Santos has been awarded permits to undertake evaluation and appraisal work for the potential storage of carbon dioxide in the offshore Carnarvon and Bonaparte Basins, off the coast of WA.

Permits G-9-AP and G-11-AP will enable Santos to pursue potential CO2 capture and storage opportunities with its joint venture (JV) partners.

Santos managing director and CEO, Kevin Gallagher, said the permits will build on Santos’ carbon capture and storage (CCS) strategy and have the potential to yield additional CCS opportunities.

“Carbon capture and storage is critical for the world to reduce emissions and in line with Santos’ net-zero scope 1 and 2 equity-share emissions by 2040 target, we are committed to looking at all options for CCS capabilities,” Gallagher said.

“Santos is working towards developing its three hub CCS strategy across our operating footprint in Australia and Timor-Leste, and the award of these permits represents further demonstration of our commitment to that strategy.”

The permit in the Carnarvon Basin, will create potential new acreage for CCS beyond Santos’ Reindeer fields. This is particularly significant as the company plans for a WA CCS hub at Reindeer and Devil Creek develop.

“The other permit is significant in size, covering more than 26,000 square kilometres in the Bonaparte Basin. Its proximity to our Bayu-Undan CCS project, which has the potential to be one of the largest CCS projects in the world, is important as we look to build our Northern Australia and Timor-Leste CCS hub,” said Gallagher.

Santos, said Gallagher, has the technology, infrastructure and knowledge to be able to deliver low-cost CCS competitively on a global scale. It knows a large scale-up of CCS is required to meet the world’s climate objectives.

“Working with our partners to assess the storage potential in these permit areas will provide us with a greater understanding of the geology and inform us of the possible storage opportunities,” concluded Gallagher.

Santos’ first CCS project at Moomba will be one of the biggest in the world and is set to pave the way for a significant carbon reduction and storage story for Santos, and for Australia. The project is 20 per cent complete, with 100 million tonnes of CO2 capacity and contingent resources already booked.

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The Australian Pipelines & Gas Association (APGA) Code of Environmental Practice Working Group has released revision 5 of the Code of Environmental Practice for Onshore Pipelines.

APGA CEO Steve Davies noted that the pipeline industry has a vital role to play in ensuring the economic and environmental wellbeing of Australian, both currently and into the future.

“This Code demonstrates the industry’s commitment to be leaders in environmental management and to be an active contributor to State and Federal objectives in the field of environmental management,” said Davies.

Building on the 2017 and 2019 publications, the fifth revision of the code builds on the knowledge gained over the last several years to enhance the depth of understanding around the environmental issues and incorporates the work of key environmental regulators across the nation.

“APGA’s Code of Environmental Practice is recognised by environment regulators in all jurisdictions as the appropriate guide to delivering high-quality outcomes for the environment during pipeline planning, construction, operation and decommissioning,” said Davies.

APGA and its members are committed to being leaders in ecologically sustainable development and active contributors to national goals on biodiversity protection and greenhouse mitigation.

The APGA strategic plan for 2021 and 2024 recognises the importance of sustainability within the pipeline industry and has a pillar focussed on social responsibility.

The APGA is the peak body representing Australia’s pipeline infrastructure.

While many members have a focus on gas transmission, they are active in all aspects of the pipeline industry including transportation of products including oil, water and slurry. Furthermore, APGA’s members include constructors, owners, operators, advisers, engineering companies and supplies of pipeline products and services.

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In mid-2016, kwik-ZIP’s HDX Series casing spacer was the first ever spacer system to be approved as compliant with WSA PS-324. The successful appraisal of the HDXT Series marks the second instance in which kwik-ZIP’s casing spacers have been formally recognised as complying with WSA PS-324 for casing spacers. 

Notably, both products are the only casing spacers on the market that have been approved as compliant by WSAA. 

The WSA PS-324 Product Specification prescribes casings spacer requirements for correct protection of carrier pipes when installed inside casings and was released in early November 2015. The specification outlines various requirements of the spacer including use of materials, abrasion resistance, requirement for wear pads, runner height flexibility and minimum runner spacing around the pipe.

Jason Linaker, Managing Director and creator of the Australian-owned kwik-ZIP HDXT and HDX series, says that he is proud to have a second WSA PS-324 compliant series officially recognised by the industry. The recognition will afford kwik-ZIP the chance to continue to support safer and longer lasting installations across the board.

“kwik-ZIP casing spacers will protect pipes, make installation easier and extend the life of your asset, and now with WSAA approval for two product series, choosing the right spacer for longevity and success is even easier,” says Linaker.

The HDXT Series casing spacer can be used for medium to heavy weight pipe materials including steel, ductile iron, GRP, FRP, concrete, PVC and PE. Furthermore, it’s suitable for both pressure and non-pressure pipelines in grouted and un-grouted installations.

The casing spacers utilise a segmented design that enables the system to be used on a variation of carrier pipes from 100 mm OD to 3000 mm OD.  Spacers for larger diameter carrier pipes are also available. The spacers are manufactured from Kwik-ZIP’s engineered thermoplastic blend. 

The spacers incorporate low friction high abrasion resistant wear pads, attached to load sharing runners. The number of segments required for each spacer is determined by the outside diameter of the carrier pipe.

“Flexibility of the design means various runner heights across the two series of products can be achieved, allowing for different pipe/casing combinations and a broad range of carrier pipe dimensions,” says Linaker.

“Although spacers are usually a small part of the overall pipe installation process, correctly designed and fitted non-metallic spacers with low friction runners can significantly increase the life expectancy of the pipeline by mitigating corrosion, protecting it from abrasion and scoring during insertion and by reducing installation forces on joints during slip lining.”

The different runner heights across the HDX and HDXT models ensures that pipeline installers can handle a very broad range of carrier pipe OD and casing host pipe ID combinations. It also grants installers the ability to custom pipe position for grade control or centring.

In addition to receiving WSAA approval, other kwik-ZIP products have also been added to the Accepted Infrastructure Products and Materials (IPAM) list for the southeast Queensland Water Supply and Sewerage Design and Construction Code (SEQ Code). 

Likewise, kwik-ZIP have also been added to the Melbourne Retail Water Agencies (MRWA) approved products list. The MRWA is a joint association of three major water retailers owned by the Victorian government: South East Water, Yarra Valley Water and Greater Western Water.

WSAA appraisal information can be found here.

This article featured in the July edition of The Australian Pipeliner. 

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The APA Group’s plan was announced on 24 August and details the group’s interim 2030 climate commitments.

The group has announced that all commitments made in the document are based off technologies that are currently available and proven to work.

The plan is designed to account for the different rates of decarbonisation in different areas – a necessity reflecting the diversity of the APA’s energy infrastructure portfolio.

Among other commitments, the plan specifies a target for a 30 per cent reduction in operational emissions in infrastructure by 2030, with an eye to net zero by 2050, and a goal to reduce emissions intensity for power generation by 35 per cent by 2030.

The APA has also said that it will target 100 per cent renewable electricity procurement across the business from FY2023.

It has set a goal to operate a 100 per cent zero direct emissions fleet, where appropriate, by FY30.

Managing director and CEO Rob Wheals said that the APA will continue to evolve its approach by taking steps to assess the resilience of specific assets.

The APA has also asserted its intention to centre itself as a major player in the energy transition.

“We are determined to play a pivotal role in the energy transition by delivering energy security through our gas infrastructure and renewable energy generation asset portfolios, while seeking to drive down our emissions on a pathway to net zero,” said Wheals.

The plan also specifies the scope of the APA Group’s responsibility for a net zero future. It acknowledges that the group’s assets are only part of the energy value chain, while climate change is a function of the global economy. As such, the plan acknowledges that the transition requires long-term stewardship of infrastructure, as well as a global economic approach.

