The Australian Pipeliner

October 2006

President’s Message

As we move towards the 2006 Convention, major changes are happening in the industry from ownership of major pipelines to energy reform.

Chief Executive’s Report

The APIA Convention is a reminder of our members’ ability to combine enjoying each other’s company with their commitment to the business of the industry.

A reflection on the Australian Pipeline Industry

Susan Jaques

The Australian pipeline industry is a thriving, interesting and challenging industry to be in. The variety of work that can be done here is remarkable, when you sit down and think about it.

2006 APIA National Convention and Exhibition

“Australia’s Dynamic Pipeline Industry: Infrastructure for the Future”

Minister Macfarlane Addresses APIA Lunch

The APIA Brisbane lunch was another well-attended event on the APIA calendar.

The Young People’s Forum was held in May 2006, but the outcomes from the event live on, with YPF committees in each State and a national group planning for events to involve the young and the young-at-heart.

AS2885 - Have you read it?

The pipeline industry’s standard – AS2885 – is fundamental to the construction, operation and maintenance of pipelines in Australia.

World Gas Conference 2006

Barbara Jinks won the Australian Gas Industry Trust (AGIT) award, which saw her attend the World Gas Conference 2006 in June. She will now represent Australia at the International Gas Union (IGU). Barbara reflects on her trip in this article.

2006: The year in review

2006 was another year of exciting developments in Australia’s pipeline industry, with several new projects announced, others reaching completion, contracts signed and merger agreements finalised.

Andy Lukas elected President of IPLOCA

Andy Lukas, well known in Australia as director of AJ Lucas and a long-time committee member and former President of APIA, has been elected to be the next President of the International Pipeline & Offshore Contractors Association, IPLOCA.

Building Victoria’s pipeline system

Victoria’s pipeline system has grown substantially since the discovery of gas in the Gippsland Basin in the 1960s. Here, The Australian Pipeliner revisits a period of significant growth and development for Victoria’s pipeline industry.

Keith Fitzgerald

Keith Fitzgerald has enjoyed a long and enduring career in the Australian pipeline industry. Today, in his mid 70s, he continues to play an important part in representing some of the world’s leading equipment manufacturers.

OSD Asset Management

With a new office up and running in Karratha, Western Australia, OSD is continuing to investigate future opportunities.

Metrotech Provides Solutions

Metrotech Corporation designs and manufactures buried utility locating instruments at modern facilities in Santa Clara, California. Established in 1962, Metrotech advanced as a leader in locating technology through design innovations that increased productivity for clients.

National Vegetation Management moves from strength to strength

The expansion of National Vegetation Management continues as the company’s innovative vegetation clearing techniques and investment in the latest technology bring substantial benefits and cost savings to its customers.

Tinker & Rasor APS Portable Holiday Detector

Tinker & Rasor has released the Model APS high voltage holiday detector, a portable stick-type holiday detector used to electrically inspect pipelines and other structures for faults (holidays) in coatings.

Dresser - Engineered to last

Dresser is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of highly engineered products and services for the oil and gas exploration, processing and distribution industries.

Making it stick – LPE for girth welds

Jim Banach (USA) and Jeevan Menon (Australia)

The development and use of Liquid Polymer Epoxies (LPE ) for girth welds where the mainline coating is three layer Polyethylene (3LPE) can be difficult, but there are various surface treatment techniques that can be used to ensure adhesion to the PE/PP mainline coating.

Allu extends global reach

Since 1985, Ideachip – manufacturers of the Allu Screener Crusher – have specialised in developing, manufacturing and selling products for environmental care, improvement of recycling methods and processing of different materials. Their global presence continues to grow, with successful use of the screener crusher taking place across several continents.

New truck presents new opportunities for NationWide Hire

NationWide Hire, a small specialised provider of off highway and project specific trucks with a long and proud association with the pipeline, mining and construction industries, is currently increasing the size and number of its service trucks.

Boddingtons continues to expand

Boddingtons manufactures and distributes plastic warning tapes detection and extruded meshes for both protection of underground cable and pipelines for gas, electricity, water and optic fibre communication lines.

GE Pipeline Solutions group develop deep sea inspection tools

GE has developed a new SmartScan tool to help operators protect both pipelines and delicate ecosystems.

Darwin LNG Pipeline: a world first for Weatherford

As part of the construction and commissioning of the Darwin LNG project, Weatherford’s Pipeline & Specialty Services (P&SS) group performed several important works, contributing to the successful startup of the ConocoPhillips LNG plant in Darwin.

Savcor: a leader in corrosion control

Savcor is well established in Australia in the field of corrosion control, offering services including corrosion engineering, corrosion control products supply and contracting services.

Petrosleeve compression repair now available in Australia

Petrosleeve permanently repairs thin wall pipe defects without welding to the pipeline or interrupting operations.

Pipeline professionals - on the move

Australian pipeline professionals are in demand globally and are increasingly travelling for new and exciting career opportunities.

CNC commences work on Wimmera Mallee Pipeline

CNC Project Management has been engaged to manage Native Title and Cultural Heritage issues associated with the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Project (WMPP).

Denso helps on EastLink

The Melbourne EastLink Project, which will link Melbourne’s eastern and southern suburbs, is the largest project in Victoria since CityLink.

Pohokura - another world record gas landfall for Lucas

A highlight of the year for AJ Lucas was the successful completion of the landfall for Shell Todd’s Pohokura gas field, off New Zealand’s North Island.

MACDOW on the Burdekin Water Pipeline Project

The 217 km 800 mm diameter water pipeline from Burdekin Gorge Weir, past Collinsville to Moranbah has reached the halfway mark with over 100 km of pipeline installed. The pipeline is being constructed by MACDOW for SunWater.

The history of the PNG – Queensland pipeline

Chloe Wilson

Customers committing and backing off, political unrest, cost blowouts, boundless optimism – each day seems to bring news of a new development on the proposed PNG-Queensland pipeline. The Australian Pipeliner revisits the history behind trying to get one of the most ambitious pipeline projects in the history of the two nations off the ground.

DBNGP Stage 4 delivering to WA

Construction of the Stage 4 Expansion of the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline (DBNGP) posed unique challenges, but with careful management and a team effort, the project was a great success.

APC’s moving experience on the DBNGP

Australian Portable Camps recently completed a camp move on the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline (DBNGP) for the Nacap KT Joint Venture on the Northern Looping Contract for Alinta. Distance wise, the move was a first for the company.

Central Ranges Gas Project reaches completion

The recent completion of the long awaited Central Ranges Gas Pipeline has provided economic and environmental benefits to the area.

Greene assists with Northern Territory pipeline project

When a mid-sized Australian contractor is treated similarly to four giants in the construction industry working on a major resources project, and is trusted to self-manage safety, environmental, quality, cost and project management issues, that contractor deserves some attention.

New laser-based analyser speeds moisture sensing in natural gas

Pryde Measurement has announced the launch of a new range of laser-based moisture analysers from US company SpectraSensors. The non-contact measurement of moisture and other corrosives in natural gas pipelines provides asset owners and bulk gas buyers with instant information about corrosive and corruptive elements in delivered gas.

Warren King & Co: Ready for any pipeline project

Warren King & Co is an Australian based company at the forefront of the pipeline industry. With 80 years of combined experience and a team of dedicated professionals providing surveying, drafting and GIS services, they offer a complete solution for pipeline projects.