Who we are
Mitsui E&P Australia (MEPAU) is focused on establishing a responsible, reliable and sustainable supply of energy to meet growing energy demands.
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Overview
Our vision is to be a leader in cleaner energy solutions
Mitsui E&P Australia (MEPAU) is an Australian subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and is responsible for driving energy investment growth in the region, focused on establishing a responsible, reliable and sustainable supply of energy to meet growing energy demands.
MEPAU has been operating in Australia for 20 years, growing to become a significant contributor to the development of sustainable energy for the nation.
MEPAU has a vision to be a leader in cleaner energy solutions, and to consistently demonstrate operational excellence and safety performance.
A long history in Australia
In 1901, the former Mitsui & Co. established its first Australian office in Sydney, quickly becoming a key player in the emerging trade between Australia and Japan, exporting commodities such as wool, cotton, wheat, and non-ferrous metals.
After a series of mergers with other trading firms, a new version of Mitsui & Co. entered Australia in 1955. First trading under the name of Daiichi Bussan, then becoming Mitsui & Company in 1960, and finally in 1967 the current name ‘Mitsui & Co. (Australia) Ltd. was adopted.
Mitsui E&P Australia (MEPAU) was founded in 2004 as a subsidiary of Mitsui & Co. Ltd, to be responsible for driving growth in energy markets in the Australian region. MEPAU has since expanded its portfolio in oil and gas assets and is now aiming to extend its value chain into new developments complimentary to energy operations, including carbon capture and storage, and carbon farming. This will allow MEPAU to transform into an Energy Solutions company, contributing to Australia’s energy security and reliability.
Our Journey
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First gas found in the Perth Basin at Yardarino (near Dongara) by West Australian Petroleum Pty Ltd (WAPET), leading to the discovery of the Dongara Wodgina reservoir.
WA’s first gas pipeline is built by APA Group (Australia), the 416km Parmelia Gas Pipeline from Dongara to Pinjarra, and the first gas was produced for sale from the Dongara Wodginga reservoir.
Wandoo Petroleum Formed, Mitsui’s first direct interest into exploration and production (E&P).
Mitsui E&P Australia formed to hold Enfield/Vincent offshore interests.
Kipper interest acquired by Mitsui E&P Australia.
Mitsui acquired ASX-listed AWE Limited, and the AWE business was fully integrated into MEPAU – this included AWE Perth Pty Ltd, now ‘MEPAU Perth Basin Pty Ltd’, which is the operator of the Waitsia Gas Project in Western Australia’s Mid West. Since the 1970s, AWE Perth Pty Ltd has been operating multiple oil and gas facilities in the Mid West region, including the now decommissioned Dongara Gas Field which supplied Perth’s gas from 1971.
Waitsia Project Stage 2 Final Investment Decision (FID) and commencement of Project construction.
MEPAU launched its Carbon Solutions business and acquired Outback Carbon, a carbon farming company, to develop carbon farming (ACCU) projects.
MEPAU commenced a joint feasibility study on Western Australian Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and low carbon ammonia opportunities with Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers Limited (WesCEF) and Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security.
First property acquisition for carbon purpose; and first seedlings planted for a carbon project.
Successful CO2 Injection Assessment for the Cygnus (CCS) Hub in the Mid West, Western Australia.
Leadership Message
Mitsui E&P Australia (MEPAU) is an Australian subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd and is responsible for driving energy investment growth in the region, focussed on establishing a responsible, reliable and sustainable supply of energy to meet growing energy demands.
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Ken Yamamura is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Mitsui E&P Australia located in Perth, Western Australia. Ken has a 33-year career in Mitsui & Co., Ltd., covering ferroalloys, steel scrap, mineral resources such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, molybdenum, tungsten etc., thermal & metallurgical coal, liquified natural gas (LNG) before he took his role in Mitsui E&P Australia in April 2021.
Over the course of Ken’s career, he has held directorships with ADNOC LNG in Abu Dhabi UAE, Qatar Gas in Doha Qatar, Oman LNG in Muscat the Sultanate of Oman and is currently on the Board of Directors for the Australian Energy Producers, formerly known as the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA).
Ken Yamamura
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
