James is the Director of the Natural Gas Division of the Office of Oil and Gas at the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). He manages weekly, monthly, and annual natural gas data collections for the U.S. Government, as well as short-term natural gas analysis and contributions to EIA’s Short-Term Energy Outlook. His division’s Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report is carefully watched by futures market participants as an indicator of natural gas supply and demand. His division’s most recent analytical article was “U.S. Underground Natural Gas Storage Developments: 1998-2005.” In June he testified before a House Small Business Subcommittee on the major forces affecting natural gas prices. Until late 2005, James spent 13 years managing long-term oil and gas forecasting and analysis at EIA, including oil and gas analysis in the Annual Energy Outlook 2006 and development of oil and gas models in the National Energy Modeling System. He was Government co-chair of the Demand Task Group for the 1999 National Petroleum Council natural gas study, Meeting the Challenges of the Nation's Growing Natural Gas Demand. Before his work on NEMS, he managed EIA’s Weekly Petroleum Status Report and held positions at EIA as a petroleum supply analyst and an electric power analyst.

Mr. Brian W. Smith is currently Project Manager of Quoddy Bay LNG and Manager of Development for Smith Cogeneration Management, Inc.. Smith manages all aspects of the development of the Quoddy Bay LNG Import and Regasification Project in Downeast Maine. Among other responsibilities, Smith manages the Federal, State, and local permitting effort, public relations, financing, and contract negotiation for the Quoddy Bay LNG Project. Prior to joining Smith Cogeneration, Smith worked as a market research based consultant with Wilson Research Strategies, where Smith focused primarily on the energy industry, especially in Oklahoma, spearheading projects for the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association, the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board, Kerr-McGee, Chesapeake, and the National Oilheat Research Alliance. Smith had a variety of other national and international clients outside of the energy industry, including Altria, the United States Chamber of Commerce, and The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Mr. Chaney is a veteran marine engineer with more than 30 years of experience managing a variety of vessel types including liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers. His extensive gas transport experience includes the supervision of gas trials, knowledge of cargo handling equipment and tank inspection as well as oversight for maintenance and repairs on these specialized vessels. Mr. Chaney is also an experienced technical specialist in naval ship systems and equipment and is knowledgeable in both operations and maintenance requirements of forward deployed ships. From onboard experience to LNG project consulting in areas such as site safety issues, permitting and approvals and shore side maintenance, Chaney’s career experience and education provides clients of ABS with an expert look at gas related technical challenges and business strategies. As the Manager for Gas Ships in the Ship Sector Development Group for ABS, Chaney is responsible for providing technical and marketing support in the preparation of complex proposals for gas projects worldwide. Mr. Chaney is one of the subject matter resource for ABS in technical and operational solutions within the gas marine industry.

Dr. Doshi is an industry expert with over 15 years of international experience in leading oil and gas companies, Dr. Tilak Doshi joined DMCC as Executive Director for Energy. With his wealth of experience Tilak is tasked to specifically drive regional market and product development for the energy sector. Dr. Doshi was a Consultant for Saudi Aramco in its crude marketing and corporate planning department. He has also held senior positions as Director of Industry Analysis at the Atlantic Richfield Company in Los Angeles, and Chief Energy Economist at the Unocal Corporation’s Asia office in Singapore. As Executive Director for the energy sector, Dr.Doshi serves to intensify links between DMCC and the energy industry. He is in charge of creating industry-specific physical and market infrastructure products whilst providing innovative concepts to facilitate the growth of the energy business in Dubai.

Ron Wells is currently a BP Shipping (USA) Technical and LNG Assurance Superintendent supporting technical issues associated with LNG Shipping and offshore LNG projects. Prior to joining BP, he worked for BG LNG Services where he was based in their Houston office as the Assistant Technical Manager providing support for both in-service assets and also new construction projects. He has approximately 23 years of sea going experience on US flagged tankers and LNG carriers rising through the ranks from junior (third) engineer to senior (chief) engineer. Prior to embarking on his sea going career, he graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York and went on to work at the General Electric Company (Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory) where he worked with a team of plant system design engineers to prepare operating procedures for the 688 (Los Angeles) class nuclear submarines, and later transitioned to a field test support position at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock.