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The project is being overseen by Jemena’s project delivery partner, Zinfra. It represents a key element of Jemena’s Northern Growth Strategy – an initiative to build an interconnected supply chain for the delivery of energy assets in Northern Australia.

Based in Melbourne, Zinfra is a company that builds, operates and maintains energy infrastructure around Australia and develops genuine partnerships in order to successfully deliver on projects.

The compressor installation – one of 22 across Jemena’s asset portfolio – was installed without incident or injury to anyone involved under the supervision of construction superintendent Simon Bryzenski.

Bryzenski said that the professionalism of the contractors, the diligent reviewing of the relevant plans and thorough final checks are key to the success of the installation.

“I can’t help but think how far things have come for Jemena. Each new compressor installed represents growth for the business and jobs and opportunities for local people and businesses,” he said.

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Santos has been given the green light for the Darwin Export Gas Pipeline which will extend the Barossa Gas Export Pipeline to the Santos-operated Darwin LNG facility.

It will also allow or the repurposing of the existing Bayu-Undan to Darwin pipeline to facilitate carbon capture and storage options.

Gas from the Barossa field, located 300 km north of Darwin, is intended to replace the current supply from the Bayu-Undan facility located in Timor-Leste. First gas production at DLNG using Barossa gas is targeted for the first half of 2025.

Santos Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Gallagher said the DLNG Life Extension, Darwin Pipeline Duplication and Bayu-Undan CCS projects would promote sustainable development and jobs growth in the NT and Timor-Leste, while building momentum for a whole of region carbon reduction solution.

“Taking FID on the Darwin Pipeline Duplication Project will allow for the Barossa project to be CCS ready,” Gallagher said.

“The Bayu-Undan CCS project has the potential to capture and store up to 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum, equivalent to about 1.5 per cent of Australia’s carbon emissions each year from other projects, customers and other hard to abate industries and has the potential to be the largest CCS project in the world.”

Adding the Darwin Pipeline Duplication project is estimated to increase Santos’ share of capital expenditure for the Barossa project by approximately US$311 million ($453 million).

The Barossa joint venture has agreed with the DLNG joint venture partners to terminate the toll arrangement for using the original Bayu-Undan to DLNG pipeline, reducing operating expenses for Barossa.

Work is scheduled to commence on the Darwin Pipeline Duplication project in 2023, subject to Commonwealth and NT regulatory approvals.

A final investment decision on Bayu-Undan CCS is targeted for 2023. Santos continues to work with Australian and Timor-Leste governments to establish regulatory frameworks to support future CCS operations.

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The team at LFF worked closely with Beach from a technical and commercial perspective through late 2021 to award and contract execution in early 2022. The supply contract includes the manufacture of 11,000 m DN200 API5LX65 PSL2 HFW line pipe, with DFBE external coating, and 11,000 m DN50 API5LX60 PSL2 HFW line pipe with 3LPE external coating.

Beach Energy proposes to construct and operate the production pipeline to convey natural gas from the Enterprise-1 well site at Port Campbell to the Otway Gas Plant for the supply of natural gas to the Australian East Coast domestic market.

Alongside the gas pipeline, a 11 km DN50 mono-ethylene glycol (MEG) pipeline will be used to circulate MEG to prevent corrosion of the gas pipeline.

The team at LFF  have expressed it looks forward to this opportunity to work alongside Beach Energy to manage the complex technical and logistical requirements for steel and line-pipe manufacture to this project.

The LFF Group was formed in London in 1983 and has grown steadily to become a global leader in the supply of pipes, fittings, flanges and valves.

The business is involved in many of the world’s largest projects and MRO contracts across many industry sectors through its 13 facilities around the world.

The company supports these activities with an extensive inventory of carbon, stainless, duplex and super duplex steels. Integrity, professionalism, technical competence, and commitment are core values of the group. These foundations have allowed it to build an organisation offering an unrivalled combination of service, quality, safety, and value.

For more information, visit LFF’s website.

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Baker Hughes is a company that designs, manufactures and services innovative technologies with a focus on revolutionising the energy sector. Its pipleline inspection solutions include managing corrosion and metal loss, crack management, pipeline mapping, integrity engineering, and software solutions, among others.

The acquisition agreement, announced by Baker Hughes earlier this month, allows the company to expand its existing pipeline inspection solutions were the construction or operation of the line makes conventional inline inspection methods unviable.

Quest Integrity brings with it significant engineering expertise, focussed on critical assessments to verify asset integrity and granting insights that allow clients to take efficient action where needed.

Included in the acquisition is Quest Integrity’s Invista and Furnace Tube Inspection (FTIS) technology. Invista will allow Baker Hughes to offer pipeline inspection solutions to a broader range of industries including petrochemical, chemical, marine loading lines, refining, power and utilities.

FTIS technology allows similar inspections of heater coils in furnaces, detecting issues of corrosion and deformation for the chemical and petrochemical industries.

Rami Qasem, Baker Hughes’ executive vice president of digital solutions, has said that the acquisition strengthens the company’s unique capability to bring holistic industrial asset management services to customers.

“The acquisition of Quest Integrity marks another step in Baker Hughes’ commitment to help customers ensure their asset infrastructure is safe and reliable,” said Qasim.

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The company was awarded the contract for the electrical work by AXIS Construction, which is the principal contractor to Program Management Firm JLL.

The scope includes the supply, installation and commissioning of two 11kV kiosks, including the associated electrical site works and controls systems work for HV monitoring and control.

“Verbrec is pleased to be able to contribute to the development of our important defence infrastructure,” said Verbrec COO Matt Cooper.

“This infrastructure upgrade directly contributes to supporting our Defence Force and by extension assuring the security of the community and country.”

The project is nearing completion and is expected to be finalised before the end of August 2022.

Verbrec brings together a number of well-established companies, which individually have a strong track record of delivering specialised services to the energy, mining and infrastructure industries since 1988.

The company provides engineering, infrastructure, asset management, operations and training solutions across the entire asset life-cycle, working with asset owners and operators throughout Australia, New Zealand, PNG, the Pacific and beyond.

Moreover, the company has over 30 years of operational experience and uses this knowledge to add value to its clients’ operations by reducing costs and increasing efficiencies with innovative and ground-breaking solutions.

The company’s mission is to create and transform assets and people through its values, and delivering fit-for purpose solutions while at the same time being highly responsive to clients.

The company delivers projects from concept through to operations – including under EPC contracting strategies.

For more information visit the Verbrec website.

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I t has never been so easy to gather all kinds of data in all areas of our lives, and with this, it has never been so important to store this data in a structured way that is also easily and quickly accessible at anytime from anywhere. Furthermore, would it not be great if you were able to receive a comprehensive analysis report which was ideally fully or semi-automated?

We are all used to our smartphones and are familiar with using apps to collect information on our fitness level, health, and running distance, amongst other things. In those cases, it is normal that we automatically receive an analysis of the captured data to track our improvements towards our own goals or to simply get an overview of the work we have done. The same applies to business. 

Nowadays, it is common that business decisions are based on a huge amount of data that has been analyzed for certain key performance indicators (KPIs). If the database is of high quality and contains all of the relevant information, the success of the derived business decisions is almost certain.    

Why should pipeline cleaning performance, data collection, or regular maintenance decisions be any different? Should we not be able to simplify the capturing, storing and analysis of our cleaning data to derive successful decisions that will optimise the pipeline throughput and minimise the risk of integrity issues caused by debris? 

Having now developed and implemented a unique cleaning analytics service to do just that, and implemented it for pipeline operators world-wide, including in Australia, this service follows a simple approach for three main components to bring cleaning activities to the 21st century:

To simplify the data capturing process, the app ArcGIS Survey123 from ESRI is utilised. This app can be downloaded to any smartphone or tablet (iOS and Android). The underlying pre-populated questionnaires provided by ROSEN in the app itself are modified to capture all relevant data at the launcher and at the receiver of your pipeline. The field technician just needs to click through the different questions and answer them, most times by choosing an option from a drop-down menu. Typical information that is collected at the launcher includes (but is not limited to):

When all of the information at the launcher is entered, it can be stored in the app by simply clicking a check mark.

