Understanding opportunities and innovation for the future of energy supply chains

Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) recently hosted a webinar with industry experts aimed at providing information for businesses involved in the energy supply chain to discuss upcoming opportunities and innovation for the future as supported by the Southern Queensland Innovation in Export Hub (SQ Export Hub) program.

Focusing on the Food & Agribusiness as well as Oil, Gas & Energy Resources sector, the SQ Export Hub is an innovative export hub established by TSBE, that is designed to work with SMEs to deliver services that are designed to consider the region’s economic drivers, industry diversity and infrastructure development, including global reach through the inland freight hub.

Included in this program is the development with participating SMEs of a collaborative and diversified export culture that helps grow the local economy by developing globally competitive SMEs.

NERA’s General Manager Innovation and Stakeholder Engagement (East Coast), Paul Hodgson was one of the speakers in the webinar.

“NERA’s focus is to future proof Australia’s energy resources, by optimising today, adapting for tomorrow, and transforming the future,” said Mr Hodgson.

“NERA identifies priorities for collaborative action and innovation required to enable the Australian energy resources sector to transform its productivity performance, compete globally and be sustainable.”

NERA’s CEO, Miranda Taylor also spoke during the webinar, saying “a stronger, more innovative supply chain can unlock over $7 billion GVA by 2030.”

Earlier this year, NERA released the Growing Australia’s Oil & Gas Supply Chain Report that analysed the size and composition of the domestic supply chain.

It was the first time the size and composition of Australia's oil & gas supply chain has been analysed to determine its economic potential and opportunities for growth and found that if growth challenges are addressed, Australia's oil & gas suppliers could capture an additional $7 billion of value (GVA) by 2030, generating up to $49 billion to the economy.

This certainly indicates that there is plenty of opportunity within this sector, and this shows incredible value to the Australian economy and further positions Australia to be a sought-after destination for investment and the leading source of knowledge and solutions.

SQ Export Hub Export Manager Oil, Gas & Energy Resources, Helen Bates, said the Southern Queensland region has exceptional innovation and capability in a highly diversified skilled workforce, and companies are willing to invest in this innovation and technology as well as advanced manufacturing.

“Now more than ever in the current global economic climate our region should look at collaboration, cross pollination of knowledge across industries and change our position in the global market as a leading source of knowledge and solutions for both products and services that are competitive, innovative and of a high quality,” said Ms Bates.

GM Contracting, Procurement and Logistics for Arrow Energy, Jason King, was able to provide attendees with an update on the recently announced Surat Gas Project.

The Surat Gas Project was announced just last week and came with great optimism for jobs in the region, with the first phase due to begin this year.

“Phase one is an expansion north and south from Arrow’s current operational areas at Daandine and down to Tipton.

“There will be new connections into two Shell-QGC operated compression facilities (David and Harry) as well as connections and infrastructure to support the treatment of water for a beneficial use network,” said Mr King.

This project is another confirmation of how important the energy sector is to our regional economy.

There are opportunities for Australian businesses, and future prosperity depends on our ability to effectively collaborate and maintain competitiveness.

TSBE will be running a series of ewebinars in the coming weeks. Visit www.tsbe.com.au to keep up to date.