Mr Sanders was previously APPEA's National Director for Education and Training, based in the Perth office.

He is well known to the oil and gas industry through promoting education and training across all sectors of the national petroleum industry.

Mr Barry Jones, APPEA's Executive Director, said the Association had reallocated responsibilities following Mr Sanders' new appointment.

"Productivity improvement issues, including Australian industry participation, will be the responsibility of Mr John Robertson, currently Technical Director, Australian Competitive Energy," Mr Jones said.

"Mr Noel Mullen, APPEA's Director, Commercial, will be involved in tariff and other commercial issues relating to Australian industry participation."

Mr Jones said Health, Safety and Environmental issues would be managed by the team of Mr Mark McCallum (Director, Industry Operations) and Ms Belinda Josey (Policy Analyst) who are both based in APPEA's Canberra office, along with Perth-based Ms Helen Hale (Assistant Director).

"Mr McCallum's position will include him visiting Perth frequently," he said.

Education and Training issues will be managed by Ms Suzanne Nicholls (Public Affairs Officer) from the Canberra office.

Mr Sanders replaces Mr James Pearson who was recently appointed External Affairs Manager in Chevron Texaco's Australasian Business Unit, based in Perth.