This has included the departure of United States based companies, the emergence of customer driven pipeline development through companies like Alcan, Enertrade and SEA Gas and the decision to proceed with front end engineering and design of the long mooted PNG Gas Project. He emphasised the importance of engaging all new pipeline owners through APIA and noted that most of the new owners and potential developers were already engaged in APIA’s activities.

Over the next 12 months it will be important to maintain the momentum of the APIA research program which has been actively embraced by the majority of APIA’s sponsoring and lead members. The excellent work on Standards will be another important aspect of APIA’s activities, especially as the review of the pipelines design and construction standard AS2885 Part I enters the public consultation stage.

The President launched for public comment a Guideline on Pipeline Construction Safety and noted the work completed earlier in the year with the Victorian Farmers Federation on a Landowner Consultation Guideline.

In setting the direction for the next 12 months, the President outlined the future directions developed by the APIA Board at its Strategic Planning Session held in mid 2004. During this session and in subsequent discussions the Board has agreed a number of key actions which the Board believes offers the best opportunity to move APIA forward over the next few years:

  • Develop a sustainable strategic alliance with the environmental movement, which emphasises the benefits of pipelines in energy delivery and an enhanced role for gas in Australia’s energy mix, including for power generation and other markets.
  • Develop a strong strategic alliance with other energy industry associations and ensure that pipeline positions are reflected in “whole of industry” representations to government, particularly in the area of energy market reform.
  • Develop cooperative arrangements with gas producer interests and major gas-fired equipment manufacturers with a view to growing Australia’s gas markets and increasing gas’ energy share.
  • Maintain a strong, non-exclusive focus on gas transmission issues. APIA will also maintain its linkages with the oil pipeline sector and evaluate opportunities for greater membership from the emerging water pipeline and carbon sequestration industries.
  • Make effective use of the world class technical expertise available through APIA members in representations on technical issues affecting the pipeline industry. APIA will continue to engage technical regulators constructively and gain leverage from our access to world class technical expertise.
  • The Association is committed to strengthening the already substantial networking opportunities which exist for the benefit of all members.

Mr Twycross said that the APIA Board is committed to adopting a “fine tuning” approach which aligns APIA’s activities and external relationships to the progressive changes in the operating environment we face. APIA has finalised major changes to its corporate governance arrangements which place us in a very good position as we move into this new environment. In light of the rapid changes we can expect over the next few years, the APIA Board will conduct a “light” review of its Business Plan annually, followed by an in-depth review in the third year.

Industry skilling has emerged as a major issue for our industry and APIA shall be developing this theme further as part of its next business plan due to come into operation from July 2005.