The same principle applies for the receiver; only the type of information that is required has changed slightly.  Typically, the required information at the receiver is:

The requested information to be entered into the app is important to allow judgements about the feasibility of a planned in-line inspection (ILI) and about the general condition of the pipeline, and can – when trended over time – provide guidance on the cleaning program.

If you want to capture even more information about the pipeline such as pressure, temperature, medium velocity, differential pressure and acceleration, you can equip the cleaning tool with a ROSEN Pipeline Data Logger (PDL). With this device, you bring intelligence to the cleaning tool to allow for a more detailed analysis about the pipeline condition.  

Data storage, visualisation & reporting

To capture the data with the app, no network connection is required. As soon as network access is available, all entered data, including pictures, can be uploaded to the ROSEN online database, the ‘Online Repository’. This is done by one click in the app. 

As soon as the data is uploaded – which just takes a couple of seconds – you have access to the data at anytime from anywhere you want with your unique user credentials. With this and further IT security measures it is guaranteed that your data is safe and protected against unauthorised access. 

Within the Online Repository, data is presented in a user-friendly dashboard, which allows each cleaning run to be investigated. Run data is organised by asset, date and time. Filtering options will guide you to any desired cleaning run.

However, storage is not the only function of Online Repository. A key to enable the analysis of captured cleaning data is the integrated dashboard that automatically creates graphs and charts to visualise the entered data such as:

The dashboard enables you to see all relevant KPIs at a glance and is fully automated. If you prefer to have copies of the data in your local company network as well, you can download all charts and graphs as well as the raw data in excel files. In addition, cleaning reports from the different runs are generated automatically on a pre-defined time basis and contains all of the relevant information that was entered via the app. No need to spend time on manually creating cleaning reports anymore! These are now generated automatically in a standardised format, which can be customised to address specific reporting requirements. 

Having all relevant cleaning data available and organised, provides powerful analysis capability and can identify trends and pinpoint options for optimisation, which may include guidance on cleaning, run frequency or configuration requirements for cleaning tools. Additionally, it could help with guiding flow assurance modeling. Operators will be able to answer questions like:

This analysis can be done either by your own company or by ROSEN experts. The goal is to determine opportunities for improvements of pipeline throughput and cleaning effectiveness. 

The Cleaning Analytics Service brings cleaning activities to the next level. Operators will no longer waste time searching for cleaning results stored somewhere in project folders. Instead, access the data whenever and wherever necessary, be sure that no information gets lost, base decisions regarding cleaning campaigns on relevant data and respective KPIs. This approach simplifies daily business by using technologies that we already know well from our private lives.  

For more information, visit ROSEN Group’s website.

This article featured in the July edition of The Australian Pipeliner. 

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Additionally, EST Group manufactures pipe plugs and pressure testing tools to simplify and speed-up pressure testing of piping, tubing, pipe and tube systems, pressure vessels, and many unique applications. PipeServ, with EST Group Services, provides a comprehensive range of test plugs required in hydrostatic pressure testing.

Hydrostatic testing of pressure piping systems is often performed without questioning the methodology used and the results obtained. Various hydrostatic test plug designs are available to test complete piping systems or just the welded joints, all of which have their own set of parameters. 

The range of test plugs from EST Group includes test plug designs to hydrostatically test open-ended piping systems and welded flange to pipe joints with their individual set of parameters and capabilities.

GripTight MAX Hydrostatic Test Plugs for Pipelines

For testing open-ended piping systems, the traditional method is either A) welding endcaps or B) weld neck flanges combined with blind flanges. Then the entire system is filled with hydrostatic test fluid, typically water and the entire system is pressurised to the desired test pressure for the agreed period of time. Depending on the system, welding of end caps or additional flanges to be used in combination with blind flanges can significantly impact time and resources. The industry required a faster way of performing such tests to:

In response to these concerns, the EST Group developed the GripTight Max High-Pressure hydrostatic test plugs. Time and effort are saved when hydrostatically testing pipelines, spools, pipe racks and process modules. The time-consuming process of welding on end caps, then cutting them off and re-levelling the pipe end, is eliminated. EST Group’s high-pressure test plugs offer a fast, safe and re-usable solution.

GripTight MAX Test Plug benefits

GripTight Max plugs (utilising new dual-serrated gripper technology) offer the following benefits:

EST Group Isolation and Test Plugs for personnel safety and weld testing

The EST Group Test Plugs range provides positive isolation and monitoring of potentially hazardous or explosive vapours upstream of a welding job and then effectively hydrotests the new weld connection. The GripTight Isolation Plug is available in a wide size range – from DN20 to DN1200 (¾-inch to 48-inch NPS) – with larger sizes available upon request. Using a traditional blind flange to test a weld in a 300 m length of DN300 Sch40 pipe would require filling the entire line with approximately 5800 litres of water. Using the GripTight Isolation Plug to test that same weld requires less than 5 litres of water.

High Lift Flange Weld Test Plug

EST Group’s High Lift Flange Weld Test Plug is a safe, reliable, 4-in-1 tool that reduces costs, downtime delays, and wastewater disposal associated with conventional flange testing. The High Lift Flange Weld Test Plug lets you monitor conditions upstream of the seal, isolate and purge the weld area, and complete the weld and hydro test with one tool. The plug isolates just the weld area, saving on filling the entire line or vessel. Requiring no flange blinds, no vacuum trucks or dehydration services, reduced NDE, and reduced water and environmental waste.

GripTight Reverse Pressure Test Plugs for testing Flange Welds

EST Group’s GripTight Reverse Pressure (GTRP) test plugs are the solution to the growing concern over the axial strength of flange-to-pipe welds. By isolating the test area between a test flange and our GTRP plug, the flange-to-pipe weld is subjected to the full axial, hoop, and radial stresses equivalent to the stresses that would be produced when using a test blind to pressurise the entire piping system. 

Pressure testing using EST Group’s GTRP can effectively verify the weld integrity providing the user confidence that the flange and weld will meet the requirements when placed into service. Testing performed with the GTRP is quick, easy, and safe and meets the requirements of ASME/ANSI B16.5. Our standard GTRP plugs allow testing to pressures up to 2,250 PsiG (155 BarG), which covers up to ANSI 600# class service.  

For more information, visit the Pipe Serv website.

This article featured in the July edition of The Australian Pipeliner. 

D anielle James is the joint director of Pipe Pro Directional Drilling alongside her husband Jason and has been an integral part of building the company from the ground up since it was founded in 2013. 

In charge of a multitude of crucial responsibilities, Danielle spends much of her time in the office overseeing human resources (HR) and safety preparations for all and upcoming projects. Likewise, one of Danielle’s key roles is inducting and onboarding new employees to the company and familiarising them with clients.

Danielle explains to The Australian Pipeliner that building Pipe Pro Drilling was difficult in the beginning. At the time, Danielle was still a teacher and gave birth to her daughter, Remi, within the first year of starting the business. 

Understandably, it was daunting for both Danielle and her husband to navigate how to get a business off the ground whilst also being first-time parents. 

“As there was little cash flow and we started with older machinery, getting substantial large contracts was a challenge,” she says. “We mainly started doing small road crossings of subcontracting to larger drilling companies for much lower rates.”

“We spent a lot of time meeting with people and presenting our capabilities and Jason’s expertise. Quality of work was something that impressed those early clients and through word-of-mouth we slowly grew our client base, but it was a really hard time and we worked long hours.”

In the beginning, Danielle was on maternity leave with the intention to return to teaching part-time while helping build Pipe Pro alongside her husband. 

