The Australian Pipeliner March 2021 by Prime Creative Media

ISSUE 185 | MARCH 2021

Life source WATER PIPELINES TAKE CENTRE STAGE – page 38

Familiar face joins APGA ranks 16

McConnell Dowell steps forward 24 in WA

Valmec warms up to hydrogen

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CONTENTS

APGA NEWS AND EVENTS A new start for a familiar face

A Christmas miracle

Pandemic can’t stop YPF

PIPELINE PEOPLE The author uncovered

PIPELINES IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA APA steps on the gas towards WA grid

A pipeline of WA projects for McConnell Dowell

Sadleirs proves the logical choice for logistics

PROJECTS A kwik solution for long lasting results

ASME powers up gas-fired station

WATER PIPELINES 25 years of Pipeline Condition Assessment

Growing population expands water recycling infrastructure 34

38 COVER STORY

Mardi to Warnervale to completion Spiecapag is proving its versatility with the construction of water pipelines around Australia, including the Mardi to Warnervale Pipeline. Cover image: Pipe is lowered into place on the West Coast Irrigation Project in Reunion Island.

EXECUTIVE REPORTS President’s message Chief Executive Officer’s report

6 7

POLICY Gas and energy policy

TRAINING The adaptation of APGA’s PECS for use in Canada

FFCRC 2021 already a standout year for future fuels

APGA VIRTUAL CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION A virtual victory

Direct Pipe gets straight to the point

Mardi to Warnervale to completion

Steel Mains providing steel solutions for life

NDT Subsea scanning for defect assessments

VACUUM LIFTERS Pipeline Plant Hire lifts itself up the industry ladder

ENGINEERING & DESIGN An evolution from isolation

Field-changeable technology now available from AMS

Cafco moves with the times

Valmec heats up the hydrogen industry

COATINGS & LININGS Viable preservation alternatives in offshore oilfields

PSSS becomes premier SPC dealer

Practical solutions, long lasting results

COMPANY NEWS CCE turns 20

Pipe Tek provides the right link

The right STEP for the civil market

SOCIAL LICENSE INPEX provides a different kind of energy

REGULARS Members and memos

APGA membership

Advertisers' index

Features and deadlines

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The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association’s (APGA) vision is to lead the sustainable growth in pipeline infrastructure for Australasia’s energy. APGA is a non-profit organisation formed to represent the interests of its members involved in: the ownership, operation, maintenance, design, engineering, supply and construction of pipelines, platforms and all other structures used in or in connection with the drilling for, extraction and transmission of hydrocarbons, solids, slurries and similar substances both onshore and offshore. As a single voice representing the collective interests of its members, APGA is dedicated to encouraging the extension and development of the industry. The Australian Pipeliner is the official journal of the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association (APGA) and is distributed to members without charge and circulated to interested organisations throughout Australia and overseas. It is also available on subscription. The publishers welcome editorial contributions from interested parties. However, neither the publishers nor APGA accept responsibility for the content of these contributions and the views contained therein are not necessarily the views of the publishers or APGA. Neither the publishers nor APGA accept responsibility for any claims made by advertisers. All communications should be directed to the publishers.

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

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EXECUTIVE REPORTS

President’s message

elcome to our first edition of The Australian Pipeliner for 2021. Like everyone, I was relieved to see the back of 2020, not just for the general economy, but for all our personal lives and the adjustments and sacrifices we have had to make. On reflection, the challenges of 2020 certainly tested us all and, like all challenges in life, we are stronger and more resilient, and not just here in Australia, as COVID-19 is truly a global issue. There is a long way to go before we return to the way of life we knew before – if, in fact, that is even possible, But, there does seem to be light at the end of the tunnel and, hopefully, over the coming months an environment will develop that allows us to go about our lives normally. A new experience for APGA in 2020 was our virtual convention, and what a success it was! It was heartening to see the levels of attendance and participation for the sessions. As proved yet again, at the core of our association is connection to others in the industry and networking, and while virtual networking is a new experience, it has provided a good replacement for physical events. From when the tough decision was made to change from a physical event to a virtual event, the secretariat worked tirelessly to ensure the event was a success and the team deserves huge credit for the job they did. Virtual events have proved their worth in many aspects, especially for knowledge and experience sharing, and I am sure that they will become an increasingly important part of the services provided to members. We have established a schedule for virtual events for 2021, and we will be looking at some other options incorporating this technology into the future – at least that is one positive development from what was a difficult year. One development that I am very pleased to draw attention to is the launch of the Pipeline Engineering Competency System (PECS) in Canada in February. This unique system developed by APGA has been converted for use in Canada by the Canadian Energy Pipelines Assocation (CEPA). We’ve been working with our colleagues in Canada for some time to make this happen.

The two countries have much in common and by adapting the PECS so that it becomes a system for use in Canada, we are expanding those ties. We’ve already benefited from the process of developing the PECS into the CEPA/APGA Pipeline Competency System, with fresh Canadian eyes drawing our attention to options for refinement of the PECS. The collaboration that produced the CEPA/APGA Pipeline Competency System will be continuing into the future with the continuous improvement of the CEPA/APGA Pipeline Competency System as well as the PECS. We expect that further opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing will arise out of this partnership and these will bring even further benefits to the pipeline industries in both countries. As we look to the future, the past 12 months has clearly influenced and changed global thinking around the journey to a net zero carbon emissions society. The momentum around the discussions on climate change feels like it gathers pace on a daily basis. The APGA Board and secretariat are very mindful that this will impact all our members to varying degrees, on what our industry looks like in the future. In February, we had our three-year review and update of the association’s strategic plan. We have engaged in extensive consultations with members throughout 2020 and are very grateful for the input from you all. It will certainly make our job easier as we gather to pull together all the strings that you have advised are important to you and the association. We are especially grateful for the contribution of some of our younger colleagues as we hope we have embedded into the strategic plan some practices that will ensure APGA remains responsive and relevant to members both now and in the future.

TONY O’SULLIVAN PRESIDENT The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

APGA Board President Tony O’Sullivan MPC Kinetic Vice President Donna McDowall Quanta Services Australia Treasurer Wendy Oldham SEA Gas Immediate Past President Dave Maloney CNC Project Management Board members Lou Guevara Vacuworx Australia Ray Keable LandPartners Kevin Lester APA Group Leon Richards McConnell Dowell Jonathan Spink Jemena John Stuart-Robertson HDI Lucas

A complete APGA membership list is printed on pages 72 and 73

EXECUTIVE REPORTS

Chief Executive Officer’s report

he year is well under way and there is no let-up in the need for flexibility and patience as we plan our activities and events. Of course, flexibility and patience are virtues we should all strive for in our life and work and I, for one, hope the patience I have been practising throughout the pandemic will have a positive influence on me when all this is over. In one way or another, COVID-19 will shape the near future for all of us and we are spending a lot of time planning how to respond to the challenges it brings. We have scheduled a full suite of APGA physical and virtual events this year. At the secretariat, we are seeing a lot of interest in virtual participation for events like committee meetings and seminars, so we will see how the first few pan out and revisit our thinking if necessary. We welcome thoughts from any members on this and you can always give me or one of the team a call to discuss. A great start to the secretariat’s year was the arrival in Australia of our new Engagement Manager Dean Bennett. There were a few setbacks on the way, but Dean and his family landed in Brisbane on 8 January and are now settling in here in Canberra. It is great to have Dean here in person; we are really pleased he has joined the team and are looking forward to having him bring his industry experience and understanding to the new role. The team at The Australian Pipeliner interviewed Dean for this issue so you can find out more about Dean, his background and his plans for the role on page 16. Action on energy and climate policy has increased in 2021. The Federal Labor Party has announced a new Opposition Spokesman on Energy and Emissions, the Prime Minister has begun talking about net-zero emission futures and government policy is pushing ahead on hydrogen, electric vehicles and the gas-fired recovery. Of course, the latter is of major significance to APGA and we are spending a lot of time

engaging stakeholders and advocating our positions. The policy article in this issue has an update on some really interesting work that we have undertaken on the value of gas-fired power generation and I encourage everyone to have a look. APGA’s next three-year strategic plan will be developed and launched this year. APGA Directors and I undertook quite an amount of preparation and consultation on this in 2020 and we are excited to bring our thoughts together and deliver a plan that will place APGA’s services and attention firmly on ensuring the strength of the pipeline and gas industries in the decades to come. The plan will have a start date of 1 July 2021, so there is still time to offer your thoughts on the association’s services and future if you are keen to do so. The major change to the way we do business last year was, like many organisations, the move to virtual meetings. I especially enjoyed catching up directly with many members over Zoom. I usually meet members at an APGA dinner or other APGA events, where there are many people around who are all trying to catch up with colleagues themselves as well as many other distractions. It was great to have the one-on-one meetings with people I know well and not so well, and I’ll be looking to continue that. We’ll reach out to member representatives during the year for the catch-up, but all members are welcome to get in touch and arrange a Zoom, Teams, or Skype meeting with me or one of the team. I hope you all have a great 2021, that the government delivers some sensible outcomes, that a few more pipelines reach FID and that I’ll be seeing you in person and over the camera sometime soon!

ABN: 29 098 754 324 APGA Secretariat Registered Office: 7 National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600 (PO Box 5416, Kingston ACT 2604) T: +61 2 6273 0577 F: +61 2 6273 0588 E: apga@apga.org.au W: www.apga.org.au Chief Executive Officer Steve Davies Corporate Services Manager Peter Heffernan National Policy Manager Andrew Robertson Communications Manager Karen Polglaze Engagement Manager Dean Bennett Membership Officer Katy Spence Administration and Events Officer Charmaine Ogilvie

STEVE DAVIES CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

MEMBERS AND MEMOS

Tudor takes lead Energy Charter role Jemena Managing Director Frank Tudor is the new Energy Charter CEO Council Chair, replacing outgoing Chair Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) CEO Ben Wilson for the 2021 year. Mr Tudor says he is honoured to take on the role and looks forward to the Energy Charter continuing its push for collaboration right across the industry. Along with his role at Jemena, Mr Tudor

serves on the Council of Australian Governments Energy Security Board Advisory Panel, the Reliable Affordable Clean Energy for 2030 Cooperative Research Centre (RACE for 2030 CRC), the Asia Society Advisory Panel and is a board member of ActewAGL and Deputy Chair of Energy Networks Australia.

NDT completes Halfwave integration In February 2020, Halfwave AS was acquired by NDT Global’s parent company, with the final integration of Halfwave into NDT’s inspection services business completed in January 2021. Now, the official integration will bring many opportunities to the two organisations in terms of services and technological advancements “that will be able to help pipeline operators operate their pipelines safely and efficiently,” says NDT Global Senior Vice-President

Andy Bain. Halfwave is the owner of the proprietary Acoustic Resonance Technology (ART), an ultrasound-based technique that allows high-precision measurements in imperfect conditions and without the need for liquid couplant. The ART technique allows NDT Global to enter the in-service gas pipeline segment and present an alternative to MFL and EMAT testing.

New AEMC Chair Anna Collyer has been appointed Chair of the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC). With more than 20 years of experience in the energy industry, Ms Collyer has advised governments, market institutions, industry participants and large energy users on a wide range of energy matters. Ms Collyer joins AEMC following a position as Partner and Head of Innovation at Allens, where she focused on adapting legal services to meet the challenges of technological change and digital disruption. AEMC Commissioners Merryn York, Charles Popple, Allison Warburton and Michelle Shepherd as well as Chief Executive Benn Barr all welcomed Ms Collyer to the role, saying

the organisation will benefit from her skills, experience and insight. “We are delighted that Anna will be joining us at this important stage in the energy sector transition. We look forward to working with Anna as the new Chair of the AEMC,” the organisation says. Ms Collyer says with her focus on taking a partnership approach to developing solutions, she is looking forward to joining the AEMC. “Rapid advances in technology are affecting all aspects of our lives but this is particularly so in energy, where the system’s transformation presents unique opportunities and challenges,” she says. “It is an important time to be working in the energy sector.”

Chevon Australia appoints new MD Mark Hatfield will assume the role of Chevron Australia Managing Director in 2021. Working with the company since 1982, Mr Hatfield will now assume the role of Chevron Australia Managing Director, effective 1 March 2021. Currently Vice President of Chevron’s Gulf of Mexico business unit, Mr Hatfield

has been responsible for the company’s deepwater exploration and production activities in the region. Upon announcing the move, predecessor Al Williams was complimentary of Mr Hatfield’s capabilities. Mr Hatfield says he is looking forward to building on Mr Williams’ work in Australia.

Clough wins EPC scope in WA Clough has been awarded the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) scope for the Waitsia Stage 2 development. The development is located in the northern Perth Basin, near the town of Dongara approximately 350 km north of Perth and 65 km south of Geraldton in Western Australia. Clough CEO and Managing Director Peter Bennett says Clough and the Waitsia Joint Venture, comprising Mitsui E&P Australia and Beach Energy, have been working together to optimise the project design terms of plant operability, capital costs and ongoing sustainability in operations. “The Waitsia project development is a showcase for the benefits in true collaboration between client and contractor and we are very grateful to the Waitsia team for this opportunity,” he says.

Clough Executive VP Australia and Asia Pacific John Galvin added the company is proud to bring its demonstrated capability in the resources industry and local project delivery experience to Waitsia Stage 2. “During the construction phase an estimated 200 jobs will be created which will bring significant economic benefits to the local region and Western Australia at large,” says Mr Galvin. The Waitsia gas field is ranked one of the largest gas fields ever discovered onshore in Australia and is forecasted to bring significant economic benefits to the region from both construction and operating phases. Clough said the Waitsia Stage 2 project will also include a new 250 TJ/d gas processing plant with a 20-year life-cycle that will convey gas via the nearby Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline.

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

MEMBERS AND MEMOS

McElroy unveils TracStar iSeries for pipe fusion industry McElroy says its new iSeries will maintain the TracStar’s original self-contained tracked vehicle, while adding industry-changing technology for improved user experience across three new models. The mechanical, hydraulic, electrical and control systems on the iSeries have all been improved and integrated to create a machine that aims to meet jobsite demands with intelligent communication capabilities.

The TracStar iSeries is powered by the new FusionGuide™ Control System, which offers three levels of control from operator-controlled to completely automatic, machine-controlled operations. McElroy says these control levels were implemented to reduce the most common user errors and to make the fusion experience more productive.

Woodside LNG SPA dependent on Scarborough Woodside Energy and Uniper Global Commodities have agreed to amend the binding long-term sale and purchase agreement (SPA) to increase supply of LNG, which will see the quantity of Woodside’s LNG to be supplied to Uniper under the amended SPA doubled from the initial supply. Commencing in 2021, the volume is up to 1 Mtpa, which will increase to approximately 2 Mtpa from 2026. The SPA’s majority of LNG supply from 2025 is conditional upon a final investment decision (FID) on the development of Woodside’s

Scarborough gas resource offshore Western Australia. Woodside CEO Peter Coleman says the agreement’s expansion demonstrates further progress towards this FID on Scarborough and expects FIDs on Scarborough and Pluto Train 2 in the second half of 2021. Woodside and Uniper have also agreed to collaborate on potential carbon-neutral LNG, including enhanced carbon accounting and future hydrogen opportunities. The initial 13-year term of the SPA is unchanged.

Valmec wins $100m contract Valmec has secured a five-year services agreement with Origin Energy valued at more than $100 million. The agreement covers the provision of services at Origin’s Spring Gully gas facilities in southwest Queensland and may be extended with two one-year extension options. Valmec says the contract supports the company’s long-term commitment to the Maronoa and Western Downs regions to support local employment and community spend through works delivered from the company’s Roma operations facility.

“Since starting work with Origin in 2016 we have provided specialist technicians, equipment and parts through preventative and corrective maintenance services as well as delivered brownfield constructions services to the APLNG Project’s upstream gas compression and power generation assets,” says Valmec Managing Director Steve Dropulich. “We are also proud of the active role we have played in the community and this long-term contract helps cement our Roma operations facility as a key regional hub for our businesses.”

Verbrec acquires Energy Infrastructure Management The strategic acquisition will see Verbrec add scale to its existing pipelines business unit as well as diversifying its existing revenue streams as a significant portion of EIM’s revenue comes from operations and maintenance contracts, including a three-year extension on an Arrow Energy contract. The purchase will cost $10.06 million with $7.45 million of the price being working capital, making

the final purchase price subject to the customary up or down adjustment on the closing working capital position. Upon signing the agreement, Verbrec Managing Director Linton Burns said it was a compelling and transformational acquisition that demonstrates the first stage of the company’s refocused growth strategy, adding he is excited to welcome the highly experienced EIM team to Verbrec.

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POLICY

Gas and energy policy by Andrew Robertson, National Policy Manager, APGA

Complex developments in infrastructure planning in the energy sector have important implications for the future of the pipeline industry, and they are top policy priorities for APGA.

overnment gas and electricity infrastructure planning and decarbonisation initiatives – including the National Gas Infrastructure Plan (NGIP) being developed by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (DISER) and the next iteration of the electricity Integrated System Plan (ISP) being developed by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) – are top policy priorities for APGA right now. Developments in these areas are complex due to the overlap between infrastructure planning and decarbonisation and the interrelationship of the gas and electricity sectors, and their implications for the future of the gas pipeline industry could not be higher. One issue that cuts across the NGIP, as well as the updating of the electricity ISP, is the value of gas-powered generation in the electricity mix. In a recent submission to an AEMO consultation on the ISP, APGA voiced its concern that AEMO was systematically undervaluing the role of gas-powered generation in the National Electricity Market (NEM) in enabling high levels of penetration of variable renewable electricity generation. Much of this value is present in gas-powered generation’s insurance value in the event of a prolonged renewables drought. A failure to fairly value the critical role of gas-powered generation in the NEM in the next iteration of the ISP and other strategic planning documents like the NGIP could lead to under investment in gas powered generation capacity and associated gas infrastructure such as pipelines. This is important because besides the unnecessarily adverse impact on the gas industry, this outcome could result in significantly higher power system costs in remarkably high renewables penetration scenarios – thereby creating an economic disincentive and hampering decarbonisation efforts. It could also result in unnecessarily high energy costs for Australian households and businesses, leading to poor electricity reliability and security of supply outcomes.

To further develop the evidence base on this topic, APGA recently commissioned a report from Frontier Economics on the Potential for Gas-Powered Generation to Support Renewables. The report’s findings show gas powered generation can allow very high renewable electricity systems (i.e., those with more than 90 per cent renewables penetration) to function reliably at much lower system cost than they would otherwise. Gas-powered generation provides effective energy storage over periods of weeks and months – much longer time periods than batteries and pumped hydro can provide. This makes gas-powered generation particularly well-suited to managing energy requirements during sustained periods of low renewable generation, either due to seasonal weather patterns or prolonged renewable droughts. Low variable renewable electricity (VRE) generation can persist for a long period of time and AEMO projections show renewable droughts can last from days to months. In high VRE scenarios, investment is required in additional generation or storage capacity to ensure the lights can be kept on during these renewable droughts. The flexible nature of gaspowered generation means it is uniquely placed to provide support to renewable generation, protecting the security and reliability of the electricity system. The Frontier Economics report models total system costs for two VRE output years (2030 and 2035) indexed against the system costs of a 100 per cent renewable power system each year. The 2030 model doesn’t contain any particularly long periods of low wind output; whereas 2035 features a prolonged wind drought. The models for both years include four scenarios: 1. 100 per cent renewables 2. 99 per cent renewables 3. 95 per cent renewables 4. an optimised high VRE system where the level of gas-powered generation is not stipulated (93 per cent renewables in this model).

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

Andrew Robertson.

