The Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) has announced that it has rebranded and changed its name, in an effort to better reflect its key goals and role in the modern energy landscape.
The body has revealed Australian Energy Producers (AEP) as its new name and says that the change reflects the growth and evolution of Australia’s oil and gas industry and its important and long-term role in enabling the transformation of the nation’s energy system.
AEP Chief Executive, Samantha McCulloch, said that the world is changing, the energy system is changing, and the industry has already expanded its focus beyond oil and gas exploration and development to also cover low-carbon fuels and net zero technologies.
“Our members are leading energy producers, exploring and investing in oil and gas alongside the net zero building blocks of low-carbon hydrogen production and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies,” Ms McCulloch said.
“And we power millions of homes and businesses, both here and overseas, while delivering substantial economic benefits to Australia, supporting 80,000 jobs and contributing $16 billion to governments to fund services and infrastructure last year.”
AEP Chair, Meg O’Neill, – who is also CEO and Managing Director of Woodside Energy – said that the APPEA Board approved the change as a new phase in the history of the organisation, originally established as the Australia Petroleum Explorers Association (APEA) in 1959.
“Our diverse membership today represents more than 170 companies that are central to Australia’s economic prosperity, our energy security and the transformation of our energy system,” Ms O’Neill said.
“Our members will continue to build Australia’s energy and economic stories, overcoming technical and logistical challenges to find and produce essential energy, often in some of the most remote places on earth.”
Ms McCulloch said the industry had a proud history shaping Australia and the region’s energy system over the past 60 years.
“Our members are innovators who pushed the boundaries to establish our energy system and deliver substantial economic benefits to Australians.”
“Our industry helped build Australia, unlocking new economic opportunities that have made Australia a world leading energy supplier.
“We understand our responsibility to contribute to the discussions, actions and success of the energy transformation and we have the workforce, expertise and infrastructure to help deliver secure, reliable and lower-emissions energy for Australia and our international partners.”
Ms McCulloch said the annual flagship industry event, previously known as the APPEA Conference & Exhibition, would continue as the Australian Energy Producers Conference & Exhibition.
“Next year’s conference and exhibition in Perth from 20–23 May will remain the premier platform for energy policy debate while showcasing the innovation, investment and expertise our sector brings to Australia’s energy transformation.”
