News and Events

News

Visiting researcher

Assoc. Prof. Helen Cabalu joins Oil & Gas Management

We are delighted that Associate Professor Helen Cabalu joined the Area of Research Excellence in Oil and Gas Management (OGM) in January 2008. She is on secondment from the John Curtin Institute of Public Policy at Curtin. At the OGM, Helen's main areas of research include international trade policy in the the primary (resource) sector, economic (CGE) modelling, competition policy and regulation in Asia-Pacific economies.

Helen’s previous research has encompassed a wide range of topics in the area of international trade policy (especially in respect of ASEAN and developing countries and in the light of changing World Trade Organisation deliberations), competition policy at the national and international levels, resource economics with major international economics component, macroeconomic policy of economies in East Asia and Australia, the impact of the Asian economic crisis of 1997 and its aftermath, corporate governance reforms in Asia, higher education policy in Australia, and macroeconomic issues concerning the Philippine economy.

She has published in a number of academic journals including: Applied Economics, Advances in Financial Economics, Australian Economic Review, Economic Papers, Global Economy Journal, Journal of Economic Integration, Policy, and the Asia Pacific Journal of Economics and Business. She has also written a number of books/chapters in books and government reports.

Prof. Tony Owen was appointed in October 2007 as a member of the CSIRO Energy and Transport Sector Advisory Council, for a 2-year term.  The CSIRO has seven Sector Advisory Councils (SACs). The Sector Advisory Councils ensure CSIRO’s planned program of research and development for each Sector is responsive to the strategic research need of industry and society. The SACs include those for Energy & Transport; Health; Information, Communication & Services; Manufacturing; Environment & Natural Resource Management; and Minerals. Each SAC includes members from industry and CSIRO.

Attendance at 1st IAEE Asian Conference, Taipei, Taiwan

Prof. Tony Owen and Dr Hiroaki Suenaga attended the 1st International Association for Energy Economics Asian Conference held in Taipei on 5-6 November 2007. The conference theme was "Asian Energy Security and Economic Development in an Era of High Oil Prices". Prof. Owen was a speaker at the Opening Reception and presided over one of the concurrent sessions. Dr Suenaga presented his paper entitled "Optimal Forward Contracting in LNG Supply Capacity Investment". In November 2008, the AORE in Oil & Gas Management and Curtin University will host the 2nd IAEE Asian Conference in Perth (see article below).

AORE in Oil & Gas Management and Curtin University to host 2nd IAEE Asian Conference, 5-7 November, 2008

The Area of Research Excellence in Oil & Gas Management and Curtin University will be the hosts of the 2nd Asian Conference of the International Association for Energy Economics in Perth, 5-7 November, 2008. Prof. Tony Owen, President of the Australian Association for Energy Economics, will be the Conference Chair. The venue is yet to be finalised. The first Call for Papers flyer will be distributed shortly.

The deadline for abstract submissions will be 6 June 2008 and these can be submitted by email to: aaee2008@cbs.curtin.edu.au.  Preliminary details can be found at the conference website: www.cbs.curtin.edu.au/aaee2008.  

Presentation by Prof. Tony Owen at CEDA luncheon in Sydney on Electricity Supply in NSW: Findings and recommendations from the Owen Inquiry, 26 October 2007 

On Friday, 26 October, Prof. Tony Owen, who headed the "Owen Inquiry" into electricity supply in NSW, was a key speaker at the Committee for Economic Development in Australia luncheon at the Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney. The Inquiry was established by the New South Wales Government to review the need and timing for new base load generation, assess base load options, review the timing and feasibility of technologies and/or measures available both nationally and internationally that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to determine the conditions under which investment in any emerging generation will continue to maintain the State's existing credit rating. The event was fully booked, with around 450 attendees.

Other speakers included:

• John Connor, Chief Executive Officer, Climate Institute
• Roman Domanski, Executive Director, Energy Users Association of Australia (EUAA)
• Jim Henness, Chief Executive, Delta Electricity.

The cost of power determines the economy's overall cost structure and Australia's living standards. As the economy continues to expand, Australia requires billions of dollars of additional investment in its energy sector. It is vital that regulatory policies are applied which will provide market based investment price signals to facilitate appropriate investment decisions.

CEDA will be initiating a series of lunch forums nationally on energy market reform. Such forums will provide stakeholders of the energy sector the opportunity to actively discuss and debate issues and for feedback to be channelled to policy makers.

Attendance at the 7th Annual Pacific Gas Insiders forum, Singapore, 25-6 October, 2007

OGM Coordinator, Ms Noelle Leonard, was privileged to attend the 7th Annual Pacific Gas Insiders Forum in Singapore on 25-6 October. With around 30 participants, this 2-day training course is presented in workshop format, with input from participants. The course provides key market intelligence regarding suppliers and buyers of natural gas/LNG in the Asia Pacific region, pricing methods and demand forecasts.

Presentation by Prof. Tony Owen at Curtin's Energy Research showcase, 23 October, 2007

On 23 October, Curtin University hosted an Energy Research Showcase, at which Prof. Tony Owen was one of 8 speakers. Prof. Owen spoke about the results of the Owen Inquiry for the NSW Government (see details in News below). Other speakers were primarily from the technical areas at Curtin and topics included "Improving CNG Facilities and Shipping", "Bioenergy, Biomass and Biofuels", "New Research in Exploration Geophysics" and more. It is planned that there will be further such showcases by the University in future. 