Impressively, after the first 12 months Pipe Pro began acquiring several larger scale contracts and hiring enough new employees that doing both was not possible.

By that time, Danielle had been in teaching for 10 years and had been looking forward to taking on an administrative role once the business took off. 

To her surprise, success came a lot quicker than she had anticipated. She soon moved into managing Pipe Pro full-time and hasn’t looked back since. 

Now with two kids at school, Danielle can be much more present in the company. Previously she spent half her time working from home so she could be near her children, but not only can she be present in the office every day, she also has an administrative assistant and site managers to soften the workload. This has given her significantly more time to focus on innovating the business and developing a strategic plan for the future of the company.

Danielle has invested a great deal of time implementing several programs to enable Pipe Pro Drilling to operate entirely online. 

This includes ensuring all crew members have iPads on which they complete and check-off daily safety checks, progress logs and timesheets. All of this is automatically uploaded to the company’s system which Danielle can monitor and access from her office. 

This online innovation has brought Pipe Pro Drilling firmly into the modern business era and helps keep it running smoothly.  

Being a woman and mother in a male dominated industry is certainly a challenge, but she has taken the obstacles to success in her stride. By having men and women working alongside each other, whether it’s on job sites or in board rooms, brings a level of diversity and depth to any company. 

This, says Danielle, is something everyone in leadership should strive to achieve in their businesses. Likewise, she believes one of the best ways women can break into the industry is by having the confidence to apply for the jobs they want, to ask for the promotion they’re chasing or the pay-rise they deserve. 

“Too often I see women take a back seat and settle for what they have but if you really want something you must work hard and chase after it,” she says. “Don’t be intimidated of scared to but forward your ideas or start something new.”

Danielle has noticed a change in the industry dynamics over the last decade. 

“Groups like NAWIC and Tradeswomen Australia are doing amazing things to support women and I think there are more opportunities now for younger women to enter the civil

construction industry,” she says. “I see through speaking with women in NAWIC that there are growing numbers of women in leadership roles across Australia which is great to see. 

“I love seeing women support women anytime but, in our industry, this is so important. The confidence and camaraderie between women really grow when we have each other’s back. I am such a big supporter of companies that I see hiring women across all areas of their businesses.” 

In fact, in 2019 Danielle was recognised for her hard work as Victorian Business Woman of the year by NAWIC. 

“This was most definitely the highlight of my career so far. I felt so incredibly honoured to be recognised by NAWIC,” she says. “I have met some incredible women in civil construction over the years so to stand up and receive that award was just amazing. After all the challenges we have faced along the way to be recognised and rewarded for this made it all worthwhile.

“Although we are still a long way off, I do see a shift and women in the industry should be proud of what we are achieving.”

This article featured in the July edition of The Australian Pipeliner. 

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Originally founded by Hugh Ian Fraser in Tasmania in the early 1950s, the company commenced a 70-year relationship that now sees the HIFraser business unit providing end to end design, engineering and manufacturing service to the Australian Navy. 

Since the purchase of HIFraser by the Kirkby family in 1982, the organisation has expanded to a group of five highly specialised businesses operating across a range of critical national industries.

Pipeline Actuation Control (PAC) is head-quartered in Perth, focusing on pneumatic and hydraulic systems in mining, oil and gas. Located in Melbourne, Eastern Automation manufacture and supply mechanical automation systems across industrial, waste, water and construction.

In 2015, the group looked west and found a company offering niche instrumentation products and service to mining, and oil and gas, acquiring Aquip Systems based in Perth and subsequently Flowservices (now Aquip Flowservices) in Queensland.

Working under Aquip’s previous owner Bryan Rogers was a dedicated right-hand woman, Jodie Draper.  Having started with Aquip in 2002 as Sales Coordinator, Draper knew the business inside out. When HIFraser bought the company and Bryan retired six months later, Jodie took the helm as General Manager. And she’s never looked back.

“I’ve always loved working in this industry. The dynamic nature of the work and the diversity of the people means that every day is different and within our Group there’s been so much opportunity to learn and develop,” Draper says. 

“One of our core values in the HIFraser Group is that we are a family company.  We are owned by the Kirkby family who are actively involved in the organisation, and we see our employees, suppliers and customers as part of our family too.  We try to always do the right thing by all, ensuring we find the right solutions for our customers, not just a quick fix. We are with them for the long term.”

After 20 years in the business, Draper takes pride in her commitment to the HIFraser family.  She believes in recognising and celebrating the achievements of people in the business and is constantly looking for ways to improve her team’s at-work experience and their personal and professional development.  She is a passionate advocate of gender equality, and supports her employees to prioritise their wellbeing with flexible work options and adaptable workplace models.

“It’s crucial to me that we recognise the importance of the wellbeing of our employee’s families at home,” she says.

On the subject of families, at home Draper is a mother of two beautiful young children with her husband, Stafford.  Due to arrive as this article is published, the Draper family are expecting their third addition, and while she’s keen to get back to work, Draper knows she will be supported by the business to take whatever time she needs.

When asked about how she sees the role of women in pipeline related industries, Draper is passionate and optimistic about the future.

“We have a large representation of women at all levels of the business including senior management.  I believe in giving our team members every chance to build long and rewarding careers within our company, see them develop and grow not only in a professional capacity, but in their personal lives too,” she says. 

In fact, there are several examples of long-term team members at HIFraser who have stepped up in the ranks. The most recent move has seen Aquip Office Manager Vicki Lamb move interstate and take on the role of General Manager of the Aquip Flowservices business in Queensland.  

“After 12 years in our Perth office, Vicki trekked across the country with her French Bulldog in tow.  Her knowledge of the business will be a great addition to the team there,” Draper says. 

“We have an amazing depth of knowledge and technical experience in all of our business units and as Managing Director I want to protect this knowledge and pass it on to the upcoming generation of team members.” 

This depth of technical knowledge allows the HIFraser Group to seek out new technology and product innovation, having brought many global brands to Australia.  A recent addition to its portfolio is the in-line inspection piper, INGU.

“We knew when we saw the INGU product that this was something that would benefit our pipeline customers.  The ability to get uninterrupted condition-critical data that can be self-managed and with no downtime to operations is a game changer,” Draper says. 

Draper is also acutely aware of the innovation and technological advances required to decarbonise industry globally.  This has led to HIFraser joining strengths with a French company, Elogen, to supply electrolysers in Australian and New Zealand for the production of green hydrogen.  

“With the technical and engineering expertise we possess in our HIFraser and PAC businesses, we will locally assemble the balance of plant of Elogen’s state of the art PEM electrolysers and adapt them to Australian standards.  We will then provide our customers local on-going maintenance and support.  We are very excited to play a role in the future of green hydrogen,” she says.

With five diverse and demanding business units under her leadership, Draper has her work cut out for her but hopes that her experience sets an example for young women thinking about entering industry.

“I’ve had an amazing experience over the past two decades,” Draper says. “While I’ve been loyal, in return the rewards for me professionally and personally have been countless and I look forward to supporting other young people to take a similar journey.”

For more information, visit HIFraser Group’s website.

This article featured in the July edition of The Australian Pipeliner. 

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Fo unded in the Midwestern United States in 1959 as a regional natural gas distribution company, Michels quickly expanded its services to meet the evolving needs of established and new customers. 

In 1988, Michels entered the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) market, offering a safe, environmentally sound way to install utility lines in areas where traditional open-trench construction would not be practical or feasible.

Keeping with Michlels’ spirit for innovation, the trenchless team has grown and advanced with the industry, building a reputation for completing some of the world’s most challenging, significant installations and for continuing to expand the capabilities of its team and custom designed and fabricated equipment. Michels has completed more than 225 pilot-hole intersect HDD projects, drills in excess of 4700 m, and become one of the world’s most experienced direct pipe contractors. 

