Mitsui Moves into AWE Control Room

Two Mitsui executives have been appointed directors of AWE following the Japanese trading company taking a controlling stake in the Australian gas producer, AWE said April 18.

“We are delighted to welcome both Mr Togawa and Mr Matsuyama to the board of AWE and look forward to working with them and establishing a productive working relationship,” AWE chairman Ken Williams said.

Kensuke Togawa has worked for Mitsui since 1999 and has 13 years experience in the energy business, including petroleum exploration and production and LNG development projects as well as natural gas marketing.

Hiroyuki Matsuyama has been with Mitsui since 1996 and has experience in accounting, tax, finance, risk management and internal control, across multiple industries and locations globally. He is the director and general manager for accounting and finance of Mitsui E&P Australia.

Mitsui recently won a bidding war for AWE against China Energy Reserve and Chemical Group and Australian Mineral Resources, who were attracted to the possibilities of AWE's Waitsia gas project in Western Australia.