In 2030, the inclusion of a small proportion of peaking gas-powered generation reduced system costs by approximately 28 per cent (equating to around $5 billion in cost savings in a NEM sized electricity system). In 2035, the inclusion of a small proportion of gas-powered generation reduced system costs by approximately 36 per cent (equating to around $7.5 billion in cost savings). This reduction in total resource costs reflects the report’s conclusion that investment in some gas-powered generation enables the system to avoid costly and wasteful overbuilding of renewable generation required to deliver system security to manage renewable drought. The key point in the context of the modelling being undertaken by AEMO in this area while revising the electricity ISP is that although gas-powered generation is uniquely placed to provide support to renewable generation, long-term investment modelling will often under-value this insurance role for gas-powered generation. Long-term investment modelling of the type undertaken by AEMO for the ISP tends to model outcomes for typical conditions expected in the electricity market, or average conditions. It is typically not well-suited to modelling investment decisions for generation or storage assets that earn a return during atypical conditions, such as periods of unexpectedly low VRE output. Modelling these investment decisions typically takes additional modelling and analysis – something we urge AEMO to undertake. As for the NGIP development process, this is still in its early stages and is being led by DISER rather than AEMO. A key priority for APGA, among others, is to ensure that the value of gas-powered generation is more realistically valued in the NGIP from the outset. The Frontier Economics report on the Potential for Gas-Powered Generation to Support Renewables was publicly released in late February and has been made available on www.apga.org.au

TRAINING

The adaptation of APGA’s PECS for use in Canada by Chris Harvey, APGA, Sydney, Australia Ashley McLean, CEPA, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Reena Sahney, Jiva Consulting, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

The APGA Pipeline Engineering Competency System (PECS) was a global first when it was launched in 2010. Since that time, the set of around 230 competencies for onshore pipelines has been completed, and there has been progress in moving towards global recognition of the system.

n 2020, the PECS hit a major milestone on its journey with completion of its adaptation for Canadian use in collaboration with the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA) – a voluntary, non-profit industry association representing major Canadian transmission pipeline companies. With the launch on 3 February 2021, the Pipeline Competency System (PCS) will be available to all CEPA member companies to support competency of technical staff. In a statement issued at the launch, CEPA President and CEO Chris Bloomer said: “CEPA is grateful for the opportunity to bring APGA’s world-class system to Canada. It will be an important tool for our members to ensure consistency across the industry and is another example of CEPA’s steadfast commitment to safety and continuous improvement.” Adoption of the competency system in Canada has been driven by three main factors: • changes in North American workforce demographics • opportunities identified through the Canadian industry’s program to drive continuous improvement: CEPA Integrity First® • an increased emphasis on competency in the pipeline industry’s regulations, standards and best practices. The adaptation effort was an ambitious endeavour undertaken in the first two quarters of 2020 and was largely within the expected timeline and scope despite the impact of COVID 19 – a testament to a truly collaborative effort between CEPA, CEPA Member Company Representatives, APGA and Jiva Consulting.

In addition to the adaptation effort, significant support is in place – and in some cases under development – to assist with adoption by CEPA Member Companies, including: • A guidance document for competency management, an adaptation of CEPA’s previously existing guidance document. • An e-learning training module is being developed to support with onboarding member companies with PCS. • Coaching support through CEPA to assist member companies looking to adopt the system, and mapping of existing industry training to support development of the knowledge element of the competency standards. With the launch of PCS, the Canadian industry will have a key aspect of mitigating risks around demographic issues, succession planning for technical roles and demonstrating competency available to it. From an Australian perspective, the process of adaptation for Canadian use has provided the additional benefit of a ‘cold eyes’ review, allowing ideas for future improvement as well as providing a foundation for broader global adoption of the system. Specifically, because of the nature of CEPA’s membership, the modified competency set needed to remain largely jurisdictionally agnostic while preserving the technical robustness of the content. The resulting competencies will allow for a strong basis for adoption and usage in other jurisdictions with significantly less effort. This should leave APGA well positioned for potentially broader adoption across the globe of one of the Australian pipeline industry’s significant assets. Further, CEPA has also already begun development of approximately 30 competency standards targeted to damage prevention activities. This project was launched in 2020 under the agreement between CEPA and APGA, with writing and facilitation support provided by Jiva Consulting. The project is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2021 and it will provide greater structure and clarity regarding key aspects of damage prevention activities in the context of onshore pipelines. Specifically, the project has had The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

the added benefit of establishing a common understanding and a degree of alignment between member companies, laying the foundation for maturing damage prevention practices in the Canadian pipeline industry more effectively and for better collaboration in the future. The development of these competencies is also resulting in greater standardisation and clarity of the competency development process, allowing the system to continue to mature in novel ways. Although APGA and CEPA have only started on a journey of establishing a long-term collaboration, both Australian and Canadian industries have already begun to reap the benefits beyond those originally envisioned. These include bringing a fresh perspective to identify improvement opportunities and building a greater understanding within the pipeline industry of technical areas as a foundation for continuing to mature practices. While initially the collaboration will be around ongoing maintenance and continuous improvement of the PCS, conversations are underway about other areas of benefit that are yet to be fully explored in establishing the first international standard of its kind. The development and adaptation of the competency system has a long history both in Australia and in Canada. The success of this work is a credit to the vision and commitment of members of the pipeline industry both in Australia and Canada and is a result of the significant contributions of both staff and volunteer team members. In the absence of being able to acknowledge each individual, the authors wish to acknowledge several groups that have made significant contributions: • APGA member committees and volunteers • APGA leadership and staff • CEPA member committees and volunteers • CEPA leadership and staff • Jiva Consulting staff • project team for development of the CEPA Competency Management Guidance document • project team for this CEPA / APGA collaboration.

FFCRC

2021 already a standout year for future fuels by David Norman, CEO, Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre

This year is already proving to be a significant year for the development of future fuels and our research at Future Fuels CRC.

hrough the support of APGA’s Research and Standards Committee and our other participants we are delivering: • 80 research projects up and running or completed for our participants. • Research that is already being disseminated and used by participants, informing and supporting the next level of hydrogen developments and demonstrations. • Completion of our seventh detailed, confidential webinar, sharing and discussing technical research with professionals across the industry. • A set of comprehensive research roadmaps has been delivered for eight key areas of our activity that map in detail the research questions still to be answered and provide a framework for how and when to best address them. • Research into hydrogen in gas distribution pipes that is now a reality at Deakin University’s Hycel facility. This facility is the location of significant and important Future Fuels CRC activity creating a hydrogen test bed for long-term plastic piping testing (RP3.1-07), and it has potential for a range of additional hydrogen testing and demonstration options as well. The then Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan opened the Hycel testbed on 24 November 2020. Our research is positioning our participants at the forefront of global knowledge on pipeline conversion to hydrogen, regulatory change,

the economic and energy system impacts of a transition to future fuels, social acceptance of new fuels and gas appliances research, to name just a few. The challenge for Future Fuels CRC is to stay at the forefront and prepare our industry for a transition to new ways of providing energy to customers through future fuels. At the end of 2020, our board completed a performance review and began a strategic review of future industry and government needs for research and development. I was impressed at the breadth of leaders from across the energy industry and government who took the time to present on the priorities as they saw them. During 2021, I look forward to sharing our developments as we work to maximise our current and new research opportunities for the industry. Each month there seems to be a rise in the interest and announcements on hydrogen and the Future Fuels CRC team works tirelessly to stay on top of these dynamic developments. We benefit from our deep and growing links with overseas organisations, especially in the UK, Germany and California. The usefulness of our work and knowledge is illustrated by our ongoing support for the National Hydrogen Strategy rollout, the number of local and overseas presentations made by our centre, the deep interest in the dissemination of our work and the ability to interact directly with our knowledgeable and focused researchers and industry cohort. Outside of our direct research, you are already seeing increasing activity across the Australian

Future Fuels CRC CEO David Norman.

energy sector as it moves to real-world demonstration and development projects for future fuels. We remain very well positioned to collaborate, support and learn from these important real-world developments. In early 2021 this includes Australian Gas Infrastructure Group’s HySA Power to Gas project in Tonsley, Adelaide and later in 2021 Jemena’s Western Sydney Green Gas Project. NERA has just launched 13 hydrogen clusters to promote growth across Australia, and the HESC project in Victoria is already producing hydrogen and will shortly test its facilities to ship Australian hydrogen to Japan. To help you keep track of all these developments, another key achievement for us was our collaborative partnership to deliver openly available and real-time information on Australia’s hydrogen activity through HyResource. Future Fuels CRC was a founder of this initiative with CSIRO, NERA and Australian Hydrogen Council. HyResource has also now released its first update report, which I highly recommend for those keen to get a snapshot of the 61 active projects currently occurring across Australia and New Zealand. Future Fuels CRC is a unique and effective community for many reasons but none more important than its active, respectful and passionate people across our wide base of participating organisations. I look forward to keeping you updated as this community continues to develop and deliver for the industry.

You can find an overview of all Future Fuels CRC research at www.futurefuelscrc.com HyResource is available at research.csiro.au/hyresource

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

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A virtual victory The 2020 edition of APGA’s much-loved Annual Convention and Exhibition was one like never before, with the entire event taking place digitally. Although its delivery format was different, the event was still a huge success, with virtual attendees present from across the country and the world.

aking place from Monday 19 October to Friday 23 October 2020, the APGA Virtual Convention hosted a thorough digital program, an online portal for the exhibitor showcase and typically unmissable social events to keep participants connected while remaining screens apart.

Throughout 2020, APGA hosted many successful webinars, interview sessions and networking events over Zoom, allowing the association to develop and fine-tune its digital processes to enable the biggest event on its calendar to go off without a hitch. Despite the virtual viewing, the annual convention went above and beyond industry expectations, with new twists and fun surprises keeping attendees engaged and entertained all week long.

Convention program and exhibition The virtual event kicked off with conference presentations on Monday, which saw five sessions of about two hours each take place every day for the week. Although a slimmed down program compared to the usual offerings, the theme of New Decade: New Perspective was able to shine as it mimicked the new perspective of a virtual format. The first day of the event also saw APGA CEO Steve Davies and APGA President Tony O’Sullivan make an important announcement to answer the question many had been asking regarding retiring APGA The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

Business Manager Steve Dobbie’s successor. Dean Bennet was announced as the new APGA Engagement Manager, bringing with him a wealth of experience from the industry. With more than a decade in various roles at ShawCor and an extensive understanding of the inner workings of the Australian industry, Mr Bennet is sure to be a worthy addition to the secretariat. You can find an interview with Mr Bennett on page 16. Complimenting the digital conference program was the virtual exhibition hall, where exhibitors could showcase products and services via a dedicated portal on the online platform. At each virtual “booth”, attendees were able to access direct links and downloads that provided a wealth of information about each exhibitor’s offerings.

Social events Despite the change in format, the much-loved social events kept their spot on the convention’s calendar. The two social events kicked off with the unmissable Fancy Dress evening, with an emphasis on wigs, caps, hats and masks.

APGA VIRTUAL CONVENTION & EXHIBITION

Thanks to sponsors Denso and SEA Gas, and the enthusiasm of all involved, the social event was a roaring success even with all attendees behind a screen. The crowned winners were Samantha Oler, David Convery, Karen Polglaze, Kate Cuic, Col Symonds, Matt Nash and Mitch Blyth for their outstanding efforts. On Friday evening, the event came to a end with the APGA Awards ceremony taking place online, followed by a closing happy hour networking event sponsored by Jemena and MPC Kinetic.

Annual Environment Award As always, APGA CEO Steve Davies presented the annual awards, beginning with the Annual Environment Award to the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG). AGIG won the award for its Hydrogen Park South Australia (HyP SA) project, being Australia’s first integrated electricity-hydrogen public gas network project.

Annual Diversity and Inclusion Award MPC Kinetic was named winner of the inaugural award for a suite of policies and

action plans that comprise its workplace inclusion and diversity programs, namely the businesses Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan that aims to build respectful, lasting and equally beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Annual Safety Award APA Group was awarded recognition for its Process Safety Fundamentals program, which was carefully planned and rolled out over more than two years and achieved a step change in the awareness and engagement across the organisation.

Outstanding Contribution Award The Outstanding Contribution Award was received by Brian O’Sullivan for his more than 30 years in the industry, in which he shaped and establish many companies, including OSD, OSD Asset Services and PIPEd, and now LogiCamms. In 2015, Brian was made a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to engineering in the oil and gas industry, and for support to people with muscular dystrophy.

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

Jeff Shepherd Construction Excellence Award Spiecapag Land Liaison Officer Graham Meers won the 2020 Jeff Shepherd award, having brought his extensive knowledge of the pipeline industry to his work for more than three decades. Having learned at the side of many legends of the pipeline construction industry, including Jeff Shepherd himself, Graham has always showed the same enthusiasm to pass on all he has learned to the next generation.

Young Achievement Award GPA Engineering’s Nick Kastelein was rewarded for his significant contribution to the pipeline industry, after successfully contributing to a number of specific pipeline projects and pioneering key roles on a number of hydrogen ventures. The final night of the convention ended with the event’s second virtual networking event, the Friday Night Happy Hour. APGA was pleased with the event attendance and participation in such a challenging year, and looks forward to hopefully hosting an in-person convention in Brisbane in 2021.

APGA NEWS

A new start for a familiar face Following the retirement of long-time Business Manager Steve Dobbie, experienced pipeline professional Dean Bennett has stepped into the role of Engagement Manager for APGA. He recently sat down with The Australian Pipeliner to discuss his time in the industry, his new role and what the future may look like for the association.

any in Australia’s pipeline industry will already be familiar with Dean Bennett, who has extensive experience in the sector thanks to more than 20 years working in various capacities for global energy services company ShawCor. Originally from Sydney, Dean started in the financial sector of ShawCor division Bredero Shaw, but soon found he had a larger interest in the project side of the business. “I quickly moved into project management and I ran a couple of big jobs, like the Victoria-Tasmania pipeline [Tasmanian Gas Pipeline] in around 2000 and 2001,” says Dean. “We were bringing in parts from Malaysia and Kembla Grange, so I ran all of that. Then I got consumed back into the finance side for a little bit but never really felt like that was my spot, so when the sales guy left, I became the Business Development Manager for Australia-wide for about eight years.” As many working in the oil and gas industry would understand, travel can become part of the job and, with ShawCor’s head office in Toronto, Canada, Dean found himself travelling frequently between Australia and the Great White North. After marrying a Canadian local and growing tired of the international back and forth, he did a multi-year stint managing ShawCor’s Canusa-CPS facility in Huntsville, Ontario, about 200 km north of Toronto – but he always felt like a return to Australia was on the cards. “I was back in Australia last year and I knew Steve [Dobbie] was leaving, so I had a chat to him about [working for APGA] and it was all fairly positive,” says Dean. “I was very familiar with the industry, very familiar with a lot of people – good friends with a lot of people really. I knew Steve and one thing I do is I keep in contact with people.

“My attitude is you know people on a personal level and the work looks after itself. So, I think that’s always been my approach – I’m not there to sell something, you’re there to support people when they want something.”

A new role Dean began working with APGA in November 2020, but as it has done with so much over the past year, COVID-19 caused a delay in his return to Australia and he was unable to arrive back on home soil until 8 January. He is joining the APGA secretariat at an interesting time, not only because of the ongoing pandemic, but a fluctuating oil price and an increasing focus on curbing emissions continues to shift the energy landscape both domestically and internationally. But Dean isn’t shying away from change. “I think change is with us,” he says. “I don’t think we’re ever going to get back to where we were before COVID-19. I think the whole world has seen that you don’t have to be sitting in an office to do any work, you can be sitting at home and the virtual world is now really opened up. “APGA had a virtual convention last year which was really well attended, and I think we have to be prepared that flying around the country, even though it’s good and networking is great, sometimes a webinar or a meeting with technology works.” Dean describes Steve Dobbie as “an amazing guy” who was “very good at what he did”, but he is excited for what he himself can bring to the role. “I think it’s an exciting time because I don’t think we can go back to where we were,” he says. “It’s probably good timing for me to come in and make some small changes, step by step, that take on some of the things that are happening. I think relationships and partnerships is a big focus, that’s the industry we are in – we need partnerships and relationships and a long-term view. “Rather than ‘what is the next event?’ it’s ‘what are we doing over a period of time’ and ‘where are we heading?’ I think that’s the journey we need to go on.” With conditions around lockdowns subject to change at a moment’s notice, it’s difficult to speculate what the future holds for the in-person gatherings and events APGA is famous for. Dean says although these will always have a place on the association’s calendar, the challenge now comes with their organisation. The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

APGA Engagement Officer Dean Bennett.

“I think we will have hybrid events and will be posting seminars online, and people will choose more carefully about which ones they attend in person. Value will be key,” he says. “The flexibility of where you can work from is great, it means there’s a little more ‘me’ time available, but nothing beats standing around having a drink at the bar.”

Back home Despite all the talk of the virtual world, getting out and about is one of the things Dean enjoys most, both in and out of a working capacity. Although Canberra might be known as one of Australia’s colder major cities, the capital’s winter is nothing compared to what he experienced in Canada, and he’s keen to make the most of the reprieve from the freezing weather. “Everyone that you meet will say ‘Oh it’s going to be a harsh winter in Canberra’, relative to other parts of Australia. My wife is Canadian, and she just laughs and says she has to disagree,” says Dean. “It was –29 degrees the other day where we lived, so we know what harsh winters are. And that was one of the attractions of coming here – to get out of the winter. “My wife and I have done a couple of triathlons each year over the last few years so I want to get into a bit of shape and get into some regular training. An advantage of being in Canberra or anywhere in Australia is it’s warm enough to train every day. “I’m keen to get outdoors and be involved in sporting activities, be it bike riding, running, swimming, triathlons, golfing, whatever.” Although his predecessor never took to the course in a competitive manner, Dean didn’t rule out a playing appearance at one of APGA’s golfing days. “On any given year, I would definitely try and have a hit.”

For more information visit www.apga.org.au

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PIPELINE PEOPLE

You Killed My Wife is available to purchase at www.amazon.com

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

PIPELINE PEOPLE

The author uncovered While You Killed My Wife may have the pseudonym ‘George Watson’ written on the cover, the real name of the author is well-known pipeline industry figure John Wilton. Being Director of two businesses, PSSS and CSTHire, and writing a fiction novel are vastly different achievements, so The Australian Pipeliner sat down with John to learn more about his process and plans.

ohn says he didn’t actually have a plan to write a book, it sort of “just happened”. “There were stories running around in my head, so I thought, why not start putting them down on paper,” he says. “I started writing in secret, at night. There were 60,000 words ready before I had even told anyone. Once I got to 60,000 words, I realised there was a plot, and a bit of a theme going on.” The first person John did tell was his daughter, who he says has a similar reading habit to himself. He asked her to read it and share her thoughts. A couple of days later, she messaged John to say “I’m hooked”. John says this positive endorsement solidified his confidence and convinced him to keep going, and so the challenge to write an entire novel began. “Finding time to do that was of course the hard part,” he says. As Director of two busy companies, finding personal time is understandably no easy feat. John started writing the book in January 2020, solely during the night hours after he had finished all the duties required of his day-to-day job. Before he knew it, the global pandemic was in full swing. “It was really because of COVID-19 and business slowing down dramatically that I found the time,” he says. “It was all still done in secret at night when I would have usually kept working anyway. Even my wife had no idea – she really just thought I was working late as usual.”

With this free time on his hands after each working day, the story took off and it was ready for publishers by September 2020.

Inspiration and motivations “There wasn’t exactly an inspiration to write the book, but the name of the main character is taken from an individual I worked with many years ago who was a Vietnam veteran,” says John. “He sort of struggled with life, as we know it, and that’s sort of why I made it an ex-army type character, and why I dedicated it to all the return servicemen who have done their service for us as a country.” While the book is fiction, John admits there are certain people – like his old colleague – and situations in his own life that have been reflected in the book, albeit with some specifics changed.

One major change was John’s own name to the pseudonym George Watson, which John jokes is “because he didn’t want to be famous.” “Truthfully, I just didn’t really want people knowing it was me. But then I turned around and used my personal LinkedIn to promote it, so everyone ended up knowing it was me anyway.”

