President’s outgoing address
In his opening address to the Convention, outgoing APIA President Peter Cox discussed the future of Australia’s pipeline industry, saying that a $20 billion investment in Australia’s gas pipeline industry is forecast to flow in tandem with the massive expansion of the nation’s CSG and LNG projects.
“This is an unprecedented level of activity in the pipeline sector which will continue in line with the increased use of gas,” he told the conference.
Mr Cox said that despite the uncertain global economic environment, the outlook for significant growth in the pipeline industry is positive.
He outlined areas where the Association can continue to make a significant difference in the future, which included:
- Maintaining best practice codes and standards;
- Advocacy of pipeline policy objectives in Canberra to ensure gas and pipelines get to compete on a fair basis;
- Organising targeted training for the new people needed for the expanding pipeline industry;
- World-leading pipeline research into safer and more efficient technology through the APIA Research and Standards Committee and the Energy Pipelines Co-operative Research Centre;
- Promoting the next generation of pipeliners through the Young Pipeliners Forum; and,
- Providing safety leadership and guidance and promoting care for the environment.
Mr Cox also said the passage of the carbon tax provided a strong signal that Australia will be changing its reliance on coal and oil for energy.
Supporting local industry
Following Mr Cox’s address, APIA Chief Executive Cheryl Cartwright spoke about how APIA’s ongoing role includes the promotion of Australian steel pipeline manufacturers and other providers to international development companies, and where possible continuing to work with its members and with government to raise awareness of the local industry.
“Australia has in place exceptional manufacturers and suppliers throughout the nation’s pipeline industry and we must ensure that we don’t lose that expertise by allowing local industry to lose out on major contracts to overseas companies,” she said.
Ms Cartwright said a continued focus on skills was important in the dramatic expansion of gas transmission infrastructure in Australia and in the pipeline industry generally.
“With such massive developments, we will continue to work vigorously to ensure Australia has the number of skilled workers in place to participate in such growth and the required training programs to educate existing and new workers in our industry,” she said.
“APIA – already credited with leading the international charge with its pace-setting training programs – won’t be resting on its laurels in such a vital growth period in the Australian pipeline industry.”
Minister discusses “golden age of gas”
Federal Minister for Energy and Resources Martin Ferguson also addressed the APIA Convention, discussing the history of pipelines in Australia and their importance to the country’s economy and everyday quality of life.
“We are in a golden age of gas, which also means opportunities for the pipeline sector,” said Mr Ferguson.
Mr Ferguson highlighted the success of the pipeline industry over the past decade and its bright future.
“Looking back over the past decade, around $4 billion has been invested in – or committed to – new gas transmission pipelines,” he said.
“These numbers exclude investment in recently sanctioned CSG projects, and also exclude billions of dollars being spent on water pipelines and other pipelines.”
Mr Ferguson spoke about the growth of the gas industry – including an increase in CSG and gas-fired generation projects, both of which are likely to require additional pipeline infrastructure – before moving on to discuss Australia’s export opportunities.
“Estimates for next year are for Australia’s exports of LNG to be around 20 MMt,” said Mr Ferguson. “The pipeline industry is a vital part of one of Australia’s fastest-growing energy export industries…[and] as Australia becomes the world’s second-biggest exporter of LNG, our pipeline industry will be front and centre in facilitating this development.”
Mr Ferguson also touched on the skills shortage, saying he recognised that the pipeline industry was competing with other major projects for skilled workers. He told delegates that the Australian Government understands the need to invest in training and skills before outlining some of the measures the Government has put in place to help address this issue.
A world-class business program
The theme of this year’s Convention was “˜Australian pipelines – world-class transportation of energy’, which was reflected in a number of presentations focusing on the burgeoning CSG industry, innovative pipeline developments and the future of Australia’s pipelines.
Iplex Pipelines’ Rodger Connolly presented on an innovative pipe coiling process which was developed for a major CSG producer. The process minimises field welding of high density polyethylene gas pipelines by up to 90 per cent, offering substantial cost savings.
APA Group’s Rob Wheals spoke about innovative gas storage solutions, using the Mondarra Gas Storage Facility and its current expansion program as a case study. He said that gas storage offered customers numerous benefits, including energy security, energy investment efficiency and energy market development.
Brookfield Infrastructure’s Adriaan van Jaarsveldt discussed the future of pipelines, specifically with regards to investment in the sector. He said there was a large global fund overseas for pipeline investment, however pipelines are competing with other similar investments for capital. He outlined policy and regulatory changes that could be made to encourage investment in Australia’s pipelines. Look out for an abridged version of Mr van Jaarsveldt’s paper in the next edition of The Australian Pipeliner.
Other interesting presentations included a look at lessons that could be learnt from the Mondarra and Deepwater Horizon incidents, delivered by Australian National University’s Jan Hayes; a psychologist’s explanation of why people don’t follow safety rules, presented by DuPont’s Dr Rod Gutierrez; and, a discussion of fatigue and strategies to manage it, given by TMS Consulting’s Helen Wood. Presentations from the 2011 Business Sessions are available in the “˜Members Only’ section of the APIA website: www.apia.net.au
A record-breaking exhibition
Opened by New South Wales Minister for Resources and Energy Chris Hartcher, the APIA Exhibition was just as successful as the conference program it accompanied; 97 companies set up their booths in the huge exhibition hall, including 18 international companies from eight different countries.
Delegates also attended in record-breaking numbers with over 800 people moving through the exhibition hall, including 76 international delegates from 11 countries. Evidence of growing interest in Australia’s thriving pipeline industry.
While delegates enjoyed their morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea breaks in the exhibition hall, they learned more about the current products and technologies available, making business connections and engaging in direct discussions with company representatives.
Fun, family and fancy dress
A lively social program complemented the more serious conference and exhibition aspects of the Convention. On Saturday 22 October 2011, pipeliners were given the opportunity to meet other delegates and catch up with old acquaintances in a relaxed setting with a game of golf at Castle Cove Golf Course and then the Welcome Dinner at the Sydney Town Hall later that night.
Sponsored by OneSteel, Family Day was held at Luna Park the next day. Pipeliners and their families hopped on a scenic cruise from Darling Harbour to the amusement park, with the opportunity to try out as many rides as they wished.
In the evening, the exhibition was officially opened with cocktails before delegates moved to the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre’s Parkside Ballroom for the Opening Dinner, sponsored by BlueScope Steel.
On Monday 24 October, following the first day of the conference, pipeliners wound down and let loose at the much-anticipated Fancy Dress Party at Doltone House in Pyrmont. The theme was “˜The First Fleet’s Mardi Gras Party’, and featured ship rats, convicts, wenches, militia – as well as many male pipeliners who got in touch with their feminine side.
The social program closed on Tuesday with the elegant Gala Dinner, once again held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The Convention in 2012
Although the success of the 43rd APIA Convention and Exhibition may seem hard to outdo, each year, attendance continues to grow.
This year’s Convention will be held from 13-16 October 2011 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. With the theme “˜The Pipeline Industry – Expertise, Growth, Opportunity’, the 2012 APIA Convention will showcase Australian expertise and highlight major developments across the industry and the nation, particularly in Queensland.
With the boom of the CSG and LNG industries, developments in the Australian pipeline industry are sure to become more exciting and attract even more interest from both local and international delegates.