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Letter from the President
I am delighted to be hosting the 57th IPLOCA Annual Convention taking place in Izmir, Türkiye. Our biggest event of the year will bring us to the beautiful Aegean coast in September, the best time to visit. We have everything needed for a fantastic event: a city with a rich cultural heritage deeply rooted in ancient Greek and Roman history, world-renowned Turkish hospitality and culinary culture, and a luxurious convention hotel overlooking the spectacular Kordon Promenade and the Gulf of Izmir.
I’m excited about the great line-up of world-class speakers who will deliver vital business intelligence and evaluate the state of the industry and its outlook. We will hear from business leaders about AI transformation, challenges and opportunities in the industry and the state of the energy transition.
I hope to see you at the convention and look forward to spending five wonderful days together. As you know our social events, receptions and banquets are unparalleled for networking with fellow industry leaders. You will be able to hold several months’ worth of business meetings in just a few days, all in a relaxed setting.
Election Meetings will be held during the convention and up to 12 new members of the IPLOCA Board will be elected by Regular Members. Please consider applying for a vacant seat, if you believe your contribution can help IPLOCA achieve its objectives. You will find more details on page 34.
Apart from the convention, IPLOCA organises a series of events throughout the year. Knowledge sharing and networking, regionally and globally, are at the heart of all these invaluable gatherings. I hope many of you will take advantage of the upcoming Regional Meeting in Krakow and, further down the line, the Regional Meeting in Saudi Arabia in December. This will be a first for IPLOCA, as we have never held a Regional Meeting on the Arabian Peninsula before.
Mark your calendars for the HSE & CSR Workshop and the Novel Construction Fall Session to be held in October 2025 in Budapest, Hungary. I recommend registering early for all our events, as places are limited and interest has substantially increased recently.
Have a wonderful summer, and I look forward to seeing you in Izmir!
Best regards,
Yasar Giregiz IPLOCA President 2024-2025
News from Geneva
World Pipelines Podcast: Going global with IPLOCA
For the latest episode of the World Pipelines Podcast, Senior Editor Elizabeth Corner welcomed Georges Hage to sit at the podcast mic.
Our Executive Secretary shared exactly how IPLOCA champions the interests of its member companies, supporting both new pipeline developments and ongoing infrastructure maintenance.
The conversation, which we hope IPLOCA members will enjoy, explores IPLOCA’s roots, its evolution over time, and the importance of cross-cultural collaboration in a highly globalised sector. Georges Hage sheds light on how the Association helps contractors navigate region-specific regulations, encourages knowledge sharing, and fosters innovation through forums, technical committees and global events.
He also discusses the Association’s Board structure, and how IPLOCA plans to remain a driving force in the delivery of
IPLOCA at the Pipeline Technology Conference
As a member of the PTC Advisory Committee, Georges Hage took part in the 20 th Pipeline Technology Conference held in May in Berlin. He met with dozens of industry executives from member and non-member organisations. IPLOCA has been a supporter of this international event for the global pipeline industry.
sustainable energy infrastructure in the years ahead. Tune in to be reminded what makes pipeline contractors such a unique and collaborative community!
Please find the link to the podcast below: www.worldpipelines.com/podcasts/
Treasurer visits Geneva HQ
Bruno Pomaré, IPLOCA’s Treasurer, held a full-day meeting at IPLOCA’s HQ in Geneva in May.
He met with Georges Hage and Accounting Manager Sébastien Goetschmann with the aim of discussing IPLOCA’s accounts and financial matters.
From left: Bruno Pomaré, Georges Hage and Sébastien Goetschmann
From right: Marius Porst, Diana Romero, Georges Hage, Diana Rennkamp, Simon Herrenknecht and Andreas Messner
Board Meeting Update
27-28 March 2025 - Tokyo, Japan
The following highlights the main discussions and decisions made during the meeting.
Opening remarks from the President
Yasar Giregiz, IPLOCA Board of Directors President, opened the meeting and conveyed his thanks to Board members for travelling to Tokyo to attend the meeting.
Safety moment
In his presentation, Giovanni Muriana, HSE & CSR Committee Chair, emphasised the importance of mutual respect in the workplace. It is crucial for a positive, healthy and productive work environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to contribute their best. He concluded by saying that it is worth developing strategies to ensure mutual respect is at the centre of the workplace culture.
