The shut-off for the exhibition comes after 90 different companies took up the 152 available booths at the event, which this year will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre from April 15-18.

Meanwhile, if “early bird” registrations for the conference are any guide, APPEA will be looking at record numbers of delegates for the South Australian oil and gas event.

Current early bird registrations total just under 600 delegates, with another rush expected tomorrow when APPEA shuts off the early bird opportunity.

The conference has a strong line up of plenary session speakers, including Federal Resources Minister Ian Macfarlane. On the other side of the political fence, Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd has also been invited to speak.

In a departure from its previous format, on the Monday of the conference, APPEA will offer a thought-provoking roundtable discussion – The Future Australian Energy Paradigm – which will be facilitated by former Energy Supply Association of Australia boss Keith Orchison and feature Santos chief executive John Ellice-Flint, CRA International vice president and former ABARE executive director Dr Brian Fisher and Babcock & Brown CEO Steve Boulton.