In the Pipeline by Seal For Life

‘Our industry will Three ways we can all Tireless service and become even stronger’ help to grow our Guild technical excellence

Gyles Brandreth: tall tales and raised glasses

President Steve Wayman, P3

After-dinner speech, P7

Chairman John Ineson, P4

All this year’s big awards, P5

The newsletter FOR MEMBERS OF the pipeline industries guild

Inthepipeline

Special Edition 2015

Annual Dinner and Awards Issue All the speeches, awards and special guests. Plus an evening of meeting and greeting for Guild members across the industry

Welcome John Ineson, chairman

Welcome to the In the Pipeline Annual Dinner and Awards issue 2015. On the following pages you’ll find all the speeches and awards results, and plenty of photos to give you a flavour of the industry’s biggest get-together. As those of you who attended know, the dinner has two very important elements. Firstly there’s the formal occasion, with speeches by the president and chairman, along with honours for our industry’s high achievers. Then there’s the informal get-togethers following the dinner. I hope the many hundreds of conversations – business and pleasure-related – during this part of a hugely enjoyable event helped to further strengthen ties between Pipeline Industries Guild members. Enjoy the issue. If you didn’t attend, look out for details about next year’s event on page 9.

Contents 3 President’s introduction

Steve Wayman welcomes guests and takes a look at the current state of the industry.

4 Chairman’s address John Ineson proposes three ways we can all help to grow the Pipeline Industries Guild and further strengthen our organisation.

5 Guild awards The winners of the Ruth Allen Award; JW Jones Award; and Landbased, Subsea and Utilities Technology Awards. Also, two Honorary Life Memberships announced.

7 After-dinner speech Gyles Brandreth’s hilarious talk ended the formal part of the evening on a high note.

8 Let the networking begin Guests meet and greet, talking business and pleasure well into the early hours.

9 Thank you A toast to this year’s Pipeline Industries Guild Annual Dinner sponsors.

Views expressed in In the Pipeline are not necessarily the views of the Pipeline Industries Guild. All information correct at time of going to press. Produced on behalf of the Pipeline Industries Guild by Indigodog Publishing Ltd. Tel: 01732 452180 www.indigodogpublishing.co.uk

What the twittersphere said… ‘I loved the @PipelineGuild Dinner: I learnt a lot, ate a lot, & met a lot of interesting, good & happy people. Gyles Brandreth

‘Great annual dinner for @PipelineGuild last night on behalf of @ childrensociety 1000s raised. Great to meet @GylesB1’ Jen Woolridge, The Children’s Society

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President’s Speech A look at the state of the pipelines industry in 2015 and news of a great charity total I n d u s t r y u pdat e

‘We will re-emerge even stronger’ In his opening speech, president Steve Wayman looked at the many challenges currently faced by our industry Steve Wayman didn’t shy away from the facts. Many high-profile projects have been cancelled or deferred, partly as a result of huge changes in economies served by the industry, worldwide cost inflation in the upstream oil and gas sectors, and the plunging oil price. As a result there’s less work for the service sector and, reminded Steve, a need for improved cost competitiveness and technical and commercial innovation among us all. With the problem particularly pressing in the UK, the establishment of the UK Oil and Gas Authority is promising. Said Steve, ‘This is not the first time we have found ourselves with a mountain to climb. But with long-term commitment and great leadership, I believe our sector can and will re-emerge even stronger.’

Big concerns for 2015 Steve also looked at two other big issues. In the water industry, AMP6 brings new challenges including a greater emphasis on

Joe Waterton from The Children’s Society CHARITY

‘Incredible’ £8,228 charity total for children

Steve addressed competitiveness, AMP6 and the future of UK shale

customer and stakeholder expectations and increased demands on levels of service. Said Steve, ‘Once again our members’ leaders and teams will look to rise to this challenge

‘This is not the first time we have found ourselves with a mountain to climb. But with long-term commitment and great leadership, I believe our sector can and will re-emerge even stronger.’ Steve Wayman, Guild President

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through new technologies and innovative working practices.’ Finally, Steve touched on the lack of progress in the UK shale industry, despite tax breaks and favourable test results in the North West. It’s crucial, he said, we develop this resource to improve energy security. ‘We have the responsibility to improve the public’s awareness and confidence by showing we have the expertise to develop this resource responsibly, safely and economically.’

Following Steve Wayman’s talk, Joe Waterton from The Children’s Society described how the charity intensively supports vulnerable teenagers right across the UK. Guild members donated via envelopes on tables and over £8,228 was raised for this solely publicly funded charity. Joe Waterton told In the Pipeline, ‘We were overwhelmed by the Guild’s support on the night and the incredible amount it raised. Your donation will help us recruit another 160 frontline workers, providing support for a further 25,000 children and teenagers over the next five years. I would like to give a special thanks to John Ineson for choosing The Children’s Society, something which has helped us benefit from your generosity this year.’

