Approximately 60 people were in attendance at the seminar, which was held at Brighton-le-Sands Novotel Hotel in Sydney.

Phil Venton of Venton & Associates was introduced by Energy Pipelines Co-operative Resources Centre (EPCRC) Chief Executive Officer Professor Valerie Linton and former APIA Research and Standards Committee (RSC) Chairman Leigh Fletcher, who congratulated him on his recent award of the position of Visiting Principal Fellow with the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Wollongong.

Mr Venton then presented various case studies of pipeline leaks, explaining why they were caused and how they could be fixed. He said that some leaks were very costly – too costly – to find.

He said that four new standards are set to be published in 2012, with numerous amendments to be made to existing standards, including AS2885.5.

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Mr Venton believes that maintaining a world-class standard requires considerable commitment and input from the industry. AS2885 has been developed by the industry, for the industry. To maintain the lead it has over standards around the world, and the relevance to Australian conditions, much industry participation is required for its development and revision.

The RSC raises around $500,000 per year from its member companies, which consist of over 50 entities and individuals. This funding is used to support important research on matters that are central to reducing the construction and operating costs, and improving the safety of Australia’s long-distance petroleum pipelines – including appropriate revision and development of AS2885.

The RSC meets approximately five times a year and receives reports on the progress of each project from the Lead Industry Advisers. A forum is held twice a year to report on the results of each project to member companies. Many of the members of the RSC use the forums as a means of training staff, and send a number of representatives to learn about the latest developments in pipeline technology and to discuss common problems with their peers.

Until recently, the RSC determined what pipeline research was needed and, using the RSC member contributions, established and managed the research programs needed to carry out the required research. A recent significant change for the RSC has been the formation of the EPCRC.

The EPCRC is a collaboration between the members of the APIA RSC and researchers at the Universities of Adelaide, Wollongong, Monash University and the Australian National University.

The EPCRC’s mission is to deliver knowledge to the pipeline industry that will extend the life of existing natural gas pipelines, and help build the next generation of gas and other energy fluid pipelines. The transfer of this knowledge will also help with the upskilling of and the flow of people into the industry.

The research work of the EPCRC is divided into four programs, which are:

  • More efficient use of materials for energy pipelines;
  • Extension of safe operating life of new and existing energy pipelines;
  • Advanced design and construction of energy pipelines; and,
  • Public safety and security of supply of energy pipelines.

The pipeline industry participants on the RSC prioritise research projects and the RSC members provide advice to the research programs. The EPCRC establishes and manages the research programs that are not directly managed by the RSC.