It is also an excellent time to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements of previous years.
More importantly, it is crucial that the Convention remains a time for industry to come together and discuss the challenges that will be faced in the future and the means to overcome them.
So far, 2015 has been a dynamic year for the Energy Pipelines CRC.
The findings of a Commonwealth review into the overall CRC program conducted by Dr David Miles have reinforced my belief that the Energy Pipelines CRC is a model CRC due to its strong industry focus and drive to provide long-term support to help the Australian pipeline industry face key challenges.
The recommendations of the review, which have been accepted by the Federal Government, align well with our current approach to collaborative research.
This commitment is exemplified in the recent release of a shore and water crossings guideline develop in cooperation with Chevron, Woodside and Atteris Pty Ltd.
The project has provided the offshore and onshore pipeline industry with an engineering guideline which makes recommendations covering the design of pipelines at shoreline and waterway crossings, all the way from the early concept development stages through to detailed design.
This guideline is an example of what the Energy Pipelines CRC does best; collaboration with industry and research partners to address an industry identified challenge.
You can read more about this new shore and water crossings guideline on page 52.
Over the life of the Energy Pipelines CRC, we have committed to working with the APGA Research and Standards Committee (RSC) in enabling safer, more efficient and reliable pipelines to meet Australia’s growing energy needs.
Working with research teams drawn from four universities and committed industry advisors, the Energy Pipelines CRC has delivered on this commitment.
The shore and water crossing guidelines, the establishment of the National Facility for Pipeline Coating Assessment, advances in fracture control, corrosion prevention, materials development and safety, to name a few, are all examples of our successful collaborations working alongside the industry partners within the APGA RSC.
Over the coming years, we will continue to deliver high quality, industry focused research in key areas supporting the offshore, onshore transmission and distribution pipeline industry, through design, construction and operations.
As I have reiterated throughout the year, it is important to consider the role of younger employees in the future of the Australian pipeline industry.
I recently spoke at an APGA Young Pipeliners Forum (YPF) event in South Australia where I took the opportunity to outline the current work of the Energy Pipelines CRC as well as the importance of engagement in our research activities over the coming years.
I was excited by the level of engagement at the event, as well as the increased level of interest in the Energy Pipelines CRC following it.
I am more than happy to speak at more YPF events in the coming years as it is a great opportunity to bring news on the Energy Pipelines CRC to the next generation of pipeliners and the future leaders of our industry.
I look forward to seeing many of you this year during the APGA Convention to celebrate and acknowledge another year of achievements for the Australian pipeline industry and another year of successful collaboration with the Energy Pipelines CRC.
If you feel there is a major challenge that the Australian pipeline industry and the Energy Pipelines CRC need to address, feel free to get in contact with me.
If you would like to be part of this collaboration, come to our trade stand or talk to Steve Dobbie from APGA to discuss becoming a member of the APGA RSC and actively support and contribute to a stronger Australian pipeline industry into the future.