The region is also positioned to play a crucial role in Australia’s clean energy future. As new industries establish in the region, engaging with local suppliers, staff and the community will become a key enabler for success as well as providing ongoing economic and social benefits to local communities.
A Ventia rig in the Surat Basin
Regional Australia will play a key role in Australia’s energy transition, and this presents opportunity as well as potential challenges for local communities. The opportunity for employment, infrastructure and economic growth across regions is exciting but this transition needs to be managed in partnership with local communities, for it to succeed and benefit all.
The Surat Basin presents an insightful case study in how industry and local regions can co-exist as they establish and grow.
The region, known as the energy capital of Queensland, has the potential to become one of the most diverse energy production regions in Australia through the transition as a site of one of the states 12 Renewable Energy Zones (REZ).
As a service provider, we have a unique perspective on some of the ways that the growth of the CSG industry across the Surat Basin has benefited the broader community in a sustainable way and what lessons new entrants can take as they establish themselves.
Whatever the source of energy, local content is a critical part of helping to build a sustainable industry whilst also delivering on your commitment to community support, economic development and local capacity building.
From day one, our Rig and Well team, originally a local business itself, has been committed to being a part of the local community. The benefits of this have been both positive for the region as well as for our business, allowing us to deliver a highly valuable service and support the growth of adjacent businesses.
For our Rig and Well business, a huge part of our trade continues to be done locally. More than 70% of our spend is in the Toowoomba Surat Basin area.
Over the last ten years, our local spend in the region has grown tenfold. Ventia has encouraged the development of a local supply chain through focusing on opportunities to reduce lead times on overseas manufactured equipment and improve suitability for Australian conditions. We have partnered with local companies such as Sharpes Engineering, a family-owned business that has grown from a pipework and manufacturing facility to a leading industry supplier with certifications from overseas suppliers for critical drilling equipment that can meet the high standards of operators.
The benefits of having a locally based supplier of this calibre has been a game changer for Ventia and our service offering. This is just one of many examples of local enterprise growing and expanding in partnership with the energy industry.
Kyle Koziol presents at the Australian Clean Energy Summit 2024
Building a local workforce is not only critical for industry in regional Australia, it also helps to build additional skills and opportunities. Ventia employs more than 300 people across the Surat and Darling Downs region, in a broad range of industries from engineering through to fire fighters. This includes more than 130 new hires in the last 12 months showing our commitment to the region.
Whilst our rigs operate nationally, most of our support functions from engineers through to finance are based locally in Toowoomba.
Finally, the relationship with the local community should extend beyond just the transactional one as our people live and work and are part of this region. So, it’s important to give back directly to local communities.
Through the Ventia Community Grants program, which provides small donations to local projects and activities, we are proud to have delivered more than $342,000 to over 230 community groups across the Surat Basin, Toowoomba & Darling Downs, Gladstone & Central Queensland over the last decade.
From left to right: Antonio D'Alisa Technical Services Manager, Dimity Agland, Business Development Manager, Kyle Koziol, Executive General Manager - Rigs & Well Services, Darren Truscott, GM Operations, and Gary Dring, Group Manager Innovation.