Annual Convention
IPLOCA’s Executive Secretary, Georges Hage, informed the Board that an updated version of the Convention Sponsorship Guidelines had been released. At the 2025 Annual Convention in Izmir, Türkiye delegates will be able to choose from cultural tours to Ephesus, Pergamon, Şirince Village, Çeşme, Alaçatı, Izmir City and Urla. The Board was briefed on the speakers selected to give presentations during the Open General Meetings.
HSE & CSR Committee
Giovanni Muriana, HSE & CSR Committee Chair, presented his report. Petrobras’ Edmilson Pinto da Silva, Coordinator of the Risk Analysis Studies Team, had joined the Committee. The next HSE & CSR Workshop will take place in Budapest, Hungary in October 2025. HSE statistics forms were received from all IPLOCA Regular Members last year. Unfortunately,
two fatal incidents on worksites had been reported by our members for the year 2023.
The Committee recommends all IPLOCA members adopt behavioural safety programmes, promote near-miss reporting and H&S trainings, and share industry best practices via the IPLOCA Shared Experiences Platform. The Committee’s initiatives include publishing the new tie-in guidelines and developing a mental health programme. The Board decided to set 1 March as the deadline for submitting HSE statistics, starting next year.
Marketing Plan
The Executive Secretary presented IPLOCA’s recently developed marketing plan.
Conventions in 2026 and 2027
Kent Wilfur, Convention & Board Location Project Lead, presented his report. Georges Hage and Convention Manager Isabelle Bourzeix carried out a site visit to Athens, Greece, the host city of the 2026 IPLOCA Convention. Across the Board, there was a consensus that the 2028 Annual Convention should be held in Latin America, rather than Asia.
Energy Transition Committee
Andrew Ball, the Chair of the Energy Transition Committee, presented his report. The Committee holds online meetings every month. Each Committee member is responsible for developing one of the key themes the team is focusing on. Four crucial documents related to the energy transition will be uploaded to the new knowledge hub, IPLOCA Nest.
Innovation Committee
Somaieh Salehpour, the Chair of the Innovation Committee, presented her report. More than 100 people registered for the Novel Construction Spring Session in Palermo, Italy, therefore registration had to be closed earlier than expected. IPLOCA Nest will be introduced to the membership during
the Novel Construction Spring Session and officially launched after the event. Access to the platform is a benefit of IPLOCA membership. Jason LaValley presented the work carried out by a very active subgroup within the Innovation Committee, the Skills & Resources group. The team developed creative tools and initiatives that aim to mitigate major, labourrelated problems affecting the industry globally.
Membership & Communication Committee
Marcin Przywara, Membership & Communication Committee Chair, presented his report. The Board unanimously approved the introduction of a new membership category called “New Technology Startup Member.”
To be eligible, a company must have been in operation for a minimum of two years and a maximum of five years. The number of employees must not exceed 30. The company must demonstrate innovation and disruptive technology. Each applicant must be recommended by two Regular Members and approved by the Board. The member will benefit from a 50% discount on the joining and Associate Membership fees for the first five years of membership. After this period, the company must either transition to Associate Membership at the full fee or leave the organisation.
Scholarship Programme
Saji Khoury, the Project Lead, advised the Board that a total of 128 applications had been received and that applications had been closed. IPLOCA will award 12 scholarships in 2025.
NextGen Network
Saji Khoury, the Project Lead, presented the report. 31 young professionals working for 21 different member companies joined the Network so far. Their average age is 31. Seven NextGen members attended the Novel Session in October 2024. The Network conducts online meetings every six weeks, with almost all members attending regularly. The Network
will be officially launched at the Annual Convention.
Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer, Bruno Pomaré, presented the First Quarter 2025 Forecast Report. The Board approved to lower the minimum sponsorship amount for the Novel Session to EUR 1’000
Membership
Eszter Czirjak, IPLOCA Membership Manager, presented the Membership Status report. The following membership applications were approved:
- 5C-Tech GmbH - Associate Member
- Allan Edwards Inc. - Associate Member
- CRTS Global - Associate Member
- EURETEQ - Associate Member
- ITP Interpipe - Associate Member
- National Basics Company Inc. - Regular Member
- Sawyer Mfg Company - Associate Member
- Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC)Academic Member
- United Pipeline Systems Inc. - Associate Member
Sister Associations
IPLOCA Executive Secretary Georges Hage and Treasurer Bruno Pomaré attended the Pipeline Industries Guild’s 67th Annual Dinner on 11 March at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House London, UK.