In 2021, Michels completed a 4702 m installation of an NPS-24 steel utility line, the likes of which had not previously been attempted at the 24-inch diameter in the world. Previously, Lake Sakakawea on the Missouri River in North Dakota had limited the ability to transport natural gas takeaway from the Bakken Formation in northwest North Dakota to pipeline interconnects to the southeast. As a result, the existing infrastructure was not sufficient to meet transportation needs for the natural gas produced during the crude oil extraction process.

Faced with costly and inefficient options of building hundreds of kilometres of pipeline around Lake Sakakawea or transporting liquid natural gas around the lake in tanker trucks, much of the natural gas was safely burned as a flare to prevent release of hydrocarbons directly into the atmosphere. 

Already transporting half of the natural gas produced in the Bakken region, WBI Energy, Inc. (WBI), a subsidiary of MDU Resources Group, Inc., contracted Michels 2021 to build the transmission pipeline and trenchless segments of its North Bakken Expansion Project. HDD was chosen as the most viable, yet still very challenging, method for the installation. 

Michels put its team to work studying the project and developing multiple plans to achieve the highest possibility for success with the most minimal chances for injuries or environmental issues.

After about a month, reading was completed, and the hole was prepared to receive the long street of 24-inch pipe to seal the project. After two days, the pullback was successfully completed and Michels had, once again, proven the lengths can be pushed further than previously been done, contributing to the future of the trenchless industry.

Michels Asia Pacific is selectively specialising in technically challenging trenchless installations in Australia to allow customers to provide reliable, unobtrusive service in metropolitan and remote areas. The team consists of Wangaratta-based project management and field staff supported by industry experts at our international headquarters in Brownsville, WI, USA. 

“Geographical distance aside, we see many similarities between the people, the values, the goals, and the commitment to safety and innovation shared by our home base and Australia,” says Matt Smith, Vice President, Michels Trenchless. “We look forward to working together to build the future of Australia’s infrastructure.”  

For more information, visit Michels website.

This article featured in the July edition of The Australian Pipeliner. 

Methane emissions are at the centre of the current climate crisis due to methane’s outsized contribution to global warming. Picarro has the methane quantification and reporting application that should be the bedrock of every utility’s emissions management and reporting process.

Th e entire value chain of natural gas is receiving a mandate from global trade organisations, governments, regulators, communities, shareholders, and financial markets to accurately measure and report methane emissions.

Further, the industry must produce and implement a plan to meaningfully reduce their emissions over time. Reducing methane emissions is a major environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goal for many companies today, and those companies who are performing against these methane emissions reduction KPIs are finding better funding, being lauded by the public, and are likely outperforming the market. 

Distribution System Operators (DSOs) managing national, regional, and even local distribution networks are no exception to the mandate, and are, in fact, critical to helping the broader oil and gas industry reduce methane emissions in an impactful way.

Finally, there is a significant opportunity around implementing effective emissions management and reduction programs which can help operators worldwide improve safety, reduce operational impacts on the environment, boost capital efficiency, and transform gas networks in order to achieve net zero operations – paving the way for sustainable and safer natural gas distribution in the future.

In 2022, Picarro is taking a massive step forward in helping the oil and gas industry reduce emissions by formally releasing a Network Emissions Measurement solution as a part of its award-winning P-Cubed software platform. The Emissions Measurement solution is powered by Picarro’s breakthrough Emissions Quantification (EQ) algorithm and allows for a novel top-down emissions estimate that is based on true measurements from point sources, similar to a bottom-up calculation. It uses a unique leak-based, time-averaged approach which has been commercially proven with more than four years of successful implementation.

Picarro’s ultra-low minimum detection limit (MDL) and robust quantification enables operators to build a full inventory of network emissions sources, binned over 4 orders of magnitude from 0.01 SCFH up to 100+ SCFH and can easily identify and remediate larger leaks for accelerated emissions abatement.

The solution outputs measurement-based emission factors which are calibrated and optimised for each operator – an enormous step-change over generic emission coefficients which are typically unrepresentative of specific assets. 

To power the new emissions solution, Picarro has introduced the new Network Assessment Viewer (NAV), which allows operators to easily visualise and understand their network emissions and leak density at any scale. Our protocols and methodology fully support the existing and upcoming voluntary methane emissions reporting schemas, including NGSI, Marcogaz, and OGMP 2.0 level 4 and level 5 Gold Standards.

Finally, the Picarro Emissions Measurement solution is already used by multiple distributors across the globe to report emissions and drive emissions reduction efforts. In Australia, Picarro has already onboarded major gas utilities into our Emissions Measurement ecosystem, allowing them to perform network assessments and optimise pipeline replacement using a measurement-based approach in our new Network Assessment Viewer.

You can’t fix what you can’t measure so knowing the total emissions volume of your organisation is a critical first step toward being able to meaningfully reduce emissions, and to be able to report and take credit for those reductions. With Picarro’s new Network Emissions Measurement solution, operators can measure emissions, report the outcome, and reduce emissions over time to create a more sustainable future.

For more information, visit Picarro’s website.

This article featured in the July edition of The Australian Pipeliner. 

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The parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). Under the MoU, INPEX will study the feasibility of the hub in cooperation with AGL and other partners.

The Hunter Energy Hub is the second hydrogen hub study that INPEX is pursuing with AGL, following the partnership on the Torrens Hydrogen Hub in SA.

The project primarily envisages hydrogen production from renewable energy sources and the export of hydrogen and hydrogen-derived products. It seeks to introduce a hydrogen industry to the Hunter region of NSW by using the site of the AGL-owned Liddell power station as well as existing infrastructure located in its vicinity.

The Port of Newcastle has been identified as a potential offloading location. This raised possibilities for the hub to facilitate hydrogen exports to Japan and other countries in the future, given Newcastle’s relative proximity to key markets.

INPEX is one of the world’s great energy production corporations producing and delivering clean, efficient and reliable natural gas for the Asia-Oceanic region.

INPEX may be an admittedly young company, with the modern INPEX Corporation founded in 2008 following the merger of INPEX, Teikoku Oil and INPEX Holdings, but it’s now the largest energy exploration and production company in Japan. The company is aiming to become a global top 10 producer in the next 20 years.

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The statement highlighted that threats of any shortfall of gases are overblown and subsequently lead to a degree of unnecessary concern.

Australian’s have been in this situation before, explained Calabria, and the industry has always responded accordingly. Therefore, 167 petajoules (PJs) of forecast production not yet committed to customers and much of this will undoubtedly find its way to domestic customers, ensuring the market continues to have the supply it requires.

Furthermore, domestic gas supply is important to Australia Pacific LNG and Origin Energy’s partners have recognised the need to meet the needs of domestic customers as part of maintaining Origin’s social licence.

Of the total 230 PJs supplied to the domestic market in the first quarter of 2022, the venture provided 150 PJs which is well over half.

Notably, most of this domestic gas is sold under fixed price, medium and long-term contracts with smaller volumes sold through short-term sales. Origin Energy is a net contributor to the domestic market and intends to stay that way, said Calabria.

Calabria likewise addressed the understandable concern about rising commodity prices. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has impacted gas and coal across the globe and caused a sharp increase in prices. Domestically, recent large increases on the draw on gas for power generation to cover significant coal plant outages and coal supply issues have driven up east coast spot prices.

However, most customers are not under obligation to pay these prices as they are on contracts that protect from the oscillation of commodity prices, explained Calabria. This is due to more than 95 per cent of Origin’s gas sales are via term contracts, not the spot prices.

Likewise, Calabria clarified that the notion that gas producers don’t pay taxes or royalties is unfounded. In fact, Australia Pacific LNG paid $650 million in royalties to the QLD government in the 2022 financial year alone.