Chairman’s Speech A rallying cry for the Guild, and why a simple badge could boost awareness of our work

Chairman John Ineson: ‘Tell clients about the benefits of membership’

Badge of honour

Said John, ‘Every day, members of the Guild engage with each other as clients, service providers and supply-chain support. If we could ever count those engagements I’m sure they would number in the thousands. Tonight you will have found on your tables a Guild lapel badge. Use it to acknowledge your involvement in the Guild, to acknowledge other members and to show pride in the pipelines industry.’

G u i l d m e m b e r s hip

‘Let’s grow our Guild’ Chairman John Ineson took to the podium to outline his three-point plan for bringing even more members to the Guild No one in the Guild is better placed to assess the state of P.I.G. than chairman John Ineson. He recently attended a number of Branch dinners and was delighted with the hard work, dedication and commitment by the many organisers and sponsors. And, incidentally, by the genuine buzz around these events with their opportunities for networking and engaging. But we should take this positive

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news not as an end in itself, but as a starting point. Said John, ‘Does all of this positiveness mean we have reached the final goal? No. It means we are strong and capable of building on where we are. It means the foundations we have are solid and can support growth.’ John then went on to outline three ways we can grow the Guild.

More engagement Internal engagement between members is vital to strengthen our relationship and develop ideas and concepts beneficial to our sector. But, also, we must stress to client partners and companies – and our own supply

chain – the benefits of Guild membership. Do they know we are members? Do they know what the Guild can do for them? Do pass on all queries to HQ. All that’s needed is an email contact to get the ball rolling.

More young professionals Make sure young professionals in your organisation are actively encouraged to join the Guild’s

‘The foundations we have are solid – and can support our growth’ John Ineson, Guild Chairman

YPs. Said John, ‘We must never forget that the YPs are vital – they are the future of the Guild.’

More graduates The Guild is currently in contact with universities, discussing a Guild bursary or bursaries to fund Pipeline-related research. It’s also looking at ways to help students via placements, mentoring, and opportunities to be published in our technical journal. John also added a final personal note on funding education. ‘I’m told by my children that, in funding them, I may be financial poorer, but I will be richer in the knowledge they are not as poor as me now!’

Guild Awards Next up, this year’s very worthy Guild award winners and honorary life members

s p e cia l s e r v ic e s

Life members Alexandra Cullum – a guide and mentor to young professionals Yo u n g pR O F ESS I O N A LS ’ n e t w o r k

The Ruth Allen Award

To recognise the work of a younger member who has made a significant contribution to the Guild’s Young Professional Network (YPN) And the winner is… n Alexandra Cullum Wessex Water SAYS robert murray, ‘Alexandra excels in her work, lovingly nurtures her young children and supports her family while serving the Branch and YPN with professionalism and aplomb. Her modesty would

prevent her from putting herself forward for this award, so the Branch and the YPN have decided to nominate her. I cannot think of a more deserving person to win. Alexandra is a great guide and mentor to the young professionals in Wessex Water and their supply chain and has led a number of successful YPN recruitment

drives, increasing YPN numbers and securing the succession pipeline for the Branch and the YPN for years to come.’ Says Alexandra, ‘I was delighted to be announced the winner of the Ruth Allen Award. It is a huge honour to have been nominated. Many thanks to my committee and Wessex Water for their continued support.’

Honorary Life membership is bestowed on individuals who have given special services to the Guild. Both of this year’s honorees have been active members for more than 20 years. The Guild is pleased to award Honorary Life Membership to: n Mr Edwin Bannock MBE, Guild audit chairman. P.I.G. recognises and honours his contribution to the Board, particularly as the Audit Group Chair, but also for his contribution to the Investment Committee, International Panel and Annual Induction. n Mr Les Dickson We honour his contribution to the Offshore Panel and the Scottish Branch. Both continue to offer strong on-going commitment, service and support to the Guild at Branch, Panel and national levels.

t e ch n ica l pap e r

The JW Jones Award

Awarded every two years to the author of a paper presented to a Branch technical meeting which best meets the award criteria And the winner is… n Laura Mann Wessex Water

Laura Mann – a winner with a compelling vision

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Laura was nominated by Robert Murray, chairman of the Wales & West Branch, for her paper Water and Electricity: A Complex Combination. Says Robert, ‘Laura set a compelling vision; she took the

lead on the project and made it happen. She presented her water and electricity paper back in November 2013 at the Wales & West Young Professionals Competition and it was, without a doubt, the winner. Says Laura, ‘I was delighted to receive the JW Jones Award. I’ve been lucky enough to attend several P.I.G. events featuring

some fantastic papers and presentations, so it is a real honour to be considered alongside them. My thanks go to Bob Murray and the Wales & West Branch for nominating me, for the support Wessex Water have provided in the four and a half years I’ve been working here and, of course, to the judges for selecting me!’