IPLOCA Immediate Past President Roberto Castelli, accompanied by his wife, Francesca, and Georges Hage, and his wife, Myrna, attended the Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada’s 71st Annual Convention held from 25 to 28 May in Banff, Canada.
Members of the World Federation of Pipe Line Industry Associations (WFPIA) met on 25 May during the event to discuss the state of the industry and share other topics of common interest.
The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association Annual Convention & Exhibition will be held from 18 to 21 October 2025 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre and will cover a range of issues in the pipeline and gas sector. Check their website for further details: apgaconvention.com
Yasar and Ayse Giregez with our hosts at Shiba Tofuya Ukai
Membership Centre
Action Required: Update Profile and Contact Information
We ask all Key Representatives of IPLOCA member companies to keep their company contact information and profiles up to date using the Member Dashboard available on our website.
This tool allows you to easily update the business address, URL, photo, logo, and description of your company published on the website and in the Yearbook. You may also add or replace IPLOCA contacts for specific roles, such as Health & Safety, Innovation, Invoicing, Sponsorship, and others. These contacts will not be publicly visible on the website or printed in the Yearbook.
Simply log in to www.iploca.com/login/ using your email address and password. If you need to reset your password, please go to www.iploca.com/lostpassword/ and reset your password using your email address. Please note that only Key Representatives and Key Representative Assistants can use the Member Dashboard.
New Regular Member
National Basics Company (NBC) is a leading onshore pipeline contractor with 25 years of experience, having constructed over 1,000 km of pipelines for Saudi Aramco projects. As a trusted partner, NBC collaborates with international companies like Saipem and Max Streicher on cross-country pipeline projects. With a workforce of 3,000+ employees and 1,300+ pieces of construction equipment, NBC offers a range of services, including dedicated automatic welding equipment from SERIMAX, pipeline internal coating for 8-20" diameter pipes, and trenchless technology. NBC prioritises timely and quality operations, making it a reliable choice for pipeline construction projects.
National Basics Company Ltd
5 th Floor, NBC Tower, 615 King Abdulaziz Road
Dhahran
P.O.Box 30196
Al-Khobar 31952
Saudi Arabia
T +966 138326662
info@nbccompany.com www.nbccompany.com
The Member Dashboard allows you to:
- Update your company profile (published on our website and in the Yearbook)
- Update your company’s contact person information (e.g., Health & Safety or Invoice contact)
- Add or replace contacts who should receive the IPLOCA Newsletter
Should you need any assistance, please contact support@iploca.com
New Associate Members
5C-Tech GmbH is a provider of advanced automatic welding equipment and a reliable specialised welding subcontractor for pipeline infrastructure projects. The company incorporates advanced in-house welding technology and draws on over 100 years of collective experience from its management team in international pipeline construction to deliver top-tier solutions tailored to clients' needs.
5C-Tech GmbH’s proprietary, state-of-the-art welding equipment ensures precision, efficiency, and reliability, setting new standards in pipeline construction. As a fullservice partner, it provides turnkey subcontracting solutions that integrate advanced technology with skilled personnel, or alternatively, offers welding equipment rental with key personnel—enabling seamless execution at every stage of a pipeline project.
CRTS Global (CRTS) provides end-toend solutions for internal and external field joint (girth weld) coating for pipelines. For over 40 years, CRTS has provided robotic internal field joint coating (FBE/ MCL) and a wide range of external field joint coating (FBE, IMPP, IMPU, HDPUF, SPU) for onshore and offshore pipelines globally. With the recent acquisition of RAE Coatings, CRTS Global has further expanded its capabilities to deliver a wider range of external field joint coating solutions such as IMPP, IMPU, PUF, flame spray PP/PE, and the patented rapid 3LPP/3LPE WehoCoat solutions for offshore pipelines and spool base customers globally.
