Mr. Kazuhisa Konoma will join a number of high profile industry figures to report on some of the leading developments in the Asia Pacific gas industry including Dr Mari Alkatiri, the Chief Minister of East Timor making one of his first official addresses following East Timor gaining independence on May 20, 2002.
It is hoped Chief Minister Dr Mari Alkatiri's SEAAOC address will shed some light on East Timor's stance in terms of the agreed revenue splits and ratification of the treaty which will then be less than one month after East Timor's independence.
Yet again tax issues have continued to delay project developments in the Timor Region as headlines in The Australian Financial Review recently suggest "Tax talks over Timor Sea gas hit deadlock" (April 3, 2002). Whilst the Federal government are not keen to become involved in the discussion, it is considering various tax and depreciation structure that will make the financial environment more favourable for the projects.
Phillips Petroleum's Australian President Mr Steven Brand will provide a timely presentation in light of a recent message from the Northern Territory Government in Australian print media 30th April, 2002 - highlighting their concerns surrounding the Timor Sea gas developments.
The advertisement, in letter format to Woodside shareholders, co-signed by Northern Territory Chief Minister Clare Martin "The NT Government believes that further consideration of the onshore project recently put forward by Phillips will fulfil both the commercial need of shareholders, management's duties to its shareholders and Australia's national interest."
The letter also stated "Woodside was instrumental in developing Australia's North West Shelf to the lasting benefit of this nation. The company now has the opportunity to develop the next major gas province in Australia. It can play a nation-building role in Australia's north, in the interest of shareholders and all Australians."
Other key industry leaders include Dr Alan Parsley, CEO of Shell Development Australia, Mike Shearman, Sunrise Project Director for Woodside and Bruce Wood, General Manager Gas Commercialisation and Marketing for Santos will provide their views on Australian government company tax certainties along with key project updates.
Contact Kathryn Granheim 02 9923 5084 or email [email protected]. For program and speaker updates for SEAAOC 2002 go to http://www.iir.com.au.
