The Federal Government has launched a new energy resources growth centre aimed at improving collaboration and productivity in Australia’s oil and gas industry.
National Energy Resources Australia (NERA) is an industry-led, government-funded initiative located in Perth, with nodes in Brisbane and Adelaide to open in late 2016.
NERA is part of the Federal Government’s Industry Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda and will focus on directing research to industry needs, facilitating partnerships and reducing regulatory burden.
Former Director of Safety and Environment at the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA), Miranda Taylor, has been appointed NERA’s CEO.
APPEA welcomes the growth centre and said it comes at a time when Australia looks to build on a period of unprecedented growth in the oil and gas sector.
APPEA Chief Executive, Malcolm Roberts, said, “The announcement recognises the importance of the oil and gas sector to the Australian economy.
“The investment of more than $200billion in new gas projects will see Australia emerge as the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by 2018.
“NERA’s focus on innovation, collaboration and productivity in order to reduce costs and improve Australia’s global competitiveness is welcome.
“This is absolutely essential if Australia is to maximise the benefits of the current wave of new LNG projects and position itself as a low-cost destination for future investment.”
For more information, visit www.nera.org.au.