CRTS Global
Office 205-206, Building A-1
Dubai Digital Park, Dubai Silicon Oasis
Dubai
U.A.E.
arastogi@crtsglobal.com www.crtsglobal.com
EURETEQ is an engineering company based in France with over 80 years of industry experience. Its expertise spans from transmission pipeline engineering for natural gas, petroleum and the chemical industry, to gases used today in the energy transition. Its 62-strong team brings together experts in engineering, permitting, right-of-way acquisition, concertation, construction specification, construction supervision, and integrity management. EURETEQ operates in France, throughout Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and the Middle East.
EURETEQ
37, Rue Clarac
65000 Tarbes
France
T +33 5 62 34 49 07 nicolas.azan@eureteq.fr www.eureteq.fr
ITP Interpipe possesses unique expertise in designing and implementing highperformance insulated and heated pipeline systems for the energy industry. With offices in Paris, Houston and Kuala Lumpur, as well as fabrication facilities in Normandy, it is a pipeline solution provider and a reliable EPC partner. The company offers clients robust solutions and innovative architectures that reduce project risks and CAPEX, while increasing production. ITP pipe-in-pipe solutions include subsea and fully buried architectures for transporting fluids ranging from extremely low temperatures - such as liquid hydrogen (-253°C) and LNG (-161°C) - to high-temperature materials like bitumen (230°C) or molten salts (560°C).
ITP Interpipe
11 Quai Conti
78430 Louveciennes
France
T +33 6 80 47 24 73 www.itp-interpipe.com
United Pipeline Systems is a global specialty pipeline contractor, providing internal pipe corrosion protection for the energy, industrial, mining, and municipal industries. The company's services include constructing steel pipelines with its Tite Liner® thermoplastic pipe lining system. With over 25 years of pipeline construction and 40 years of lining experience, United Pipeline Systems has built and lined thousands of miles of pipelines worldwide. Headquartered in Durango, Colorado, with facilities in the U.S.A., Canada and Chile, the company's 500+ professionals provide turnkey pipeline integrity solutions.
United Pipeline Systems
135, Turner Drive Durango, CO 81303
U.S.A.
T +1 970 259 0354 info@unitedpipeline.com www.unitedpipeline.com
New Academic Member
The Coastal Bend Midstream Program (CBMP) was established in 2024 at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) to focus students, faculty, and research on the midstream industry. CBMP seeks to partner with companies, industry organisations, and government agencies to identify and solve real-world problems. CBMP promotes and pursues midstream industry-driven R&D and consulting, student and faculty education about the midstream industry, and knowledge transfer. Research strengths include big data, machine learning, and AI; material science and surface chemistry; industrial engineering; and GIS mapping. Hard spots, H2, and preventative maintenance are topics of interest.
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC)
6300 Ocean Dr Corpus Christi, TX 78412
U.S.A. thomas.kalb@tamucc.edu cbmp.tamucc.edu
Member News
A.Hak-Spiecapag joint venture chosen to build 40-inch Belgian pipeline
The A.Hak-Spiecapag joint venture has been chosen to build a 40-inch (1,000 mm) natural gas pipeline between Knokke-Heist and Evergem in Belgium. Contracted by Fluxys, a Belgian industrial group specialising in energy transmission and storage infrastructure that manages the country’s natural gas and hydrogen networks, the pipeline is designed to also transport hydrogen (H2) as soon as the market is ready. The new pipeline will span a total of 48 km and will run parallel to an existing network of gas pipelines. Once built, it will add capacity to the Belgian natural gas grid and/or supply the new power plants coming into operation in 2025-2026. The contract will involve the use of cutting-edge trenchless technologies, including horizontal directional drilling (HDD), micro-tunnelling, and conventional drilling, to overcome obstacles while minimising the impact of operations. The project is one of three that make up the hydrogen highway between Zeebrugge and Brussels, a major infrastructure programme that aligns with the European ambition to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and contributes to the development of the European hydrogen backbone.
