoned well sites, encourages the wise and efficient use of energy, and promotes energy education.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BP</span> British multinational oil and gas company

BP p.l.c. is a British multinational oil and gas company headquartered in London, England. It is one of the oil and gas "supermajors" and one of the world's largest companies measured by revenues and profits. It is a vertically integrated company operating in all areas of the oil and gas industry, including exploration and extraction, refining, distribution and marketing, power generation, and trading.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Petroleum industry in Western Australia</span> Overview of WA energy sector

The petroleum industry in Western Australia is the largest contributor to the country's petroleum exports. Western Australia's North West Shelf (NWS) is the primary location from which production originates. Oil exports are shipped from Port Hedland.

Volkan Ş. Ediger is a Turkish scientist, writer and bureaucrat. After graduating from the Middle East Technical University, he earned his PhD from the Pennsylvania State University in 1986. His training is in geology, geochemistry, and palynology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sultan Al Jaber</span> Emirati politician and businessman (born 1973)

Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, is an Emirati politician who is the minister of industry and advanced technology of the United Arab Emirates, head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and chairman of Masdar.

David John Wissler Knox is an Australian oil and gas industry executive and former chief executive officer and managing director of Santos. Knox is originally from Edinburgh, Scotland and is considered to be one of South Australia's most influential people.

John Ellice-Flint is a prominent Australian businessman, petroleum geologist and executive director of Blue Energy.

The 2021–2022 United States House of Representatives investigation into the fossil fuels industry was a year-long investigation conducted by the United States House Committee on Oversight and Reform, concluding in 2022, that examined the actions of major fossil fuels producers, collectively known as "Big Oil", with respect to representations by companies in that group regarding their efforts to move away from fossil fuels as part of an energy transition toward a sustainable future.

Trinidad Petroleum Holdings is a state-owned oil company in Trinidad and Tobago. Its principal activities are the exploration, development, and production of hydrocarbons, operations it conducts through its primary subsidiary, Heritage Petroleum Company Ltd. Trinidad Petroleum Holdings also owns Guaracara Refining Company Ltd, which operates the nation's only petroleum refinery. It also owns the Paria Fuel Trading Company subsidiary, which imports refined petroleum products, and stores and distributes them domestically.

Meg O'Neill is an American business executive and the current chief executive officer (CEO) and managing director of Woodside Energy, Australia's largest oil and gas company.

References

  1. "Oil and gas lobby group rebrands – just don't mention petroleum". Australian Financial Review. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  2. "Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association - APPEA | Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association". Archived from the original on 21 August 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
  3. InfluenceMap. "Australian Energy Producers (Formerly APPEA)". lobbymap.org. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  4. "Gaslighting: How APPEA and its members continue to oppose genuine climate action". ACCR. 14 June 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  5. 1 2 Lucas, Adam (4 March 2018). "Revealed: the extent of job-swapping between public servants and fossil fuel lobbyists". The Conversation. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  6. 1 2 Drew, Rosie (24 September 2024). "Which Australian agencies are in bed with climate polluters and fossil fuel lobby groups? The 2024 F-List reveals all". Mumbrella. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  7. "Australia's oil and gas lobby group wants the law to step in when people make 'false' claims of greenwashing". ABC News. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  8. Energy Producers Conference (24 October 2024). "Australian Energy Producers Conference". Energy Producers Conference. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  9. "Meetings & Events Australia". Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "Climate Activists Crash Fossil Fuel Lobbyist Party in Perth". Conservation Council of Western Australia. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  11. "ERA 2012 Journal and Conference Lists". Archived from the original on 24 October 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  12. 1 2 3 "Australian Energy Producers Board". Australian Energy Producers. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  13. Kurmelovs, Royce (27 July 2024). "What the gas giants knew all along". The Saturday Paper. Retrieved 26 October 2024.