Denison Executive Chair Xingjin Wang has received one of Australia’s highest technology and engineering honours for a career unlocking energy challenges.

Dr Wang, a geologist by training, has been elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE). The academy described Professor Wang as an energy entrepreneur as it named him among 34 new Fellows for 2026.

He has combined research, engineering and entrepreneurship to develop gas resources considered difficult to produce. Dr Wang’s research into helping gas flow more easily from coal seams helped lay the technical foundations of Queensland’s gas industry. In recent years he has led the Denison team in reviving the mothballed Denison Trough gas fields.

Dr Wang has helped secure about $800 million in international investment and create 200 jobs.

“Australia has abundant energy resources that are often challenging to develop. Innovation can unlock those resources and provide reliable energy, while creating opportunities for existing infrastructure,” he said.

“I am honoured to join ATSE and contribute to its work on Australia’s future engineering and technology challenges. I have been fortunate to work with outstanding engineers, geoscientists, researchers, students and colleagues throughout my career and I have learned from all of them.”

Professor Wang is also leading Denison in pioneering compressed air energy storage in Australia. The technology uses renewable power to compress air and store it underground for later energy generation.

Professor Wang will be formally welcomed into the ATSE Fellowship in Sydney on October 28.

ABOUT DENISON  

Denison is a rapidly expanding natural gas producer and explorer focused on increasing supply to the east coast domestic market. The Bowen Basin producer has achieved 10-fold production from conventional and tight sandstone resources in five years for commercial and industrial users. The company is also exploring for significant unconventional resources in the Denison Trough. 

PDF: MEDIA RELEASE – Gas pioneer recognised among nation’s engineering leaders