Author’s advice When asked what advice he would give anyone else about writing a book, whether those involved in the busy pipeline industry or not, he says “good luck and go for it”. “In some ways as it turned out, the writing of it, to me anyway, well I wouldn’t say it was easy… but marketing the book is the really challenging part. “The bookstores don’t like taking novels that haven’t come through conventional publishing channels, so you’re limited to Amazon and other online stores to sell your book and, of course, on there you’re only one of hundreds and thousands of novels.” “But, then again, I didn’t write it to make money. I did it because it was a fun thing to do,” says John. The enjoyment of the process hasn’t ended for John, with the announcement of a sequel coming shortly. John says he is already halfway through writing the second book – not so secretly this time – and hopes to have it finished “sometime this year” as he juggles life and work returning to a more normal state.

Author John Wilton with his debut novel You Killed My Wife. The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

PIPELINE PEOPLE

Extract: You Killed My Wife

pull out the coroner’s report I had accessed overnight and printed it out, putting it in front of me to read whilst enjoying my breakfast. “What’s this,” the waitress asks, “a working breakfast?” “Yep,” I reply, “time I earned my keep.” After serving my coffee, then breakfast, she leaves me alone to read it through. From my other research, I had found the other driver was, in fact, a serving police officer, detective sergeant no less, so found it intriguing this was not mentioned in the coroner’s report. Nor was there any mention of a blood alcohol reading, or blood test result, which, by law, are mandatory. Double interesting. So, what to do next? I ponder. The coroner’s report mentions an inspection by the forensic crash unit, without providing any details, so I note this to check when I can. This will have to wait until I have a secure computer, one where I can’t be traced, so it will have to wait until I find my new home. The registration number of the other car is also listed, a Ford Falcon sedan, so at least that will be easy to see who the owner is. I already suspect it will be a police car, but I will need to prove this. This I can do from my hotel room. A little later, back in my hotel room, I log on to a special server with a unique code and then access the Department of Transport, type in the registration number and bleep – up pops Queensland Police Force as the owner. Damn, I think, where is this going? I then search for the police wreckers’ yard, or vehicle holding yard, note the address, and with nothing else planned, head off to have a look and see if the car is still in the police compound at Enoggera. Upon arriving at the compound, I drive past it, getting an idea of how it’s run. Pretty securely, by the looks of it. Six-foot high barbed wire fencing all round, with only one entrance manned by a uniformed policeman. So, pulling one of my fancy new business cards out, I approach the officer in his booth, with a few bits of paper on a clipboard to make me look official. When I reach him, I hand my business card over and say, “Hi officer, I am an insurance

assessor sent to check on – [I glance at my clipboard and recite the registration number of the police car]. I understand you have this here.” Looking bored, he looks up his computer and checks that it is here, and then says, “Yes, we have that here, but no unauthorised visitors are allowed.” “Mate,” I say, “I am only trying to earn a quid. No one’s around; I am certainly not going to steal the bloody thing – can’t you look the other way for a few minutes? Please,” I add. He ponders this, seemingly not bothered either way, so I add, “You can always come with me, make sure I don’t pinch anything out of it if you want. I just need a few photos, make sure the damage is similar to that reported, you know, usual shit.” He comes to a decision, slides off his stool, grabs his keys and leads the way. “It’s in row F, this way,” he says. “I’m Mort,” I say, sticking out my hand. “Rick,” he replies as we shake hands. I walk alongside him chatting about the weather and when the Broncos may finally find some form until we arrive at the right car. It’s badly battered in the front passenger side, showing serious damage. “Shit, he must have been moving,” I say. “Yeah, that’s what I thought when they brought it in,” Rick responds. I walk around the car, taking plenty of photos with my little digital camera, 24MPS, so I know I can zoom in on the images if I need to. I notice a little green circle sticker on the front number plate, take a photo, then go to the back, where there is an identical circle sticker. The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

“What do these mean?” I ask my new mate. “I shouldn’t tell you,” he says, “but that means the vehicle is used by a special squad within the police force, means they don’t ever get stopped for RBT, and of course, no tickets are ever issued against this registration number.” “So, special privileges then, ah?” “Yeah,” he replies, “bunch of arseholes if you ask me.” “How many police cars have these?” I ask. “Not sure,” he says, “but my mate is chief mechanic at the police workshop and he reckons there’s about 10 odd cars and SUVs, etc. with them on.” “So, who are they?” I ask. “No idea – obviously, the bloke driving this in the accident must be one of them,” is the reply. I take a chance and say, “You know, the coroner’s report doesn’t even mention it’s a police car, and no blood test was done on the driver.” Rick ponders this for a minute, then says, “Shit, I thought blood tests were mandatory.” “They are,” I reply. “I checked.” On the way back to his booth, I push my luck. “So whose name do you have on file for this car?” I ask. Silence for a minute – then he shrugs and says, “I shouldn’t tell you this either, but they really are a bunch of pricks.” I wait in silence, not wanting to deter him from what he plans on doing – helping me out against one of his fellow officers. Once he’s seated back on his stool – he’s a bit overweight, so this takes longer than usual – he logs back in (I note his login – you never know if it might come in handy!), types in the

PIPELINE PEOPLE

registration number and comes up with the driver’s name. “Detective Sergeant Dillion Benson, OIC DI Joe Lancaster,” he recites as I write this down. “Well,” I say. “Dillion Benson is listed as the driver in my reports, so that’s a match. So you reckon it’s a fair bet these two are part of this ‘special force’ you mentioned?” I ask. “I guess so,” he replies, as a tow truck pulls up at the boom gate. “Gotta go,” he says, as he grabs a clipboard and wanders over to the towie. I walk back to my car, parked back up the road a little (no sense letting him or anyone else know too much about me!), get inside, turn the car on but don’t move as I digest everything I’ve just learnt. He may not have intended to help me too much, but he certainly had.

It had certainly stilled the various conversations amongst his group (and some surrounding groups as well). Benson wasn’t the first to respond. Joe Lancaster, his boss and Detective Inspector, responded, “And who might you be?” “He knows,” I said, nodding at Benson.

I let this hang, slowly placing my empty glass on their table, without breaking eye contact with Benson. As I left, I told him, “You will be seeing me again.”

***** “You killed my wife.” There, I had said it. Finally, after all these months of wondering how it would sound. It was out there. The reaction was about what I had expected. Dillion Benson turned his focus to me and was about to tell me to “F… off” – no doubt, but seeing me, he stopped.

Benson looked at me and asked, “Mort?” He offered his hand, and I nodded and shook hands with who I believed was my wife’s killer. He continued, “It was an accident – the coroner has signed off on it. But I must say I am truly sorry for your loss.” I did not say anything, just stared at him, making him and some of his colleagues uncomfortable. I am a big man and admit

• • • •

I do know how to intimidate. Another of his colleagues, whose name I wasn’t sure of, piped up, “What do you care? You didn’t even make the funeral.” I turned the stare onto him, causing a tightening of the tension. Eventually, I replied, “The army were unable to extract me, didn’t even tell me she had been killed until our mission was complete.” I continued to stare at him, gradually broadening my look to include the Detective Inspector and Benson, and said, “I have read the coroner’s report. I find it intriguing it is not mentioned anywhere that you are a serving policeman, or that a blood test was carried out. So that alone makes the report interesting reading.” I let this hang, slowly placing my empty glass on their table, without breaking eye contact with Benson. As I left, I told him, “You will be seeing me again.” Upon this, I left the bar and the pub. There, I have set the ball rolling – let the dice fall where they will. If I had known then what those four words, “You killed my wife,” would lead to, would I have uttered them? You betcha!

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The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

PIPELINES IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

APA steps on the gas towards WA grid In November 2020, APA Group announced it would form a new gas grid in Western Australia through a $460 million investment in a new interconnecting pipeline. The move will be a further expansion of the operator’s presence in the west, having installed nearly 500 km of gas pipelines in the eastern Goldfields region over the past five years.

PA’s canvassed $460 million Northern Goldfields Interconnect (NGI), is a 580 km, 12-inch (304 mm) pipeline that will connect emerging gas fields in the Perth Basin to the Goldfields region, forming a WA gas grid. The NGI is expected to be operational by mid-2022 and will connect to APA’s existing Goldfields Gas Pipeline (GGP), which in turn connects to APA’s Eastern Goldfields network, creating an interconnected APA gas pipeline system covering 2,690 km. APA CEO and Managing Director Rob Wheals says after developing an interconnected gas grid on the east coast, APA is thrilled to be creating one for WA. “By connecting existing pipelines, our investment decision to build the NGI will not only add capacity to the system but will also increase gas supply options for customers,” he says. “This will open up new regions for development supporting thousands of jobs both during and post-construction. Importantly, this $460 million investment creates a platform for further growth for APA as more and more resources customers seek energy solutions, including renewables and battery storage underpinned by natural gas. “As a leading Australian energy infrastructure business, we are pleased to be playing a central role in addressing our nation’s energy needs and challenges, while supporting Australia’s recovery

from the economic impacts of COVID-19.” The GGP is currently fully contracted at approximately 202 TJ/d, and APA says investment in the NGI would deliver around 80 TJ/d more gas to the region with further scope to expand capacity as required. Mr Wheals says APA is grateful for the support from the WA Government on the project. “The NGI solution is the optimal, most innovative and cost-effective solution to meet the needs of this region and APA is proud to support the growth of our customers and the state.” APGA CEO Steve Davies adds the announcement is “great news” for the Australian economy and the gas industry. “It is a timely demonstration of the ongoing role natural gas plays as an essential source of energy in Australia,” he says. “The fact that the market has delivered this solution to the Goldfields region is a clear sign of the merits of natural gas as a source of energy. “The project also provides a new market for petroleum explorers and producers in the Perth Basin in WA and we expect both supply and demand-side investment will be delivered because of this new infrastructure.” Mr Wheals says APA expects to have a strong portfolio of long-term contracts in place by the conclusion of construction in 2022, saying the NGI was a response to “market-driven demand, without the need for State or Federal Government subsidies”. “This is a market we know well and have been operating in for a long time,” he says. “The NGI is expected to be supported with an initial 25 per cent of capacity identified

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

A map of the proposed Northern Goldfields Interconnect, Wiluna, WA.

subject to project commencement and we have identified significant additional demand that we believe will crystallise with APA’s commitment to the project. “The NGI solution is the optimal, most innovative and cost-effective solution to meet the needs of this region and APA is proud to support the growth of our customers and the state.”

About APA Group APA owns and operates 15,000 km of natural gas pipelines across Australia, maintaining an energy network connecting 1.4 million Australian homes and businesses. The company’s East Coast Grid encompasses approximately 7,500 km of pipelines, while its pipelines in WA and the Northern Territory run thousands of kilometres. An ASX-listed company, APA has interests in gas storage facilities, gas-fired power stations and renewable energy generation, with a total asset portfolio of around $22 billion. For more information visit www.apa.com.au

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PIPELINES IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Site set up for the Lake Way Gas Pipeline (LWP) in Wiluna, WA.

A pipeline of WA projects for McConnell Dowell McConnell Dowell was awarded three pipeline contracts in 2020 by APA Group, with work set to continue in Western Australia over the upcoming months.

PA Group awarded McConnell Dowell the Murrin Murrin Looping – Stage 1 (MUE) contract in August last year, and both the Lake Way Gas Pipeline (LWP) and the Karlawinda Gas Pipeline (KGP) contracts last October. All three projects are located in remote WA, with MUE approximately 50 km east of Leonara, LWP on the outskirts of Wiluna, and the KGP approximately 70 km south of Newman. McConnell Dowell Group Technical Director Leon Richards says all three pipelines were constructed simultaneously, with the start-up and construction coordination overlapping for the projects that stretch some 800 km apart.

Pipeline specifications The MUE pipeline is a 13.8 km DN300 gas pipeline with a high pressure of 10.2 MPa MAOP. Upon completion, the MUE was tied into the existing Murrin Murrin Lateral (MML), at KP66, which is an 80 km DN200 pipeline that McConnell Dowell constructed back in 1998, and was also tied into the existing Eastern Goldfields Offtake Station at KP80. Mr Richards says the MUE – which took only 2–3 months to complete including tie-in facilities at either end – is a necessary addition to APA’s Eastern Goldfields Pipeline system. “Therefore, the MUE will provide increased gas capacity to mining resource The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

customers downstream of the Eastern Goldfields Offtake Station.” The LWP is a 25.9 km DN100 pipeline while the KGP is a 55.5 km DN100 pipeline, and like the MUE, both pipelines are 10.2 MPa MAOP high pressure gas pipelines. Mr Richards says the LWP and KGP are both new laterals off the DN350 Goldfields Gas Pipeline (GGP), and took two and three months to complete construction works respectively. The LWP provides gas to a new mine site being established approximately 30 km south of Wiluna by Salt Lake Potash Ltd, while the KGP provides gas to a new gold mine site being established approximately 100 km south of Newman by Capricorn Metals. To construct the new pipelines, McConnell Dowell employed traditional open cut excavation methods and predominately used chain trenchers and excavators. The pipe used on all three projects comprised API 5L X52M PSL2 line pipe. Once constructed, McConnell Dowell hydrostatically tested the LWP and KGP pipelines to the new AS2885.5 2020 version, marking the company’s first time to adopt the newly revised version of the Australian Standard.

PIPELINES IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Remote project difficulties McConnell Dowell Senior Project Engineer Andrew Tsitas says logistics are often a challenge when constructing and servicing remote pipeline projects, and these projects were no exception considering the difficult circumstances of 2020. “Things happen at a slower pace in the outback, especially during a pandemic,” he says. “Quite a few of the specialist pipeline operators and supervisors are typically sourced from the eastern states of Australia, so the team had to manage the challenges posed with state

borders opening and closing during the pandemic along with quarantine requirements.” Mr Tsitas says there were also weather challenges as the team was constructing these remote pipelines during the wet season along the Tropic of Capricorn, while there were Aboriginal Cultural Heritage areas the McConnell Dowell team also needed to be conscious of. “On LWP we have several very narrow (8 m) pipeline ROW working widths through sensitive Aboriginal Cultural Heritage areas,” says Mr Tsitas. A freshly dug trench with a pipe string waiting to be lowered in at the project site.

“Closely working with the Tarlka Matuwa Piarku Aboriginal Corporation monitors on site has led to a successful outcome to ensure all obligations were met. McConnell Dowell respects and takes its cultural heritage commitments seriously on all projects around Australia.”

Longstanding relationship continues Mr Tsitas says McConnell Dowell’s heritage in Australia was forged from gas pipelines it constructed for the Gas & Fuel Corporation Victoria in the 1970s. From there, the relationship in WA between McConnell Dowell and APA grew from APA’s GasNet days, where McConnell Dowell constructed the Telfer Gas Pipeline (440 km of DN250) and Nifty Gas Pipeline (40 km of DN150) for the company between 2003 and 2005. In recent years, McConnell Dowell has constructed the VNIE Stage 1 Pipeline from Wollert Compressor Station to Wandong in Victoria for APA, as well as the Agnew Gas Pipeline in WA in 2019. The three recent contract awards and project completions add to the two companies’ longstanding relationship.

About McConnell Dowell McConnell Dowell is a creative construction company that prides itself on finding innovative solutions for its customers’ complex projects. Since 1961, the company has built thousands of quality assets and facilities for customers and communities, expanding its expertise across building, civil, electrical, fabrication, marine, mechanical, pipelines, rail, tunnel and underground construction. With more than 3,500 employees and professional engineering and construction teams in Australia, New Zealand and Asia, McConnell Dowell customers benefit from a unique mix of local knowledge and international experience that is fuelled by creativity and progressive thinking. For more information visit www.mcconnelldowell.com

Standing with his arms crossed as he observes the site works is McConnell Dowell Construction Superintendent Ian Glass.

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

COMPANY NEWS

The logical choice for logistics Sadleirs is the oldest family-owned company in Western Australia and the second oldest in Australia. With such lengthy experience under its belt, the company’s Road Distribution Services team is well equipped as a full end-to-end solution for all logistical needs.

adleirs has been involved with the oil and gas industry on an international scale for quite some time. Operating and servicing all over Australia, the company’s Road Distribution Services (RDS) division has continued growing its offerings to service pipeline contractors and operators to be the ‘one-stop solution’ for all site mobilisation and demobilisation needs. For the past six years, RDS has been contracted by Chevron in WA for the mainland transport services for its Barrow Island and Wheatstone projects. With a keen focus on diversifying and homing in on these niche offerings, Sadleirs RDS Project Coordinator Brendan Byrne says Sadleirs offers advantages that it wishes to expand across a larger customer base. “We recently worked with Pipecraft on the Kalium Lakes Project coordinating the mobilisation and demobilisation for them. This included earthmoving and pipelaying

equipment, general freight and transportable buildings,” says Mr Byrne. “This ranged from maximised standard services, to rapid response for site emergencies requiring oversize movement of machinery or express freight of consumables. This assisted in minimising downtime to works onsite.” Sadleirs RDS General Manager of Resources Hale Preston-Samson adds that although this contract was with Pipecraft, Sadleirs works with more than just the pipelaying businesses. The company aims to expand into the main carrier facilitating movements and providing a greater service offering from this combined volume with dedicated project resources. “We can offer a one-stop solution and tailored services for going on and off sites,” says Mr Preston-Samson. “Our drivers have wharf access, bulk dangerous goods and explosives licences, controlled waste capability, diverse experience in The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

A Sadleirs truck transporting pipeline construction equipment project across Western Australia.

general freight and knowledge of oversize and heavy haulage requirements.”

Delivering Australia-wide To complete a job, Mr Byrne says Sadleirs has a base in every state, removing the limit to its movements across the nation with further capabilities when going abroad. Its global division is equipped to take care of air and sea freight, the customs clearances required and is experienced with subsea equipment and oceaneering needs. “If it's a dedicated mobilisation within a short time, we will scope the project and deal with the people on a day-to-day basis, as the scope generally changes last minute and needs constant adjustments,” says Mr Byrne. This dedication underpins Sadleirs core values, being its commitment to its customers and ongoing open and honest communication. Mr Preston-Samson says this relationship is probably one of the biggest advantages for customers who choose Sadleirs. “It’s being able to get a direct answer – because communication makes a big difference,” he says.

COMPANY NEWS

“Some of the issues we’ve noticed with other carriers is that you have to make six different phone calls or phone a call centre, and you can never actually talk to the person that will make a difference. Whereas with us, we have dedicated contacts, and access to people that can source a solution if it’s possible.”

Solution-focused To Sadleirs, the perfect journey exists by solving customers’ business needs with its customised services, resulting in a solution-focused relationship supported by the team’s can-do attitude and commitment to customer service. “Our aim is to provide our clients with the smartest, most convenient and cost-effective option for transporting goods,” says Mr PrestonSamson. “All of our trucks have GPS tracking, assisting operations in scheduling and giving ETAs on jobs. One of the things we are also rolling out now is a track and tracing system. We’re looking to ensure customers can book jobs, and have access to the status of their jobs in transit.” With a fleet as large as Sadleirs, the ability to check fleet availability and status is a major advantage for its customers. Mr Byrne says the company has more than 15 tautliner trailers, 20 skel trailers of 20, 30 and 40 feet, 20 drop deck trailers, 15 extendable trailers and more than 60 flat top trailers with solid front and

rear headboards, as well as drop in bolsters for transporting pipe. Sadleirs also has four sideloaders, two ramp trailers, two deck wideners and two floats available to transport and assist with its customer’s logistical needs, and the ability to

increase its capability and equipment when projects require more specialised needs. Through its dedicated project team, a personalised solution and its extensive fleet, Sadleirs is well-positioned as the pipeline industry’s one-stop-solution for logistics.

For more information visit www.sadleirs.com.au or contact rdsprojects@sadleirs.com.au

Part of Sadleirs extensive fleet being loaded with equipment to transport from the warehouse.

