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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.

Australia’s water future: Malcolm Turnbull speaks

As part of our feature on water, The Australian Pipeliner spoke to Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister with responsibility for water policy Malcolm Turnbull about the role pipelines will play in ensuring Australia’s water supply is secure now and in the future.

Water pipelines; national lifelines

According to a report from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Australians consume more than 24,000 million cubic metres of water a year. Per person, this adds up to one of the highest consumption rates in the world. As storage levels fall and drought worsens across the county, strategies to conserve water and create more efficient ways of managing this resource increase in urgency, with the solutions proposed providing many opportunities for the pipeline industry.

All aboard APIA’s training program

The unique nature of the Australian pipeline industry means a specific approach is needed toward training for pipeline engineers working in the country. The Australian Pipeline Industry Association, with Chris Harvey as Project Manager, is designing a training program that is complementary to the requirements of AS2885 and the particular geographic and economic conditions of the Australian industry.

Policy in transmission: the year ahead

The year ahead looks to be a busy one for energy policy, particularly with two major pieces of work – the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme and the Energy White Paper – continuing into the new year.

Regulating Canadian pipelines: Murray tells all

The National Energy Board of Canada encourages a goal-oriented approach to pipeline operation. The regulator is currently considering the elimination of hydrotesting and moving toward a more streamlined approach to regulating Canada/United States cross border pipelines.

Choi-ce: Queensland Energy Parliamentary Secretary speaks in Cairns

The 2009 APIA Convention was officially opened by Queensland Parliamentary Secretary for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Trade Michael Choi, who demonstrated a genuine interest in the gas transmission industry and a solid understanding of the challenges for energy industries in Australia.

Valerie Linton appointed CEO of EPCRC

The Board of the Energy Pipelines Co-operative Research Centre has appointed Professor Valerie Linton as its inaugural Chief Executive Officer.

2008 to see new NGL

The nation’s new National Gas Law is expected to be implemented in 2008.

Environment and climate change on centre stage

While the politicians were in election mode, APIA used the opportunity to target industry and environment representatives on both sides of politics.

2008 set to see major policy implementations

The APIA secretariat has had a busy start to 2008. We have been working across a range of issues from the introduction of the new National Gas Law and matters such as the planned Bulletin Board, through to handling the development of the regulations on the Federal Government’s National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting System, as well as joining the debate on how to tackle climate change and Professor Garnaut’s Climate Change Taskforce.

New Chief Executive for pipeline CRC

Tue, 12 January 2010 The board of the Energy Pipelines Co-operative Research Centre (EPCRC) has appointed Professor Valerie Linton as the CRC’s inaugural Chief Executive Officer.

Gas and electricity don’t mix

The Australian Government is looking to converge the operating frameworks for the gas and electricity markets. APIA Policy Adviser Steve Davies outlines the importance of having separate systems of regulation for the two industries.

Green review: revising the APIA Code of Environmental Practice

The Australian Pipeline Industry Association’s Code of Environmental Practice is leading the way in assisting environmental management, thanks to regular reviews and updates to the code. Federal Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Water Greg Hunt launched the completed review at the APIA Melbourne dinner in March.

Pipeline research groups collaborate

In May, the bi-annual joint technical meeting between the Australian Pipeline Industry Association Research and Standards Committee, the Pipeline Research Council International and the European Pipeline Research Group was held with great results.

IGU research finalised for WGC2009

The International Gas Union’s Working Committee 3 research triennium on gas transmission issues concluded recently at a final meeting in Melaka, Malaysia. GHD Business Development Manager Oil & Gas Barbara Jinks attended the meeting.

Robertson: boom time in QLD

Many companies are proposing large-scale LNG projects to be located in Gladstone, Queensland. A large amount of infrastructure is needed to transport the feed stock coal seam gas to Gladstone, mooting exciting times for the pipeline industry. The Australian Pipeliner caught up with Queensland Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Stephen Robertson to talk about the future of gas within the state.

APIA’s 2020 vision

APIA’s submission to Kevin Rudd’s 2020 Summit emphasised that Australia’s strength lies in its abundant natural resources.

Regulatory and Economic Policy

One of APIA’s most active committees, the Government and Regulatory Affairs Committee (now the Regulatory and Economic Policy Committee), had a rare face-to-face meeting in Melbourne in April.

The climate for pipelines

APIA is closely monitoring the implementation of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting System (NGER), the progress of the Garnaut Climate Change Review and raising awareness of the challenges of transporting carbon dioxide in pipelines. The introduction of the National Gas Laws in Parliaments around the nation will be monitored and work is underway on the proposed review of Weighted Average Cost of Capital.

Steve Davies takes on policy role for APIA

Steve Davies has joined APIA as its new policy adviser, having worked in government, the private sector and an industry association.

Making the link between CSG and water

An integrated regulatory framework is needed when it comes to coal seam gas exploration, production and water extraction. Focusing on the current legislation in New South Wales and Queensland, Brendan Tobin explains why.

Changes ahead for gas transmission technical and safety regulation

The Ministerial Council on Energy has initiated a ‘harmonisation’ strategy which could see AS2885 referenced in national legislation, or could lead to reduced regulatory outcomes and new challenges for the industry and APIA.

The Australian Energy Market Operator – a challenge for Pipeliners

In April 2007, the Council of Australian Governments agreed to establish a single, industry funded national energy market operator for both electricity and gas in order to improve energy market governance.

WA Energy Minister sees opportunities in the pipeline

The newly elected Western Australian Government has highlighted the importance of developing gas infrastructure to support the state’s domestic supply. The Australian Pipeliner caught up with the Minister for Energy Peter Collier to talk about the Liberal Government’s plans to shore up the state’s gas industry.

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