Origin Energy will continue to encourage governments to look closely at other solutions to ensure that supply constraints experienced in the previous twelve months and encourage investment in supply’s closer to the demand centres of NSW and VIC, which will be the best way to address both supply and price concerns in the future.

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Pikka Phase 1 is anticipated to produce 80,000 barrels a day of oil gross with first oil anticipated in 2026.

The project has strong fundamentals and is in a world-class oil producing province with significant existing infrastructure, has low unabated emissions intensity and is supported by key stakeholders, including the State of Alaska, the North Slope Borough, the landowner company Kuukpik Corporation and the Arctic Slipe Corporation (ASRC).

Santos is focused on local procurement and local employment as part of the project, with 98 per cent of current employees living in Alaska. Phase 1 of the project is expected to create more than 500 jobs and construction of the project will deliver approximately 2600 jobs.

The Pikka Phase 1 project represents compelling value for Santos shareholders given its robust economics and strong local shareholder support.

Santos Managing Director and CEO Kevin Gallagher said Pikka Phase 1 is the right project at the right time in the right location.

“Global oil and gas markets are seeing increased volatility and countries are looking to diversify their supply sources away from Russia, which according to the International Energy Agency, currently produces 18 per cent of the world’s gas and 12 per cent of its oil,” Gallagher said.

“Low-carbon oil projects like Pikka Phase 1 respond to new demand for OECD supply and are critical for global and United States energy security, that has been highlighted since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”

“Santos has emission reduction plans to achieve scope 1 and 2 net-zero emissions by 2040 and in-line with that commitment, Pikka will be a net zero project.”

Furthermore, the project is set to add further diversification to Santos’ portfolio and reduces geographic concentration risk.

Pikka Phase 1 will execute a responsible development plan with a small surface footprint and utilise existing infrastructure, including the Kuparuk transportation pipeline and the trans-Alaska pipeline system.

“We have a world-class team with a rich history of successfully carrying out work on the North Slope. With approximately 90 per cent of project spend within North America minimising supply chain risk and civils work already completed, the project is well positioned for execution,” said Gallagher.

The Pikka Phase 1 oil project is located on the North Slope of Alaska and is worth a total AU$3.78 billion gross.

Santos has a 51 per cent interest in the Pikka unit – the remaining interesting is held by Repsol.

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The introduction of sexual harassment and sexual discrimination policies, female-oriented mentoring programs, networking opportunities, and training courses such as the APGA Women’s Leadership Development Program, have helped foster better working environments and provided support for the women who have joined the industry.

De spite these initiatives women make up only 15 per cent of the current Australian engineering workforce, and there remains significant attrition of women over the age of 30 from the industry. This is because cultural change has not occurred at the same rate as structural change. 

Women in STEM groups and women’s development programs, while valuable, maintain the idea that gender imbalance is a women’s issue – and can appear to favour women while discriminating against men. It is common for women to hear phrases such as, “she only got the job because she’s a woman” – an attitude that undermines women who have earned leadership positions, causes push-back against gender equality initiatives, and creates a hostile culture for women to work in. 

Often these attitudes come from a lack of understanding rather than actual malice – it is therefore critically important that we educate those who have not experienced bias, so that they can become aware of it, learn to recognise it in systems and culture, and appreciate the compounding effect of micro-aggressions. With education and conversation, we can realise that it is not just women who lose out in a gender-unequal world, and that we all need to work together to create change. 

Unconscious bias training, discussions about recognising one’s privileges, and sharing of gender-biased experiences are examples of valuable initiatives to start these conversations. Sharing stories is particularly powerful: demonstrating vulnerability and showing emotion through stories builds empathy, involvement and investment. 

When followed with an open question-and-answer session, it facilitates respectful discussion on a topic that otherwise can be considered taboo, and creates opportunity for mental re-framing and positive resolutions. It just requires two things – someone brave enough to speak up, and an audience that is brave enough to listen.

We are applying a particular focus on stories that demonstrate how the experiences of men and women differ in our industry, and how gender differences can be a result of difference in experience and opportunity, and not a difference in genetics. We have presented our own stories to our colleagues, and we are now collecting stories from people in the pipeline industry to support a paper and presentation at the APGA Convention in September.  We believe that sharing these stories can initiate a cultural shift so that we can all work together: let’s build an industry that doesn’t just count women, but makes women feel like they count. 

Please provide your stories you are willing to share, that can help us start these conversations.

This article featured in the July edition of The Australian Pipeliner. 

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said the Palaszczuk Government was facilitating investment to create good and secure jobs in traditional and emerging industries such as hydrogen.

“This is an exciting project for Central Queensland and for the state’s future as an emerging hydrogen superpower,” said Miles.

“Queensland’s Coordinator-General has now released draft terms of reference for the H2-HubTM Gladstone project’s environmental impact statement (EIS), which means Queenslanders can comment

“This means Queenslanders can now comment on what will be considered during the project’s assessment.

“H2U estimates the project will create over 550 jobs during construction, with up to 350 jobs during the peak construction phase, and 140 ongoing operational jobs.”

Miles announced in April that the project had been declared a coordinated project, with H2U and Orica having made a strategic partnership agreement to initiate the project’s first phase.

The H2-Hub Gladstone project has a planned capacity of up to 3 gigawatts of electrolysis and up to 5,000 tonnes per day of green ammonia production.

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said the H2U facility is expected to use 100 per cent renewable energy from new-build solar and wind resources in the QLD region.

“Projects like this help to propel Queensland towards becoming a clean energy powerhouse,” de Brenni said.

“Throughout the state, we are seeing enormous activity because Queensland could have as much as 40 per cent of Australia’s hydrogen production by 2040.

“Domestic projects are being worked on from the tip of Cape York to the New South Wales border and our east coast ports such as Townsville, Hay Point and Brisbane all under active investigation by private sector proponents.”

Likewise, Minister for Regional Development Glenn Butcher said Central QLD was establishing itself as a renewables powerhouse.

“Proposed projects like this are highlighting the benefits of investing into Queensland’s regions and creating jobs for the future,” said Butcher.

“This project presents export opportunities for green ammonia at the Port of Gladstone, creating even more opportunities in Gladstone.”

Hydrogen Utility (H2U) is proposing a two-stage development to create a major new industrial hub in the Gladstone State Development Area with export infrastructure at Fisherman’s Landing Wharf, Port of Gladstone.

The H2-Hub Gladstone project has a planned capacity of up to 3 gigawatts of electrolysis and up to 5,000 tonnes per day of green ammonia production. It is expected the proposed facility will use 100 per cent renewable energy from new-build solar and wind resources in the QLD region.

Subject to approvals, H2U proposes to begin stage-one construction in 2023 with production commencing towards the end of 2025.

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The company specialises in providing quality products and services to owners and operators, refineries, plants and off-shore facilities, servicing clients in Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and South East Asia.

Chris McKay has joined PipeServ as a Sales & Operations Engineer and will be based in Adelaide, while Glenn Rowley has been appointed Technical Sales Manager and will be based in Brisbane.

Both McKay and Rowley will join the rest of the PipeServ team in attending the APGA Convention in Brisbane on 24-27 September.

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First gas from this major investment is targeted to deliver a much-needed gas supply to the domestic market within two years, according to Senex.

Gas production of 60 PJ per year represents more than 10 per cent of annual east coast domestic natural gas requirements, around 40 per cent of QLD’s domestic gas requirements, and is equivalent to the electricity used by more than 2.7 million homes each year.

Senex’s CEO Ian Davies said of the investment: “This new investment to significantly boost domestic natural gas supply supports Australia’s energy security and continues to underscore QLD’s position as a reliable energy provider.”

“Senex prides itself on supporting the production of natural gas for the Australian market. It was only three years ago Senex began supplying the east coast market from Queensland’s Surat Basin and to date has already invested more than half a billion dollars in new supply.

