Kevin Lester, President
Mr Lester on the biggest strength of the pipeline industry:
“I believe the biggest strength of the pipeline industry to be the versatility, knowledge and skills of the people within the industry.”
Mr Lester’s thoughts on the major issue for the pipeline industry over the next five years:
“There are a number of major issues to be addressed over the next five years, including skills shortage and training. Managing the expected growth in the industry from a regulatory compliance point of view is probably the biggest issue that captures a lot of the other issues; if the industry trips up on this issue it will be due in part to the lack of the necessary skills to manage the expected growth.”
Mr Lester’s advice to new entrants to the pipeline industry:
“Don’t ever say no to any potential opportunity – you never know where it may lead you.”
Mark Cooper, Vice President
Mr Cooper on the biggest strength of the pipeline industry:
“The usual answer is its people – and while that is true of the pipeline industry, I think the achievements of those people need to be recognised when we talk about the industry’s strengths. The efforts of our people, many of whom are recognised as world leaders in their particular fields, have given Australia’s pipeline industry an excellent record of safe and reliable operation over many years. This is both the industry’s biggest strength and a weakness because we are ‘out of sight and out of mind’ for 99 per cent of the time, and the public only thinks about pipelines when something goes wrong – usually overseas! This means that when we do need public support on an issue, it’s difficult to get our message out.”
Mr Cooper’s thoughts on the major issue for the pipeline industry over the next five years:
“The changes in the Australian, and now global, gas market present a huge change for the industry. The prospect of multiple LNG plants on both coasts presents opportunities for constructors to build pipelines from production fields to the plants – but does little or nothing for the local market and the development of pipelines for Australian customers. When we add the impacts of a carbon tax, increasing scrutiny of where pipelines are built and how they are operated (largely due to the way CSG companies have gone about their exploration work on farmland), the impacts of a global economic downturn on international LNG markets and government imposts like the Minerals Resource Rent Tax, we are operating in a complex and constantly moving environment. Finding and maintaining the right skills mix in our industry in the face of these many uncertainties.
Richard Robinson, Treasurer
Mr Robinson on what the future holds for Australia’s pipeline sector:
“Personally, I think the future is bright. The transmission infrastructure ownership appears to have stabilised somewhat, with generally mature owners who understand the requirements of the industry, and we have substantial pipeline development occurring right now in support of the LNG export industry. The Energy Pipelines Co-operative Research Centre, which was launched in 2010, is providing unprecedented levels of research specifically for our industry; we have some real energy behind improving the skill levels within the industry and have a significant critical mass of young people active in pipelines. I don’t think our industry has ever had a brighter future.”
Mr Robinson’s advice to new entrants to the pipeline industry:
Make sure you spend considerable time in all parts of the industry. If you work in the office, make sure you spend time in the field, and vice versa. If you work in operations, work on a design and construction project, etc. Also, make sure you understand how the industry works commercially and what the regulatory constraints are. It is important to have a good understanding of how hard the other bloke’s job is!”
Brent Jones, Director
Mr Jones’ thoughts on the major issue for the pipeline industry over the next five years:
“There clearly aren’t enough resources to go around with the number of major projects developing in the west and east of Australia. We are already witnessing unprecedented pressure on wages and salaries and this is not likely to let up unless we can persuade the Federal Government to increase immigration numbers for the professional, technical, highly skilled and lower skilled personnel that we need for our industry. We also need to engage many more women in our industry as they are very under-represented, and the days of doing heavy manual labour that generally precluded women from doing manual roles are long gone.”
Mr Jones’ advice to new entrants to the pipeline industry:
“At the moment there is a golden opportunity to enter the pipeline industry as it is about to go through a growth spurt and there are huge numbers of long-term career opportunities on offer. There is an extraordinary array of jobs available in pipelining, not just traditional engineering roles. My advice is to get in early, get as much exposure to all of the elements of the industry as possible, and grow yourself a rewarding career.”
Ashley Kellett, Director
Mr Kellett on the highlight of his time in the pipeline industry:
“It is always the people. We have so many wonderful characters. Three favourites of mine are Jim McDonald, Garry O’Meally and Bob Gration; I think our industry owes them a lot for their foresight, their drive and their solid support. Being president of the association (something I never set out to be) was a wonderful honour. During this time we got the ball rolling on pipeline engineer training. And, of course, the achievement of the Energy Pipelines Co-operative Resource Centre, thanks to Leigh Fletcher and Ankie Larsson in particular, was a major milestone for APIA.”
Mr Kellett’s thoughts on the major issue for the pipeline industry over the next five years:
“Change. Nothing new about that, I guess, but with carbon tax, gas price rise pressures and the push for renewables, along with pressures on local manufacturers, we must be prepared to be innovative and to derive new services for the changing needs of our current and future customers.”
Shaun Reardon, Director
Mr Reardon on the biggest strength of the pipeline industry:
“The current political environment is pushing towards a low-carbon economy. From this perspective gas is much cleaner than coal and much more economical than renewables. This competitive advantage,
coupled with Australia’s extensive gas reserves, should drive a successful, growing industry over the next few decades.”
Mr Reardon’s thoughts on the major issue for the pipeline industry over the next five years:
“The pipeline industry has been very successful at providing a reliable supply and delivering capacity when required. Our efficiency and effectiveness is threatened by the potential for regulatory creep, where additional market structures and regulatory controls are expected to add cost without clear benefit.”
Peter Cox, Immediate Past President
Mr Cox on the highlight of his time in the pipeline industry:
“My recent term as APIA President would have to rank up there as a major highlight. It is a great honour to lead the pipeline industry in Australia. Other highlights include stewarding the growth of the
WorleyParsons pipeline groups in Australia and some of the major projects that I have been involved in such as the PNG LNG project, the Tasmanian Gas Pipeline and the various phases of the Longford
Compressor Station from initial construction to the many upgrades.”
Mr Cox’s thoughts on the major issue for the pipeline industry over the next five years:
“The next five years will see an unprecedented level of activity in our industry, so the challenge will be to manage this growth to facilitate continuous improvement in the quality and safety of work in the industry.”
Mr Cox’s advice to new entrants to the pipeline industry:
“The best advice for new entrants to the pipeline industry is to get involved through volunteering, to be a part of the many APIA committees which provide the opportunity to learn from the experienced pipeliners, and get a real sense of satisfaction from contributing to and being an integral part of this great industry.”
Mick McCormack, Director
Mr McCormack on the biggest strength of the pipeline industry:
“That’s an easy one – its future. I firmly believe the sector’s best days are in front of it, particularly for gas pipelines. You only need to look at the exponential growth in gas reverses that have emerged over the last couple of years, together with the expected rapid increase in gas demand brought about by carbon-reducing policy settings, to see that the pipeline industry has a very bright future.”
Mr McCormack’s advice to new entrants to the pipeline industry:
“Spend as much time as you can in the field and get a real feel for the industry as early as you can. This is where you learn how to get on with a broad range of people, which is fundamental should you aspire to any leadership position.”
