The Australian Pipeliner

January 2007

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President’s Message

Our industry has seen many changes over the past year. But before I elaborate, I would like to congratulate APIA members for contributing to another successful Annual Convention. The event was superb; quality papers were well received and the right mix of social events and business sessions ensured everyone had an enjoyable and informative time.

Chief Executive’s Report

It was the Year of the Dog, but what a year – and what a Convention! The 321 delegates brought 133 partners and so many brought families that we’ve achieved yet another APIA record: the largest number of people at a convention ever: 491. And that doesn’t include the many extra Exhibition staff.

AS2885: have you read it

Ed Gaykema

The Standard for the pipeline industry, AS2885, is key to maintaining a safe, efficient and prosperous industry in Australia.

IPLOCA welcomes international pipeliners

The Australian pipeline industry had a strong presence at the IPLOCA convention in Barcelona in September.

APIA receives research grant

The Australian Pipeline Industry Association (APIA) has been granted $695,000 by the Federal Government to undertake a collaborative research project aimed at enhancing the reliability and longevity of Australia’s transmission pipelines.

International pipeline research meeting to be hosted by APIA

A very important event in the calendar of the international pipeline research community, the Joint Technical Meeting, will take place in Canberra during April 2007.

The Australian Pipeline Industry Association 2006 Annual Convention

The 2006 APIA Convention was held in Alice Springs from 14 – 17 October, and set a record for the total amount of attendees, with 491 delegates, partners and children in attendance.

Convention 2006 - Business Program

The 2006 APIA Annual Convention and Exhibition was the ‘family-friendly’ convention! With so many partners and children in Alice Springs, the Convention broke the total number of attendees record, with 491 people officially in attendance.

APIA recognises industry achievement

Excellence was recognised across the pipeline industry at APIA’s annual awards, presented at last year’s APIA Convention in Alice Springs.

Australian pipeline industry remains key market for Vermeer

As Vermeer continues to expand its presence in the Australian pipeline industry through its range of HDD equipment, The Australian Pipeliner sat down with Vermeer President and CEO Mary Vermeer Andringa to discuss the company’s plans in Australia and beyond over the coming years.

‘The Battle of the Bay’: 1970-1972 Western Port to Altona Ethane Pipeline

The Western Port to Altona ethane pipeline was built for Esso-BHP by Carter Johnson’s company, Australian Pipeline Construction (APC), and Australian Dredging and General Works. It became a test of strength between those building the pipeline and extremists of the union and environmental movements opposing the bay crossing.

Max Kimber

Max Kimber has had a long and varied career, and is still playing a key role in the Australian pipeline industry after more than 30 years.

Back to back Fast 100 recognition for OSD

OSD Energy Services has made the BRW Fast 100 list for the second year running.

Connecting with high performance technology

The SPO Compact Flange, from Vector International, promises leak-free performance across a range of applications.

Worldwide Machinery: a leader in the field

Worldwide Machinery is a leading global supplier of pipeline specialty construction equipment.

New NATA accredited testing facilities

Sinclair Xray Inspection Services (SXIS) was assessed in September 2006 by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) for a broad range of mechanical tests.

Transmark Fcx established

Transmark has acquired FCX Australia and New Zealand, forming Transmark Fcx – an even stronger force in distribution of valves, actuators, field instrumentation and specialty flow control products.

CRC-Evans introduces BendPLUS & tandem technology

CRC-Evans is introducing new technologies that make pipe bending more accurate and faster, even in challenging conditions.

OSD launches alliance

OSD Energy Services has recently established a business alliance with Canada-based Golder Associates.

McConnell Dowell recognised for environmental excellence

McConnell Dowell were runners up in the 2006 Shell IPLOCA Environmental Award for their work on the Nifty Pipeline Project in Western Australia.

Leading the way for 40 strong years

At 7.30 pm on 25 November 1966, the first length of pipe rolled out of the OneSteel Oil & Gas Pipe Mill in Kembla Grange, Wollongong. In the intervening four decades, OneSteel Oil & Gas Pipe has gone on to become a leading manufacturer and supplier to Australia’s pipeline industry.

Fyfe promotes its activities

Fyfe is currently expanding rapidly in Australia, appointing Stephen Timms as it Business Development Manager and advertising its activities for the first time at the recent APIA convention in Alice Springs.

Australian Portable Camps: looking back, looking forward

After a busy and successful year in 2006, Australian Portable Camps is looking forward to what 2007 has to offer.

Establishing a sustainable talent pool

Oil and gas companies are often confronted with a lack of perfectly matched applicants for specific jobs, but working closely with recruiters can help.

PIPEd training program a great success

The first in a series of training programs provided by PIPEd was deemed a huge success by attendees.

Endress + Hauser provides instrumentation for Darwin fuel projects

Endress + Hauser has supplied key process measurement instrumentation for two major Darwin fuel projects.

Water pipelines; national lifelines

According to a report from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Australians consume more than 24,000 million cubic metres of water a year. Per person, this adds up to one of the highest consumption rates in the world. As storage levels fall and drought worsens across the county, strategies to conserve water and create more efficient ways of managing this resource increase in urgency, with the solutions proposed providing many opportunities for the pipeline industry.

Australia’s water future: Malcolm Turnbull speaks

As part of our feature on water, The Australian Pipeliner spoke to Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister with responsibility for water policy Malcolm Turnbull about the role pipelines will play in ensuring Australia’s water supply is secure now and in the future.

Why use solvent-free epoxy coatings for water pipelines?

The Australian drinking water pipeline industry has used cement mortar based products for the protection of the internal surface of pipelines for over 70 years, but Copon Pipelinings has introduced an alternative to this traditional method into the Australian market.

Magmeters for water are not all the same

Magmeters play a vital role in any water or wastewater treatment plant’s operation, making selection of a suitable model critical.

Changing channels: the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project

Construction work has commenced on the largest water infrastructure project in Australia, the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project (WMPP), which will enable sustainable management of water resources in western Victoria for the twenty first century.

Fuelling Victoria: the Victorian Gas Reticulation project

The Victorian Gas Reticulation project, which will see up to 100,000 businesses and residences connected to natural gas, is well underway and on track to be completed by 2009.

A dual attraction - Project Magnet Pipelines

Thiess Pty Ltd appointed Nacap Australia Pty Ltd to construct the Project Magnet Slurry and Return Water Pipelines, from OneSteel’s Iron Duke Minesite to OneSteel’s Pellet Plant in Whyalla, South Australia.

Let’s torque safety and efficiency on pipelines

New professional bolting technologies are transforming safety and efficiency on pipeline projects. Where once manual labour, sledgehammers and flogging wrenches prevailed, today high precision tools are not only making the job safer, but also vastly improving security.

Corrosion protection and engineering services

Savcor is an established leader in Australia in the field of corrosion control, and offers a range of services including corrosion engineering, corrosion control products supply and contracting services.

IPC/IPE 2006: The world gathers in Calgary

Members of the pipeline industry from around the world gathered in Calgary from 25 – 29 September for the 2006 International Pipeline Conference and Exposition. The Australian Pipeliner’s Editor Scott Pearce attended and filed this exclusive report.

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The Australian Pipeliner

January 2007

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