Perth has been chosen to host a major Liquefied Natural Gas conference in April 2016, which is expected to inject up to $50 million into the state's economy.
Perth has been chosen to host a major Liquefied Natural Gas conference in April 2016, which is expected to inject up to $50 million into the state's economy.
The 18th International Conference and Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG18) is expected to attract more than 4,000 delegates and exhibitors.
"LNG 18 will bring the heads of major global gas producing and energy companies, and a lot of attention to Perth," said Premier Colin Barnett.
"Western Australia is already the world's sixth largest LNG exporter, and with more than $140billion worth of LNG and gas projects, either under way, or close to a final investment decision, is set to become one of the top two.
"LNG18 will provide an important opportunity to showcase Perth as a regional corporate centre and underlines WA's growing importance as an energy supplier."
The Perth Convention Bureau's managing director Christine McLean said she was delighted Perth had beaten off competition from Qatar to secure the conference.
"We canvassed the opportunity to bid for LNG18 with the Australian Gas Industry Trust nearly two years ago," she said.
"Since then we have been working with the AGIT and the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association to develop the bid on behalf of Australia.
It has been a long and exhaustive process to get to the formal bidding stage, but all the effort has been worthwhile.
"This is a major international coup for Perth and will further cement Western Australia's status as one of the world's leading gas industry hubs."
Ms McLean said Perth met the minimum criteria to host the conference and she hoped the state government would fast track expansion of the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre and new hotel infrastructure to meet the demands of the conference.
Perth previously hosted the conference in 1998.
See statement from the Premier below:
Perth has been chosen to host the 18th International Conference and Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG18) in April 2016.
Premier Colin Barnett said the conference was expected to attract more than 4,000 delegates and exhibitors and would enhance Perth's reputation as a business and conference centre for the energy sector.
"LNG 18 will bring the heads of major global gas producing and energy companies, and a lot of attention to Perth," Mr Barnett said.
"Western Australia is already the world's sixth largest LNG exporter, and with more than $140billion worth of LNG and gas projects, either under way, or close to a Final Investment Decision, is set to become one of the top two.
"LNG18 will provide an important opportunity to showcase Perth as a regional corporate centre and underlines WA's growing importance as an energy supplier."
The host city for LNG 18 was announced in Houston, Texas following presentations to the organisers on behalf of Perth, and Doha in Qatar.
The Western Australian Government was represented by Ms Anne Nolan, director general of the Department of State Development.
Western Australia's bid was led by the Australian Gas Industry Trust and strongly supported by the Federal Government and Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association Ltd.
Perth hosted LNG12 in 1998 and was credited with significantly boosting the profile and participation rates for the event.
LNG18 is held every three years under the auspices of the International Gas Union (IGU), the Gas Technology Institute of America (GTI) and the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR).
