The Australian Pipeliner

January 2008

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X-Info IntelServer - the smarter data

Hayden McDonald, Mipela

When assets or projects extend hundreds of kilometres, as so many pipeline projects do, it is far too easy for data-sharing resources to be stretched.

BOC develops innovative nitrogen supply

Theo Martin, Business Manager, BOC Bulk Gases

BOC has engineered a ground-breaking solution to reliably provide 99.99 per cent pure nitrogen to an Australian vegetable oil-producing facility. The nitrogen will assist in maintaining the integrity and freshness of the oil.

President’s Message

As this is my first President’s Message I would like to firstly thank the many people who, on the night and subsequently, have congratulated me on being appointed President. I would also like to thank Garry O’Meally, our first Chief Executive, for having the courage to nominate me to the Board in 2004 and again in 2006.

Chief Executive’s Report

On behalf of everyone at the APIA secretariat, I would like to thank all of APIA’s members who helped to make the 2007 Annual Convention and Exhibition such a tremendous success. It’s the members’ enthusiasm that brings a sense of excitement and achievement to the event.

Meet the board for 2008

With a number of new faces joining the APIA Board at the recent Annual General Meeting it seems an opportune time to find out a little more about those who volunteer their time to assist the industry.

New team takes the helm in WA

The WA Chapter held a luncheon followed by its AGM on 19 September 2007, with 96 West Australian pipeliners in attendance.

Kellett takes reins as APIA President

The Australian Pipeliner recently spoke to Ashley Kellett of SEA Gas, the newly elected President of APIA, and gained some insight into Ashley’s views of the future of the Australian pipeline industry, as well as that of APIA.

Phil Venton honoured with Standards Award

Phil Venton has been honoured with a Meritorious Contribution Award as part of the 2007 Standards Australia Awards which were presented in Melbourne in November last year.

WA Chapter celebrates Christmas

Jodi Hayes, Principal Pipeline Consultant, OSD Pipelines

This year the WA Chapter committee decided to have a change of venue for our Christmas lunch. We decided on the Old Swan Brewery, which is a lovely location on the Swan River that proved popular with the attendees.

APIA Convention 2007 - a record achievement

The APIA 2007 Annual Convention and Exhibition achieved a record attendance for the Association – with 394 delegates, 141 partners, and 56 exhibition stands. With so many members travelling down from Brisbane, and making the most of the family-friendly outings, we believe there were about 90 children also enjoying the location and the benefits of attending APIA’s premier event.

Golf Day

The lush and expansive Royal Pines Resort Golf Course was the scene for the 2007 APIA Convention Golf Challenge, sponsored once again by Vermeer Australia.

APIA recognises industry achievements

Held once again at the APIA Annual Convention, the highly anticipated 2007 APIA awards did not disappoint, with both younger pipeliners and industry stalwarts recognised, following what was surely a very difficult decision making process for the judges.

SEA Gas wins inaugural APIA Safety Award

The 2007 APIA Annual Convention saw the introduction of a new award, the APIA industry-wide Safety Award. SEA Gas was the inaugural winner for its Safety & Environmental Achiever Incentive Scheme.

YPF gathers at Convention

On Tuesday 23 October the national Young Pipeliners Forum (YPF) committee met face-to-face during the 2007 APIA Convention. As the members of the national committee are based around Australia in various capital cities, YPF national committee meetings have always been held via teleconference, so it was the first time they were able to hold a meeting in person.

Trade Exhibition

Unsurprisingly, the Trade Exhibition was once again a major highlight of the APIA Annual Convention, with the 2007 Exhibition hosting 45 exhibitors across 56 stands. Companies as usual relished the opportunity to show their equipment and services in a colourful, interesting and worthwhile display for delegates to enjoy in between sessions.

And the winner is….Sydney!

From the moment the moment the 2007 IPLOCA (International Pipeline & Offshore Contractors Association) Convention commenced in Sydney there was no doubt that it would go down as one of the greatest IPLOCA Conventions in memory.

