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David Curry

David’s introduction to the Australian Pipeline Contractors Association occurred in 1976 just after he had been appointed Superintendent Engineering BHP Petroleum (Oil and Gas).

Class of 1976, Moomba to Sydney: a pipeliner reunion

Joe Ashton and Ted Jestin, who, in 1976 worked together on the Moomba to Sydney Pipeline on the Australian Pipeline Construction section, were recently reunited in Queensland.

Sourcing pipeline equipment in the 1970s

The perilous tale of how some of Australia’s earliest pipeline building equipment arrived on our shores.

New book honours Australia’s pipeline legends

Wed, 22 August 2012 The Australian Pipeliner has published a book titled The Pipeline Industry Legends of Australia which has profiled almost 40 of the industry’s founding members, providing a fascinating account of their experiences.

A brief history of cathodic protection

Cathodic protection is often seen as a black-box technology – something that only experts can understand. However, the history of cathodic protection dates back over 188 years, and the science behind it is well understood.

The Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme

The Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme is one of the most complex integrated water and hydro-electric power schemes in the world. The scheme, which was constructed from 1949–74, was a pioneering engineering feat for Australia and the world, and remains a fixture in Australia’s calendar of historical achievements.

Worker on the line: Mike Duffy

More than two decades after working on his first pipeline project, the Roma to Gladstone pipeline, KT Pipelines Sideboom Operator Mike Duffy’s passion for working in the pipeline industry remains unchanged.

Keeping pipelines in the family

Over the past half-century, the Australian pipeline industry has grown to include a wealth of colourful industry figures and families into its network.

A bright future in the Pipeliner

In 2011, The Australian Pipeliner is more committed than ever to capturing the challenges and successes of Australia’s pipeliners and sharing those stories with the rest of the industry. We travel through regional, remote and metropolitan Australia meeting the men and women who dedicate their careers to bringing energy and water to Australian communities safely and efficiently – speaking with them about their latest projects, products and services.

The Savage River Slurry Pipeline

The world’s first slurry pipeline, transporting iron ore, was built in Tasmania in 1967. N.T. (Norm) Cowper, the principal of SlurrySystems, was the superintendent responsible for construction, start-up and operation of the pipeline for the first one-and-a-half years of operation. The system was a highly successful operation, which paved to way for worldwide acceptance of transportation of coal and other minerals over long distances by pipeline.

History: Pakenham to Wollert Natural Gas Pipeline

The Gas and Fuel Corporation of Victoria commissioned its $50 million pipeline between Pakenham and Wollert during the winter of 1984, ten years after it was first considered.

The changing face of the Australian pipeline industry: 1998–2010

The Australian pipeline industry has gone through various changes over the past decade. In 1996, Max Kimber of Kimber Consultants wrote two papers that addressed the changes to the Australian gas pipeline industry from its beginnings in the late 1960s until that time. Here, he provides an update to today, highlighting historical lessons and new developments in research that the industry can learn from.

The Moonie Oil Pipeline -1963

This is the first in an ongoing series of articles which will look at the history of the pipeline industry in Australia, which now stretches over more than 40 years.

The Roma to Brisbane Natural Gas Pipeline - 1969

In this second installment of our look at Australia’s oil and gas pipeline history, we look at the construction of Australia’s first natural gas pipeline.

Reflections and updates from intico

Fifteen years ago, intico’s Nappy Chappie was the subject of much interest in the pipeline industry and now he’s back in the spotlight.

Pipelining in South Australia - Where it all started: The Moomba-Adelaide Pipeline

As the pipeline industry gathers in Adelaide for the Australian Pipeline Industry Association Convention, it is fitting that our look at the history of pipeline construction in Australia moves to the story of oil and gas pipelining in South Australia, which starts with the construction of the 782 km 22 inch natural gas pipeline from the Moomba gas fields in north east South Australia to Adelaide.

Pipeline terrorism 2005?

The excerpt below is taken from a paper given at the 1985 APIA Conference in Sydney by Frank Douglas, titled ‘Australia’s Pipelines & Installations in Time of Conflict, Terrorism or War’.

Conventions – “A pipeliner’s asset”

Thirty years ago the Australian Pipeline Contractors Association held their Conference in Adelaide and at the time it was voted the best ever. We have certainly heard that phrase mentioned many times over the years since and we can thank the Convention committee of that time for setting the high standards for the succeeding conventions.

Building the WAG Oil Pipeline

The WAG Oil Pipeline is an interconnect oil pipeline transporting Gippsland crude oil between the Esso/BHP crude oil storage facility at Westernport to refineries at Altona and Geelong. Completed in 1972, the development of the pipeline involved challenges during both the planning and construction phases.

Building the Dongara – Pinjarra Gas Pipeline

The original Dongara - Pinjarra (Parmelia) Pipeline, in Western Australia, is coming up to its 35th Birthday. The Australian Pipeliner marks the occasion by revisiting how this important pipeline was constructed.

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.

The first year of The Pipeline Authority

The Pipeline Authority was the brainchild of the Minister for Mines and Energy in the Whitlam Government, the Hon Rex Connor, who formed the group to take over the building of the 34 inch Moomba to Sydney Pipeline much to the chagrin of William (later Sir William) Pettingell who, as head of AGL, was well advanced with plans for AGL to construct and own the pipeline. The Australian Pipeliner revisits an article printed in June 1974 and written by former Executive Manager of the Pipeline Authority James Donald for a look at the first year of the Authority’s activities.

‘The Battle of the Bay’: 1970-1972 Western Port to Altona Ethane Pipeline

The Western Port to Altona ethane pipeline was built for Esso-BHP by Carter Johnson’s company, Australian Pipeline Construction (APC), and Australian Dredging and General Works. It became a test of strength between those building the pipeline and extremists of the union and environmental movements opposing the bay crossing.

Water pipeline from Perth to Kalgoorlie: 1894 -1903

In this day and age of water shortages, requiring new water pipelines, it is extremely interesting to look back to the end of the nineteenth century and examine how C. Y. O’Connor’s ambitious Coolgardie Water Scheme overcame the political and engineering hurdles involved.

The Moomba to Sydney Pipeline: 1971 to 1976

The Moomba to Sydney Pipeline (MSP), now a little over thirty years old, supplies gas to Sydney and many other NSW towns and cities. It was a huge undertaking for a young pipeline industry and was planned and built under extremely trying circumstances.