The Outstanding: Andy Lukas

Andy Lukas, associated with the industry for the past 39 years, was awarded the 2009 Australian Pipeline Industry Association (APIA) award for Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Pipeline Industry.

He was the longest serving APIA Board member, serving from 1995 to 2008, including a term as President in 1998–99, and his commitment remains strong. He has been on the Board of the International Pipeline and Offshore Contractors Association (IPLOCA) since 2004 and became the first Australian to serve as President of IPLOCA in 2007.

Commenting on the award, then APIA President Ashley Kellett said “Andy’s contribution to the Australian pipeline industry is best demonstrated by his longstanding commitment to APIA and IPLOCA.

“This award is a fitting recognition for a man who has made an outstanding contribution to the Australian pipeline industry over a significant period of time. Andy has become an industry stalwart by always endeavouring to think outside the square and challenge conventional thinking, and his ability to force others to think differently is incredible.”

Andy said “I have been very flattered by the award from my peers. It has been entirely unexpected and I have been very surprised to be called to the stage to receive it.”

After graduating from the University of New South Wales in 1967 with a Bachelor of Engineering, Andy completed an MBA at the University of Tulsa in the United States in 1970. He returned to Australia that year and, in 1973, he set up the Australian and New Zealand operations of Williams Brothers. In 1975, Andy joined AJ Lucas as Project Manager with subsequent roles as General Manager and Managing Director.

Andy introduced horizontal directional drilling (HDD) into Australia in 1991 by building his own rig and taking on a job in Sydney where he agreed to 100 per cent payment on completion of the project.

Under Andy’s guidance, a number of world records have been set, including the longest HDD crossing, longest HDD application for sewer to grade, and longest in-seam coal seam gas drainage hole.

Andy said that the most significant development he has seen over his time in the pipeline industry is the simplification of the process of getting a pipeline built. He said that examples include a fit-for-purpose approach to weld integrity, new machinery such as padding machines and rock trenches, and how self-applied quality assurance and quality control have encouraged a result focused workforce.

For the younger Pipeliners in the industry, Andy said, “Be interested in your profession, develop a catholic interest in technology and techniques, be interested in making money for your company – without profits and sensible returns, there is no great future for you to grow and improve your position.”

The Young Achiever: Dan Morgan

The recipient of the 2009 APIA Young Achievement Award was Dan Morgan from McConnell Dowell.

“Dan has been an outstanding and energetic supporter of APIA activities over recent years and he is one of the people who represents the next generation of our industry,” said Mr Kellett when presenting the award.

Dan was very pleased to receive the award. “It was good to just be nominated by MacDow, then to actually receive such a prestigious recognition within the industry really topped if off,” he said.

“All those extra late hours, extended shifts and remote locations now all seem worth the efforts put in.”

In 2004, Dan graduated with Honours in a Bachelor of Science degree. His first role after University was on a small Alliance Sewerage Reticulation project in Cooktown. He was the Health Safety Environment and Quality Officer for an engineering and construction firm and maintained a strong focus on the environment. He has since been primarily concerned with issues relating to health, safety and the environment within the pipeline industry.

Dan joined McConnell Dowell in 2006 as the Environmental Management Representative on the Burdekin – Moranbah Pipeline and, having been actively involved in the major water alliance pipeline projects in South East Queensland since then, he is currently the Construction Interface Manager for the Northern Network Alliance. Dan is also an active member of the Queensland Young Pipeliners Forum committee.

Mr Kellett said “In 2008–09 he was instrumental in developing, and then leading, the review into APIA’s Code of Environmental Practice (CoEP) for Onshore Pipelines over a period of many months. This was a thankless task but Dan enthusiastically led the way as the review was undertaken and finally approved.

“He is very much a vocal advocate for the industry and the Association and he has spoken at a number of APIA forums, both formal and informal, including the May 2009 APIA Safety and Environment seminar in Brisbane.”

In Dan’s opinion, APIA has proven to be at the fore of raising the environmental awareness of the industry and its members, and this was assured by the efforts of the Environment Committee and the original drafters of the CoEP.

“The ongoing development of the CoEP is key and has raised the awareness, however implementation of the intent of the CoEP is a measure each member organisation is charged with to manage to the best of their capabilities,” said Dan.

“Industry members also need to tap into their existing resources and support their environmental practitioners to develop, implement and achieve more positive environmental performance and sustainable outcomes.”

Dan feels that because there are so many accessible, good quality mentors within the industry, it is too difficult to name just one that he looks up to. “If I was to list one I would need to list all, so I won’t mention Leon Richards, John Mackellar and Ted Metcalf,” he said.

“What I can say is that all young Pipeliners need to initiate discussions with the many varied quality pipeliners, as there is an untapped amount of wealth and knowledge within our industry.”