Recollections of an IPLOCA President

The Australian Pipeliner recently met with AJ Lucas executive director Andy Lukas to discuss his term as president of IPLOCA. In this interview Andy talks about the challenges IPLOCA faces for the future, how the Australian pipeline industry is viewed on the world stage and future trends of the international pipeline industry.

Environment and climate change on centre stage

Danielle Kellahan, APIA Policy Adviser

While the politicians were in election mode, APIA used the opportunity to target industry and environment representatives on both sides of politics.

2008 to see new NGL

Cheryl Cartwright, APIA Chief Executive

The nation’s new National Gas Law is expected to be implemented in 2008.

IGU - meeting researching all over the world

Following the IGU’s scheduled bi-annual WOC4 meetings in London, Boston and Moscow, Barbara Jinks has updated The Australian Pipeliner on developments that have taken place over the last year for the two IGU working committees that she is a member of: WOC3 Gas Transmission and WOC4 Gas Distribution.

AGIT group tours Asia

In 1999, the Australian Gas Association established a trust fund to pursue educational activities in connection with the Australian gas industry. The trust is now managed by the Australian Gas Industry Trust (AGIT) but has the same objectives and funds a similar range of activities.

The early development of gas and oil pipelines in Victoria

Barry Wood

The development of gas and oil pipelines in Victoria up to the early 1970s can broadly be divided into three eras.

Ian Haddow

Barry Wood

When we asked Ian Haddow to tell us about his career in the pipeline industry, Ian started by saying “I had an Uncle who told me that where you end up in life is often by accident”. So here’s the story of how Ian ended up where he is today.

OSD in BRW ‘Fast 100’ for three4 consecutive years

OSD Pipelines has been recognised in 2007’s Business Review Weekly’s ‘Fast 100’ for Australia’s small and medium enterprises. This is the third consecutive year that OSD has been recognised in the ‘Fast 100’.

The rise of aerial video mapping and spatial multimedia

Aerial surveillance has been found to be a rapid, efficient, and low cost way of conducting regular network inspections, as required by the regulations put in place over interstate pipelines and electric transmission networks by governments worldwide.

Fyfe welcomes in the New Year with further expansions

Fyfe reached two significant milestones during the last month with the extension of the company into the Northern Territory and the celebration of its 25th anniversary.

Jotun creates new multi-layer FBE pipe coating

Fusion bond epoxy (FBE) has long been used as a protective coating for oil and gas pipelines with one consistent and major drawback – mechanical resistance. As FBE is a relatively thin, hard coat, it is prone to damage during handling, installation, as well as operation. Some progress in improving this has been made over the years. The major improvement has been the dual-layer ARO systems. These systems have improved impact and gouge resistance but at the expense of flexibility.

Boots that work as hard as you do

From a tiny corner shop started in 1905, in the quiet river town of Red Wing, Minnesota, USA, Red Wing Shoe Company Inc. has grown into the most respected manufacturer of hard working boots and shoes around the globe.

Mathey Dearman bands and band crawler

When working in a tight space or when weight is a consideration, the Mathey Dearman bands and crawler is an ideal choice for flame cutting pipes. There is no need for an out-of-round compensation device with the band machine – the bands conform to the contour of the horizontal or vertical pipe wall regardless of the pipe ovality and imperfections.

PPI soon to produce PE pipe to 800mm

PPI Corporation is an Australian-owned private company whose head office and main manufacturing facility are situated in Brisbane. PPI has been producing polyethylene (PE) pipe for nearly 30 years and during that time has earned an enviable reputation for high quality products.

Savcor introduces Metrotech’s HL 5™ wireless water leak detection instrument

Savcor Products with the support of Metrotech Corporation, – a leading provider of high-quality utility locating instruments – introduces the HL 5, a wireless water leak detection instrument with both a visual and audible indication of a leak. HL5 includes a wireless transmission of leak sound to the headphones for maximum freedom of movement.

Tremco: building on years of industry experience

With distribution company Tremco Pipeline Equipment set to continue getting bigger and better, The Australian Pipeliner recently caught up with Ron Trembath to discuss the company, recent technological developments, and life in the pipeline industry.