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

PROJECTS

kwik solution for long-lasting results With distribution across the world, kwik-ZIP is a household name in the pipeline sector thanks to its offerings of cost-effective and simple installation solutions, demonstrated on many recent projects around Australia.

eveloped to solve support, grading and centralisation challenges in the trenchless, pipeline, vertical production drilling and ground engineering industries, kwik-ZIP’s centralisers and spacers are consistently used by pipeline and civil contractors, water and gas utilities, drilling companies and international engineering firms. kwik-ZIP’s product range is the only Australian designed and owned centraliser and spacer system available on the market, with the business having also exported its products to the US, Asia, New Zealand, Europe and the Middle East. The internationally available product has an innovative design that caters for use on many different pipe profiles, including rough or smooth surfaces, open bores and pipe bundled arrangements, as well as across standard pipe-in-pipe applications such as sliplining and cased crossings for all medium to heavy weight pipe materials.

Industry-focused features Constructed from kwik-ZIP’s modified engineered thermoplastic blend, the range has high flexural strength, high temperature resistance, a low coefficient of friction, and abrasion and chemical resistance, making it applicable in a wide range of projects and climates. Prominent features of the range include integrated rubber grip pads under collars to prevent slippage, meaning there is no requirement to pre-wrap pipe, and a load sharing suspension system feature that allows heavy loads to be shared across various runners, reducing point loading and increasing the overall load capacity of the spacer.

The use of kwik-ZIP products helps contractors to comply with the numerous regulations requiring casing centralisers or pipe spacers (slippers or spiders), including wastewater and sewerage codes and well construction standards. The range is accredited by several industry agencies, including the Water Services Association of Australia, Southeast Queensland Water Supply and Sewerage Design and Construction Code, and Melbourne Water Retail Water Agencies. kwik-ZIP General Manager Paul Jeffreys says the range continues to grow exponentially in popularity thanks to the company’s high level of expertise, responsive customer service, cost-effectiveness, innovative range of products and applicability across multiple international industries.

Project success kwik-ZIP centralisers and spacers have proven their worth in many recent projects across Australia, including in water main upgrades, cased crossing for rail projects and pipeline duplications. On the Holden Reservoir Inlet Pipeline – Melton Highway Crossing project for Western Water in Victoria, kwik-ZIP’s HDX-90 spacers were installed to assist the 813 mm cement lined steel water main into a steel encasing pipe. Due to the spacer’s unique load sharing design, the board bearing capacity of each runner was easily maximised, allowing the

Multiple kwik-ZIP’s spacers being used on a local pipeline project.

contractor, Pezzimenti Trenchless, to complete the task promptly and efficiently. Pezzimenti Trenchless Managing Director Joe Pezzimenti says the company has been using kwik-ZIP spacers for sliplining installations for many years. “Whether the carrier pipe is plastic, GRP or heavy weight steel, kwik-ZIP has a spacer to do the job,” he says. “Their technical support and excellent customer service make using kwik-ZIP spacers an easy decision.” In New South Wales, kwik-ZIP’s HDX38 casing spacers were used for a new transfer main under Shoalhaven River to connect two wastewater treatment plants. The spaces were used on three 60 m sections of the new parallel wastewater pressure mains and were placed at 2 m intervals to support the carrier pipes during installation and protect them from being damaged. As the cased pipelines were not being grouted, the kwik-ZIP products were required to support the full weight of the pipe and water for the life of the installation. Shoalhaven Water Engineering Designer Rod Dean says the spacers’ efficient installation process saved time on the job and that “kwik-ZIP’s customer service and technical support was excellent”.

For more information visit www.kwikzip.com

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

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PROJECTS

ASME powers up gas-fired station ASME Projects was contracted by APA Group for the construction, installation and commissioning of a Hudson Creek gas metering station to supply Rimfire’s power plant facility.

he gas-fired power station needed to be tied into the existing DN150 Berrimah to Darwin Class 300 pipeline without any interruption to the existing gas supply. To do so, ASME had to complete various activities related to the mechanical, civil and electrical work on the project, including workshop piping and support fabrication; the installation of a new Class 300 DN150 service line via horizontal directional drilling (HDD) under a main road; hot tap in service welding tie-in onto the Berrimah pipeline; new concrete foundation including 40 concrete piers; and the establishment and fit out of the metering station itself. ASME Operations Manager Norm Mackinnon says there were more than 30 personnel involved in the project, including local and specialised contractors. To complete the project, the team was equipped with an HDD trenchless drilling rig, concrete pump, welders, sandblasting rigs, franna, concrete mixer, pressure vacuum trucks, excavators, generators and a compressor.

Generating the NT ASME was contracted for the project on 24 August 2020, and had completed its works in a short turnaround with the project finalised on 16 November 2020. Now, the Hudson Creek gas metering station supplies regulated gas to the existing Rimfire power station. Mr Mackinnon says the power generated by the metering station will provide Rimfire – the largest private electricity retailed in the Northern Terriority – with up to 90 per cent of its future electricity generation needs, ensuring sufficient capacity to the NT Power Grid that supplies power to Darwin.

For more information visit www.asmeprojects.com.au

An ASME Projects team member completing onsite welding for the project.

Overcoming challenges The project had various challenges that the ASME team confronted within the tight timeline, not to mention the severe impact of COVID-19 restrictions, says Mr Mackinnon. “To ensure the high-quality outcomes, the dedicated team at ASME Projects synergised to showcase project management, engineering, civil construction, and piping fabrication capabilities,” he says. Mr Mackinnon says a significant obstacle the team overcame was the installation of a HDD pipeline under Wishart road, a main trucking route into Darwin, with minimal interruption to traffic. ASME ensured traffic management was upheld throughout the whole project, liased with stakeholder management among council and landowners and worked through the hot, humid weather of the NT’s wet season.

“The list goes on” The Hudson Creek Power Station project was not the start of a new pairing between ASME and APA, but rather the continuation of a long-standing relationship. Recently, ASME Projects also completed the Warrego Pressure Reduction Project and AGP-NGP Connection Point in Tennant Creek, NT for APA, which included workshop mechanical piping and structural fabrication, as well as site installation. In Victoria, ASME completed a pig trap isolation valve replacement at Hamilton City The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

Gate, as well as the pipe spool fabrication, testing and installation for the replacement piping sections. In Queensland, ASME completed the Gatton FIK Leak Repair on the Roma to Brisbane Pipeline as well as the Roma Brisbane Pipeline Pressure Management Project. Mr Mackinnon says ASME Projects has completed numerous projects for APA in the past – but “the list still goes on”, with more projects between the two companies certainly in the pipeline.

Installation of the pipeline at the metering station site.

The Hudson Creek gas metering station being constructed.

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WATER PIPELINES

INGU’s Pipers®, a multi-sensor advanced inline technology.

25 years of Pipeline Condition Assessment The PCA business unit was formed in 1996 as part of Tubemakers of Australia Pty Ltd. Now, 25 years later, the company is part of ADE Consulting Services and has expanded its condition assessment offerings to assess water and sewer mains for water authorities all over the country.

n 1996, Pipeline Condition Assessment (PCA) initially used intelligent pigging technology RFT Hydroscope® from Canada through a four-year licensing agreement. Using RFT Hydroscope technology, more than 26 km of pressure water and sewer mains were assessed for several Australian water authorities, including Sydney Water, Hunter Water, City West Water, South-East Water, Auckland City Council and SA Water. Pipeline Condition Assessment Manager and Principal Consultant Philip Ferguson says Tubemakers was an innovative company driven by a strong customer focus, based on Edward Deming’s principles of Total Quality Management, that recognises the value in offering condition assessment services to the Australian water industry. “However, there were size limitations for the original tools, and most of the interest with authorities was with larger, more critical mains,” says Mr Ferguson. To accommodate for this interest, PCA extended its investigative techniques to include RFT Mainscan®, a hand-held version of the Hydroscope technology, and LPR (SoilCorr). Mr Ferguson says the LPR technology had been

developed several years before by Sydney University and Michigan Transportation Bureau, where it provided high correlations of outputs with observed pitting of cast iron and steel pipes and culverts. “Due to significant variability in condition of pipes along a pipeline, CSIRO Division of Maths and Stats assisted in producing a statistical algorithm – EnviroStat, which extrapolates data obtained from ‘point’ measurements along an extended length within the same stratum, as pipe condition varies significantly along pipelines,” says Mr Ferguson. “Additionally, it was recognised from observations of failed pipe that such a condition was not the only determining factor in pipe failures, and high-speed pressure monitoring was introduced in early 2000s. “At the same time, a failure prediction algorithm, PipeFail, was also co-developed with CSIRO. A blind trial conducted by Hunter Water in early 2000s produced excellent agreement between estimated and actual failures for a series of DN500 water mains. “Another version of the algorithm, PipeForm, was later developed to predict annual probability of failure from an Informed DeskTop Study, The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

using basic data, including pipe material, pipe age, nominal diameter, soil environment and maximum operating pressure.” As the industry’s knowledge of condition assessment grew, its technological abilities greatly developed – and so did PCA’s services.

25 years of experience To date, more than 4,000 km of pressure water and sewer mains have been assessed by PCA, including international pipelines in Philippines, Singapore and Hong Kong, as well as major Australian water authorities’ assets. “During this time, PCA has also trialed and employed several technologies, including acoustic techniques for using correlator condition assessment and leak detection, and alternative electromagnetic techniques, such as Pulsed Eddy Current and tesTau,” says Mr Ferguson. “As with all techniques, each has its limitations, and PCA no longer employs acoustic methods to estimate average remaining wall thickness, as input variables have a significant effect on output estimates. “Leak detection correlators also appear to lack resolution for detecting small leaks on large

WATER PIPELINES

diameter pipes, PCA is now using inline detection tools inserted in water or sewer mains, which provide far greater sensitivity.” The inline detection tool PCA now uses is INGU’s Pipers®, a multi-sensor advanced inline technology from Canada that offers a range of acquired data, complimenting PCA’s existing equipment. The features include magnetic survey, geometric survey, leak detection survey, air pocket survey and deposit survey.

Surveying capabilities “Pipers measure the magnetic flux in the pipeline using a three-axial magnetometer,” says Mr Ferguson. The measured magnetic flux is the residual magnetisation in the pipe, which is dependent

on the properties of the pipe material, installation process and operational conditions of the pipeline, among other factors. The magnetic flux capabilities of Pipers can identify and highlight specific features of the pipeline, such as casings, crossings, risers, repair sleeves, changes in metal type and joints, and can also identify a reduction in wall thickness over large area (greater than 25 per cent volume loss). Mr Ferguson says the geometric survey determines the pipeline geometry, bend angles and radii, and diameter changes in the line when attached to a cleaning pig. Regarding the leak detection survey and air pocket survey capabilities, Mr Ferguson says Pipers relies on the sound created at a leak location when the liquid is pushed from high-pressure environment

in the pipeline to surrounding low-pressure environment. Pipers deposit survey feature is also a great benefit as deposits “create additional surface roughness and reduced internal diameter, which can be recognized by increased pressure loss”. “These methodologies provide the appropriate information to allow water authorities to costeffectively manage their water and wastewater pipeline assets,” says Mr Ferguson. By engaging with the innovative techniques and technological advancements like Pipers, PCA continues to build on its expertise in the manufacturing, operation, performance, investigation and assessment of pressurised water pipes and pipelines. Distribution of condition of individual pipes for a 450 m 45-year-old cast iron asset.

For more information visit www.ade.group/pipeline-condition-assessment

Pressure Water and Sewer Mains Consultancy Services

WE KNOW PIPELINES Phone: 1300 796 922 | Email: info@ade.group | https://www.pca-water.com/

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

WATER PIPELINES

The fusion staging area on The Spit, Main Beach, Gold Coast.

“It’s a beautiful part of the world and definitely a great project to be involved with for sure.”

The fusion

Growing population expands water recycling infrastructure Each year, the City of Gold Coast attracts more people to its sandy shores – with the current population expected to double to 1.2 million people by the year 2050. This growth will place significant demands on the city’s current pipeline water infrastructure, which is why it is planning ahead with the help of GEM Industrial and McElroy Manufacturing.

riginally built in the 1980s, the Gold Coast’s pipeline water infrastructure is already near capacity, with the expected population growth to cause more strain. Considering such growth, the city has recently improved and expanded its water recycling network by constructing two of the longest marine pipeline crossings of their kind in all of Australia.

Long Term Recycled Water Release Plan The first phase of the city’s Long Term Recycled Water Release Plan was not without its challenges. A $70 million investment was made, which included upgrading pump stations and release points on the Gold Coast Seaway as well as construction of the two pipelines to handle the increased volume of excess wastewater that is treated, reclaimed and then pumped throughout the city to irrigate golf courses, parks and more. To avoid disruption to the tourist destination and its pristine beach environment, the two new pipelines

were installed beneath waterways and riverbeds using trenchless methods: • A 2,500 mm diameter pipeline pulled under the Broadwater Crossing between Quota Park and South Stradbroke Island using a tunnel boring machine. • A 1,200 mm diameter, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipeline pulled under the Nerang River bottom between Winchester Street and Waterways Drive with horizontal directional drilling (HDD). For Victorian company GEM Industrial, which specialises in complex HDPE pipe projects, it was an exciting opportunity to be part of an infrastructure solution that will have a lasting and sustainable presence. The company’s role was to fuse a new pipeline to handle the increased volume of excess recycled water that can be released at the Gold Coast Seaway with flow rates of up to 3,316 L/s. “All our guys on the project were really proud to be there,” says GEM Industrial Owner Darren Chandler. The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

The Gold Coast coastline stretches 70 km, providing GEM’s pipe fusion crew with a gorgeous environment for fusing pipe. The team fused 900 m of pipe at The Spit, the northern most part of the city that stretches into the seaway. Since the area is a busy public beach, GEM fenced off a work staging area and adjusted that parameter daily as more and more Iplex 1,200 mm SDR 11 HDPE pipe was fused. GEM had up to a dozen men working around the clock each day to ensure the beach could reopen as soon as possible; ironically, COVID-19 resulted in the beaches starting to empty towards the end of the project in April and May. One of the more challenging aspects of the job was the pipe itself as it was up to 140 mm thick in places. To ensure the integrity of the fusion joints, test pieces of the butt-fused joints were destructively tested by the ALS Brisbane Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited lab for adherence to ISO 13953:2001 of polyethylene pipes and fittings with a 100 per cent pass rate. “We write the recipe, we bake the cake and we then taste the cake,” says Mr Chandler about the testing process. Simply put, GEM decides how the pipe is welded, the team welds the pipe and then they pull it apart to see how it performs.

MegaMc® 1600 GEM performed four to five welds a day for a total of 75 fusions using a McElroy MegaMc® 1600, a rugged fusion machine situated on a wheeled chassis for easy portability to the jobsite. All MegaMc machines are equipped with a powerful hydraulic system to aid in the clamping and unclamping of the jaws, while hydraulic pipe lifts handle the pipe coming in and out of the machine. The MegaMc 1600 was used in conjunction with a McElroy DataLogger® to record each step of the fusion process, letting operators know the correct temperatures, pressures and heating/ cooling times are being followed during the fusion. Mr Chandler says GEM data logs every joint on every job for peace of mind and comfort in knowing the correct procedures are always followed.

For more information visit www.mcelroy.com

WATER PIPELINES

“The guys in the field can compare the joint to the log and know they got it right. If there is any doubt, we don’t have an issue with cutting a joint out,” he says. “It’s definitely a good practice.”

The drill, the pullback and floating the pipe Before the pullback, GEM removed the internal and external fusion beads and then conduced hydrostatic pressure testing to ensure the pipeline was leak-free. At the drill site, HDD contractor Dunstans used Sharewell reaming passes to ensure the borehole was big enough for the pipe. To transport the pipe to the pull site, the buoyant pipe string was towed for 5 km escorted by barges and tugs along with the Gold Coast Water Police. Once on shore and aligned in the direction of the borehole’s entrance, the pipe was connected to the drill head and into the hole for the pull. Once positioned, the project was ready to pull back the 900 m preassembled pipeline under the river, light rail and bridge crossings. Mr Chandler said GEM has had longer pulls of its pipelines before, but never a 1,200 mm pipe weighing approximately 300 t – resulting in a 30-hourAustralian process. Pipeliner.pdf 1 1/12/21

PIPE

FUSION AS EASY AS...

“It was really complicated and they did an excellent job,” he says, adding that GEM tends to take on projects that are a little more challenging rather than straight-line jobs. “But if you get into stuff that’s a little unique, a little bit different, that needs a little bit more thought, a little more process involved – I think that’s our niche for the moment.” Once the pull was complete, the HDPE flange connections were butt fused and the pipe was connected to the existing network – GEM’s preferred method, Mr Chandler explains. The entire project was undertaken over a nine-month period including COVID-19 delays, but public disruption was minimal considering the scope of the project. Now, the City of Gold Coast has a leg up on its future by serving more people through better infrastructure. “We haven’t really stopped,” says Mr Chandler. "It’s been quite positive other than logistics. Mobilisation across the country during COVID-19 has probably been the hardest, but there's 2:13 PM been plenty of work."

The pipeline was towed 5km to the pull site.

Fusing pipe with a McElroy MegaMc 1600.

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The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

WATER PIPELINES

With Direct Pipe, pipeline installation takes place in a single step and reduces the environmental impact.

Direct Pipe® gets straight to the point Herrenknecht’s innovative technology has been advancing projects in Auckland with its swift and record-breaking drive lengths.

he Army Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant Outfall Replacement project, on the Hibiscus Coast near Auckland, New Zealand, is a new sea outfall with a total length of 2.9 km. As a replacement for the existing obsolete pipe, the pipeline connects the pump station with the discharge point about 1 km off the coast and increases the pipeline capacity of the wastewater treatment plant fourfold. For this modernisation measure, Herrenknecht’s innovative Direct Pipe® technology was used. Although it marked the first time this method was used in NZ, the crew set a Direct Pipe distance world record with a drive of 1,930 m, handily improving on the previous mark of 1,496 m.

For more information visit www.herrenknecht.com

Environmental measures As a special focus of the project was environmental protection, the Direct Pipe method was chosen due to its aptitude for sensitive installations, where neither the surrounding recreational and fishing area nor the local flora and fauna are to be affected. To keep the environmental impact low and ensure the landscape remains largely intact, pipeline installation takes place in a single step. In Herrenknecht's patented method, an AVN machine excavates a tunnel while the pipe string – attached to the microtunnel boring machine (MTBM) – is simultaneously inserted during the tunnelling process. The required thrust force is provided by the pipe thruster, two of which have been used on the NZ projects. Just under four months after launch, the successful breakthrough of the MTBM was reported in NZ’s Whangaparaoa. After reaching the target location on the seabed, the AVN machine was recovered from the sea and towed back to land. The Direct Pipe method not only offered an efficient and economic solution for the drive, but also increased safety on the project by minimising personnel entry, improving accuracy and having the capability to handle harder materials.

efficient sewage tunnel for the communities on the Mahurangi peninsula. For the underground installation of the tunnel, the Snells Algies Outfall Pipeline, another record-breaking tunnel drive was tackled. By 2020, a new longest single drive had been set of 2,021 m, surpassing the previous NZ record by 92 m. As well as the record distance, the Herrenknecht machine also bored through challenging geological conditions, a curved alignment and the complications of the COVID-19 lockdown requirements, making the achievement – and the Direct Pipe systems abilities – remarkable in more ways than one.

Success story, part 2 In 2019, the utility tunnelling specialists relied on the same Direct Pipe system nearby, on the North Island close to Mahurangi. Watercare Services, the Auckland region’s water and sewage company, has commissioned a new and more The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

The team with the MTBM at the record-setting Snells Algies Outfall project.

DIRECT PIPE®

PIPELINE INSTALLATION IN ONE STEP With the unique Direct Pipe® technology, Herrenknecht has opened up new possibilities for installing pipelines in every geology in one single step. This facilitates speedy and highly economical installation of pipelines up to 2,000 meters. Impressively proven in 160 projects around the globe. www.herrenknecht.com/directpipe/

Client: Watercare Customer: McConnell Dowell

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

Mardi to Warnervale to completion

Welding a pipeline string on the Mardi to Warnervale Pipeline Project.

