Howell has only recently joined NWSV; the award recognises her achievements as managing director of Apache Energy’s Australian operations.

Under Howell, Apache built a strong record of exploration and development in northwest Australia. It discovered and brought into production the John Brookes gas field, and developed a gas hub at Varanus Island, northeast of Barrow Island.

Chamber of Minerals and Energy chief executive Tim Shanahan said Howell oversaw an increased volume of gas sales into WA’s domestic market. Today Apache provides about 40% of the state’s domestic gas – about 230 petajoules a year.

In her new role with NWSV, Howell oversees all liquefied natural gas, domestic gas and condensate production from the giant petroleum development.

Often described as a role model for women in a male-dominated industry, Howell has a Bachelor of Science in geology and mathematics from the University of London. Her first job was in 1967 as a geophysicist with UK Government.

Previous winners of the WA Gas Industry Development Award include former premier Sir Charles Court, environmentalist and consultant to Chevron Harry Butler, former Woodside chief Bill Rogers, and AlintaGas’ founding chief executive Phil Harvey.