The finished document is the culmination of a highly collaborative effort from APIA members, including those on the Code of Environmental Practice (CoEP) steering committee, the Health, Safety and Environment Committee, those who have contributed directly through independent review of the document or who attended the CoEP workshop in February 2013.
The result is a significantly restructured document with additional attention to detail on a broader range of key environmental aspects, impacts and mitigation measures. Version 3 of the CoEP ensures that the currency of the document has been maintained and its application across all stages of the onshore pipeline lifecycle within Australia has been improved.
General overview
The aim of the 2013 review has been to make the document more accessible, more useable and to better relate and reflect its alignment with other industry codes, standards and guidelines.
The 2013 revision has sought to clarify the high level use and application of the CoEP. This has included a reflection that the CoEP is an onshore pipeline code, not simply a gas pipeline code, with more reference to water, wastewater, slurry and other products or commodities transported by pipelines.
The 2013 revision also makes it clear that the CoEP should be used and applied as a minimum expected standard for onshore pipelines, not simply an industry best practice document.
Structure
Version 3 of the CoEP has been significantly restructured to better represent the chronological considerations for each phase of the pipeline lifecycle. Links between related sections within the code that have a common relevance or application have been added to make it easier for users of the document to gain a holistic view of how each activity relates to environmental aspects and management measures.
Content
The document has a new introduction with an easy-to-understand overview of the document’s layout and a new addition of the principles of ecologically sustainable development as they apply to the pipeline industry.
The re-named Legislative and Regulatory Governance section has been updated with a new section on environmental offsetting and links to an expanded legislative and regulatory appendix.
The Environmental Management Systems section has been edited with an expansion of detail on training expectations and a new sub-section on compliance, while a new section has been added to reflect the importance of the establishment and evaluation of environmental risk. The theme of effective risk identification and evaluation has been reflected throughout the revised CoEP as the preferred methodology behind the justification and adoption of effective construction techniques and their associated management measures.
New schematics have been included for temporary access tracks and open cut watercourse crossings while new sections have been created for trenchless technology, biosecurity, pipeline surveillance activities, cumulative impact, flora and fauna, as well as expanded sections on offsetting, cultural heritage management and traffic management.
One of the largest modifications to the code has been in the soils section where a much greater emphasis has been placed on the differentiation of soil types and their characteristics. The corresponding management measures have also been greatly enhanced and specialised according to soil type.
In terms of the new revision’s application, the content reflects that each pipeline is different throughout the document and encourages users to extract the most appropriate approach or management option as suited to the activity and to seek specialist input where required.
Following the collective edits changes, restructures, updates and improvements, the 2013 CoEP remains a holistic, complete tool kit for industry professionals who are involved in any phase of onshore pipeline planning, construction, operation and decommissioning.
It is a credit to the industry that the collective experience and knowledge sharing that was the main focus during the preparation of this revision has resulted in the production of a document that will continue to drive environmental management expectations within the Australian onshore pipeline industry.
The third revision of the APIA Code of Environmental Practice was prepared by CNC Project Management and was officially launched at the APIA Melbourne Dinner in June. To view the code visit www.apia.net.au