Streitberg elected APPEA chairman

Buru Energy executive director Eric Streitberg has been elected chairman of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association for 2009/10.

Mr Streitberg, who was previously vice-chairman, takes over from former ExxonMobil Australia chairman Mark Nolan.

Current ExxonMobil Australia chairman John Dashwood was elected as vice-chairman.

The announcement is below:

The Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) has announced the 2009-10 Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Board Members.

Mr Eric Streitberg, Executive Director, Buru Energy Limited was elected as Chairman of APPEA and Mr John Dashwood, Chairman, ExxonMobil Australia was elected as Vice-Chairman.

Following his election as Chairman, Mr Streitberg said that it is an exciting and challenging time for the petroleum industry as it moves to play a more substantial role in delivering cleaner energy to Australia and the rest of the world.

"I am looking forward to working with our Board, the Chief Executive, Belinda Robinson, the APPEA secretariat, and our membership, as we prepare for what should be a new era of growth for our industry. Although we have to face the challenge of declining liquids production, we must also ensure that the growth of the natural gas sector is able to deliver its outstanding economic and environmental promise in an appropriate regulatory environment," said Mr Streitberg.

"We will also be focused on safety and environmental performance, as we continue to improve our safety record and work on applying the lessons learnt from recent incidents," said Mr Streitberg.

In congratulating Mr Dashwood on his election as Vice-Chairman of APPEA, together with the 2009-10 Board members on their election, Mr Streitberg also paid tribute to two longstanding members retiring from the Board at the AGM.

"I would particularly like to recognise Mr Bob Coppin who has served on the Council (as it was then known) and the Board, since April 1999. He has chaired various committees, in particular he was the longstanding Chair of the exploration committee. His service to APPEA has been outstanding and we owe him a debt of gratitude," said Mr Streitberg.

"The other retiring Director who has provided extraordinary service to APPEA is Reg Nelson. Reg has been a Director since October 2001, held positions as Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Executive Committee Chairman and chaired various committees during those eight years. In May this year, he was awarded APPEA's highest honour, the Reg Sprigg Medal for outstanding service to the industry. Thank you Reg from all of us," said Mr Streitberg.

APPEA Board Members for 2009-10

Mr Eric Streitberg, Executive Director, Buru Energy Limited (Chairman of APPEA)

Mr John Dashwood, Chairman, ExxonMobil Australia (Vice-Chairman of APPEA)

Mr Robin Antrobus, Vice President External Relations, ConocoPhillips Australia Pty Ltd

Mr Colin Beckett, General Manager, Greater Gorgon Area, Chevron Australia Pty Ltd

Mr Philip Byrne, Country Manager, Petroleum, Australia, BHP Billiton Petroleum Limited

Mr Hector Gordon, Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director, Beach Petroleum Limited

Mr Adrian Hodgson, General Manager, Total E&P Australia

Dr Philip Home, Managing Director, BP Developments Australia Pty Ltd

Dr Aidan Joy, Commercial and Business Development Manager, Apache Energy Limited

Dr Agu Kantsler, Executive Vice President - Health & Safety, Woodside Energy Ltd

Mr Grant King, Managing Director, Origin Energy Limited

Mr Bruce Lake, Managing Director, Vermilion Oil & Gas Australia Pty Ltd

Mr Ian McKenzie, Vice President Sunrise, Shell Development (Australia) Pty Ltd

Mr Shaun Scott, Chief Executive Officer (Australia), Arrow Energy Ltd

Mr Peter Stickland, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Tap Oil Limited

Mr Peter Wasow, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Santos Ltd