“The willingness of our new owners POSCO INTERNATIONAL Corporation and Hancock Energy Corporation to commit significant additional new capital allows Senex to bring critical new gas supply to market – essential for manufacturing, industry, homes, hospitals and electricity generation – beyond which was possible prior to their acquisition of Senex earlier this year,” said Davies.

“The recent electricity crisis proved natural gas is critical to providing secure and reliable energy for Australians and is needed to underpin renewables and replace aging coal generation, without which electricity costs will further rise, while infrastructure and technology is developed to support increased renewable generation.”

Furthermore, Senex’s investment is anticipated to create more 200 jobs during construction and another 50 permanent roles and is expected to inject more than $200 million into local businesses and regional areas.

The investment will put people in work, support businesses and families in the country areas we operate in and provide long-term benefits to QLD with royalties helping to fund hospitals, roads, emergency services and more, as we support Australia’s energy independence and security, explained Davies.

The recent electricity crisis caused by coal supply shortages and generation outages, combined with lower renewable generation and underinvestment in new gas supply since 2015, highlighted the need for more secure, reliable and affordable natural gas supply.

Davies said more than two-thirds of the capital commitment is planned to be invested over the next two years on gas infrastructure and wells at Senex’s Surat Basin developments in western Queensland, providing a major economic boost to regional economies.

“Senex is showing that Queensland is continuing to do the heavy lifting in producing the natural gas that Australia needs to keep the lights on, especially during periods of peak demand in the National Electricity Market when renewables may be unavailable, and coal is becoming increasingly unavailable despite Australia’s reserves,” Davies said.

“We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the Australian and Queensland governments to finalise the necessary regulatory approvals for this investment and supplying more gas to market as soon as possible.

“With the necessary regulatory approvals in place, Senex can unlock more gas which Australians need, and create skilled, secure, well-paid jobs for Queensland workers and drive economic growth with this billion-dollar expansion.”

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The challenges of nitrogen purge

Nitrogen purge or nitrogen blanketing is commonly used to protect metal void spaces from corrosion by replacing the oxygen with nitrogen gas. However, there are three major challenges to the success and efficiency of this method. 

Firstly, nitrogen gas is expensive; raising a cost barrier especially where large spaces are concerned. The second challenge is that nitrogen requires constant pressure with an airtight seal. This necessitates regular monitoring and complete reapplication if a leak does occur. Third, leaks also pose a safety hazard for personnel who unknowingly enter an area where the deadly gas has settled and may be overcome in moments.

By contrast, VpCI-337 is much safer, cost-effective, and easy to apply and maintain. VpCI-337 is a waterborne Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitor that can be applied by fogging into metal void spaces. 

This labour-saving technique uses a minimum of product to protect large areas or volumes. Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors in the fogging fluid diffuse throughout the void and are attracted to metal surfaces where they condense and form a protective molecular layer. 

This layer inhibits the corrosion reaction on the metal surfaces even in the presence of oxygen and residual moisture. The space must be completely closed for the corrosion inhibitors to be effective, but an air-tight seal is not required as for nitrogen purge. At the end of the preservation period, there is usually no need to remove the VpCI layer—although this is easily done if needed.

Another advantage of VpCI-337 is its versatility. VpCI-337 can provide corrosion protection for everything from massive heat recovery steam generators to small crates of metal parts. The following are real-life examples of how VpCI-337 has been used:

• Internal preservation of pig receivers enroute from construction yard to offshore installation site.

• One-year protection of aboveground storage tank (AST) internals at a sulphur recovery plant.

• Preservation of spare heat-exchanger tube bundles (in conjunction with VpCI-132 and MilCorrVpCI Shrink Film) previously stored in nitrogen pressurised canisters.

• Temporary protection of fuel tanks in retired aircraft stored outdoors during museum renovation.

• Transit protection of automotive frames shipped inside sea containers (VpCI-337 fogged inside VpCI-126 Film covered skids).

• Protective packaging element used for shipment of horizontally opposed piston aircraft engines

VpCI-337 is also an excellent option for manufacturer edge treatment of coils, fogging of oil drilling risers, internal protection of metal tubular structures, and much more.

This product is available through SAVCOR Products Australia Pty Ltd in Australia and New Zealand.  

For more information visit SAVCOR.

This article featured in the July edition of The Australian Pipeliner. 

Donelle Jones is the Head of Marketing, Innovation and Customer Experience at Iplex and has been with the company for seven years. 

Prior to joining the water industry, Jones held sales and marketing roles in the FMCG and B2B food service industries. This granted her the opportunity to gain great experience in customer service focused problem solving, strengthening the skills she has developed over her 25-year career. 

When an opportunity arose with Iplex Pipelines allowing her to be based in Brisbane alongside her family, Jones was more than happy to make the transition into the water industry. At Iplex, she could leverage her sales and marketing skills within the pipe manufacturing industry.

Jones explains to The Australian Pipeliner that her proudest moments working at Iplex stem from her role as a leader and motivator.

“I always feel the proudest when I have been able to create opportunities for others to succeed, develop and grow,” she says. “I have been fortunate in my career to have been supported in that way, and I continue to try to find ways to help others move forward in their careers.”

“The pipeline industry in Australia has such an important purpose. The industry helps manage one of the most precious resources we have on this planet; water. The movement of water is simply essential to the survival of the human race. In the pipeline industry, we have such an important role to play in supporting the broader water industry to move this resource to where it is needed.” 

“Whether it is needed for transporting fresh water for drinking or crop irrigating or moving wastewater to treatment plants or managing stormwater capture and movement, the Pipeline industry has a very important role to play,” says Jones.

Being a woman in such a male dominated industry is a challenge, says Jones, but it can be aided by an improved balance in diversity of all kinds. 

More and more opportunities are being created for women to come together and discuss their position in the industry, granting the chance to develop systems and networks of support. Moreover, there are opportunities to learn from each other’s experiences and to discuss common challenges women still face. “The current topic of discussion around imposter syndrome is a great example, where this common experience, felt by many women has at last an opportunity to be discussed openly,” says Jones. “I think it helps to empower women and provide greater confidence through shared knowledge.”

Paula Keinzley is the National Customer Relationship Coordinator at Iplex and has been with the company for over 19 years. With a total of 25 years of experience in the water industry, Keinzley has seen first-hand the industry’s shift to being more inclusive and diverse.

Keinzley began at a smaller PE fabrication company but was always interested in learning more about the range of products and various market segments within the water industry. It was a natural progression for Keinzley to make the transition into a role with Iplex where she has since established a strong foundation of knowledge and experience.

There are several things that Keinzley are proud of throughout her longstanding career in the industry, both personal and professional achievements. That being said, the most meaningful to her are the relationships she has forged with people at all levels of the business. 

Having been in the company and industry for many years, she has been motivated and driven by many different factors. Currently, admits Keinzley, her motivation lies in her enjoyment of the work and environment. On a daily basis, she is challenged to be better and affect the journeys of those around her in a positive way.

“Many of the people I’ve had the pleasure to work with in this industry have encouraged me to grow, learn and most importantly, share these learnings with others. That’s been my greatest influence, being open to learn and to always share what you know,” says Keinzley. Fast forwarding 20 years, Keinzley is now excited for the future of women within the industry.

“Traditionally, roles within operational, technical and management functions were male dominated,” she says. “It’s wonderful to see more women in these roles, showcasing their expertise and knowledge in our industry.”

While there is a lot to learn and understand about the industry, Keinzley believes that it’s worthwhile for the opportunities that can be afforded to anyone, especially women, who give it a go. 

“I would still say that many see women’s roles in this industry in an administrative capacity,” she says. “Changing this perception needs to continue.” 

Innovation has always been at the core of Iplex’s approach, and the business is proud to have pioneered numerous new technologies into the Australian water industry. Likewise, while there is a long way to go before reaching true equality within the water industry, Iplex is striving to lessen the divide by uplifting the women within the business and giving them the opportunity to further themselves and their careers.  