Mr. de la Vega is Director of Business Development at NorthernStar Natural Gas. Mr. de la Vega has over 10 years experience in the global energy business and has held numerous positions within BP and El Paso Corporation. Prior to joining NorthernStar, he worked for El Paso Corp as the Manager of Strategic Planning responsible for the long range plan of the non-regulated assets. From 2001 to 2005, Mr. de la Vega served in various financial and commercial positions within El Paso working on closing transactions involving oil refineries, petrochemical plants, terminals, power plants, and midstream assets. Mr. de la Vega began his career as a process engineer with BP at the Alliance Refinery in Louisiana. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Texas A&M University and an MBA from Tulane University. He is a licensed professional engineer.

Paul is the Technical Advisor for SIGTTO - Society of Gas Tankers & Terminal Operators. He served at sea in excess of 25 years, initially with Shell before joining BP Shipping in 1996. All sea time was spent on tankers, with approximately half the time served on LNG carriers of various size and type. The last 4 years at sea were spent exclusively in the LNG trade.He was promoted to Master in 1998 but came ashore in early 2004 after accepting a position of Marine Superintendent in the LNG team, based in BP’s Office at Sunbury. Paul was seconded to SIGTTO as a Technical Adviser in December 2005, and is involved in various projects including the development of Guidelines for LNG STS Transfer.

Brad S. Hubbard, P.E., has 30 years experience in the development, management, engineering, fabrication and installation of large oil and gas field projects and midstream conversion projects. He is the Director of Technology Development for Mustang Midstream and has been the project manager for conceptual studies and FEED studies of gas monetization projects including LNG Regasification, LNG Liquefaction and GTL. Mr. Hubbard holds BS and MS degrees from Texas A&M University. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in Texas.

Mr. Lorio has over 20 years experience in the energy industry and has worked primarily in the European energy sector since 1996. He has experience in commodity trading, business development, commercial optimization, acquisitions and green field development. He and his team were actively involved with the transformation of NUON over the past four years. During that time, NUON acquired 3500 mw of gas and coal fired power plants from the US energy company Reliant and is in the process of developing 2 gas storage projects: Epe and Zuidwending which entailed a capital development commitment of 300 million euros. Mr. Lorio graduated with a BS in Petroleum Engineering from Louisiana State University. Mr. Lorio is leading NUON’s short and long term gas efforts which include sourcing a 10bcm/annum gas portfolio as well as directing NUON’s efforts in LNG which have focused on convincing the LNG producing community that it makes sense to sell gas into the Netherlands via a portfolio option perspective notwithstanding the following: the gas pipeline from Russia is being constructed, the BBL line is in operation and the Netherlands has one of the largest gas fields in the world: Groningen.

Bill Cooper is the Executive Director of the Center for Liquefied Natural Gas (CLNG). Cooper has two decades of experience in various aspects of the energy industry, having served in both the public and private sectors. Prior to joining Hunton & Williams, he served as counsel to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee; earlier in his career, he was general counsel for a natural gas utility company. Cooper was a drafter and lead negotiator for the House on several provisions of the energy bills in the 107th and 108th Congresses. In addition, Cooper is a frequent speaker on energy and natural gas issues.

Spent first 20 years in Field Operations, 8 in Engineering and recently moved into Gas Operations. Experienced in field and office measurement, control and communications systems, and producer and customer relations. Primary contact for gas quality, processing, and measurement issues for Southern Natural since 1989. Served on the AGA TMC since 1989, served as Chairman of the AGA TMC in 1996, received the AGA Award of Merit in 1997 and the AGA Trailblazer Award for Gas Quality in 2006. . Worked on first revision of AGA 4a and is presently serving on the latest AGA 4a revision team along with the AGA Bulletin 36 revision group. Also serve as Chairman of the AGA TMC Task Group on Gas Quality and Interchangeability, and served on both the NGC+ Working Groups on HDP and Interchangeability.

Bob Watson joined the Industrial Division of Rolls-Royce in 1976 and worked on many gas turbine and combined cycle power station projects. In 1998 he moved to the Marine division and was a founder member of the team that designed the MT30. He currently works as Chief Engineer in the Systems Group and concentrates on merchant marine opportunities including LNG carriers.

