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Breaking new ground in pipeline on-bottom stability design

The need to better understand pipeline stability in the unique environment of Western Australia’s North West Shelf has lead to the establishment of a research facility in Perth that is attracting worldwide interest.

Preventing fractures at the Energy Pipelines CRC

$Preventing fractures at the Energy Pipelines CRC$ The pipeline industry in Australia faces many challenges relating to the design, construction, operation and maintenance of pipelines. There is significant experience in the industry and a strong commitment to innovation. It is this commitment that has led to a dedicated group of companies, banded together by the APIA Research and Standards Committee, to lead a bid for and win Commonwealth funding for the establishment of an Energy Pipelines Cooperative Research Centre.

APIA RSC – keeping Australia at the international pipeline forefront

The APIA Research and Standards Committee has been in operation for over 15 years, and continues to go from strength to strength in providing research leadership for the pipeline industry.

2011 Pipeline Research JTM: working toward a strategic plan for global pipeline research

Hosted by the Pipeline Research Council International, the 18th Biennial Joint Technical Meeting on Pipeline Research was held from 16–20 May 2011 at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, California, USA.

Jinks reports on IGU agenda

The second meeting of the International Gas Union’s Working Committee 3 2009–12 research triennium was held in the Hotel Westin Galleria in Houston, Texas, over four days from 7–10 September 2010. GHD Business Development Manager Oil & Gas Barbara Jinks reports on the activities of the three study groups that make up the committee.

Leigh Fletcher: steeled for pipeline research

Leigh Fletcher has devoted more than 40 years to the study of metallurgy, manufacture, testing and welding of steel pipes. He was instrumental in establishing the APIA Research and Standards Committee and worked tirelessly on the proposal for the establishment of the Energy Pipelines Co-operative Research Centre. The Australian Pipeliner spoke to Leigh about his time in the industry and the importance of the new research centre.

On solid ground: Mass stabilisation solves soft soil problem

Pipeline projects have long had to deal with the problems of peat, silt and clay. These unstable materials will not support loadings and can produce major slips if they are present over sloping rock formations. A revolutionary new soil stabilisation technique from Finland may just have the answer.

Public comment sought for Industry Standard

Wed, 29 September 2010 Australian Pipeline Industry Association Chief Executive Cheryl Cartwright has appealed for members of the public to provide feedback on the revision to Industry Standard AS2885.

SCC detection improvement using high resolution EMAT technology

Liquid filled pipelines can effectively accommodate mechanical piezoelectric transducers which couple to the pipe wall through the fluid being transported; a solution which would not work well for dry natural gas pipelines.

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.

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.

Further research for Sunrise pipeline

Wed, 30 June 2010 Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta has backed the construction of a pipeline from the Greater Sunrise Gas Fields Development to Timor-Leste during his visit to Australia, suggesting further research into development options is required.

Powered by CSG: pipeline developments on the east coast

With a number of exploration companies on the verge of realising the full potential of coal seam gas on a domestic level, and through the possibility of LNG export, additional pipeline infrastructure is needed. The Australian Pipeliner looks at the latest pipeline developments related to coal seam gas activity.

Setting the standard: revised pipeline standards published for public comment

Maintaining a world class standard requires considerable commitment and input from the industry. In 2008 a small dedicated group of industry representatives took up the challenge to commence revision of AS2885.3 Operations and Maintenance.

Wollongong welcomes pipeline research centre

Wed, 16 June 2010 The newly-established Energy Pipelines Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) has been officially launched at its headquarters in the University of Wollongong, New South Wales.

AS2885 - Have you read it?

The pipeline industry’s standard – AS2885 – is fundamental to the construction, operation and maintenance of pipelines in Australia.

Fatigue design for gas storage pipelines

New gas-fired power stations often require cyclic storage duty from gas pipelines. This makes fatigue a potential life limiting condition. The integrity analysis of these cycled gas storage pipelines is much more complex than conventional gas pipelines. This article provides some background to developers and designers based on experience gained in analysis of the design for a number of these pipelines.

Linton: research vital for our unique industry

With the establishment of the Energy Pipelines Co-operative Research Centre at the beginning of the year, Professor Valerie Linton has been appointed head of a national organisation dedicated to researching ways to improve the design, construction and operation of Australian pipelines. The Australian Pipeliner asks her about her experience with, and aspirations for the industry.