If you want information about the Australian pipeline industry, this Directory will be able to help you. Not only does it set out the names and contact details of our wide range of members, including contractors, equipment suppliers, service providers, producers, operators and owners (helpfully categorised), it also includes a history of the Association, membership structure, joining information, pipeline maps and details of pipeline licences.

2007 was another year of high activity for APIA. Briefly:

• The Research and Standards Committee furthered its important and wide-ranging research work with the aid of complementary AusIndustry funding.
• The Contractors have developed a Construction Training Course which will provide a ‘passport’ for those working in pipeline construction.
• The Environment Committee has assessed a range of state-based requirements on matters such as vegetation and fauna management and heritage protection.
• The Environment Committee has also expanded its reference to cover the national and international impacts of climate change on the gas transmission and water transmission industries.
• The Safety Committee has been pro-active in the area of 4WD safety procedures and technology and will be aiming to take this important industry issue further in 2008.
• The AS2885 Part 1 seminars exceeded all expectations, providing quality briefings for industry participants on the new version of the internationally recognised Standard.
• The Government and Regulatory Affairs Committee, after much hard work, was successful in achieving a large number of necessary amendments to the National Gas Law, which was delayed in order to accommodate the changes and is now expected to come into operation in 2008.
• The Pipeline Operators Group (POG) returned to Sydney for a successful seminar and dinner. POG, at its October meeting, agreed to include representatives of pipeline controllers at future meetings, following representation from controllers after they had held their own successful inaugural forum in Adelaide in September.
• The Critical Infrastructure Group has continued to monitor and participate in plans by government with regard to managing the nation’s critical infrastructure in times of crisis.
• The WA Chapter continues to work well with the national Secretariat in the provision of interesting events in the West.

The Owners Committee did not meet in 2007 but arrangements will be made to meet relevant policy makers in 2008.

In recognition of the pressures to manage the Association’s increasing political profile, its participation in the economic and environment debates, and its regulatory influence, as well as the educational and training focus, a policy adviser has been employed to further the work in these areas.

The Young Pipeliners Forum (YPF) is increasingly popular and, with the guidance of the Secretariat, our young pipeliners are beginning to coordinate their own YPF events around Australia. It was good to see the many young faces at the Convention.

2007 was certainly our international year, with two highly successful international events, both of which were held in Australia for the first time. The Joint Technical Meeting between our own Research and Standards Committee (RSC), the International Pipeline Research Council (PRCI) based in North America and the European Pipeline Research Group (EPRG) was held in Canberra in April. This was followed shortly after by the first ever convention in Australia of the International Pipeline and Offshore Contractors Association (IPLOCA), held in Sydney in September. Max Kimber, AM, former APIA Board Member and now past Chairman of the RSC, and APIA Board Member Andy Lukas, 2007 President of IPLOCA, are to be congratulated for their efforts in bringing such internationally recognised organisations to Australia.

The industry and the Association will again be busy in 2008. There are a number of pipeline projects already underway or planned. We hope to finalise arrangements for the proposed APIA library/database. We are investigating the possibility of establishing a formal training program for pipeline engineers. Our committees have extensive work plans. And a very full events program has already been designed, culminating in our Convention in Perth in October.

This year will be the 40th anniversary of APIA and I have no doubt that 2008, my first year as President, will be an active and exciting one for all of us in the APIA team (our Members, the APIA Board and the Secretariat).

Ashley Kellett
President