APPEA 2026 Conference and Exhibition

BSc (First Class Hons) Geology and Geophysics, AMP Harvard

Mr Woods is a leading senior executive in the energy sector with over 25 years of professional experience.

He has an outstanding record of delivering major energy projects, cost and operational discipline and growing businesses in the UK, Africa, Australasia and North America.

Mr Woods began his career with Woodside Energy and has held senior technical roles in Australia and Africa. In 2007, Mr Woods became Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of African start-up Rialto Energy. In 2013, Mr Woods joined Santos and led the Western Australia and Northern Territory Operating Division, playing a pivotal role in the successful transformation of the Cooper Basin and Gladstone LNG assets. Mr Woods also supported the successful acquisitions of Quadrant Energy, ConocoPhillips’ Northern Australian business and Oil Search by Santos. More recently Mr Woods assumed control of Santos’ operated infrastructure (LNG, domestic gas, oil fractionation facilities and pipelines) and developed decarbonisation, clean fuels and CCS opportunities whilst leading Santos’ Energy Solutions business.

Mr Woods commenced as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Beach in January 2024, where he has led a transformation of the company by engaging employees to take an owner’s mindset throughout the business.

Presentation details

Plenary 2
Plenary Panel: Energy in the AI age
Tuesday 19 May 2026
11:00am – 12:30pm

Detailed program can be found here.