Speakers at this year’s annual APPEA conference - to be held in Perth from 10 April to 13 April - include federal minister for industry and resources, Ian Macfarlane, who will speak on Wednesday 13 April on the topic of “Our energy future: a political perspective”.

The APPEA conference and exhibition – the largest of its kind held annually in the southern hemisphere - will be officially opened on Monday 11 April by Western Australia premier Geoff Gallop.

The theme for this year’s conference is “Securing our industry”.

APPEA executive director Barry Jones said the current rate of registrations – already representing people from 20 different countries - was on target to see Perth again create a new attendance record for the annual conference.

“We already have some 1100 registrations and based on the historical final two week rush, this year’s conference is well within reach of a record 1500 attendees,” Jones said.

“It’s over to the industry now. Oil and gas people have the opportunity to create a new record, so, if you like a great venue, a top list of speakers and presentations, a record number of exhibitors, and superb food and entertainment in a vibrant city, Perth APPEA 2005 is the place to be.”

APPEA is the key body representing Australia’s upstream oil and gas industry.

Its members include leading Australian oil and gas producers, explorers and developers such as BHP Billiton, Woodside, Santos, Beach Petroleum, Tap Oil, and international companies such as Chevron Texaco, ExxonMobil, ConocoPhilips and Apache.

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