Spiecapag Managing Director John Walsh says the company is approaching practical completion of its Mardi to Warnervale Pipeline Project on the New South Wales Central Coast. Much of Spiecapag’s reputation has been built on cross country and complex steel pipeline jobs, but the company is proving its versatility with the construction of this HDPE water pipeline.

he Mardi to Warnervale Pipeline Project is being constructed by a joint venture (JV) with Spiecapag’s Vinci Group sister company, Seymour Whyte. Mr Walsh says the JV allows Spiecapag’s pipelining skills and Seymour Whyte’s civil construction skills to work in conjunction and offer the Central Coast a high-quality and cost-effective solution. “The project itself involves the procurement, construction and commissioning of 9 km of high density polyethylene (HDPE) DN1000 water pipeline and associated pump stations, and all of the associated civil and electrical works,” says Mr Walsh. “The JV was also contracted to engineer and deliver the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) scope, which we used to avoid disturbing a sensitive wetland habitat and local river ecosystems by installing the pipeline underneath in two HDD shots of 750 m.”

Community support “No pipeliner is an island, and we couldn’t have completed this job without the support of so

many businesses and individuals from the Central Coast,” says Mr Walsh. In fact, the the pipeline project was already in the full flight of its construction while Sydney and the Central Coast were subject to COVID-related restrictions in 2020 – highlighting the importance of community support and collaboration. “Our long-held view that working with local businesses and individuals is good for project and community really rang true on this one!” says Mr Walsh. “We couldn’t have maintained schedule and budget if we had been dependent on flying personnel and contractors in from around the country, so most certainly kudos are well-deserved by the very capable workers and local companies, from pipe suppliers to remediation contractors, all along the Central Coast.” Mr Walsh says these effects of COVID-19 certainly stand out as the biggest challenge on the project, with teams responding “remarkably” and successfully operating within The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

COVID-compliance plans to ensure no days of work were lost. “Our crews and project management team really turned up and kept work continuing apace, even after some borders closed,” he says. “Across the business, we regularly discussed COVID updates and their likely impact on our operations, and the year really changed the way we engaged with some of our teams. “Other challenges include factors that projects like this usually face: working within tight road corridors, which we had planned for; weather events which you know will happen, usually when you least want them – but we had safe work methods in place to allow work to progress; and a great community outcome through a high level of engagement, which we needed because we were working in such close proximity to local residents.”

Versatility and ability Despite being well known for its steel pipeline works in the gas industry, Mr Walsh says this project is not the company’s first water pipeline,

WATER PIPELINES

nor will it be the last. Like gas, getting water to where it needs to be is an essential part of building resilient communities and industries, and Mr Walsh says Spiecapag has a long track record of doing just that. “As Australian communities grow, moving water to and from communities will become ever more important, so we’re very glad to be part of that process,” he says. “Looking beyond Australia’s borders, one of our more challenging water pipeline projects was on Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean where Spiecapag built a water distribution network across a large part of the island, which hosts an active volcano, crossing agricultural plains and descending ravines. “That came with some fascinating engineering challenges, some of which are common to certain pumped hydro projects. “I guess it’s these challenges that we thrive on: building high-quality, long-life infrastructure – whether it’s in population centres, farmland or crossing deserts, and everything in between. And most importantly, where our experience and the innovations we can bring can reduce risk and increase value to our clients.”

Pipe is lowered into place on the West Coast Irrigation Project in Reunion Island.

2021 and beyond With 2020 now in the rear-view mirror, Spiecapag is focusing on the 12 months ahead. Mr Walsh says while there is a lot going on across the country in the pipeline industry, he is glad to see a focus on Western Australia in this edition of The Australian Pipeliner – as that is Spiecapag’s current region of works, too. “We already have a team mobilised to a complex pipeline project in Perth, which has some shades of the Atlas pipeline, where we crossed dozens of live gas pipelines,” says Mr Walsh. “2021 looks like an exciting year for pipeline construction in WA as a whole and once we get into the more remote areas, those perennial challenges of logistics and productive, remote operations really come to the fore. “Infrastructure owners know that we pipeliners can really stretch our legs on cross-country projects and achieve great productivity rates like we saw on the Eastern Goldfields Pipeline, so I certainly am looking forward to seeing a lot more of WA and the rest of the country this year than I did last year. “And what’s more, we’re looking to do all this while significantly lowering our carbon footprint, so watch this space!”

For more information visit www.spiecapag.com.au

Spiecapag and Seymour Whyte personnel social distancing at the daily pre-start meeting in Wyong.

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

Pipelaying on a project in Queensland.

Providing steel solutions for life Steel Mains is a leading manufacturer of steel pipelines for the water industry, providing world-class jointing systems, corrosion protection and linings. Throughout Australia and the rest of the world, steel pipelines have long been used in water supply, particularly where high pressures, difficult laying conditions or security of supply require the strength and toughness of steel.

teel Mains has been at the forefront of developments in the water industry for more than 140 years. Over that period, steel pipeline design, manufacturing processes and technology have evolved to create the SINTAKOTE® steel pipeline system, providing Solutions for Life™. Steel Mains’ CEO Dean Connell says the company has a proud history of infrastructure delivery over those 140 years in operation. “Steel Mains origins date back to the late 1800s to Australian steel pipe pioneer Mephan Ferguson,” he says. “Over this time, Steel Mains and its forerunner named companies have been a part of just about every major water infrastructure project in Australia: we have been part of and a contributor to the evolution of the Australian Water Industry itself.” Today, Steel Mains’ products and services cover a range of industry needs both within Australia and select export markets, delivering quality, strength, durability and endurance. “Steel Mains is a major supplier to all Australian water authorities. Our products

– the SINTAKOTE pipeline system and its SINTAJOINT® spigot-socket push-in jointing system – are really the benchmark for water infrastructure projects in Australia, particularly where the client needs to de-risk the project, or where they are looking for a design life of 100 years or more,” says Mr Connell. “For example, the Melbourne Water Regional Authorities are currently digging up and replacing sections of critical water mains pipework in inner Melbourne suburbs that our forerunners manufactured in the late 1800s. This pipework is in very congested areas of the city and replacement creates major disruption to the community, so the local water authorities want long term security and long service life – our Steel SINTAKOTE system provides this. “The fact that the existing steel pipework has been in service for more than 100 years is a true testament of the benefits of steel. When combined with our latest technology and enhanced corrosion protection provided by Steel Mains, these new pipelines will be servicing the city of Melbourne well into the 2100s.” The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

The business of Australian manufacturing For Mr Connell, an essential part of being a successful Australian manufacturer is to always exceed customer expectations. “We’re known for our technical expertise and support. We’re there to support our customers over the complete design and installation journey, ensuring that the asset is installed exactly as it should be. Other suppliers take more of a commodity supply based approach,” he says. “We remain highly focused on innovation and efficiency within our business. Over the years, we have been able to increase our manufacturing efficiency and productivity to maintain our relevance and market position. To be a market leader takes customer focus and a commitment to continuous improvement, investment and innovation. “Australian innovation in steel pipe making is world-leading. It started with Mephan Fergusons’ invention and patent of locking bar pipe to today where Steel Mains holds several patents for our unique steel pipe jointing system.

100 YEARS EXPERIENCE 100 YEARS OF CERTAINTY For over 100 years Steel Mains and its forerunners have manufactured Mild Steel Pipes. We have been involved with Australia’s largest water infrastructure projects. Over that time, we have continued to develop and improve the quality of our steel pipes offered, with the introduction of technologies like Sintakote® coating and Sintalock® and Sintajoint® Rubber Ring joint steel pipe. It is our history of development and service to the water industry that has allowed us to succeed in offering the market products of the highest quality with unique features that separates us from the competition. When investing in Mild Steel pipes, you can be certain in the knowledge that Sintakote Mild Steel pipe will provide a secure future for the service life of your asset, rated to at least 100 years. 100 years of certainty and experience is what makes Steel Mains Sintakote Steel pipe the ideal pipeline material for your next project. The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

WATER PIPELINES

A view of the inside of Steel Main’s factory.

Over the years, we have continued with this proud history of invention, innovation and further enhancing our unique coating and jointing processes,” says Mr Connell. “Finally, we offer one of the fastest lead times possible. Using Australian BlueScope steel means that we can commence a project within four to six weeks of the placement of an order. When compared to imports, this an exceptional lead time and is of major benefit to our clients.” Mr Connell adds that Steel Mains manufactures assets that are critical to the Australian community, and the local manufacturing de-risks the entire water industry and drives broader economic benefits. “A large quantity of competitor products for the water industry are imported into Australia; and competing against imports from low-cost countries presents a challenge,” he says. “We still have to be cost competitive and offer excellent value for money to win government contracts. However, it would be great to see government appropriately consider overall state and national economic value generated from local manufacturing compared to product imports. “Manufacturing locally in Australia offers a whole range of benefits for the economy. Direct and indirect jobs from manufacturing, raw materials, supply chain products and support services – Australian jobs. Payroll tax, company tax, utilities and much more.

“Steel Mains products are 100 per cent Australian-made, using Australian steel. We have a long manufacturing history in Australia, and we remain focused on continuing this legacy,” says Mr Connell.

SINTAKOTE While unique products and processes are generally a positive market differentiator for a business, for Steel Mains, it has caused some challenges. The company finds some people tend to believe alternate materials must be new and innovative, and that steel is old technology since it’s been around “forever”. “The thing is: steel is still around because it offers the best, most risk-free solution for water mains. While newcomers promote the benefits of their alternate materials, their design life just can’t compete with that of steel. Steel has the history,” says Mr Connell. Speaking of history, for almost 50 years Steel Mains has been supplying the SINTAKOTE pipeline system and, for more than 30 years, its SINTAJOINT push-in socket joint to the markets in Asia Pacific. This system has demonstrated outstanding performance both above and below ground in thousands of different applications and environments. The SINTAKOTE technology has been developed into several core pipeline systems, which can be tailored to suit specific applications and operating environments. It consists of The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

coating, lining and a jointing system on both pipes and fittings. Steel Mains manufactures steel pipeline systems in a comprehensive range from 100 to 2,500 mm nominal diameter, including all ISO and Australian Standard diameters. Pipes can be manufactured in a range of effective laying lengths from 6 to 13.5 m with wall thicknesses ranging from 4.5 to 20 mm. A full range of fittings, from simple bends, tees, reducers and branches, through to complex fittings, such as trifurcates, can be supplied separately with SINTAJOINT for pushing together, as well as a full range of joints for welding on-site. Rated pipe pressures are based on diameter, wall thickness and steel strength. Rated pressures for SINTAJOINT are typically up to 4.25 MPa with fully welded joints capable of even higher pressures. SINTAKOTE is a factory applied external fusion bonded polyethylene coating proven to provide superior external corrosion protection in almost all operating environments. SINTAKOTE is recognised by the water industry as the premium corrosion protection system for steel water pipelines. It is also widely specified in marine piling applications and can be installed above or below ground.

For more information visit www.steelmains.com

VERSATILE. Always a leading innovator, we supply customers with cutting-edge diagnostic and system integrity solutions. This, bound with our focus on flexibility, reliability, cost and quality, leads to offerings beyond your expectations.

www.rosen-group.com

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

NDT

Subsea CT scanning for defect assessments Tracerco was commissioned by an operator to perform non-destructive testing on a coated water injection flowline. By using Discovery™ – the world’s only field proven subsea CT scanner – Tracerco was able to determine the operational viability of the flowline. The DiscoveryTM CT Scanner completing its pipeline inspection.

racerco Comercial Manager Rob Hardy says the aim of the test was to detect internal thickness reduction due to potential corrosion issues at specific locations of the flowline, with a visual assessment prior to the inspection campaign confirming a leak at two locations. “Discovery™ was deployed to inspect seven sections of the flowline over its entire length, including the known through-wall defect locations, to determine whether it was just those sections that needed repairing or if the whole line needed replacing,” says Mr Hardy.

Project campaign Throughout the campaign, Discovery performed a total of 605 scans, covering an overall inspected distance of 9 m across seven different sections of the flowline. A 1 m segment of the pipeline was scanned at sections 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7,

while 2 m of pipeline was scanned at Section 3 and at Section 5. “The through wall defects at Sections 3 and 5 were detected and measured,” says Mr Hardy. “The integrity of the pipe 1 m up and downstream of these defects was also closely analysed for the suitability and location of the proposed repair clamp. Localised metal loss defects were also identified at all other scanning locations with mean remaining wall thickness between 13.6 and 14.0 mm – versus a nominal value of 14.3 mm.” Mr Hardy says all the scans were successfully completed as per the project scope. “The pipe was observed to be completely filled with fluid with an equivalent density to water and localised metal loss anomalies were identified at all spots at the time of the inspection offshore. Sections 3 and 5 were known to have a through-wall defect as there The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

was a confirmed leak at these locations prior to the inspection campaign.” This area of zero remaining wall thickness is highlighted in black in Figure 1 and shown in the tomographic reconstruction in Figure 2.

Next steps Mr Hardy says the entire testing process was conducted while the water injection flowline remained online and without the need for any coating removal. “The quality and volume of inspection data obtained provided the operator with statistical confidence that the condition of their entire system was not compromised,” says Mr Hardy. “Based on the scan data generated from DiscoveryTM, the operator also made the decision to seal the leaking sections of the flowline by fitting pipe repair clamps (an example of which can be seen in Figure 3).”

NDT

Figure 1. A 3D pipe showing colour wall thickness map.

Figure 2. A tomogram showing through wall defect and remaining wall thickness.

Figure 3. A pipe repair clamp.

About Tracerco Part of Johnson Matthey Plc, Tracerco is a world-leading industrial technology company with more than 60 years of experience. The global organisation provides companies all over the world with insights into operations through effective measurement and analysis. Using innovative technology, Tracerco can help customers operate more productively, effectively and safely. Tracerco has offices across six continents and prides itself on being a global leader with local values. For more information visit www.tracerco.com

See, measure and validate subsea pipeline integrity Via non-intrusive inspection, DiscoveryTM can provide a real-time measurement of pipe wall thickness through any type of protective coating. This allows operators to visualise subsea pipeline integrity, without stopping or interrupting production.

Contact Tracerco today to find out how. @tracerco tracerco@tracerco.com tracerco.com/services/subsea/

34961 Australian Pipeliner Ad 185x125.indd 1

28/01/2021 11:33

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

Pipeline Plant Hire’s VacLift moving pipe on a project site.

VACUUM LIFTERS

Lifting itself up the industry ladder Pipeline Plant Hire has acquired extensive experience and relationships throughout its 30 years in the business of providing equipment that delivers efficiency, safety and value to any Australian pipeline project.

ipeline Plant Hire Director Gerard O’Brien says the company has the largest range of vacuum lifting equipment in the Australian market, from small units used for poly pipe lifting a few hundred kilograms and large units capable of lifting large diameter, high-pressure pipe weighing more than 12 t. Pipeline Plant Hire also has an extensive range of pipe diameter and material adaptors, beams and shoes available to cater for all project needs. Mr O’Brien says many recent large pipeline projects – incorporating hundreds of thousands of pipe handling movements – have used Pipeline Plant Hire’s Australian designed and manufactured vacuum lifting equipment to achieve world-leading performance in pipe handling. These projects include major gas transmission pipelines, water pipeline projects, mine expansions and looping projects. No matter the project, Mr O’Brien says Pipeline Plant Hire prides itself on the speed with which it delivers a complete solution to solve project problems. “The company works with the Australian pipeline industry to improve safety and productivity in the workplace, wherever that may be,” he says. “Our goal has always been to maintain sound business ethics and work co-operatively with our clients both large and small, to successfully achieve common targets for pipeline construction projects. Pipeline Plant Hire has

achieved an excellent reputation on projects as a specialist heavy plant machinery company that can assist in the building of pipelines and infrastructure works. “Pipeline work is carried out safely, timely and on budget, without sacrificing quality and with minimum impact on the environment.”

VacLift Pipeline Plant Hire has a modern fleet of more than 300 items, including heavy plant equipment hire, excavator machinery and its innovative vacuum lift design, VacLift. The VacLift machines are all designed and built in Australia, for Australian conditions and support local manufacturing. For operational ease, VacLift is integrated with an excavator to provide improved lifting capacity, even reducing a 45 t excavator to 30 t. To control and monitor the VacLift machine, the excavator operator can do so from the cab. This allows the operator alone to move the pipe, negating the need for workers on the ground and therefore removing all chances of injury. “With our unique design the operator is able to have 360o control of the pipe at all times which further improves safety,” says Mr O’Brien. “Uniquely the VacLift brings to the pipeline industry significant productivity benefits achieving three times the output than

Pipeline Plant Hire regularly contributes to charities to raise awareness and provide financial support, with recent donations packed and ready to go.

traditional physical pipe lifting methods. A vacuum lifter moves a section of pipe in less than one minute, compared to traditional sling methods which can take up to four minutes. “Translating this into considerable time savings, the significant cost savings become apparent.” All machines and attachments in Pipeline Plant Hire’s range are well maintained and serviced regularly, either on-site or at the service maintenance depot. Mr O’Brien says a quick response time is ensured with infield service back up and support for dry hire.

Charitable community As part of the Australian pipeline community Pipeline Plant Hire actively participates, along with its customers and suppliers, in raising awareness and financial support to many charities. The groups supported include Australian suicide prevention group RUOK; cancer research, treatment and support groups; Humpty Dumpty Foundation for children’s hospital medical equipment; Red Dust, which supports medical research in remote indigenous communities; and many other worthy causes. “The Australian pipeline industry continually demonstrates our social responsibility to the wider community and Pipeline Plant Hire is proud to make our contribution,” says Mr O’Brien.

For more information visit www.pipelineplanthire.com.au

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

Building sustainable futures 5-8 October 2021, International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney

Book your No-Dig Down Under 2021 attendance now! Exhibition space running out!

Become a sponsor

More than 80% of the No-Dig Down Under 2021 exhibition hall has been sold, so get in quick before you miss your chance. Remember, the event is expected to draw more than 1,500 attendees and more than 100 exhibitors, so a spot in the exhibition hall could give your company the boost it’s looking for!

Want to really position your company front and centre at No-Dig Down Under 2021? Grab one of the last remaining sponsorship opportunities and make sure all attendees see your company’s name up in lights. But get in quick, these opportunities will not last much longer.

To secure your sponsorship or exhibition space, contact our experienced Business Development Team on +61 (0)3 9248 5100 or email advertising@gs-press.com.au

www.nodigdownunder.com SUPPORTED BY

#nodigdownunder

OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

ORGANISED BY

ENGINEERING & DESIGN

A cross-section diagram of the GPT EVOLUTION® Isolation Gasket.

An evolution from isolation Flange isolation gaskets have developed and evolved into a modern-day product – the GPT EVOLUTION®. Anode Engineering Principal Engineer Isaac Isakovich says these are the toughest, most reliable isolation gaskets sold and supported in Australia and New Zealand.

rom the outside, flange gasket technology may look like a simple proposition – bolting two flange faces together with a gasket in between to create a seal. However, there are several considerations influencing gasket kit selection such as the product in the pipeline, temperature ranges with exposure to fire, unwanted corrosive chemicals that can be present and the need for electrical isolation between flanges to ensure

cathodic protection integrity is maintained. “When considering these factors, glass reinforced epoxy gaskets were a significant leap from the original nitrile phenolic gaskets,” says Mr Isakovich. “However, they still degrade over time and become vulnerable to delamination from chemical attack, temperature or fire extremes, loss of electrical isolation or worst-case failure of their sealing capabilities.”

