The Australian Pipeliner

January 2005

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President’s Message

It was my pleasure to present the opening address to over 130 delegates at the APIA Launch of the Public Comment Draft of the Revision of Australian Standard 2885.1 in Wollongong on 7 December.

In this, my final report to members as Chief Executive of APIA, I want to place on record my sincere appreciation for the support and valuable advice provided to me by members of the Association during my tenure.

2004 APIA Annual Convention - President’s Address

APIA President Mark Twycross discussed the major changes that had taken place in Australia over the past twelve months.

2004 APIA Annual Convention - Pipeline Owners

The 2004 APIA Convention included a special session on pipeline investor views.

2004 APIA Annual Convention - North Queensland Gas Pipeline

Graeme Hogarth, Project General Manager with the Project, led a detailed and comprehensive presentation on all facets of the North Queensland Gas Project encompassing the Alliance approach adopted for the project, the Native Title issues which were resolved, health and safety and environmental management.

2004 APIA Annual Convention - International Research

APIA was fortunate to secure the participation of Gerhard Knauf, Secretary General of the European Pipeline Research Group (EPRG) and George W Tenley, President of Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI) to discuss international pipeline research developments.

2004 APIA Annual Convention - Award winners

Andy Lukas, Managing Director of AJ Lucas Group, was elected as a life member of APIA at the 2004 Convention.

2004 APIA Annual Convention - RTD Steeltest wins best stand

Once again, the competition for the coveted best-stand award was tough.

Pipeline industry’s newest player outlines future vision

The Australian Pipeliner recently met with Alinta Chief Executive Officer Bob Browning to discuss a variety of issues facing the company, including the integration of Duke’s assets into the company, Alinta’s role in the recent purchase of the DBNGP, and the future for Alinta and the industry as a whole.

AS2885.1 - Public Comment Draft

Standards Australia has published the public comment draft of the proposed 2005 revision of AS 2885.1 - Pipelines, Gas and liquid petroleum - Part 1: Design and construction.

Quantm redefines pipeline route selection

Quantm Ltd provides access, training and support for a unique infrastructure route planning system that enables fast identification of corridors and optimal alignments. The Quantm technology allows project teams to manage complex land-owner, stakeholder and environmental issues, reduce planning time and cut construction cost. It has been successfully applied on rail and road projects globally, including Australia, USA, Canada and China, and is now being developed for pipeline route planning applications.

New office in the pipeline for OSD Energy Services

OSD Energy Services has pleasure in announcing the appointment of Keith Horstmann as General Manager, Western Australia. OSD has recently opened a permanent office in Perth in response to the ever-increasing demand for pipeline consulting services in Western Australia.

Peter Norman Personnel, the industry’s number one recruiter

While many things have changed in the pipeline industry over the past thirty years, one thing hasn’t – the involvement of Peter Norman.

Developing and maintaining an Alliance

Alliance delivery cannot be described as easy, particularly at management levels. However it will generate value, promote efficiency and productivity and provide quality outcomes for people and the project.

Fitness for Work - a model for the pipeline industry

A fast track construction project requires commitment and diligence in managing safety and the NQGP Project decided to place a high level of focus on the welfare and fitness of all Project personnel, both employees and contractors. One of the aspects of this approach was the establishment and implementation of a Fitness for Work Program.

Life in the trenches

A happy mix of pipeline construction and wildlife conservation.

Keeping an eye on the pipe

As with any project the role of quality is paramount to ensure that the end product is constructed to the highest standard to ensure reliability and longevity.

Risk Management – a whole of project perspective

The Project adopted a holistic approach to risk management that encompassed both project risk in accordance with the principles of AS4360 and pipeline specific risk in accordance with the requirements of AS2885.

Lightning Fabrications supplies water bath heaters for NQGP

Lightning Fabrications is Australia’s largest manufacturer of water bath heaters for the oil and gas industry, responsible for supplying approximately 90 per cent of all water bath heaters for gas transmission systems throughout Australia.

Telfer Pipeline pumping gas

Gas was introduced to the Telfer Gas Pipeline for commissioning and purging purposes on 4 December 2004 with gas flows to Newcrest Mining Limited (Newcrest) commencing on 2 January 2005.

Austracks 4WD Driver Training works on Telfer Gas Pipeline

Newcomers to the pipeline industry, Austracks 4WD Driver Training was certainly put to the test on the recent Telfer Pipeline Project.

Coe Drilling Australia completes Brisbane River Crossing

In early 2004, Leighton Contractors Pty Limited awarded the HDD River Crossing subcontract to Coe Drilling Australia Pty Ltd on the Australian TradeCoast Sewer Project.

Pipeline from Dubbo to Tamworth kicks off

The Central Ranges Natural Gas Pipeline project was officially launched in December 2004 in the Tamworth Community Centre, with local residents and businesses welcoming the project that will eventually see eleven towns connected to natural gas in northern New South Wales.

Australian Portable Camps prepares for another big year

The start of the New Year has seen Australian Portable Camps (APC) continue its growth in the portable camp market with APC moving into the construction and mining industries on the back of its success in the pipeline industry.

Centron GRE Fibreglass pipeline to be licensed by WA Government

Adtech FRP Pipelines and ARC Energy have broken new ground in the petroleum industry with the installation of the first glass reinforced epoxy (GRE) ANSI #600 oil transmission flowline for an onshore production licence in Western Australia.

FCX launches new range

Leading Australian valve distributor FCX Australia launches its range of API 6A and 6D trunnion-mounted ball valves for pipelines and offshore platforms in partnership with Velan Srl.

GE Energy’s new Ultrascan® Duo uses medical sensors for checking pipeline ‘health’

GE Energy has adapted ultrasound technology used in hospitals to create the most advanced inspection tool for evaluating the ‘health’ of liquid pipelines.

Geographic Information System (GIS) & Land Management System

In simple terms, a Geographic Information System (GIS) records asset attributes, network connectivity and the spatial relationship of assets on geographical cadastre. But for infrastructure management services companies like Agility, GIS now plays a critical role in the day-to-day management of important infrastructure assets.

Access petrochemical and energy standards, online

Start your year with full compliance with access to the latest standards covering aspects of the oil and gas industry, including exploration and production, fire protection and safety, marine transportation, petroleum measurement and refining. These documents reference drilling, health and environmental issues, offshore production platforms, pipeline, pumps, storage tanks, structural pipe, valves, welding, etc.

Auto Darkening Welding Lenses – safer, more productive pipeline welding

One of the most exciting technologies introduced into welding in the past decade is the Auto Darkening Filter. The technology has been around for about 50 years and is a by-product of research done in the nuclear weapons field.

You can’t beat experience

Warren King and his staff have been involved in nearly 9,000 km of pipelines or similar projects all over Australia during the past 25 years, ranging from a few hundred metres to 1,500 kilometres. Warren King and Company (WKC) use that wealth of experience to offer a total service covering route selection, stakeholder liaison, surveys, risk assessments, easement acquisition to construction and as built surveys.

The versatile Allu bucket in action

The ALLU screener crusher bucket is a versatile piece of machinery which has been used on pipeline projects around the world to screen backfill. The bucket was recently employed on a pipeline project in the United Kingdom.

Review of pipeline incident data to 2004

Peter Tuft

Data on pipeline incidents in Australia has been collected since the late 1960s, initially by the Pipeline Operators Group (POG) and now by APIA. Recently the database has been upgraded to begin capturing additional information that is relevant to the risk based approach of AS 2885.