For more information visit Iplex.

This article featured in the July edition of The Australian Pipeliner. 

Th e group of TDM entities are proud to be leading the way with equal opportunity employment and presenting opportunities for women to have a rewarding career within the trenchless and pipeline rehabilitation sector.

The Drain Man’s Rosie Bureta and Viktorija Rajicic are testimony to The Drain Man’s promise of providing equal opportunity within the workplace. 

Despite neither of the women having any previous experience in drain clearing and relining when they joined The Drain Man, their attitudes, work ethic and hunger to learn has lead to Bureta and Rajicic being recognised across the business as one of its strongest pull in place (PIP) relining crews.

Working as a team, the pair are extremely productive and diligent in how they go about their work – having a high level of attention to detail, focused on ensuring their work is delivered in a safe and efficient manner and pride in how they work and prepare themselves. 

Bureta and Rajicic have not only enhanced their skills and learnt a new trade but have also built a friendship which they believe is crucial to their success. 

Rosie Bureta – The Drain Main crew leader 

Bureta first started with The Drain Man in September 2018 after having a background in concreting and realising that career path was taking a toll on her body. 

After four years working with The Drain Man, Bureta is now the crew leader after making her way up through different roles. 

Admitting it was a lot to learn at first, she says the first couple of months in the job she was more reserved and needed a lot of guidance from her crew leader at the time. 

“Being in an all-male industry and being female was daunting at first. But as I found my feet, the guys were pretty awesome to learn off,” she says. 

“The chance to learn off Brad and other supervisors really helped me have the confidence every day to be able to know what I’m doing now. Today, I can do it with my eyes closed, whereas before I needed someone to hold my hand.” 

Bureta says there are so many aspect of the job that her team need to prepare and says it is important to have someone on your team who you can communicate with and a strong partnership with. 

She says by having Rajicic on her team makes everything easier. 

“I was lucky enough to work with someone like Vik who knew me when we started and that’s how I got her into the industry. She knows what I require, without me having to say, and she is always covering my back,” Bureta says. 

Despite being a male-dominated industry, Bureta says she has a lot more respect for the men she works alongside every day.  She says at first when she was working by herself, she made a few errors and expected her male co-workers to yell at her. Instead, they were patient and helped Bureta get through the job a lot easier. 

“Especially given the fact that I didn’t have much experience at first, and now knowing a lot more what I did back then, surprisingly, I haven’t made many errors in the last years. I also challenged myself as well because I was the only female, to be honest, I wanted to be the best,” she says.

Bureta encourages any females wanting to get into the industry to not be afraid and give it a go. 

“You need to trust that you will improve by being patient and just being open to new things, and willing to give anything a go.” 

Looking to the future Bureta has her sights set on becoming a supervisor and continue learning as much as she can about the industry.  

“There’s a lot that I need to improve on and learn, but I just want to down pat one thing at a time and eventually become the best at it,” Bureta says. 

Viktorija Rajici – The Drain Man relining assistant 

After her tennis career came to an end and she was at a crossroads in her life, Rajici secured an interview through Bureta for a job with The Drain Man. 

After a couple of weeks of uncertainty, Rajici stuck at it and three years later works alongside Bureta completing relining jobs. 

“If I am being honest, I had no idea what I was doing at the start, but it is something you can pick up if you are willing to learn,” she says. 

“I’m still learning. I’m not quite at Rosie’s level at the moment but she’s teaching me new things every day. There’s a lot of different things to learn from camera work to knowing how to work the jet – it has lots of different aspects.” 

Coming from a sporting background, Rajici had always imagined herself working in an outdoor environment but says it does come with its challenges.  She recalls that when arriving at some jobs and knocking on the door of the customer, they would look at her and obviously surprised to see a female. However, Rajici says once they realise, she is here for the job and it is completed they are fine.” 

“My advice to any woman looking to join the industry is to just go for it. It doesn’t matter being a female in a male dominated industry these days, so don’t be afraid or worried about anything anymore, just go for it,” she says. 

The Drain Man is contracted by Yarra Valley Water to perform House Connection Branch Rehabilitation where Bureta and Rajicic have been instrumental in the successful delivery of works ensuring their work is completed to the highest standard, in a timely fashion and minimal disruption to their customers. Yarra Valley Water manager Paige Fergus says Bureta and Rajicic are one of the best crews. 

“I cannot speak more highly of the work that they do, I think the work they do is just flawless,” Fergus says.  “They have a strong focus on the customer as well, which is leaps and bounds above a lot of the other contract partners that we deal with.” 

“By having the female-led crews, you know, TDM are kind of pioneers in that space. For us, and a lot of our other contract partners, I guess, they are making a lot of moves in having diversity and representation, particularly in marginalized groups of people such as women in industry. TDM are the pioneers in that space for us making big waves, which is awesome to see.” 

The Drain Man, the founding business of the group started as a general plumbing company in Melbourne over 30 years ago and has specialised as a drain clearing, relining and network services provider for over 20 years. 

The group of companies is proudly Australian owned and operated and has expanded with operations in VIC, NSW and WA, of which has included the establishment of TDM Pipeline Solutions supporting growth across water utilities, local government and civil infrastructure, paving the way for the next generation of women in the industry.  

For more information visit The Drain Man.

This article featured in the July edition of The Australian Pipeliner. 

The underground pipeline route passes close to Santos’ Narrabri Gas Project. Santos’ goal is to work with infrastructure developers and owners to construct the pipeline and deliver much-needed gas to east coast domestic markets in the shortest timeframe possible.

The pipeline will also be designed to transport hydrogen as customer demand evolves during the energy transition.

Santos’ midstream and clean fuels president, Brett Woods, said the acquisition provides a pathway for the delivery of gas from the Narrabri Gas Project to the domestic market, subject to a short connection to the main pipeline, which is currently in the planning stage.

“At a time when the ACCC is forecasting domestic gas shortfalls, our Narrabri project, which is 100 per cent committed to the domestic market, will inject new supply into southern domestic markets and put downward pressure on gas prices for New South Wales businesses, manufacturers and families,” Woods said.

“It will make more gas available to cover peak demand periods, especially in circumstances where gas power generators are called on unexpectedly to replace wind, solar and coal outages, as we have seen this winter.

“Acquiring the Hunter Gas Pipeline route is an important step for the Narrabri project, with appraisal drilling planned later this year, pending various native title and environmental management plan approvals.”

Once fully operational, Narrabri has the potential to deliver more than half of NSW’s gas supply demand and create a more secure, locally based and affordable supply for businesses, manufacturers and families.

The Hunter Gas Pipeline has already been planned and approved. Once constructed the pipeline will potentially connect the Wallumbilla Gas Supply Hub in QLD to NSW, providing a second route to southern markets for QLD gas and adding competition to the domestic market.

“The route of the underground pipeline was specifically chosen to ensure minimum impact on communities, landholders and the environment, but there is room to make further improvements as needed,” Woods said.

“There are also offtake points at several regional towns along the route to Newcastle, providing a new opportunity for gas supply to power generators, manufacturers, businesses and households in the Hunter region.

“The cheapest gas supply will always be the gas on your doorstep because that reduces transport, storage and other handling costs. We will work in partnership with landholders and the local councils that represent communities the pipeline will traverse, to deliver new gas supply to domestic markets and maximise social and economic benefits of both the Narrabri Gas Project and the Hunter Gas Pipeline.”

Subject to receiving remaining government approvals, construction of the pipeline is expected to commence in early 2024.

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The Australian Pipeliner is the official magazine of the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association (APGA) and the leading media brand for the sector. The publication covers everything from upstream gas exploration and facilities, to construction and maintenance of hydrocarbon transmission pipelines and water pipelines.