GPT EVOLUTION® The flange isolation gasket has now evolved into the “toughest, most reliable isolation gaskets”, being the GPT EVOLUTION Isolation Gasket. At only 3 mm thick, the GPT EVOLUTION Isolation Gasket allows for easier installation with its unique handling that provides easy alignment. The new fully encapsulated isolation gasket delivers the impermeable performance needed to prepare any flange for the increasing risks found in today’s oil and gas industry. After extensive testing, the GPT EVOLUTION Isolation Gasket has passed the API 6FB, 3rd Edition Fire Test in multiple sizes and pressure classes to ensure it is up to facing the changing conditions of the industry, which include drilling deeper

and employing enhanced recovery methods such as thermal and CO2 injection. Its 316 L stainless steel core is also completely coated in a proprietary abrasion and impact resistant material, offering additional resistance to steam, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and other aggressive chemicals found in oil and gas pipelines. The Evolution gasket also has the highest pressure rating of any isolation gasket on the market, now rated up to 15,000 PSI and temperatures rated from 260 to –150°C. Evolution gaskets are not laminated so stand up to extreme conditions without risk of delamination. “It’s worth noting the availability of high temperature mica sleeves and washers which may be required for high temperature applications,” says Mr Isakovich. “The Inconel® 718 C-Ring pressure energised seals coupled with PTFE internal diameter seal that matches the pipe bore when in compression also provide better flow and less turbulence in the line.” The innovative GPT EVOLUTION Isolation Gasket is sold and supported in Australia by Anode Engineering and in New Zealand by its subsidiary Lordco.

Interested customers can talk to the corrosion experts at Anode Engineering to discuss any flange isolation kit requirements by calling 1800 446 600 or visiting www.anodeengineering.com

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

Submit your abstract for TFAP 2021 The Technology for Future and Ageing Pipelines Conference (TFAP), scheduled for 19-21 October 2021, draws on the legacy of two events previously organised by Rudi Denys (Universiteit Gent) and John Tiratsoo (Tiratsoo Technical) - the Pipeline Technology Conference and the Ageing Pipelines Conference. TFAP is aimed at sharing knowledge and featuring the latest achievement relative to the assessment, use, and maintenance of both ageing high-pressure (cross-country/offshore) transmission pipeline systems and ageing low-pressure distribution and oil pipeline systems. The call for papers is now open and we are accepting abstracts for consideration until 12 March 2021. Visit the website for more information, including conference themes and suggested topics.

pipeline-technology.com

Interested in showcasing your company at TFAP in 2021? There is a limited number of bespoke sponsorship packages available for TFAP in 2021. Sponsoring the conference will provide your company with unparalleled exposure to key decision-makers within the pipeline sector, while demonstrating your support for research and development in the field. This is a unique opportunity to position your company as an industry thought-leader. For further information on the available sponsorship opportunities contact our Business Development Manager, Nick Lovering.

nlovering@gs-press.com.au | +61 (0) 3 9248 5100

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

ENGINEERING & DESIGN

Field-changeable technology now available by Dirk Kuiper, CEO, AMS Instrumentation & Calibration Pty Ltd

With thermal mass gas flow meters, there have always been two measuring techniques, constant power and constant temperature. Both techniques are viable, popular, and have both advantages and disadvantages – and now a field-changeable constant power/constant temperature combined technology is here.

The ST80 thermal flow meter, which combines both CP and CT technology.

f you always know all the actual field and process conditions into which your flow meters are installed, read no further. On the other hand, if you have ever been surprised to learn that all was not known or not as the process design engineer expected, then keep reading.

Historically, the trade-offs between constant power (CP) and constant temperature (CT) techniques were about range, response times, sensor life, and susceptibility to moisture in the gas and power consumption. Over time, all the reputable manufacturers continuously tried to improve their products The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

to overcome some aspect of their preferred technique’s shortcomings. But what if you just combined both techniques in the same flow meter, and made it field changeable, should the actual installation conditions not be as expected? Wouldn’t that be the ultimate solution? Today, this combined

ENGINEERING & DESIGN

technique is a reality thanks to Fluid Components International’s new ST80 thermal flow meters.

ST80 thermal flow meters The ST80s incorporate both FCI’s patent-pending AST™ technology – being Adaptive Sensing Technology – which is a hybrid drive that combines both CT and CP together, and CP mode. AST uses fast responding CT technique at lower flow ranges and then seamlessly and automatically shifts into CP mode at higher flow rates. This AST hybrid technique provides fast response, wider flow range and low power consumption in the same flow meter. And, if the application contains any moisture or in situations where the AST response time is too fast, the ST80 can be set to run in the better application matched CP mode only. So, if you are specifying, designing or using thermal flow meters, you no longer need to make product selection trade-offs based on the measuring technique thanks to ST80. Further, if your actual application and installation could be different than expected, with ST80 you can change the measuring technique between AST and CP modes in the field to adapt to your discovered, actual installed conditions.

“ But what if you just combined both techniques in the same flow meter, and made it field changeable, should the actual installation conditions not be as expected? Wouldn’t that be the ultimate solution? ” About AMS The innovative technology is available from AMS, along with numerous other FCI meters and calibration equipment. AMS not only provides the technology, but offers its customers training and servicing to keep organisations up and running. Originally established in 1973 with its head office in Melbourne, the company now also has offices in New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland. AMS supplies many of its product ranges to New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Region, including instrumentation and controls to various industries,

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

government departments and public utilities. In addition to FCI, the company represents some of the world’s leading manufacturers including IKM Instrutek, Interface, Marsh Bellofram, McCrometer and more, helping ensure operators have access to only the highest quality equipment possible. With its cost-effective, professional services and extensive technical knowledge, Mr Kuiper says AMS has a proven track record over its many years as a leading supplier, which is a testimony to the team’s commitment to sales and service. For more information visit www.ams-ic.com.au

ENGINEERING & DESIGN

Outercooler tubes undergoing hydrotesting prior to coating.

Cafco moves with the times Founded in 1993 to service the local oil, gas and chemical industries, Cafco Services remains a privately owned fabrication and installation company that provides reliable service to its clients across Australia.

pecialising in pipe fabrication and installation, Cafco Manager Colin Ayres describes the company as offering a complete service from site measure to installation, where required. Since its founding, Cafco has expanded its operational scope to include a wide range of mechanical engineering operations, such as fabricated pipe work, boiler making, certified welding, blasting/surface coating and more. Also included in the company’s wide range of offerings are its process piping, structural steelwork and coatings at

either ends of a pipeline, which are all completed by a highly experienced team of qualified trades people. With two workshops located in Altona, Victoria, as well as the ability to perform services on-site, Cafco continues to service the wider region and its local community ensuring it always employs customer approved materials and construction techniques while doing so. Mr Ayres says Cafco’s structural steelwork capabilities are frequently employed, including by a nearby chemical complex in Altona where the Cafco team undertakes ongoing project The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

and maintenance structural steelwork jobs. These capabilities incorporate fabrication, non-destructive testing (NDT), galvanising and painting. “Our most recent structural work was to replace a corroded ladder and cage on the top section of a 50 m distillation tower which required us to measure, fabricate, galvanise and paint,” says Mr Ayres. When it comes to Cafco’s coating services, Mr Ayres says the company provides client specified blasting and multi-coat systems, which are carried out by Cafco’s NACE accredited applications, while Cafco’s piping project offerings include on-site measuring, isometric generation for client approval, fabrication and NDT. “One recent project was a CO2 wellhead process piping, which entailed site measure and drawing generation, fabrication, testing, painting and installation of piping to wellheads. We work to go the extra mile for our customers,

ENGINEERING & DESIGN

as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for fabrication and piping needs,” he says. Additionally, Cafco offers hydro testing, testing and installation of pipework to American or Australian standards (as applicable) and the fitting of pumps and valves. The company is also certified to conduct welding of pipe and structural steel, including carbon steel, stainless steel or duplex stainless steel.

Looking forward With nearly 30 years behind the company, Mr Ayres says embracing and advancing technological innovations in design and manufacturing has been the main change within Cafco, resulting in a more efficient process and workplace, and improved outcomes for clients and their operations. Mr Ayres says a new blast media recovery system and compressor was installed at the end of 2020 and will now be included in services available to clients, reflecting the company’s proactive and adaptive nature. “Our processes and techniques are carried out in-house, which ensures that we have full

operational control of all projects and project timelines,” he says. “As new technology is introduced, we always assess its use for application in our workshops and processes and consider how they can be adopted to benefit out clients.” Looking forward, Cafco seeks to uphold its reputation centred around excellence by using the best materials and practices available via its highly qualified, experienced team. “We find our clients like to take advantage of our field measuring expertise to eliminate the amount of field welds which minimises construction time and maximises quality. Our management team has more than 80 years collectively in the industry, lending that knowledge to deliver projects for clients and to further our learning culture internally,” says Mr Ayres. “Our fast turnaround and in-house coating ability stands us in good stead to deliver a quality product on time.” A stainless-steel decanter fabricated by Cafco’s specialist team.

For more information visit www.cafco.net.au

CE! PRE AND POST PIPELINE PROCESS PIPING BACKED BY 25 YEARS EXPERIEN

Contact

CAFCO

for quality steel and pipe fabrication and installation.

Contact Colin Ayres on P. 03 9315 9477 E. colin@cafco.net.au W. www.cafco.net.au

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

ENGINEERING & DESIGN

Valmec heats up the hydrogen industry The Federal Government’s National Hydrogen Strategy outlines a vision for the country to be a major global player in the market by 2030. Valmec, an ASX-listed services group with a strong pedigree in the Australian gas market, recently constructed the country’s first of its kind renewable gas project in South Australia, making it well-positioned to be part of this new growth industry.

almec considers itself to be an early player in the hydrogen industry with its involvement in the Hydrogen Park South Australia (HyP SA), the largest renewable gas project in Australia. A first of its kind project, HyP SA will assist with the development of the hydrogen economy in Australia, as well as start the decarbonisation of gas supply, and is set to be in operation in early 2021. Once operational, owner Australian Gas Networks (AGN), part of one of Australia's largest gas infrastructure businesses, Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG), will be able to produce renewable hydrogen for blending with natural gas as part of a five-year (minimum) demonstration. Valmec was contracted by AGIG for the design, fabrication, engineering, procurement and construction services, along with installation, testing, pre-commissioning, commissioning, performance testing and handover of all associated systems. Also included in the contract is the construction of the on-site renewable gas production facility, which includes a 1.25 MW Siemens electrolyser. Renewable hydrogen from the facility will be blended with natural gas for

supply to more than 700 customers on AGN’s existing gas network. With its successes on the project driven by its experienced engineering and construction team as well as its ability to deliver a fully integrated construction solution through to commissioning, Valmec is now actively sought after to develop similar facilities around Australia. Valmec Managing Director Steve Dropulich says the company looks forward to building on its achievements at HyP SA and continue working on similar projects around the country. “After decades of construction, we are entering a major maintenance cycle in the energy sector and we are also well placed for the emergence of hydrogen as a renewable energy source in Australia, thanks to our involvement in the construction of Hydrogen Park South Australia,” he says.

A busy year ahead Along with its HyP SA works, Valmec is looking forward to a busy 2021 with numerous contracts announced at the end of 2020. Included in these contracts is a new five-year services agreement with Origin Energy for the The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

provision of a compression facility, and wellsite mechanical and electrical maintenance services. At an estimated value of $100 million, the multi-year contract will cover services at Origin’s gas facilities in southwest Queensland. After providing Origin with maintenance and construction services on the APLNG Project’s upstream gas compression and power generation assets since 2016, this new agreement is a key step forward in the companies’ long-term relationship. “Valmec has a long and proud working relationship with Origin which we are pleased to continue with this contract,” says Mr Dropulich. “We are also proud of the active role we have played in the Surat community and this long-term contract helps cement our Roma operations facility as a key regional hub for our business.” Valmec is also no stranger to the water sector, with a $15 million scope of work for Water Corporation announced last October. The contract pertains to the installation of water pipeline infrastructure in Western Australia along with a suite of additional work with Newmont Australia.

ENGINEERING & DESIGN

The Valmec team at AGIG’s Hydrogen Park South Australia (HyP SA), the largest renewable gas project in Australia.

Mr Dropulich says these contract wins are a result of Valmec’s well-established relationships and reputation across focus areas, with the company now standing as a key partner to Water Corporation after delivering more than $45 million of works in recent years. Less than a month after securing the Water Corporation contract, Valmec also secured early works on the first phase of Arrow Energy’s Surat Gas Project, with completion scheduled in FY22. Valmec will deliver critical water treatment facilities for the major gas development, valued at $16 million. “The Arrow Energy contract is another great example of Valmec’s cross-capability with our expertise in water infrastructure being applied to one of our established gas energy clients and the nationally significant Surat Gas project,” says Mr Dropulich. Valmec’s contracted works do not end there, with a civil, structural, mechanical, piping, electrical and instrumentation (CSMPEI) works contract also just announced for APA Group’s Wiluna Cooler and Compressor Project. The scope includes pre-commissioning associated with the Wiluna cooler modifications, and reciprocating compressor installation as part of the upgrade to the existing Wiluna Compressor Station.

About Valmec Valmec is an ASX listed multi-discipline contractor, delivering in-house and niche end-to-end solutions, covering design, construction, maintenance and asset integrity services to the energy, water and resources sectors. The company’s vision is to be the most trusted specialist services group in the delivery of projects, operations and maintenance services, increasing asset life and lowering the total cost of ownership for clients. As an Australian owned and managed company, Valmec is committed to fostering mutually beneficial Indigenous and traditional landowner partnerships as well as sponsoring long-term employment opportunities within the communities in which it operates. Valmec also recently released a new asset service strategy in November 2020’s AGM, which will transition the business from its current weighting toward the well-established design, construction and commissioning division to having at least 50 per cent of its order book dominated by recurring service revenues. For more information visit www.valmec.com.au

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

Viable preservation alternatives in offshore oilfields Available through Savcor Products Australia, Cortec’s VpCI® technology offers excellent corrosion protection on developing oilfields, particularly in an offshore environment.

ew offshore platforms in developing oilfields occasionally require preservation of subsea or topside piping and pipelines while awaiting final commissioning or increased production demand. Although nitrogen purging is a common means of preservation, it requires constant pressure that is difficult and expensive to monitor on unmanned offshore platforms.

Building sustainable futures Grants available for No-Dig Down Under 2021! Eligible businesses participating in No-Dig Down Under 2021 can now have up to 50% of event-related expenses covered as part of the Australian Government’s 2021 Business Events Grant Program. Grants can cover sponsorship, exhibition, registration, travel, accommodation and general promotion expenses up to a total of $250,000.

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The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

Image courtesy of Cortec® / Adobe Stock.

Cortec’s Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitor (VpCI®) technology offers excellent alternatives that are effective, easy to use and eliminate the need for constant monitoring. The specific product choice will depend on the parameters of each project but may include one or more of three options.

EcoPouches EcoPouches can be used to preserve subsea pipelines with a completely dry form of protection. These breathable pouches emit vapor phase corrosion inhibitors that form a protective molecular barrier on metal surfaces inside an enclosed space. The pouches are dosed according to internal volume (one pouch protects up to 1 m³ [35 ft³]), and the protective vapors can be blown through the pipeline using dry air. Little or no surface preparation is required, although it is advisable to analyse the condition of the pipeline before application using caliper and/or intelligent pigging. All that is required after application is a periodic check to ensure the system is still enclosed.

VpCI-649 BD VpCI-649 BD is a good candidate for corrosion protection of topside lines on a new offshore platform. Water injection lines, for example, may not be put into use until well pressure declines and production demand increases. To protect against corrosion in the meantime, VpCI-649 BD may be applied during hydrostatic testing. VpCI-649 BD forms a very thin protective film on the internal surfaces in direct contact with the hydrotesting water. It also emits vapor phase corrosion inhibitors to protect areas that are more difficult to reach. Like EcoPouches, VpCI-649 BD does not require constant monitoring to ensure ongoing protection.

VpCI-706 A third option particularly suited to long-term protection of subsea pipelines is VpCI-706, a vapor phase corrosion inhibitor additive formulated for use in fuel, but also applicable for fogging into empty pipelines that will be closed at each end during preservation.

It can be used alone or as a backup to nitrogen purge. When applied in conjunction with nitrogen, it provides excellent redundant protection should the constant pressure required for nitrogen blanketing fail. If this happens, the vapor phase corrosion inhibitors of VpCI-706 will continue to provide protection, eliminating the need for constant pressure and monitoring, which would be challenging and expensive on an unmanned offshore platform. VpCI technology provides thorough protection by using vapor phase corrosion inhibitors that protect even difficult to reach spaces and make it easy to bring equipment online.

For more information please contact your local Savcor Products Australia representative on 1800SAVCOR or visit www.savcorproducts.com.au

Products for the Pipeline Industry www.savcorproducts.com.au Call: 1800 SAVCOR

Cathodic Protection Materials:

Pipeline Fittings & Equipment:

Cortec VpCI Preservation Materials

Surge Protectors

Sacrificial anodes (Zn, Mg, Al)

Borin Permanent & Portable electrodes

Corrosometer resistance probes

Loresco Coke Backfill

Gypsum bentonite backfill

APS Flange Insulation Kits

Dehn & Sohne IEC Certified Spark Gap Arresters

Radolid Nuts Protectors

Pipeline pigs and equipment including: Foam, Poly Coated & Wire Brush Pigs Monolithic Insulating Joints Hot Tapping Equipment

Wachs Pipe Cutting and Beveling Pipe Seals, Pipe Clamps, Leak Repair APS Casing Spacers Impressed Current & Sacrificial Anodes

Trusted Supplier of Cathodic Protection & Prevention materials in Australia. Melbourne

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Brisbane

T: 07 5549 2248 E: brisbane@savcor.com.au

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

Perth

T: 08 6240 3900 E: perth@savcor.com.au

COATINGS & LININGS

PSSS becomes premier SPC dealer

An image of SPC linings and coatings inside a pipe.

PSSS is now the premier dealer in Australia for SPC’s range of polymer coatings and accessories, chosen for its proven ability to both promote and sell the specialist products.

pecialty Polymer Coatings (SPC) Vice President Matt Alliston says Pipeline Speciality Supply Service (PSSS) was chosen as the premier dealer in the region for its proven ability to sell SPC’s specialist products and provide the technical expertise and required infrastructure to promote the products in Australasia. PSSS Managing Director John Wilton says his interest in SPC grew from its strong track record with its polymer coating products and accessories, as it has been supplying and developing the range for more than 28 years. “This partnership grew from an existing client’s need for polymer coatings, and we are looking forward to bringing this range to all of our existing customers and to our ever-growing client base,” says Mr Wilton. “I also believe these products will complement our existing range of piping products.”

Innovative product range SPC has been formulating, manufacturing and distributing its state-of-the-art series of

100 per cent solid, no volatile organic compounds, multi-component liquid epoxies and polyurethane coatings. These materials have been formulated to provide customers with the benefit of a single coat application and the ability to provide a film thickness of greater than 50 mm without sagging or compromising flexibility. The manufacturer has a broad line of coating systems that are used extensively in the pipeline industry as linings for tanks, including acids,

alkaline, sewage, potable water, crude oil and a myriad of various petrochemical services, as well as various steel structures, marine docks and ship applications. Mr Alliston says SPC’s innovative formulations can provide protection from corrosion along with chemical and abrasive resistance up to elevated temperatures of 180o C, making its internal tank linings suitable for a multitude of services.

About PSSS PSSS is backed by the directors’ combined 74 years of experience in servicing and supporting the pipeline and construction industries. Now, Mr Wilton leads a small, dedicated and committed team who are proud to be the “go-to” supplier for many clients. “At PSSS we pride ourselves on providing both high quality products and service. We are always adding new and innovative solutions and products to meet our clients’ requirements,” he says. “So, give Team PSSS a call – your new go-to supplier for all things pipeline.” For more information visit www.psssa.com.au or call 1300 794 096. The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

Specialty Polymer Coatings

PSSS also offers.....

