The Australian Pipeliner

October 2005

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President’s Message

This will be my last Convention as President of APIA – but I can guarantee it won’t be my last Convention!

Greetings! It’s 2005, it’s Adelaide and – importantly – it’s Convention time! Welcome to delegates and guests. I trust you will enjoy the business and social events and the Exhibition, which is APIA’s largest ever.

2005 APIA National Convention and Exhibition: “Pipelines – Bridging our Energy Needs”

The APIA Annual Convention and Exhibition is widely acknowledged as one of the most important events in Australia’s energy and infrastructure calendar, and the Board of APIA welcomes all delegates and partners attending this year’s event.

Conventions – “A pipeliner’s asset”

Robert Gration

Thirty years ago the Australian Pipeline Contractors Association held their Conference in Adelaide and at the time it was voted the best ever. We have certainly heard that phrase mentioned many times over the years since and we can thank the Convention committee of that time for setting the high standards for the succeeding conventions.

Pipeline terrorism 2005?

The excerpt below is taken from a paper given at the 1985 APIA Conference in Sydney by Frank Douglas, titled ‘Australia’s Pipelines & Installations in Time of Conflict, Terrorism or War’.

PNG Gas Project – Linking Australia to gas and the pipeline industry to prosperity

Gas Projects this size can take decades to get up. The PNG Gas Project has been on the horizon for more than a decade now, but never before has the potential of the project getting off the ground looked more promising. The Australian Pipeliner recently took a look inside the Brisbane project offices at some of the work being conducted to assist bringing the PNG Gas Project to fruition.

APIA’s Research and Standards Committee – a brief report

The Research and Standards Committee of APIA (RSC) is a separately funded committee which raises around $A500,000 per year from its member companies to support important research on matters that are central to improving the safety and reducing the construction and operating costs of Australia’s long distance petroleum pipelines.

Pipelining in South Australia - Where it all started: The Moomba-Adelaide Pipeline

Barry Wood

As the pipeline industry gathers in Adelaide for the Australian Pipeline Industry Association Convention, it is fitting that our look at the history of pipeline construction in Australia moves to the story of oil and gas pipelining in South Australia, which starts with the construction of the 782 km 22 inch natural gas pipeline from the Moomba gas fields in north east South Australia to Adelaide.

Robert ‘Bob’ Roger Gration

In a new series, The Australian Pipeliner will feature profiles of a series of the legends of the Australian pipeline industry. First cab off the rank is APIA Life Member Robert “Bob” Gration.

APC’s new stand alone total solution camp

Are you having problems finding a complete turnkey package for 15 to 35 men in Australia? Australian Portable Camps now has the total and complete solution for you.

New developments in busy times for ROSEN

The first and second quarters of 2005 have proven to be a busy time for ROSEN Australia and the ROSEN Group as a whole, building on the successes of 2004.

Growth and development for Petro Coating Systems

It has been another busy and productive year for the team at Petro Coating Systems (PCS). With its exclusive range of Polyken Tapes and Raychem Heat Shrink Sleeves, PCS has recently secured a number of major contacts in both the gas and water pipeline industries.

Vermeer aids in Las Vegas building boom

Valerie Van Kooten

Brad Lindburg is a guy who knows you have to be careful what you pray for, because you just might get it.

Control Microsystems launches new SCADA software

Control Microsystems is challenging bigger global players in the SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) software marketplace with the launch of ClearSCADA automation software platform for gathering, processing and relaying information in real-time.

The Supply Line launches Australian Pipeline Valve

Valve stockist The Supply Line Australia has tripled the size of its Adelaide distribution centre to launch Australian Pipeline Valve (APV), increasing its inventory to $A20 million.

Not just anodes

Anode Engineering is a company dedicated to the delivery of specialised products and training support services to the oil, water, gas, petrochemical, defence, marine and ports industries throughout Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, South East Asia and the Far East. The Australian Pipeliner recently met with Anode Managing Director Wayne Burns.

PCS 3500 enables total coating defect detection

For many years the pipeline industry has tested pipeline coatings for defects in three stages - spark detection immediately prior to lowering in, DCVG surveys prior to the expiry of the 12 month defect warranty period, and coating conductance tests for HDD sections.

Onesteel Piping Systems delivers hydraulic actuated valve to Santos

Onesteel Piping Systems was awarded the supply contract for manual and actuated valves by Santos earlier this year. Onesteel has recently supplied a large, specialised mainline actuated valve for the Casino Gas Development.

Aerial surveys: saving time & money

Rapidly delivered digital terrain models (DTMs) and geo-referenced imagery are prerequisites for pipeline design and infrastructure management projects. AAMHatch is meeting this demand through substantial, multi-million dollar investments in leading edge survey and mapping technologies.

Gyrovision opens local sDVD processing studio

Gyrovision, a company that specialises in producing geo-referenced aerial videos, has had such success with transferring the information on to sDVD for their clients that they have set up a specialised sDVD authoring studio in their Sydney offices.

Growth continues for Boddingtons

Boddingtons manufactures and distributes plastic warning tapes and extruded meshes for both detection and protection of underground cable and pipelines for gas, electricity, water and optic fibre communication lines. These products give pipeline owners the peace of mind that their assets are safe and protected from third-party damage.

SmartScan helps take the ‘un’ out of unpiggable

GE Energy’s pipeline services operation has successfully launched its first SmartScan™ tool, a flexible inspection system designed to help the oil and gas industry overcome a longtime obstacle: the in-line corrosion inspection of ‘unpiggable’ pipelines.