Captain O’Malley is the Chief of Port and Facility Activities at US Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC. In this role he is responsible for the enforcement of the Maritime Transportation Safety Act, development of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential, Recovery of Port Capability and several other maritime safety and security issues. Previous to his current assignment Capt. O’Malley served as Chief of Marine Safety for Seventh Coast Guard District in Miami, FL where he was responsible for marine safety for an area stretching from South Carolina to Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Islands.

Tony Nunes is a partner in Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP’s Houston office and a member of their Global Projects Group. His current practice includes international projects, finance and maritime transactions with emphasis on energy-related matters, including LNG.. Tony’s experience in LNG includes upstream (gas supply and liquefaction), LNG offtake agreements, LNG transportation and downstream (import and regasification) projects. Mr. Nunes serves as an arbitrator of commercial disputes for the American Arbitration Association and was an adjunct professor of law at the University of Houston teaching International Financial Transactions and International Litigation and Arbitration between 1986 and 1999.

Himanshu Patel joined Bechtel in May 2006 in Houston as Manager of Gas Technologies responsible for managing OG&C’s portfolio of natural gas technologies that include LNG baseload liquefaction, receiving terminals, conversion of gas-to-liquids/chemicals and natural gas processing. He is responsible for providing interface with technology licensors, ensuring design integrity, technical excellence, innovation and development, and, assessing technology risks, plant performance/guarantees. He has over 20 years of experience and has published several papers.

Brian Cromer is Senior Corporate Counsel at Sempra Energy in San Diego, and since 2001 he has served as primary in-house counsel for Sempra LNG. His experience in LNG includes long-term LNG sale and purchase agreements, spot cargo master LNG sale and purchase agreements, operation and cooperation agreements for multi-user LNG regasification terminals and regasification terminal services agreements. Brian serves on the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators’ committee to develop a model LNG master sale and purchase agreement for spot cargoes. He is also co-chair of the Law of LNG conference – the largest LNG conference specifically for legal issues pertaining to the LNG industry.

Ian established the Natural Gas Origination department at Statoil Natural Gas LLC in late 2006 when he moved to the US from Stavanger Norway. This department is responsible for the marketing of natural gas from the expanded Cove Point LNG facility, Maryland. Prior to this role, Ian headed Statoil's natural gas Market Analysis group in Norway where he was responsible for tracking and forecasting gas prices and supply/demand trends on a global basis. Ian joined Statoil UK as a natural gas trader in 1999 after working at Conoco for 10 years and has occupied several different positions in London including head of UK Strategy and Regulation.

Mr. Pepper, a native of Houston, TX has worked in the oil, gas and petrochemical and power business for 28 years. As graduate of Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Physical Chemistry. Mr. Pepper spent twenty years in speciality positions and business development in the Process Control industry on industrial and utility power generating systems and specializing in petrochemical, oil and gas process applications and business development. Over the last seven years he has managed the LNG Regasification marketing function for Aker Kvaerner, which includes global LNG marketing for onshore and offshore projects.

Tom Holmberg is an associate in the Washington, D.C. office of Baker Botts L.L.P., where he is a member of the Global Projects Group. He represents clients with regard to project structuring, contracting, and governmental approvals for oil and gas projects, including LNG. He currently serves as a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN) committee to develop a model LNG master sale and purchase agreement for spot cargoes. Tom’s recent LNG experience includes drafting and negotiating the SPAs for the first purchase and import of LNG into Brazil; the SPA for sale of LNG from the Peru LNG project; and the SPA for sale of LNG from Tangguh, Indonesia for delivery to Baja California, Mexico. Tom also advises clients on FERC-related regulatory issues, including the permitting and operation of LNG import terminals.

Sean Connaughton was nominated by President Bush to be the Maritime Administrator on June 27, 2006, and was confirmed by the Senate on August 3, 2006. He was sworn in and took the oath of office by Acting Secretary Maria Cino on September 6, 2006.Sean embarked on a career as a lawyer in private practice specializing in maritime and international law. He and a colleague appeared before the United States Supreme Court in 1999 to argue a case involving the constitutionality of laws imposed on the marine transportation industry. They won that case in a unanimous decision. Sean has published many articles on marine transportation and environmental issues as well as spoken at numerous conferences and seminars on these topics. He joined the law firm of Troutman Sanders LLP at the end of 2000. He is a member of the Virginia Bar Association, the District of Columbia Bar Association, the Maritime Law Association, and the Veterans Pro Bono Consortium.