Pipe Handling

Pipe Protection

HDPE Tooling

Hot Tapping & Line Stopping

Pipe Tools, equipment and welding for the water, gas and construction industries. www.psssa.com.au

1300 794 096 The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

sales@psssa.com.au 59

COATINGS & LININGS

Practical solutions, outstanding results Airblast Australia’s business is focused on the delivery of the best practical, safe and technically supported solutions, partnering with customers to ensure the latest cutting-edge technology is employed to assist in the delivery of outstanding project results time after time.

or more than 40 years, Airblast has been a world leader in providing both blasting and coating application solutions to corrosion control industries. The company’s commitment to a program of research and development into technologies that facilitate zero emission blasting and coating equipment illustrates how important continuous innovation and environmental responsibilities are to the business. In January 2017, Blastman Robotics from Finland joined the Airblast group, bringing with it a unique experience and product range. This resulted in production rates and quality preparation that perfectly complements Airblast’s industry leading coatings technology and expertise. Airblast now offers an industry first to its customers, being a turnkey blasting and painting facility using Blastman blasting robots, which are all engineered, sold and supported via the Airblast group’s global network.

LNG solutions For the past six years, Airblast has been heavily involved in the supply of both blasting and coatings application solutions in the form of heated plural component application equipment. The company says its tier 1 status with Graco – the largest fluid handling equipment supplier in the world – has helped it provide world-class solutions in the form of the Graco XP, XPHF and XM proportioners centred around the best possible processing and applications of field joint coatings. “Never before has the application of all three industry-accepted epoxy field joint coatings been easier and more accurate,” says Airblast Manager Ross Stanghon. “Our customers choice between both mechanical and electronic heated plural component proportioners gives each coatings

Graco XM Plural-Component Sprayer.

For more information on how Airblast can partner with your organisation and provide your very own customised solution, please contact any one of the company’s friendly branches. Perth Brisbane Melbourne Unit 5, 16-18 Kewdale Road, Unit 1 / 272 Lavarack Avenue, 18a Southfork Drive Kewdale, WA 6105 Pinkenba, QLD 4008 Kilsyth, Vic 3137 Phone: 1300 247 111 Phone: 1300 247 111 Phone: 1300 247 111 Email: sales@airblastwa.com.au Email: sales@airblastqld.com.au Email: sales@airblastvic.com.au

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

application contractor the advantage of the job done correctly and accurately the first time.” The Graco XP series of pumps for basic mechanical fixed ratio proportioning with the ability to add the Pressure Trak for on ratio assurance, the Graco XM variable ratio electronic plural component proportioner boasting both on ratio assurance and data reporting as standard, enabling a download of data in the form of pressures, temperatures and flow. With the XM option, information is then easily downloaded onto USB, giving the asset owner peace of mind that the application has been undertaken according to specification preventing future costly dig ups and/or repairs. “From our fully customisable mobile blast and coating solutions mounted on either trucks, trailers, skids or in containers, to the supply of both general and critical spares and accessories ensuring peace of mind that you will be delivering the best possible outcome for asset owners.”

Training Airblast Australia has two mantras it prides itself on with every solution that is offered, being “Right people, right solutions” as well as “We service what we sell”.

The company's commitment to each and every customer ensures that the entire team understands productivity from any newly acquired Airblast solution. Regarding heated plural component applications, Airblast believes it leads the market with the most extensive knowledge and experience in effective understanding and training as to the correct selection of equipment and the use thereof. When purchasing a blasting and/ or coatings application solution from Airblast Australia, customers are assured of productivity Graco XP70s-hf Non-Hazardous Location Spray Package. from day one. “Airblast Australia would like to be a part of your next corrosion best possible competitive advantage as well as control project from the supply of small showcasing your professional organisation and consumables to custom built and competitively its investment in leading edge technology,” says priced solutions offering you, the customer, the Mr Stanghon.

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COMPANY NEWS

A CCE technician performing a DCVG survey near Chinchilla, Queensland.

CCE turns 20

When Peter Kalis established CCE in 2001, he knew he had the knowledge and experience to provide asset owners with the solutions to protect people, infrastructure and the environment from the destructive effects of corrosion. Now, 20 years on, The Australian Pipeliner investigates how the business has continued to grow and succeed in the corrosion prevention space.

orrosion Control Engineering (CCE) Group General Manager Jason Paterson tells The Australian Pipeliner that Peter Kalis was a young metallurgist who graduated in 1995 when, having already worked for both Wilson Walton and Corrpro, decided to start his own company. Owed to Mr Kalis, CCE was established in response to the demands of industry, for protecting both new assets and ageing infrastructure from the devastating effects of corrosion. At the time of starting the business, Mr Kalis had a degree from the School of Materials Science & Engineering at UNSW Sydney, and had worked for more than 10 years, both fulltime and part-time, in the corrosion industry. Initially while the company was a one-man operation, its focus was on cathodic protection for shipping and marine infrastructure. Then Jim Galanos joined as Senior Engineer in February 2003, followed in April 2003 by Michael Ellwood (also as a Senior Engineer) and Boris Krizman as a Senior Technician, along with an administration assistant. In July 2003,

John Kalis also joined the company as a Principal Engineer and shortly thereafter took on the role of CEO. John has managed and guided CCE to becoming Australasia’s largest and most experienced corrosion engineering company. “CCE now has more than 90 staff across Australia and New Zealand who are predominantly engaged in CCE’s core business of cathodic protection – protecting buried or immersed steel structures, including some of our nation’s most important structures – pipelines, from corrosion,” says Mr Paterson.

Growing across the region The first CCE headquarters was a home office in Sydney, New South Wales. When additional staff began to join the company, a small office and warehouse facility was leased at Newington, adjacent to Sydney Olympic Park. “After the Sydney office opened in 2001, our Victoria office followed in 2003, and soon after, Queensland in 2004,” says Mr Paterson. “A few years of steady growth on the east coast of Australia led to the Perth office opening in 2011, followed by the New Zealand operation The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

in 2013. Our main offices are located in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and New Plymouth (NZ) with regional operational centres in Townsville, Christchurch, and Auckland.” While CCE’s growing number of regional offices started out offering the same cathodic protection services that Mr Kalis had founded the company on, CCE is no longer solely a cathodic protection company. While CP is still at the core of its business, CCE has also introduced other corrosion related products and services to complement its ‘Corrosion Control Engineering’ name. “We now have in-house expertise in pipeline integrity, pipeline coatings, internal corrosion monitoring and prevention, corrosion failure investigation and remote monitoring of corrosion protection systems,” says Mr Paterson. “In recent years we have placed an emphasis on the technical training of our staff and are proud to say we have more NACE certified cathodic protection engineers and technicians and ACA accredited technologists and CP specialists than any other company in Australasia.”

COMPANY NEWS

Leading services CCE is a ‘one-stop shop’ in that it designs, supplies, installs and maintains cathodic protection systems for onshore and offshore pipelines and their associated structures. CCE also provides its services to many other industries such as water, marine, petrochemical, transport infrastructure and energy. “In addition to our cathodic protection capability, we also have a range of corrosion experts within the group who specialise in other areas of corrosion mitigation including corrosion failure investigation, pipeline integrity, corrosion monitoring, internal corrosion, and inhibitors,” says Mr Paterson. The company’s cathodic protection engineering services cover a variety of impressed current and sacrificial anode CP systems, and its highly experienced, qualified engineers and technicians perform various field-testing activities and on-site surveys for routine maintenance. CCE also stocks and supplies a full range of corrosion control, cathodic protection and

pipeline related products, materials and technical equipment, further solidifying its standing as a one-stop shop for its customers.

Looking towards 40 Mr Paterson says as the nation’s assets and infrastructure age, CCE’s mission is to provide customers with quality engineering solutions that ensure the safety, reliability and longevity of their assets. CCE looks forward to providing its customers with the most advanced corrosion mitigation technology and services for the next 20 years and beyond. “The pipeline CP industry is constantly changing with new developments in technology, products and best practices. The team at CCE are very much aware of this and are continually working with our customers to identify and solve the greatest corrosion and integrity challenges that pipeline operators face,” he says. “CCE has access to the world’s leading remote monitoring technologies and is gaining a strong reputation and track record for providing ‘whole

of business’ corrosion prevention solutions. Asset owners are also acknowledging the quality of expertise that CCE delivers with its highly trained and skilled technical staff. “In Australia, we now have pipelines that are more than 50 years old, and still operating safely beyond their design life. Managing an older pipeline requires more resources, expertise, knowledge and more work than a new pipeline to maintain the same level of safety and integrity. “With our highly experienced and qualified engineers, and using the best quality products available, CCE’s clients now have the option of continuing to maintain their older pipelines rather than proceeding with the more expensive option of replacement. “Our role in the pipeline industry over the next 20 years is to continue to work closely with the pipeline asset owners to achieve their goal of protecting their assets and operating their pipelines safely with no loss of containment or incident due to corrosion.”

CCE’s New Plymouth office, located in New Zealand.

For more information visit www.cceng.com.au

www.peternorman.com.au

1300 THE KEY (1300 843 539)

pipework@peternorman.com.au

The Key to Personnel - placements & payroll for 25+ years

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

COMPANY NEWS

Pig links are a unique linking concept capable of various configurations for pipeline cleaning.

Pipe Tek provides the right link Pipe Tek has introduced a leading product that can clean pipelines while saving time and minimising waste. As a dedicated pipeline testing firm, Pipe Tek’s release of the new pig link technology continues to cement its ability to offer clients the full testing package.

ig links are a unique linking concept that allow for various configurations and adaptations of cups, discs and body links. With a flexible polyurethane body, the pig can pass through bend radii of as little as one diameter, even when attached to additional links – creating the alternative name ‘pig trains’. In addition to the flexibility and versatility, Pipe Tek Managing Director Myles Brannelly says using the pig links also negates the need to dispose of the pigs. “It makes them better for the environment, because there’s not as much waste as there would be with traditional brush pigs,” says Mr Brannelly. “One run with a pig-link can replace five runs of traditional pigging which means they don’t require as many runs.” Ultimately, Mr Brannelly says, the product is an innovation that “saves time and minimises waste”.

He adds that the pig links are not only suitable for line cleaning and scraping, but also batching and hydrostatic fill, all completed with 360o coverage.

Client-focused Pipe Tek offers its customers the full package, which includes tailoring its product and services to meet specific, niche needs. Mr Brannelly says the pig links can be built to any client-required configuration and can even include magnets to collect debris if required. When being used on alternating projects, the pig links can then be rebuilt by Pipe Tek to adapt to other requirements or Pipe Tek can supply clients with rebuild kits allowing them to reconfigure the pigs themselves. The pig link’s range can also be tracked with Pipe Tek’s non-intrusive pig sensor (NIPS) units, which are designed to detect a change in

magnetic field as the pig runs through a pipeline and under the unit.

An array of offerings In addition to its pipeline pigging products and capabilities, Pipe Tek also offers numerous other pipeline inspection services throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands. These offerings including pipeline testing, CCTV inspections, leak detection by acoustic or tracer gas methods, pressure vessel inspecting, hydrostatic and pneumatic testing, gas cylinder testing and inspections, tank calibration, flange management and the full turn-key solution of inline inspection, including phase array and dig ups. Mr Brannelly says the company has a “direct approach to safety” and that from large-scale solutions to project managing, Pipe Tek offers its clients the full package.

For more information visit www.pipetek.com.au

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

COMPANY NEWS

The right STEP in civil construction STEP Oiltools division STEP Civil is a dedicated service provider with a reputation of providing rental and sales equipment for a vast range of dewatering, recycling, slurry separation products and services for the tunnelling and construction industry.

TEP Oiltools is a dedicated service provider with a reputation as a leading supplier of solids control and discharge minimisation, through fine screening and high “G” force separation. Through working with partners and other specialty suppliers, the company has developed a package of products and services to ensure the civil market’s needs are catered for while ensuring minimal impact on the environment. STEP Civil Business Development Manager Colin Giles says in the past decade, drilling has become more technically advanced and the use of expensive fluids continues to grow. “Because of this, the demand for technically superior equipment and services has increased, and the need for a wide range of sophisticated waste management options has never been more evident.” The big players in the industry have taken advantage of the innovative solutions STEP Civil offers, with a recent horizontal directional drilling (HDD) project by HDI Lucas and a pipe jacking project by Bothar Boring using the Derrick DE 1000 and DE7200 Big Bowl centrifuges to handle fine solids removal on-site. STEP Civil continually develops and improves its product line to meet the evolving needs of its clients, no matter where they are in the world. With business locations in more than 13 countries, STEP has a strong regional presence in Asia, as well as significant experience on major projects, with companies here in Australia.

A STEP Civil recycler handles waste management onsite.

An Australian-industry partner STEP Civil understands that solids control has never been more critical in the industry, with high efficiency solids control maximising solids separations from drilling fluids and slurries guaranteed to advance drilling rates, reduce dilution rates and lower mining costs. To help its customers achieve these benefits, STEP Civil offers a range of products, including – but not limited to – gumbo removal systems, high “G” shakers, modular mud systems, flo-dividers, degassers, mud agitators, dewatering equipment and centrifuges.

STEP Civil also has a range of cutting collection systems, which range from simple auger systems to more technically advanced cutting conveyance systems. Additionally, the company has a wealth of environmental and engineering solutions to meet internal governance and compliance. STEP Oiltools Australian Country Manager Murray Cole says with STEP Civil's comprehensive range of products and services, the company can ensure its team will always engineer a solution to meet the needs of its clients.

For more information visit www.stepoiltools.com

The right STEP in Solids Control for Civil Construction

CALL +61 8 9455 6662 // STEPOILTOOLS.COM The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

In 2018, INPEX signed a $24 million benefits agreement with the Larrakia people in Darwin. The 40-year agreement is considered the most significant long-term package of benefits and opportunities provided outside of Native Title obligations.

A different kind of energy Ichthys LNG is one of the largest gas developments in the world, and one of the few energy projects to incorporate the whole chain of development and production – subsea, offshore, pipeline and onshore. Project operator INPEX is committed to more than just the project, working to enrich Australian communities through a comprehensive investment program that includes pledges to Traditional Owners of the land, protection of the environment and dedication to further education and training.

he Ichthys LNG development includes two huge offshore processing facilities located 220 km off the Kimberley coast of Western Australia, and an onshore processing plant near Darwin. A final investment decision was made by the company and its joint venture (JV) participants in 2012, with production commencing in July 2018. Ichthys LNG is expected to produce 8.9 million t of LNG and 1.65 million t of LPG per annum, along with more than 100,000 bbl of condensate per day at peak. While the scale of the engineering feats at Ichthys are truly something to behold, the work undertaken by INPEX to meet and exceed its social responsibilities are equally as impressive. In Australia, INPEX works closely with communities in the Northern Territory, Broome and the broader Kimberley region and in Perth. “We are committed to managing our business activities responsibly,” says INPEX Vice President Corporate Bill Townsend. “Our goal is to support social and economic development outcomes that will enhance the wellbeing and prosperity of community members. By investing in community programs that support social and economic needs, we are proud to help build vibrant, prosperous and resilient communities.

“We offer business and local workforce opportunities, training and skills development, educational opportunities and environmental protection and preservation, and encourage Australian business participation in Ichthys LNG.”

Contractors supporting Ichthys LNG thriving in the Top End Dozens of NT contractors support the maintenance work at the INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG onshore facilities at Bladin Point near Darwin. The work has enabled the contractors to thrive and employ hundreds of staff, most of them born and bred in the NT. Many companies have taken on local apprentices on the back of long-term work scopes and, for some, INPEX provides a significant portion of their base work. Gemma Mackett of PCM, a Territory family-owned industrial maintenance company, says the firm’s INPEX contract – held through major contractor Trace – is creating family-friendly opportunities for 65 locals at the Ichthys LNG onshore facilities. “The thing we are most proud of is that all our staff are 100 per cent local,” she says. “Securing our contract each year cements all the families we employ with the stability they The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

need for the future. It also guarantees that we can continue to support all the local suppliers that help us.”

Landmark agreement with Traditional Owners INPEX is committed to delivering positive outcomes for all the communities it works alongside. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, that means demonstrating respect and commitment to Traditional Owners, and their communities, who hold deep connections to the lands and waters where the company operates. In November 2018, INPEX – on behalf of the Ichthys JV – signed a landmark agreement with the Larrakia people to provide $24 million in benefits over 40 years. The Larrakia people are the Traditional Owners of the land and waters of the Darwin region where the Ichthys LNG onshore processing facilities are located. The agreement recognises the important role the Larrakia people played in supporting Ichthys LNG through construction and highlights the continued importance of the relationship between INPEX and the Larrakia people. The funds are held in the Larrakia Ichthys LNG Foundation Trust (LIFT) and distributed based on the advice from the INPEX Larrakia

SOCIAL LICENSE

Supporting the community

Advisory Committee, a group primarily comprising of the Larrakia people from a range of backgrounds and experience. The funding aims to provide a range of economic, educational and social programs and opportunities. Mr Townsend says the agreement demonstrates respect for the Larrakia people. “This is a significant long-term package of benefits and opportunities and the largest such initiative between Traditional Owners and an operating production company in Australia signed outside of Native Title legislation,” he says. “INPEX and Ichthys LNG have enjoyed enormous benefits and support from the Larrakia people and we look forward to building on our strong relationship for many years to come.” Education was one of the first targets for funding and there are now three programs in place through LIFT, to promote learning opportunities from childhood through to adulthood.

INPEX and Ichthys LNG support a range of community programs in the NT, WA and nationally through community investment activities. Since 2012, INPEX has contributed more than $7.1 million to community programs and more than $9 million to develop education and training institutions in Australia. In 2020, the company contributed just shy of $2 million to a range of social programs, community events and charitable appeals. At the start of the year, INPEX supported the efforts of the Australian Red Cross Bushfire Relief Appeal with a direct contribution of $1 million and additional funding of more than $37,000 to match staff donations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, INPEX worked closely with key community organisations to support activities impacted by lockdowns, social gathering restrictions and other disruptions. Key contributions include: • $100,000 contribution to Menzies School of Health Research to support enhancement of a wellbeing app to address increased need of mental health support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. • $30,000 to Foodbank NT to ensure it can continue to deliver essential services and food security to those impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. • In-kind donation of face masks to Broome Hospital and Broome Police. INPEX Manager Corporate Social Responsibility Yuko Tokunaga says one of the company’s significant partnerships is with Questacon – the National Science and Technology Centre.

“Through a four-year million-dollar partnership with Questacon, we aim to inspire young Australians in science and technology and improve energy literacy among communities in Australia and Japan,” says Ms Tokunaga. “While Questacon was impacted by COVID-19 in 2020, partnership activities continued including development of an energy show and planning for professional development workshops for Darwin-based teachers.” During 2020, INPEX also continued to grow several of its community partnerships including the Darwin-based initiatives below: • Increased funding for Australian Red Cross SHAK Youth Centre in Casuarina to support the part-time employment of two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainee youth workers, and support for the centre to open on weekends. • Expanded partnership with AFL Northern Territory to support NTFL community clubs with funding through INPEX Volunteer Program and INPEX Equipment Program, in addition to the Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre educational program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from remote communities in the NT. • Proud Major Partner of Darwin Festival 2020 which included support for the Fly Me Up To Where You Are community art project (set to debut at the 2021 Festival) and the Transforming the Sunset Stage mural initiative.

For more information visit www.inpex.com.au INPEX has been a proud supporter of Foodbank for many years – in both the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

Towards a net zero carbon society INPEX recognises climate change is a critical issue – for business and for communities. The company is aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement, a landmark environmental accord, to tackle climate change by transitioning to a low carbon society. INPEX says it is committed to managing its greenhouse gas emissions and further reducing its carbon footprint. Recently, the company announced it had formulated a long-term strategy Towards a Net Zero Carbon Society by 2050, which sets climate change response goals to achieve its own net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

AGPA NEWS AND EVENTS

A Christmas miracle: APGA events stage a welcome comeback! After nearly a full calendar year of virtual networking, in-person APGA events made a welcome return at Christmas time in 2020.

he COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on face-to-face events has been well documented, with many events completely cancelled and even the APGA Annual Convention and Exhibition being forced to go virtual in 2020.