What to do once you have verified your MFL ILI data

iicorr regularly examines the results of in-line inspection (ILI) for operators, and useful techniques have been developed which can significantly improve the quality and value of reported data.

New ‘familiar’ faces join OSD

OSD Energy Services has continued its rapid growth in the past year and while recent appointments may be new faces to OSD, many of the faces are familiar to those in the industry.

Welding equipment and services for the pipeline industry

Civilpro is committed to using the most advanced technology and highly-specialised techniques within the civil and marine engineering fields.

Surveying and GIS made easy with Pipeline Manager

WKC is an Australian based company at the forefront of the pipeline industry. With over 30 years of experience and a team of dedicated professionals providing surveying and GIS services, WKC can offer complete pipeline project solutions.

What is this *!#!@! pipeline going to do to the value of my land?

Maloney Field Services’ vast experience in providing valuation and land access services to the Australian pipeline industry is assisting the company as it embarks on an ambitious research project to answer this question.

Reflections and updates from intico

Fifteen years ago, intico’s Nappy Chappie was the subject of much interest in the pipeline industry and now he’s back in the spotlight.

Flange band protectors from Savcor Products

In today’s economic and environmental climate it is more important than ever to prevent corrosion in your carrier systems. Flanges are the most common trouble area and need to be protected properly to prevent corrosion.

Project Magnet: a new market force

Critical deadlines on OneSteel’s Project Magnet saw the Oil & Gas Pipe business once again prove its commitment to excellence and ability to deliver in the face of short lead times and demanding seasonal requirements.

McConnell Dowell continues construction success

Construction contractor McConnell Dowell’s activities are continuing on the Australian and offshore pipeline scene.

Communications for pipeline construction Australia-wide

Nixon Communications has recently installed communications systems for new projects starting up in South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.

SESA pipeline

Following our July story on the commencement of gas supply through the South East South Australia (SESA) pipeline, this month The Australian Pipeliner spoke to several subcontractors about their role in the construction of this 45 km pipeline which has now been supplying customers in Mt Gambier, Penola and Millicent for more than four months.

Socotherm – on track for Central Ranges

As reported in our January 2005 issue, Delco Australia won the EPCC contract for the Central Ranges Pipeline Project and has awarded 100 per cent of the pipe coating work to APC Socotherm.

The role of satellite imagery in the construction of the NQGP

The use of high-resolution satellite imagery is increasing for a range of applications, particularly in the utilities industry. IKONOS is the world’s first satellite to capture high resolution, one metre colour imagery on a commercial basis.

Welcome to Sarajevo

Following the end of the civil war in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1995, the gas reticulation system in Sarajevo was reconstructed between April and December 1996. Andrew Jones shares some of his experiences from this project.

Flexible pipe for onshore applications

Wellstream’s FlexSteel™ unbonded flexible steel pipe uniquely combines the manufacturing, transportation and installation advantages of flexible pipe with the reliability of steel pipe and the corrosion resistance of polymer liners.

Measurement solutions for the oil & gas industry

Emerson Process Management, an Emerson business, is a leader in helping businesses automate their production, processing and distribution in the oil and gas, refining, chemical, power, pulp and paper, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and other industries.

The Agiosat 3G network is here: broadband for everyone

A revolutionary system for remote communication has arrived. It is truly for anyone anywhere who needs to be connected – to business, colleagues or family and friends. The system is particularly useful for business with remote demands or field teams that need communication with back to base.

Holiday detectors, pig trackers and more

A new eight-page colour brochure highlights the complete line of holiday detector, jeep meter and pig tracking equipment from Pipeline Inspection Company.

New solution for pipe trenches

Finnish company Ideachip Oy manufactures the ALLU range of products, designed to work in extreme conditions to meet customer needs. The product range includes the ALLU Screener Crusher and processing attachment which have been used on a number of projects worldwide.

One stop for transport needs

Advanced Freight Management is a national freight forwarding company established over five years ago to provide a comprehensive transport service to the manufacturing, mining and construction industries.

Long-term contracts the key for Diversified

Diversified Construction regards safety as the top priority in its approach and as such is ranked in the top quartile of companies active in the onshore oil and gas industry in Australia.

National Vegetation moves from strength to strength

The expansion of National Vegetation Management continues as their innovative vegetation clearing techniques and investment in the latest technology continue to bring substantial benefits and cost savings to their customers.

Flow control products from FCX

FCX offers a comprehensive range of flow control products in Australasia and represents many of the world’s best known valve and instrument manufacturers. The company’s ‘off-the-shelf’ range, technical capability, branch network and commitment to service gives it a leading edge in today’s competitive market.

Pipeline out-of-roundness issues resolved

Problems in pipeline construction caused by irregularities and out-of-roundness can now be overcome, with the help of a new solution developed by Furmanite.

Pipelining in the US – new horizons for scholarship recipients

As the 2004 recipients of the Australian Gas Industry Trust Scholarship, Kristin Martin of GasNet and Ian Black from Oil Search jetted off to Florida in May for a week at the ‘happiest place on earth’ - which of course is a reference to the APIA/PRCI/EPRG Joint Technical Meeting (JTM) rather than its location at Disney World. Kristin has shared her experiences and impressions with The Australian Pipeliner.

Dr Allen Beasley

The Australian Pipeliner recently took time out to catch up with former APIA Chief Executive Allen Beasley, who has settled in to his new role as the inaugural executive director of the ASCOPE Gas Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

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