Hart Energy's DUG Australia conference and exhibition will examine the business case for constructive engagement with stakeholders, why gaining a social license to operate is now essential, and how North American producers have addressed this challenge. The conference, which examines unconventional gas development (coal-seam gas, tight-gas and shales) in Australia, will be held Aug. 27-29 in Brisbane's Royal International Convention Centre.

"To achieve commercial success, companies must spend more time and resources where they operate," said Peggy Williams, editorial director, Hart Energy. "Local stakeholders need to be comfortable with the industrial development that will occur during a project's life cycle. It is imperative that oil and gas companies secure the social license to operate."

Three sessions driving the two-day conference will focus upon social license to operate:

  • Kathryn Klaber, CEO, Marcellus Shale Coalition, presents "Securing Social License" Aug. 28. For the past five years, the Coalition has worked to address issues surrounding natural gas production from the Marcellus and Utica shales in the northeastern U.S. Klaber will share what worked with its stakeholders and why.
  • "Government and Company Outcomes for the Better" will be presented by Paul Johnson MBE, energy resource supplier advocate, Australian government, on Aug. 29. As a leading government officer, Johnson describes what Australia seeks from development of its unconventional-gas treasure. Regulations and approvals, effective monitoring programs, and sources of funding for social and community improvements are examined.
  • The Aug. 29 roundtable discussion "Hydraulic Fracturing, Surface Issues, and Communities" will include Klaber and U.S. shale pioneers, Bruce Vincent, president, Swift Energy Co., and Richard Stoneburner, ret. president, North America shale production division, BHP Billiton. These key executives with leadership roles in U.S. and Australian producer organizations will discuss primary concerns about hydraulic fracturing in both countries — including how companies work to secure the social license to operate and what successful strategies have been employed.

    Other DUG Australia speakers confirmed to date include:
  • Doug Brooks, chief executive, Aurora Oil & Gas Ltd.
  • Gary Evans, president and CEO, Magnum Hunter Resources Corp.
  • Diana Hoff, vice president, technical and engineering, Santos Ltd.
  • Bill Marko, managing director, Jefferies & Co.
  • Vidar Skjaeveland, vice president, onshore exploration, Statoil ASA
  • Paul Bloxham, chief economist, Australia and New Zealand, HSBC Bank Australia Ltd.
  • Brad Lingo, managing director, Drillsearch Energy Ltd.
  • David Breeze, executive director, Advent Energy Ltd.
  • David Wrench, managing director, Strike Energy Ltd.
  • Neil Tupper, general manager, exploration and geoscience, AWE Ltd.
  • Don Schofield, president, Linc Energy Ltd.
  • Kip Ferguson III, executive vice president of exploration, Magnum Hunter Resources Corp.
  • Ross Millan, senior analyst, Australasia, Wood Mackenzie
  • Bill Haskett, senior principal, energy strategy, Decision Strategies
  • Tony Regan, principal consultant, Tri-Zen International Pte. Ltd
  • Chris Robart, partner, PacWest
  • Mark Dempsey, senior managing director, head of oil & gas, Asia & Australia, Macquarie Capital
  • Billy Ray Smith, senior business development manager, Australia, Halliburton Co.
  • Andrew Buffin, reservoir development manager, Baker Hughes

DUG Australia brings market-leading insight on unconventional gas (CSG, shale, and tight sands) and its development in Australia. Conference attendees comprise producers, the financial community, service companies, pipeline operators, policy-makers, and other professionals. Visit dugaustralia.com for details.

On Aug. 27, the day before the conference, experts from Netherland Sewell & Associates Inc. will present "Maximizing Reserve Bookings," an optional workshop focusing on reserve estimations and assessments in coal-seam gas, tight gas, and shale reservoirs. What to listen for in company presentations, what characteristics to look for in resource plays, how to evaluate public data on initial production rates and well tests, how to determine type curves and their validities, and more will be covered in this half-day workshop.

Hart Energy is based in Houston.