As such, news that the association would look to hold its traditional Christmas events around the country was met with excitement throughout the membership and this time – unlike has often happened during the pandemic – everything went according to plan. Although conditions prevented some who would usually travel to multiple events from doing so, APGA members were able to attend Christmas functions in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Even in Melbourne,

which had suffered the longest and most strict lockdown around the country, members were able to experience a memorable in-person Christmas lunch. As always, the drinks were flowing and attendees were in good spirits, able to enjoy the company of their peers in safety for the first time in months. Although the pandemic continues and life is not back to “normal”, APGA hopes it can continue to see everyone in person throughout 2021 and beyond.

For more information visit www.apga.org.au/events

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

AGPA NEWS AND EVENTS

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

The YPF gather on a beautiful night in the NT.

Pandemic can’t stop the YPF APGA’s YPF cohort were among the association’s first to resume in-person meetings in 2020, proving that not even a pandemic can keep a good young pipeliner down.

ike the main body of APGA, the Young Pipeliner Forum (YPF) responded well to the necessary shift to digital events in 2020, having organised several webinars and virtual catch ups to make up for the absence of live gatherings. But, as the proverbial sun began to break from the clouds at the back end of 2020, YPF members in states less impacted by COVID-19

had the opportunity to meet in person once again and experience valuable networking events with their peers.

Northern Territory The NT YPF earned the distinction of holding the first in-person pipeliner event since the beginning of the pandemic, organising a technical event in Darwin in July. Seeing no reason to stall the momentum, the group then held a socially distanced lawn bowls night in October, sponsored by APA Group. The warm Darwin weather, blue skies and cool breeze were all conducive to a safe and enjoyable night, with organisers issuing a special thanks to Ben Parkin and the APA Darwin team.

Queensland The QLD YPF didn’t need to be asked twice to resume its social events, holding a bowling night in Brisbane in September before a large crowd turned out for the QLD YPF Golf Day in November. The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

Attendees were treated to a perfect sunny day at the Victoria Park Golf Course in Herston, thanks to major sponsors Pipe Tek and minor sponsors Vermeer Australia, GPA Engineering and Tremco Pipeline Equipment. As always, fun was the order of the day, although for the records the results were as follows: • Female longest drive – Cirina Di Pierro • Male longest drive – Brian McDonough • Female closest to the pin – Stephanie Morris • Male closest to the pin – Myles Brannelly • Winning team – ‘It’s all in the hips’ – Myles Brannelly, Jay Cotton, Scott Blanely and Taku Hashimoto • Losing team – ‘Tee-Rexs’ – Zach Draheim, Tony O'Sullivan, Cirina Di Pierro and Phil Inn. After the game, teams were able to head back to the club house for a well-earned drink with peers. Although the COVID-19 situation is still causing problems around the country, the YPF hopes to hold more in-person events throughout 2021.

Players gather before the day’s play.

The winning team: ‘It’s all in the hips’.

Players returned to the clubhouse for a well-earned drink post-game.

Interested in joining the YPF? Visit www.apga.org.au/YPF to contact your state chair. The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

APGA MEMBERSHIP

Australian Pipelines and Gas Association Membership CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR Alltype Engineering Coe Drilling Pty Ltd Comdain Infrastructure Enscope Pty Ltd Global Engineering & Construction Pty Ltd HH Civil Pty Ltd Maxibor Australia McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd Michels Corporation Mitchell Water Australia Pty Ltd Moody Civil & Pipe Pty Ltd MPC Kinetic Nacap Pty Ltd National Australian Pipelines P and G Welding Pty Ltd Pipecraft Pipeline Plant Hire Pty Ltd Quanta Services Australia Pty Ltd Spiecapag Australia trading as HDI Lucas The Newham Group Trushape Engineering Pty Ltd Valmec Limited CONSULTANT ACIL Allen Consulting CNC Project Management DNV GL Australia Pty Limited Energy Matrix Group Pty Ltd EnergyQuest Pty Ltd Future-Proof Solutions Jiva Consulting JLL Infrastructure Advisory Pty Ltd Kleinfelder Australia Pty Ltd Land Access & Management Services Pty Ltd Metcalfe Engineering Consultants MVC Services Pty Ltd OC Project Services Pty Ltd Pipeline Engineering Consultants Plant & Platform Consultants Ltd Sage Consulting Solutions Pty Ltd Stockton Drilling Services Sustech Engineering Pty Ltd Twycross and Partners Pty Ltd Veris ENERGY DISTRIBUTOR ATCO Gas Australia ENGINEERING/PROJECT MANAGER A J Stack Solutions Pty Ltd AFS Projects Pty Ltd Atteris Pty Ltd

Core Group Limited Fyfe GHD Pty Ltd GPA Engineering Pty Ltd Lidiar Group Momentum Engineering OSD SPIE Plexal Worley Services Pty Ltd GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS/ REGULATORS Department for Energy and Mining Energy Safe Victoria Resources Safety and Health Queensland Water Corporation INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION Pipeline Research Council International, Inc PIPELINE OWNER/OPERATOR AGL Energy Limited Ampol Australia Petroleum Pty Ltd APA Group Arrow Energy Pty Ltd AusNet Services Australian Energy Market Operator Australian Gas Infrastructure Group Beach Energy Limited Brookfield Infrastructure Group Energy Infrastructure Management Pty Ltd Epic Energy SA Pty Ltd Esperance Pipeline Company Esso Australia Pty Ltd First Gas Ltd Fortescue Metals Group GB Energy Jemena Mobil New Zealand Oil Limited Mobil Oil Australia Pty Ltd Origin Energy Limited Papuan Oil Search Limited Power and Water Corporation Qenos Pty Ltd QGC Refining NZ Santos SEA Gas South Australian Water Corporation Tas Gas Holdings Pty Ltd Tasmanian Gas Pipeline Pty Ltd Viva Energy Australia Ltd WestSide Corporation Woodside Energy Ltd

SERVICE PROVIDER ABB Australia Pty Ltd ASME Projects Avmin Pty Ltd AXS Pty Ltd Baker Hughes Brooks Hire Service Pty Ltd Brownline Australia Pty Ltd Bureau Veritas Asset Integrity and Reliability Services Pty Ltd Corrosion Control Engineering Pty Ltd Downer EDI Engineering Power Pty Ltd DSQ Pty Ltd EnerMech Pty Ltd ERIAS Group Pty Ltd Flowtran Pty Ltd Great Southern Press Pty Ltd ITI International LandPartners Pty Ltd Lochard Energy (Iona Operations) Pty Ltd LogiCamms LW Survey Australia Pty Ltd Metropolis Services Pty Ltd Mipela GeoSolutions NDT Global Pty Ltd Nixon Communications Pty Ltd NortecView Ltd Oceaneering Australia Pty Ltd ORIX Commercial Peter Norman Personnel Pty Ltd PIPE TEK Pty Ltd Piping Specialty Supply Service Pty Ltd Pro Pipe Services Pty Ltd QIC Protective Coatings (Aust) Pty Ltd Qube Energy Pty Ltd Rider Hunt International (RHI) ROSEN Australia Pty Ltd Scape Consulting Pty Ltd STATS Group T D Williamson Australia Pty Ltd TEAM Truck Hire Australia Pty Ltd Viega Pty Ltd Wasco Energy Group Zinfra

Bao Australia Pty Ltd

SUPPLIER OF EQUIPMENT OR MATERIALS Aegis Pty Ltd Anode Engineering Pty Ltd Anti Corrosion Technology Pty Ltd AtlasGas Pty Ltd Austrack Equipment Sales and Rentals Australian Pipeline Valve

Tubi Pty Ltd

Delnorth Pty Ltd Denso (Australia) Pty Ltd Edgen Murray Australia Pty Ltd EDMI Gas Pty Ltd Fast Fusion, LLC Future Fuels CRC Gasco Pty Ltd GF Piping Systems Hard Metal Industries Heath Pipeline Services Pty Ltd Herrenknecht AG Inductabend Pty Ltd iPipe Services Iplex Pipelines Australia Pty Ltd Jindal Saw Limited Laurini Officine Meccaniche Srl Lincoln Electric Company (Australia) Pty Ltd McElroy Australia Ozzie's Pipeline Padder Inc PAC Pipeline Machinery International LP PipeServ Polyfabrics Australasia Pty Ltd PSAH Pty Ltd RDO Australia Group Richmond Savcor Products Australia Pty Ltd Shawcor (Singapore) Pte Ltd Shipman King SICK Pty Ltd Solar Turbines Australia System Control Engineering The Hills Rockslinger TIB Chemicals AG TRACTO-TECHNIK Australia Pty Ltd Tremco Pipeline Equipment Pty Ltd Universal Corrosion Coatings Pty Ltd Vacuworx Australia Vinidex Pty Ltd Welspun Corp Limited Worldpoly Pty Ltd Worldwide Group

APGA New Membership Approvals CORPORATE MEMBERS Adviser/Consultant

Service Provider Downer EDI Engineering Power Pty Ltd

OC Project Services Pty Ltd

Supplier of Equipment or Materials

Engineering/Project Manager

Austrack Equipment Sales and Rentals

Core Group Limited

Manufacturer of Equipment or Material

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS Trevor Nichols

TRACTO-TECHNIK Australia Pty Ltd

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

APGA MEMBERSHIP

Body.

APGA would particularly like to acknowledge the generous support of its Owner Members • •

APA Group Australian Gas Infrastructure Group

• •

Epic Energy SA Pty Ltd Jemena

• •

SEA Gas Tasmanian Gas Pipeline Pty Ltd

APGA would also like to acknowledge the strong support of its Lead Members • • • • • •

AGL Energy Limited Energy Infrastructure Management Pty Ltd Esso Australia Pty Ltd McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd MPC Kinetic Nacap Pty Ltd

• • • • • •

OSD QGC Quanta Services Australia Pty Ltd Solar Turbines Australia Spiecapag Australia trading as HDI Lucas Worley Services Pty Ltd

Honorary Life Members • • • • • •

Ken Barker David Curry Keith Fitzgerald* Leigh Fletcher D C Gore* Robert Gration

• • • • • •

Max Kimber Andy Lukas Tony Marletta Mick McCormack Stuart McDonald Jim McDonald*

• • • •

Allan Newham Stephen Ohl Mark Twycross Phil Venton *deceased

Individual Members • • • • • • • •

Dean Barker John Blain Bevan Boocock Grant Bowley Ken Cameron Chris Carter Andrew Cook Mark Cooper

• • • • • • • •

Geoff Cope John de Robillard Stephen Dykes Yuyu Fang John Fleming Kenneth Flowers Tony Forde Gretchen Gagel

• • • • • • • •

Chris Gatehouse Lynndon Harnell Mark Harris Chris Harvey Graeme Hogarth Justine Hyams Jeff Jones Ashley Kellett

• • • • • • •

Steven Liddell John Lott Cameron MacDiarmid Jason Mansfield Mick Murphy David Nichols Trevor Nichols

• • • • • • • •

John Piper Steve Polglase David Pollock Brett Reay Jasper Tieland Andrew Wood Howard Wright Ken Wyllie

Edwin De Prinse Jason de Ross Ross Demby Carlo DiCarlo Daniel Faulkner Matt Felvus John Ferguson Mike Flynn Tom Forde Mark Fothergill Paul Frederick Jarrod Gilby Calvin Gordon David Handsaker Peter Harcus Geoff Harrison

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Chris Hewson Ian Israelsohn Stuart Kamper Hugo Kuhn Trent Leach Benjy Lee Keith Lenghaus Stephen Livens Paul May John Messent Paul Miller Stephen Mudge Ashley Muldrew Matthew O'Connell Brian O'Sullivan Neil Parry

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Bob Paton Michael Peoples Jan Peric Janusz Podgorski Tawake Rakai Jim Reaman Josh Row John Rutherford Craig Sheather James Smith Reynard Smith Andrew Staniford Robert Strong Colin Symonds Soheil Taherian Farrah Tan-Savva

• • • • • • • • • •

Warwick Tidswell Mark Turner Sean Ward Louise Watson Rob Wheals Paul Williamson Ben Wilson Rob Wiltshire Alex Wong Michael Xanthopoulos

Employee Members • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Awais Ashraf Eric Bardy Geoff Barton Tony Bird Tom Bohacik Liz Brierley Peter Bucki Mark Bumpstead Ivan Byak Annette Cahill Geoff Callar Francis Carroll Philip Colvin Jeff Cooke Colin Cool Craig de Laine

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

APGA MEMBERSHIP

FULL MEMBERSHIP

(1)

OWNER MEMBER(2)(3)

LEAD MEMBER(4)

CORPORATE MEMBER

Category Applied for (please tick)

ORGANISATION NAME: ABN: POSTAL ADDRESS: SUBURB: STATE: POSTCODE: STREET ADDRESS: SUBURB: STATE: POSTCODE: PHONE: FAX: WEBSITE: APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVE (5) NAME: POSITION: PHONE: FAX: MOBILE: EMAIL: ORGANISATION CHIEF EXECUTIVE (if different from above): NAME: TITLE: APGA POINT OF CONTACT – for distribution of APGA information within your organisation (if different from Appointed Representative) NAME: POSITION: POSTAL ADDRESS: SUBURB: STATE: POSTCODE: PHONE: FAX: MOBILE: EMAIL: ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT CONTACT: EMAIL: NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN ORGANISATION:

1-5

6-25

26-50

>51

ORGANISATION’S INTEREST IN THE PIPELINE INDUSTRY (Must tick ONE ONLY. If more than one applies, please tick the one most applicable to your business):

Adviser/Consultant

Construction Contractor

Energy Distributor

Engineering/Project Manager

Pipeline Owner/Operator

Service Provider

Manufacturer/Distributor of Equipment or Materials

Government Department/Regulator

Other Industry Association (Please Specify)

SECTOR Please indicate which of the following industry sectors you are primarily working in (please tick ONLY ONE box)

Gas

Water

Oil

Slurry

We hereby apply for Full Membership of the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association in the Category and Interest Group indicated above and agree to abide by the Association’s Constitution and any By-laws set from time to time. We attach our payment for the appropriate portion of the first year’s subscription.

SIGNED: DATE: NOTE

(1)

Upon payment of the relevant fees, an organisation may hold more than one category of full membership.

(2)

The appointed representative of an Owner Member should be the Chief Executive.

(3)

All Owner Members are entitled to nominate up to ten Employee Members without additional subscription.

(4)

All Lead members are entitled to nominate up to three Employee Members without additional subscription.

(5)

All correspondence will be sent to the appointed representative, who will hold the member’s voting rights. A member’s appointed representative may be changed at any time by advising the Association’s Secretary in writing.

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

APGA MEMBERSHIP

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP/EMPLOYEE MEMBERSHIP

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP(1)

EMPLOYEE MEMBERSHIP

APPLICANT’S NAME: ORGANISATION: POSITION: POSTAL ADDRESS: SUBURB: STATE: POSTCODE: STREET ADDRESS: SUBURB: STATE: POSTCODE: PHONE: FAX: MOBILE: EMAIL: I NDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION: I hereby apply for Individual Membership of the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association and agree to abide by the Company’s Constitution and any By-laws set from time to time. Payment for the appropriate portion of the first year’s subscription is attached. NOTE (1): Open to any individual consultant with an interest in the pipeline or gas industries. This membership category is designed to accommodate the one-man consultants working within the pipeline and gas industries and will not be open to consulting organisations consisting of more than one person. Employees of a company will not be accepted as an Individual Member of the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association unless the company employing that person is a Full Member of APGA. E MPLOYEE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION: (Open to employees of full members of APGA) I hereby apply for Employee Membership of the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association and agree to abide by the Association’s Constitution and any By-laws set from time to time. Payment for the appropriate portion of the first year’s subscription is attached. SIGNED: DATE: SUBSCRIPTION RATES (2019/2020 Membership year 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020)

AUSTRALIA Membership year 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020

OWNER Applicable to owners only – fee upon application

LEAD $11,780 (incl. GST)

CORPORATE 1-5 Employees 6-25 Employees 26-50 Employees >51 Employees (incl. GST)

AUD AUD AUD AUD

INDIVIDUAL $630 (incl. GST)

$2,360 $3,160 $3,980 $5,100

EMPLOYEE $230 (incl. GST)

New members joining after 1 October 2019, please contact APGA to discuss the appropriate pro-rate subscription rate. (All applications received after 15 May 2020 will be issued with an invoice for the 2020/2021 membership year).

ALL PRICES QUOTED FOR AUSTRALIAN MEMBERS INCLUDE 10% GST.

INTERNATIONAL Membership year 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020

OWNER Applicable to owners only – fee upon application

LEAD AUD $10,710

CORPORATE 1-5 Employees 6-25 Employees 26-50 Employes >51 Employees (incl. GST)

AUD AUD AUD AUD

INDIVIDUAL AUD $580

$2,140 $2,880 $3,620 $4,640

EMPLOYEE AUD $220

ALL PRICES ARE IN AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS. A TAX INVOICE WILL BE ISSUED.

PAYMENT

EFT Bank Westpac Banking Corporation, Swift/ABA/Routing# WPACAU2S. IBAN No. 032729162756. BSB: 032-729. Account No: 16-2756.

I enclose my cheque made payable to The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association, or APGA.

Please debit my credit card (please tick)

Amex

Visa

MasterCard

Credit card processing fee applies.

CARD NUMBER:

EXPIRY DATE:

TOTAL AMOUNT AUD$

CARDHOLDER’S NAME: SIGNATURE: Please return completed form with payment to: AUSTRALIAN PIPELINES AND GAS ASSOCIATION (ABN: 29 098 754 324) PO BOX 5416, KINGSTON ACT 2604 | PHONE: 02 6273 0577 | FAX: 02 6273 0588 EMAIL: apga@apga.org.au | WEBSITE: www.apga.org.au The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

ADVERTISERS AND FEATURES

Advertisers' index ADE Consulting Group Airblast Australia AMS Instrumentation & Calibration Anode Engineering APGA Convention and Exhibition ASME Projects Cafco Services Pty Ltd CCE Herrenknecht Inductabend Iplex Pipelines Australia kwik-ZIP McConnell Dowell McElroy Manufacturing No-Dig Down Under

33 61 51 OBC IBC 31 53 9 37 21 13 29 23 35 47, 56

Peter Norman Personnel Pipe Tek Pipeline Plant Hire Piping Specialty Supply Service ROSEN Group Sadeirs Logistics Savcor Products Australia Spiecapag STATS Group Steel Mains Pty Ltd STEP Oiltools Technology for Future and Ageing Pipelines Tracerco Vacuworx Valmec Limited

63 1 3 59 43 IFC 57 17 5 41 65 49 45 15 55

Features and deadlines 2021 MAY 2021

JULY 2021

OCTOBER 2021

FEBRUARY 2021

FEATURES

Upstream Land issues Integrity and maintenance Construction equipment Safety PE pipelines Welding

Hydrogen Offshore Corrosion and cathodic protection Trenchless technology Rehabilitation and repair Transport and logistics

APGA Convention exhibitor profiles Women in pipelines and gas Contractors Construction equipment Pigging and ILI Fabrication Valves and actuators

Upstream Land issues Integrity and maintenance Construction equipment Safety PE pipelines Welding

REGIONAL FOCUS

New South Wales

South Australia

Queensland

Victoria

DISTRIBUTION

APPEA Conference and Exhibition 2021 APGA functions

Corrosion & Prevention 2021 APGA functions

APGA Convention 2021 No-Dig Down Under 2021 APGA functions

APGA functions

DEADLINE

April 2021

May 2021

TBC

TBC Features and deadlines are subject to change.

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The Australian Pipeliner | March 2021

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