Water: Australia’s liquid gold

With so much progress in the water pipeline sector in recent times, and with water shortages in many parts of Australia, it seems inevitable that the water pipeline industry will continue to grow. The Australian Pipeliner spoke to state governments and water companies across the country to see what the future might hold for water infrastructure.

The application of cross country pipeline methods - Burdekin to Moranbah Water Pipeline

Leon Richards, McConnell Dowell and Chris Swaine, McConnell Dowell

The recent involvement of McConnell Dowell Constructors in the water pipeline industry commenced with SunWater’s Burdekin to Moranbah Water Pipeline, constructed during 2006.

JHL Civil proves greenthumb to win State Eart Award

Water self sufficiency and speed of construction, were features of the Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) Victorian Earth Awards, announced in Melbourne in August 2007.

Nacap on fast track for Wimmera - Mallee Stage 2

The existing Wimmera – Mallee water supply system is one of the largest earthern channel systems in the world and supplies water to 35,000 people.

Computational surge analysis benefits on the WCRWP

The Western Corridor Recycled Water Project (WCRWP) is a major water infrastructure initiative that will provide a sustainable water supply for South East Queensland.

Why should the pipeline industry invest to retain more graduates?

The skills shortage in engineering has had a definite effect on the pipeline industry, despite competitive salaries. This shortage has driven up wages and, therefore, overall project costs, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Push to get young pipeliners interseted in industry

Peter Norman, Peter Norman Personnel

“With the primary objective of building a gas plant...the demands of administering the construction, and of commissioning the technically advanced plant, were considerable. Labour was scarce and relatively unskilled, and the industrial climate turbulent...”

Pipeline engineer training

Cheryl Cartwright, APIA Chief Executive

Are you a pipeline engineer? Do you hold a recognisable qualification as a pipeline engineer? Would you like the opportunity to become a qualified pipeline engineer?

A year on, PIPEd continues to grow

PIPEd has experienced a fantastic first year since fourteen people attended its first course, “Understanding hydrostatic testing and pipeline commissioning” in Brisbane, November 2006.

Companies invest in one-stop training solution

Nationally recognised and company training programs developed Romea’s training strategy could be the solution to maintaining your training compliance, not to mention releasing personnel resources to concentrate on what they do best – operate and maintain your pipeline!

OSD commissions Broome Gas Pipeline

OSD Asset Services successfully commissioned the Broome Gas Pipeline for Energy Developments (EDL) in October 2007.

Innovative SPL gets gas connected

Stretching across southwestern Sydney, the Sydney Primary Loop (SPL) Project was a challenging undertaking by Alinta that was successfully delivered into operations in November 2007.

Codmah delivers with western SPL alliance

As part of the Sydney Primary Loop (SPL) project, Codmah was contracted to work on the western section, including 14 km open cut pipeline construction and installation of two automatic line break valves (ALBVs).

Working hard and eating well at the Kupe spoolbase works

On 18 April 2007 the Kupe Alliance awarded McConnell Dowell Constructors a subcontract for the civil and mechanical works for the establishment and operation of a temporary onshore spooling base, to support the reel-lay installation of the Kupe offshore pipeline by Technip’s CSO Apache.

SGNGP - delivering gas across southeastern Gippsland

As part of the State Government of Victoria’s Natural Gas Extension Program (NGEP), Multinet Gas will reticulate gas in five South Gippsland towns, with a major component of the project – the South Gippsland Natural Gas Pipeline (SGNGP) – now complete.

3rd Asian Pipeline Conference and Exhibition another resounding success

Over 250 delegates and invited guests from 16 countries participated in the 3rd Asian Pipeline Conference and Exhibition, “Pipelines: Investing in Asia’s Energy Future,” held at the Hotel Istana in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 21 – 22 November 2007.

Trenchless Australia 2008

As Trenchless Australasia 2008 draws near, excitement continues to build with a number of major international keynote speakers announced and the draft program now available.

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January 2008

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