Inpex boss Roland Houareau is leaving the top job with local manager Stuart Knowles taking over as NT general manager.
Mr Houareau and his family are returning to Perth.
After four years guiding the company through production start-up as NT general manager, Mr Houareau is heading home to support the INPEX New Energy Business Australia (NEBA) unit as general manager Operations.
NEBA is Inpex’s non-hydrocarbon unit and will take an increasingly prominent role in the company’s growth.
It’s a natural step for Mr Houareau who joined Inpex in 2009 as the company began its push to get gas from the Ichthys Field for onshore processing in the Territory.
His career had begun more than a decade earlier when he worked for Western Mining before joining engineering giant Bechtel, which eventually played a key role in the Darwin LNG construction.
However, while Inpex anticipates four decades of production in Darwin and construction of a third LNG train, the company is transitioning towards decarbonisation and green alternatives to ensure it remains a relevant energy provider in the future.
“Supporting the world’s growing need for affordable, secure and clean energy is a core part of our future and underpins our commitment to sustainable growth in Australia. We are focused on decarbonising our operations and reducing emissions is a really clear objective,” Mr Houareau said.
Mr Houareau’s physical relocation will not end his close ties with the Territory, where he has held a number of board positions including on the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Charles Darwin University Risk and Audit Committee, Department of Education Board of Studies as well as the Humpty Doo Barramundi Board and the Essington Canons basketball side, both of which he will continue from interstate.
His two children have lived almost half their lives in Darwin and wife Catherine has also made strong ties here.
“The NT is an outstanding place to do business and raise a family and we’ve been fortunate to be able to live and work here.”
Mr Houareau takes pride in his contribution to the company through its transition from construction to production and that Inpex plays an active role in Darwin’s business community.
During his tenure the Inpex Corporation Board of Directors held its first meeting outside Japan in Darwin; and four years after start-up Ichthys LNG safely completed its 750th cargo.
About 98 per cent of the company’s Territory workforce of approximately 300 live locally, further cementing Inpex’s economic and social contribution.
“We came here to grow Inpex, embrace the community and to live as a family unit in Darwin and we’re very proud of what we’ve been able to contribute to the community.”
Under Inpex’s leadership transition plan, Mr Knowles’ appointment as general manager begins on January 1.
He’s lived in Darwin since coming here with the Australian Army in 1990 and left the services when he was set to be re-posted.
A mechanic by trade, Mr Knowles has held a number of private sector roles including working with Mack trucks in Berrimah before accepting a position as strategic project manager with the Department of the Chief Minister in 2012, which first brought him into contact with the Ichthys LNG project.
He joined Inpex Operations Australia as Compliance Approvals Manager in 2014 before joining the company’s corporate team in 2019 after production had begun.
His qualifications include auditing and professional management and he is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
He also sits on the NT Chamber’s Board of Directors.
“The company had a transition plan and this involved bringing in somebody who lived locally and I am privileged to have the opportunity to take up the role,” Mr Knowles said.
Released earlier this year, Inpex Vision@ 2022 charts the company’s course to 2050 including decarbonising its operations and the potential development of a third LNG train here in Darwin.
“Our goal is to become a leading global company serving an essential role in society by delivering energy in a sustainable way. The NT is incredibly important to our business and our future growth plans.
“Societal and consumer changes are driving shifts in the energy market and I’m quietly confident that there will be further investment by INPEX into the Northern Territory in the future,” Mr Knowles said
Another priority will be achieving the company’s Towards a Net Zero Carbon Society by 2050 pledge, which will in part be delivered through the development of carbon capture and storage technology to be completed later this decade.
“We’re very keen to do testing to progress storing emissions deep under the ocean floor,” he said.
Mr Knowles does not picture a significant change in direction under his management, in keeping with the path charted by Mr Houareau.
“He took Inpex from the project phase to the operational phase and set the culture with shareholders, government, the community and other industry peers which he has left in very good shape,” Mr Knowles said.
“For me, it’s not just sustaining, but building on that legacy. The NT is home for my family and I, INPEX has an excellent future in the NT and we’re very excited to be a part of that.”
Source: NT News
