Young Achievement Award: Liz Brierley

The Young Achievement Award was presented to Liz Brierley from SEA Gas. Described by APIA President Peter Cox as an “outstanding and energetic supporter of APIA activities”, Ms Brierley has led a fast-paced and successful career in the pipeline industry.

Ms Brierley started as a Project Engineer with Origin Energy Asset Management in 2000 and within the span of six years, rose to the ranks of Pipeline Operations Manager. She has been responsible for managing licensed pipelines in South Australia and the Northern Territory, transmission pipelines in South Australia and Western Australia, and was an integral part of the sale of two Origin pipelines to APA Group.

Some of Ms Brierley’s most recent achievements include managing the construction of the Owen Springs Lateral on behalf of Envestra – which was delivered below target price and before the deadline – and her work with SEA Gas managing the issue of new land developments and the potential effect of changing land development plans on pipelines.

Mr Cox said “On top of her work with SEA Gas, Liz has thrown herself into a whole-of-industry approach and she is an active member of the APIA Pipeline Operators Group and the Research and Standards Committee; a member of APIA’s reference group for the AS2885 guide document; a member of the ME38 Committee from 2004 to 2009; a member of ME38 Part 2 subcommittee from 2008 to 2010; and, a member of the Welding Technology Institute of Australia (WTIA) Smart Pipelines Group and WTIA Panel 7.

“Liz is certainly a worthy recipient of the 2010 APIA Young Achievement Award for her contribution in raising the profile of the up-and-coming younger generation of pipeliners.”

Outstanding Contribution Award: Bob Gration

Bob Gration, who has been associated with the Australian pipeline industry for more than 50 years, received the award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry.

Mr Cox said the award was a fitting recognition for a man who has made a tremendous contribution to the Australian pipeline industry over such a significant period of time.

Mr Gration started his career with Defence Standards Laboratories and was involved in the first commercial non-destructive testing (NDT) to be established in Australia. In 1956, he moved to X-Ray Engineering Company as Victorian Manager where he worked on the MacKay Creek Pipeline. In 1960, he moved to ETRS to lead the NDT group and eventually became Deputy Managing Director.

Mr Cox said that Mr Gration had for decades been one of the quiet, behind-the-scenes drivers of APIA, and has made a notable contribution to the NDT sector of the industry.

“Many years ago, pipelines in Australia were in turmoil because of poor NDT practices. Most notably, Bob provided the leadership to solve these serious problems, and normalised NDT practices to the considerable benefit of the whole industry – including the introduction of advanced technology for pipeline NDT,” Mr Cox said.

Having been involved with the Association as early as the first convention in 1969, Mr Gration’s dedication and enthusiasm has also been an important part of APIA’s growth. He was an elected member of the Executive Committee for 14 years from 1984 to 1998 – serving as Treasurer for five of those years – and was awarded APIA Life Membership in 1998.

Mr Cox said Mr Gration continues to offer wise advice, guidance, knowledge and encouragement to the Association and that “his commitment to the pipeline industry is unquestioned”.

Honorary Life Membership Award: Leigh Fletcher

Leigh Fletcher, the current Chair of the APIA Research and Standards Committee (RSC), was unanimously voted to be an APIA Honorary Life Member by the Association’s Board.

Mr Cox said Mr Fletcher had devoted his career of more than 40 years to the study of metallurgy, manufacture, testing and welding of steel pipes.

“As Research Manager for Tubemakers, he ran the company’s test laboratory and developed and implemented test methods and processes for steel and plastic pipes that have become standard throughout the industry,” Mr Cox said.

Mr Fletcher was Executive Director of the Co-operative Research Centre for Welded Structures between 1996 and 1999 and was instrumental in establishing the APIA RSC during this period.

Mr Cox said “He was one of a very small group of Australian pipeliners who initially identified the immense value of nurturing international links and he helped establish the close ties we now have with the Pipeline Research Council International and European Pipeline Research Group.”

Mr Fletcher has served on and chaired Australian Standards committees and sub-committees for more than 30 years, dealing with design and welding of petroleum pipelines. He served as a Director of APIA

from 2007 to 2009, was awarded the APIA Outstanding Contribution award in 1995 and is currently chair of the APIA RSC, having taken over the role in 2007.

Mr Cox said that Mr Fletcher’s most recent and “perhaps his crowning achievement” was the establishment of the Energy Pipelines Co-operative Research Centre. He said Mr Fletcher “contributed an enormous amount of his own time and indefatigable energy” toward leading a team to create and promote a proposal, seeing it through to its examination and approval by the Commonwealth Government’s review committee.

Mr Cox said “In the broader pipeline industry, Leigh is a respected ‘elder’ and expert. His sustained promotion of APIA and the industry at all levels has made him an important and well-respected ambassador and a worthy recipient of this prestigious award.”