Technical Awards More accolades – this time our technological innovation winners across three categories I n n o v atio n : l a n dba s e d

i n n o v atio n : S u b s e a

Landbased Technology Award

Subsea Technology Award

For the most significant contribution to land-based pipeline technology or its ancillary apparatus

For the most significant contribution to subsea pipeline technology And the winner is…

And the winner is… n Seal for Life Industries KELVIN: Engineering Beyond the Limits of Experience

The KELVIN offers optimal and guaranteed installation comfort and performance by ‘reading’ the characteristics of the sleeve materials that are applied. The KELVIN also creates an optimal HSE scenario: the closure patch does not need to be applied by open flame beforehand; instead it is added during the operation. The built-in sensor technology recognises the softening point of

The Landbased Technology Award the adhesive layer as well as the duration of the adhesive’s liquid stage – the so called bonding phase; this means manual inspection of the temperature during installation is not required. Says Frits Doddema, managing director of Seal for Life Industries, ‘We are extremely pleased with the award and proud to develop tools that contribute to a safe and easy installation of shrinkable coatings.’

n Online Electronics Mono-Ethylene Glycol Analyser with Real-Time Display and Subsea Sampling (MEG ARTS®) Flagship Technology Online Electronics’ latest flagship development creation is a Mono-Ethylene Glycol Analyser with Real Time Display and Subsea Sampling (MEG ARTS®). The system provides highly reliable information on the composition of MEG and other chemicals received subsea during pipeline conditioning operations. Offering real-time display; logging of density,

Online Electronics’ Mike Jennings, Claire Gribble, Paul Sergeant and Erlend Inkster temperature and pressure data; and automated sample capturing capability, the system will work independently of vessel support but can also be monitored by diver or ROV. Says Online Electronics group managing director Brian Gribble, ‘The award is a huge honour. Recognition of the potential advantages that MEG ARTS® can deliver is gratifying.’

i n n o v atio n : Uti l iti e s

Utilities Technology Award For the most significant contribution to pipeline technology in the utilities sector And the winner is… n Synthotech TORS: World-First Robotics to Revolutionise Gas Distribution Mains Replacement TORS (Tier One Replacement System ) will be a game changer with regards to how the gas industry carries out mains and service replacement. It is capable of remotely undertaking 10 service-to-mains connections on a 100m section of cast iron main

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with only two excavations, eliminating the need for service excavations entirely. This robotic system significantly reduces excavations, saving time and effort on digging and back fill; minimises disruption to the customer and road users; and has a lower environmental impact than traditional methods. The anticipated financial savings are in the multiple millions, and the technology will be available to share across all UK gas distribution

Synthotec wins for TORS: an industry game changer networks in 2016. Wez Little, innovations director for Synthotech, said, ‘The Tier One Replacement System (TORS) is an exciting robotic technology. This

“world first” platform development is only possible with the OFGEM Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) and the support of National Grid.’

Guest Speaker Introducing Gyles Brandreth: former MP, author, TV personality and note-perfect speaker

G y l e s b r a n d r e th

Tall tales and toasts from a born raconteur Gyles Brandreth delivered a sparkling after-dinner speech that heralded the end of formal proceedings and the beginning of an evening of networking Don’t be fooled by the amiable smile. Or that ever-so-pleasant tone of voice. Gyles Brandreth’s brilliantly funny speech was capable of veering from refined highs one minute to earthy lows the next. So we had a toast to the Queen, a few digs at Guild members and even a story about a bizarre meeting in a Grosvenor House Hotel room that we dare not

Is he having a laugh? Gyles, deep into another of his stories

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elaborate on here. Gyles’ superb speech, which showed why he is one of the UK’s most in-demand after-dinner speakers, heralded the winding down of formal proceedings. Raffle winners were announced, the toastmaster was thanked for his work during the evening and the top table departed to signify the commencement of post-dinner socialising.

Meeting & Greeting Our visual round up of the post-dinner socialising among Pipeline Industries Guild members

Business and pleasure

Let the networking begin... In the final part of the evening, Guild members mingled until the early hours in the many Grosvenor House bars During his speech earlier in the evening, chairman John Ineson wondered just how many industry conversations and connections occur because of P.I.G. each year. The answer must be thousands. And In the Pipeline must have witnessed hundreds of them between 11pm and 2.30am in the Grosvenor. The Rink Bar, the hosted bars and the Great Room literally buzzed with personal introductions and industry talk. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a few of the photographs from the evening. See the next page to find out how you can attend the 59th Annual Dinner in 2016 and grow your network of industry contacts. View our online gallery here.

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Thank you To sign off, we recognise the invaluable contributions of this year’s Annual Dinner sponsors

On behalf of the Pipeline Industries Guild, In the Pipeline raises a final glass and toasts all of this year’s sponsors. This event was successful and memorable because of your generous support

See YOU next year?

Next year’s Annual Dinner will take place at the Grosvenor House Hotel on 8 March 2016. Contact events@pipeguild.com to book for an event that celebrates excellence and builds industry relationships. Also, get in touch for sponsorship opportunities. Date for the diary; the Technical Awards deadline is 29th January 2016.

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