“With the challenges facing Australia’s east coast gas market in the next few years, there is much focus not only on production and availability, but also on transportation,” APIA’s Chief Executive, Ms Cheryl Cartwright, said today.
“Moving natural gas safely and efficiently, which is critical to for consumers, industry and power generation, will be one of the key topics under discussion at this year’s convention being held from 12 – 15 October in Adelaide,” Ms Cartwright said.
The annual APIA convention and exhibition is the only annual forum in Australia for the nation’s multi-billion dollar pipeline industry.
More than 800 pipeline industry people from Australia and overseas will attend the event at the Adelaide Convention Centre which will also include the highest number of exhibition stands (136) for any of the annual APIA conventions.
The Hon Tom Koutsantonis MP – South Australia’s Minister for Mineral Resources and Transport and Infrastructure – will deliver the opening address on Monday morning and will be followed by 23 industry presentations during the convention’s Monday and Tuesday business sessions.
Mr Kevin Lester, APIA President and the APA Group’s Group Executive, Infrastructure Development, will also address the opening session along with APIA Chief Executive Cheryl Cartwright.
Ms Cartwright said APIA’s annual flagship convention and exhibition was a major event on the national energy and infrastructure calendar and provided members from all sectors of the pipeline industry to meet and address important issues relating to the industry.
“The issues that affect APIA and its members are many and the Association’s activities diverse. APIA has also raised the profile of natural gas as the sensible fuel in a carbon constrained future, highlighting the role of the transmission system,” Ms Cartwright said.
“The title of this year’s convention, The Pipeline Industry – Critical Infrastructure for the National Economy – highlights the importance of the skills in the transmission pipeline sector and the need to ensure those skills are developed in the next generation, optimising the opportunities for the future,” she said.