Renee Klimczak joined BHP Billiton in January 2005 to lead the development of BHPB’s gas business in North, South and Central America. Her portfolio covers all of the company’s commercial natural gas matters in North, Central and South America. Ms. Klimczak has extensive experience in gas commercialization, marketing and retailing. She started her career with Exxon where she spent 14 years in a number of areas across the downstream sector of the company, including senior commercial and marketing roles. Following that, she was General Manager of gas and electricity retailing in Melbourne, Victoria; first with Ikon Energy and then with TXU Australia. During this time, she was heavily involved in the deregulation of both the gas and electricity industries as well as leading marketing efforts for retailing to over 1 million customers.

David Haake is a Chemicals and Petroleum Industry Solutions Executive in IBM Global Business Services, focusing on enterprise resource planning (ERP) and enterprise asset management (EAM) solutions for the oil & gas industry. Mr. Haake’s career background includes more than a decade in process automation with ABB and The Foxboro Company (now Invensys) focused on process automation and MES systems for capital projects worldwide. He has spent the past twelve years working with leading software technology firms (Oracle, SAP and Aspen Technology) on business transformation and technology projects for clients in the global Oil and Gas Industry.

Doug Bloom was appointed President of Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline in February of 2003. He is responsible for Maritimes’ assets in Canada and the United States. Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline is a joint venture of Spectra Energy (77.53%), Emera (12.92%) and ExxonMobil (9.55%) and is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Prior to assuming this role, Doug held executive positions with Duke Energy and Westcoast Energy in the areas of Strategic Planning and Risk Management, Business Integration, Business Services and Customer Service and Marketing. He has over 25 years of experience in the energy sector.

Throughout his career, Mr. Jensen has specialized in energy economics and their application to the management of energy-oriented organizations and has been particularly active in addressing policy studies that help clients resolve controversial planning problems. Mr. Jensen received a degree in Chemical Engineering from M.I.T. and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He is recognized for his expertise in natural gas and has testified before U.S. Senate and House Congressional Committees, as well as before U.S. and Canadian regulatory agencies. He was the recipient of “The 2001 Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Profession of Energy Economics and to its Literature” from the International Association for Energy Economics. Mr. Jensen has written extensively on energy questions. He has recently completed a policy paper on Liquefied Natural Gas for The National Commission on Energy Policy and a monograph on LNG for the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.

Mr. Holcomb is Vice President of Marketing at Falcon Gas Storage Company. Mr. Holcomb is responsible for developing and selling gas storage services as well as developing new storage projects and is involved with optimizing the Company’s merchant storage capacity. Mr. Holcomb has over 22 years of experience in almost all facets of the natural gas industry from wellhead to burner tip including marketing, trading, developing, strategic planning, contracting, negotiating and consulting. Prior to joining Falcon, Mr. Holcomb served as Vice President at Pace Global Energy Services from 2000 to early 2006 where he was head of the Houston office. From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Holcomb was co-founder of Tahmah Energy, a small consulting and development firm focused in Mexico and the Former Soviet Union. From 1985 to 1997, Mr. Holcomb worked for Tenneco Energy in a variety of positions which included Drilling Engineer, Account Manger, and Director of Pipeline Development in Mexico.

Mr. Blackford joined PPM April 1, 2004 and has developed a performance based Origination team to service North America including the development of new structured transactions, gas storage and transportation commitments, acquisitions and asset management opportunities. Prior to joining PPM, he served as Managing Director, Origination for the Eastern 2/3rds of the U.S. at Duke Energy Trading and Marketing. Mr. Blackford’s earlier tenures included four years at the marketing affiliate of Oxy, USA and twelve years at Amoco Production Company in positions of increasing responsibility within engineering, operations, budget, supply, regulatory affairs, sales and marketing. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri – Rolla and has attended Executive Education Courses at Rice University and the University of Michigan Continuing Education Centers.