Oil Search Managing Director, Peter Botten, has been awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to Australia-Papua New Guinea relations, particularly in the oil and gas industry.
The award was announced as part of Saturday’s Australia Day Honors.
Botten has previously been awarded Commander of the British Empire award for services to the community, mining and petroleum industries in PNG.
In a statement Company Chairman, Rick Lee, congratulated Botten saying the award is recognition of his heartfelt and longstanding commitment to building corporate-community relationships in PNG.
“Botten’s leadership is held in very high regard for making a difference in PNG – not only from an industry level but at a very personal level too.
“His outstanding business acumen coupled with his commitment to the social well-being of Papua New Guineans is worthy of this recognition.”
Botten said he believes companies cannot operate in isolation from society if they are to generate goodwill, maintain a moral compass and create shared value between community and business.
This belief is embedded within Oil Search’s culture as a responsible oil and gas company – one that strives to exceed stakeholder expectations for governance, environmental and social performance while making meaningful contributions to the lives of Papua New Guineans.
Botten was appointed managing director in October 1994, and is currently the longest-serving CEO on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).
He has twice been listed among Harvard Business Reviews 100 top performing CEOs in the world.
Under his leadership, Oil Search has become a successful, world-renowned company with an extensive appraisal and exploration portfolio. Its market capitalization has grown from A$200 million to over A$12 billion.
Recently, Botten led the company’s expansion into the United States through the acquisition of key oil assets in Alaska.
Botten is the founder and chairman of the Oil Search Foundation, chairman of the Hela Provincial Health Authority (PNG) and the National Football Stadium (PNG).
He is chairman of the Business for Development Board in Australia and is a non-executive director of AGL Energy Limited.