With great sadness we announce the passing of a well known and much loved character of the Australian oil industry. Richard Beare, dearly loved husband of Narelle and loving father to Alexander, Oliver, Eliza and Victoria, passed away suddenly on the 24 July 2026 at the age of 61.
Richard had an exciting career in the oil & gas industry with a focus on Exploration within Australia. He graduated from Flinders Uni in 1986 with a BSc (Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences) with Honours.
In July, PESA brought a refreshing emphasis on practical geological interpretation to its technical program, hosting a series of workshops and lectures led by internationally recognised sedimentologist Dr Boyan Vakarelov, founder of SEDBASE.
Across Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland, participants were given the opportunity to move beyond traditional presentation-based technical training and work directly with core, depositional analogues, conceptual models and forward stratigraphic modelling. The result was a highly practical exploration of how geoscientists can improve their understanding of the subsurface — particularly where seismic resolution and well control leave significant uncertainty.
Vakarelov's program centred on...
What does PESA mean to you? And what could we do better?
The Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia (PESA) is asking members to take a few minutes to complete our 2026 Member Survey.
Your feedback is important. It helps us understand what members value, where we are getting it right, and—most importantly—where we can improve. Whether it’s technical events, networking, professional development, industry engagement, publications or supporting the next generation of geoscientists, your views will help shape PESA’s priorities for the future.
It only takes a few minutes, but your input can make a real difference.
If you’re a PESA member, please take the survey today.
Redundancy is here to stay, and sooner or later it is likely that you find yourself in the situation where your position has become redundant.
It often comes as a shock, because, although often spoken about, nobody is ever really ready for the actual event, the one where YOU are the one being offered “a package”. Your mind is full; what do I do no? Is the package on offer fair? Do I need to seek legal advice. How am I going to pay my bills. And where will I go next?
It doesn't matter where you work, sooner or later you are likely to be on the receiving end of a redundancy round.
In May this year members of the industry gathered with many others to pay tribute to Nigel Johnson, a colleague whose knowledge of the stratigraphy of WA’s Paleozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary basins was encyclopedic.
Nigel probably sat more wells and wrote or edited more well completion reports than anyone else in Western Australia and possibly Australia. For nearly five decades he earned the respect of his peers for his diligent and dedicated services which meant no stone, or in his case, no grain, was overlooked.
Nigel was quite famous and well-remembered for his rigorous and comprehensive sample descriptions.
Location: Brisbane Convention and Exhibition CentreDate: Monday 7th SeptemberTheme: Energy - Where to from Here?
The PESA QLD Symposium is a full day event focused on bringing togethermembers of the petroleum and energy exploration and production industry here inQueensland. Local and Interstate specialist speakers are invited to present a seriesof papers which address the industry activity within the state from a technical,economic, and social perspective.
This year’s theme will explore the opportunities and challenges surrounding energysecurity and resilience in Australia, particularly within the context of energyexploration, development, and supply.
The organising committee anticipates up to 100 industry delegates in attendancewith approximately 12 presentations scheduled over the day in the four sponsoredsessions.
Phillip Cooney has recently passed the leadership of the NSW/ACT branch on to Max Williamson. As he steps back from the role, we invited Phil to share his thoughts on some of the changes he has seen.
"I have been asked to write a few words about the changes I have seen during my 57 years with PESA Ltd., PESA, and the original Professional Division of the APEA (only one P) the Australian Petroleum Explorers Association which I joined in 1969.
The PESA Federal Committee welcomes Emeritus Professor John Kaldi as the new Federal Vice President. John steps in to replace Matt Densley who had to resign due to other commitments. PESA thanks Matt for his contribution and looks forward to working with John through the remainder of his Vice Presidency term and when he takes on the President role in 2027.
John is an internationally recognized expert in petroleum geology and and carbon capture & storage (CCS).
Dr. John Gorter was a renowned sedimentary geologist based in recent years in Perth, Australia, and is recognized for his contributions to global oil and gas exploration, basin analysis and paleontological studies.
Dr Gorter had a passion for geology, observation, evidence and documenting.
Dr Gorter was writing his autobiography and memoirs before he tragically and unexpectedly passed away in Madagascar in May 2024.
John’s writings are being compiled and published by his wife, Eva Skira AM.
4-6pm Thursday 16 July 2026
Mayfair Lane Pub, 72 Outram St, West Perth
Attendance by invitation. Please contact Eva Skira at eskira26@gmail.com
Our 2026 AGM was held on Monday 18th May in Adelaide. It was smooth sailing through the official parts, and we were happy to celebrate the announcement of our 2026 Barry Goldstein Award winner; Professor Ken McClay.
We also handed over the 40-year (!!!) continuous membership certificate to Mick Small. All other certificates were taken by the Branch Presidents to be handed over at Branch events throughout the year.
The PESA conference booth was organised and staffed by volunteers from the SA/NT Branch, as well as a number of interstate members.