Presentation by Assoc. Prof. Martin West at CEDA luncheon on Domestic Gas Supply in Perth, 3 October 2007

The AORE Co-Director, Assoc. Prof. Martin West presented the results of the OGM research report, "Domestic Energy Reservation Policies: An International Comparison" at a Committee for Economic Development in Australia luncheon on 3 October at the Hyatt Regency, Perth. The other 2 speakers at the CEDA event were WA Minister for Energy, Resources, Industry and Enterprise The Hon. Fran Logan and Duncan Maclean from legal firm Minter Ellison.  The event was well attended by local representatives of the oil, gas and energy industry, government, education and media. 

For copies of Assoc. Prof. West's slides, please email Muriel Bijoux 

Report of inquiry into Electricity Supply in NSW

On 11 September, the NSW Premier's office released the report of the Owen Inquiry into Electricity Supply in NSW, authored by Professor Tony Owen, Co-Director of the AORE in Oil & Gas Management. The inquiry investigated the future baseload electricity requirements for NSW and "the most efficient means for ensuring that the required investment funds would be forthcoming at the appropriate time".

Emergent issues covered in this report are relevant for the State of WA. Some key findings:

• To be ready for 2013-14 baseload supply needs, preparation should start now.
• Coal or gas will meet most of the new baseload generation needs.
• Ultra-supercritical pulverised fuel is the only coal-fired technology to efficiently meet emerging generation needs.
• Combined Cycle Gas Turbines may be able to meet emerging generation needs.
• Investment in new baseload generation in New South Wales needs greater regulatory certainty about an emissions trading policy.
• Emissions trading rules will influence the technology choice for new baseload generation.
• Energy efficiency measures will play a significant role in reducing electricity consumption.
• The National Electricity Market is working efficiently and effectively.
• Impact on the State could be up to $15 billion to ensure security of supply, compliance with regulatory requirements & commercial competitiveness.
• The Private Sector will invest in baseload generation in NSW if a number of conditions are met.
  

To see the final recommendations and further details, you can download the report in its constituent parts (including the 3 expert reports) at the NSW Premier's Department website.

Curtin Professor to head Electricity Supply inquiry

The NSW Government has invited the eminent energy economist, Professor Anthony Owen, Curtin University, to head an inquiry to examine options for the future of the NSW electricity supply.  Professor Owen has been asked to:

1. Review the need and timing for new baseload generation that maintains both security of supply and competitively priced electricity.

2. Examine the baseload options available to meet any emerging generation needs.

3. Review the timing and feasibility of technologies and/or meaures available both nationally and internationally that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

4. Determine the conditions needed to ensure investment in any emerging generation, consistent with maintaining NSW AAA Credit Rating.

The full terms of reference may be found at http://www.premiers.nsw.gov.au/ 

The Report to the NSW Government is due the end of August 2007.

Submissions are due by close of business Friday 29 June 2007 and can be lodged electronically at owen_inquiry@dpc.nsw.gov.au

Curtin appoints Professor of Energy Economics

Curtin University of Technology’s School of Economics and Finance has appointed Professor Anthony (Tony) Owen Professor of Energy Economics, the first position of its kind in Australia.

Energy economics focuses on economic, environmental, financial and management issues as they relate to oil, gas and other parts of the energy sector.

Pro Vice-Chancellor of Research and Development Professor Linda Kristjanson said Curtin was proud to secure someone of Professor Owen’s expertise to lead research in one of Curtin Business School’s newly-established research areas.
 
“Professor Owen will take an active role in the Oil and Gas Management (OGM) Area of Research Excellence (AORE) at Curtin, which is uniquely placed to develop and maintain expertise in the field, particularly amid the current booming oil and gas industry in Western Australia.

“His role will focus on increasing research in the area of energy and environmental economics, assisting projects of this nature being developed in other Schools at Curtin and seeking collaboration with industry and government.”
 
The OGM AORE seeks to provide an understanding of the methods and designs which result in the most efficient environment for the exploration, production, transmission, transportation, distribution, storage and retailing of oil and gas products. 

This is achieved by examining issues such as regulation, taxation, markets, strategic management, technology development, links to science and engineering, IT, financing, supply chain/procurement, taxation and contracts.

Professor Owen has a PhD in Econometrics from the University of Kent (UK) and has held visiting appointments at the Universities of British Columbia, Colorado, Leeds and Exeter, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (Paris), the UK Department of Energy (Harwell), and the International Energy Agency (Paris).

He is a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society, and Past President (2004) of the International Association for Energy Economics and a founding member and President of the Australian Association for Energy Economics. He serves on the International Editorial Boards of Energy Policy and Energy Sources.

Upcoming Events

Periodically, the AORE in Oil & Gas Management hosts events such as seminars, workshops or forums. Watch this space for notification of upcoming events! If you would like to receive advance notification, please email ogm@cbs.curtin.edu.au and request to be added to our mailing list.

Recent events

Workshop on the Fundamentals of Natural Gas - 4 May 2007

(slide from Arthur Dixon's workshop presentation)

Recently, the AORE in Oil & Gas Management hosted a free workshop on the fundamentals of natural gas for Curtin University and University of WA staff and invited representatives of government and industry. The 2.5 hour workshop was presented by Mr. Arthur Dixon (pictured), who worked for Shell for over 40 years and was President of Australian LNG Pty Ltd. Thirty attendees enjoyed Arthur's presentation which gave an overview of the natural gas industry, looked at international gas markets and trends, and in closing, suggested what universities can do for the gas industry.

(Arthur Dixon speaking during the presentation of the Fundamentals of Natural Gas Workshop)