Saskia Pickles

The economist behind Australia’s direct action emissions reduction scheme has told a Perth audience he predicts politicians will continue to change their position on climate change policy as the new Senate gears up to vote on the proposed repeal of the carbon tax.

BHP Billiton has celebrated sending its one-billionth tonne of iron ore to Japan at a ceremony in Port Hedland to mark almost 50 years of the business partnership.

Woodside Petroleum has turned the threat of cheap liquefied natural gas exports from the US into an opportunity for the producer to resell some of that LNG at a higher price.

When it comes to mobile roaming, there’s no place like home for Norwood Systems.

Former premier Richard Court has renewed his calls for the federal government to share half the revenue from offshore oil and gas projects with the states, while also expressing confidence about the future of the mining sector.

Chevron has marked a significant milestone at its 80 per cent completed Gorgon liquefied natural gas project, receiving the final module required for its gas processing train on Barrow Island.

A slowing demand for surveying services has not stopped CADS Survey from pursuing growth by the adoption of innovative technologies, entering new markets and expanding its capabilities.

What's the secret to growing your business if the sector you work in is in a slump?

Giving managers responsibility for making decisions relevant to their sections is crucial at marine services business TAMS Group, which has steadily added new capabilities and staff to differentiate itself as a full service provider in a market full of specialists.

FEATURE: The state’s premier oil and gas training institute has joined forces with Northern Territory-based Charles Darwin University in the search for a training provider to tackle a looming oil and gas skills shortage.

By breaking ranks from its DomGas Alliance partners, FMG has upped the pressure on the state government.

FEATURE: Floating LNG will provide limited local construction, manufacturing and engineering opportunities, but could propel WA to the world stage.

GDF Suez and Santos have moved away from developing their Bonaparte joint venture project as a floating liquefied natural gas project, saying they will now consider other options, including helping expand Inpex’s Icthys LNG project.

Implimenting efficiencies and greater operational flexibility have been two different, but equally successful, strategies used by engineering companies to secure major contracts in Western Australia.

The federal government’s plan to axe the mining and carbon taxes may dominate the mainstream headlines in terms of resources sector policy, but it’s a lesser-known incentive that has the industry on tenterhooks.

The federal budget changes to higher education have yet to go to the Senate, but WA’s universities are considering their options.

Qantas has cancelled its direct Perth-to-Johannesburg service after agreeing with carrier South African Airways to terminate its code share agreement.

Western Australian Senator Michaelia Cash has defended the government’s paid parental leave scheme as several Nationals senators say they will vote against it.

Increasingly online-savvy customers have fuelled business and government demand for digital communications advice, which in turn has spurred public relations firms to increase their offering in this specialist area.

Woodside Petroleum has more than doubled its intake of graduates, from 50 hired in 2013 to 115 expected to start next year.

A decade-long shortage of truck drivers in the Pilbara has exacerbated poaching within the industry and sparked calls for companies to invest in driver training.

New Energy Corporation’s plans to build two Western Australian waste-to-energy facilities have received a boost after the company secured up to $50 million in senior debt from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.

A new joint venture between the tertiary education sector and industry is seeking to bring engineering firms and local graduates together in an effort to streamline employment opportunities.

Oil and gas explorer New Standard Energy has sought to assure shareholders it is committed to its projects in Western Australia after deferring all of its Canning and Carnarvon Basin drilling activity until 2015.

BHP Billiton has confirmed it is reviewing its iron ore operations, after it was revealed last week job cuts were likely following a review at its Worsley Alumina operations south of Perth.

Businesses drawing on the emergence of a ‘sharing economy’ are infiltrating Western Australia’s traditional transport and hospitality sectors.

Twenty per cent more people are flying between Perth and Newman but passenger numbers on flights between Perth and the towns of Karratha, Port Hedland, Kalgoorlie, Paraburdoo, Geraldton, and Learmonth have dropped off.

BGC Contracting has joined forces with Western Australian business FIFO Families to offer its 2,000 fly-in, fly-out workers and their families access to extra support.

Western Australians will have to wait until Christmas to find out how much the government saved by merging power generator and retailer Verve and Synergy.

The resources sector will struggle to find enough skilled workers to drive production on the LNG plants expected to come on-stream in the next few years.

The accommodation squeeze in the north-west appears to be over with at least one Pilbara hotel shutting temporarily amid industry claims construction camps close to major population centres are competing with traditional hospitality providers.

The enormous gas supply deal Russia recently struck with China reduces Australia’s advantage as a major liquefied natural gas exporter, according to Australian advisory firm EnergyQuest.