A. Lamb Associates becomes part of the Hawkins Group
IPLOCA Associate Member A. Lamb Associates (ALA) has announced that it has become part of the Hawkins Group. ALA provides quantity surveying, commercial management, planning and scheduling services, with particular expertise and experience in cross country pipelines. Hawkins was established in Cambridge in 1980 and specialises in providing forensic root cause analysis, expert witness services and engineering consultancy services to a wide range of clients. Their team includes civil engineers with expertise in ground conditions and directional drilling, mechanical engineers with expertise in subsea pipelines
and cables, and materials scientists with expertise in welding, polymer pipe, stress corrosion cracking, hydrogen embrittlement and fatigue. Tom Lamb, Managing Director of ALA, said, “We are delighted to complement our service offerings with the additional resources, capabilities and scale of Hawkins. We look forward to working collaboratively with their experts and further enhancing the breadth of services that we can offer to our clients. By combining strengths and expertise, we can now provide both technical expertise as well as quantum and delay support, giving our clients unparallelled expertise in the pipeline sector. We have also significantly expanded our global presence – we now have offices in Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong and Dublin, as well as throughout the UK.”
left: Andrew Reeves (Hawkins, Marketing Director), Euan Watson (Morham + Brotchie Partnership, Operations Director), Byron Tyson (A. Lamb Associates, Commercial Director), Alex Chambers (Hawkins, Finance Director), David Anderson (Morham + Brotchie Partnership, Managing Director), Tom Lamb (A. Lamb Associates, Managing Director), and Robert Edwards (Hawkins, Operations Director)
ACD Construction undertakes key infrastructure project in Türkiye
ACD Construction announced that the works are progressing well on the MAGA Phase 2 Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline Project. This infrastructure development consists of a 137 km, 40-inch, highpressure transmission line between Alanya and Anamur in southern Türkiye. Launched in July 2024, the MAGA Phase 2 Pipeline Project is one of the most strategic and challenging pipeline construction initiatives in Türkiye, due to the large amount of specialised pipeline equipment required. ACD Construction is well-positioned to meet these demands, with over 20 years of industry experience. Over the years, ACD Construction has become not only an indispensable pipeline contractor for local clients, but also a preferred partner for international oil and gas firms. Upon completion of this pipeline project, which traverses a
From
region characterised by harsh geographical conditions and rugged terrain, the transmission of natural gas from the south to the northern and western regions of Türkiye will be facilitated, thereby supporting the country’s essential energy needs.
Bin Quraya awarded 56" pipeline replacement project
Bin Quraya Co. Ltd has been awarded a major project to replace the 56” Abqaiq-Yanbu AY-1L Pipeline Section 7. The pipeline, operated by Aramco, is part of the East-West Crude Oil Pipeline system. The scope of works comprises the replacement of an existing section of the 56” pipeline from pump station 11 to the Yanbu Crude Oil Terminal (YCOT) with all associated facilities such as main line valve stations, scraper traps and jump overs. The new pipeline section will be installed in a mountainous area in the East West corridor. The objective of the project is to replace the defective sections (Section 7) of the existing 56” Abqaiq to Yanbu pipeline to maintain the Saudi Aramco Maximum Sustainable Capacity (MSC) of Arabian Light (AL) and Arabian Super Light (ASL) Crude Oil. The approximate length of Section 7 is 193 km. The design of the replaced sections will be based on the existing operating parameters.
Mastering tight timelines: CCC’s success with the Dunga Project
The Dunga Project in Kazakhstan presented a series of unique and demanding challenges that CCC tackled with expertise and determination. The scope of work included the construction of 18 wells along the F-H line, featuring oil and water trunklines, flowlines, and a pig launching area. The project included dismantling rigid GRE trunklines, originally part of an "Early Tie-In Scheme", and seamlessly reconnecting them to a more flexible, reelable GRE trunkline system.
A key challenge was the project’s aggressive baseline schedule. This was further complicated by mobilising into a new area under extreme weather conditions to establish Site Facilities and camp. In parallel, CCC had to engage multiple construction subcontractors in alignment with stringent local content requirements. These initial conditions caused a lag between planned and actual progress. However, as subcontractors were fully mobilised and their operational efficiency improved, the project gained momentum and quickly closed the performance gap. CCC, drawing on its extensive pipeline experience, managed to overcome these hurdles through collaboration with the client and implementing a robust turnover strategy. Delivering the Dunga Project is a testament to CCC’s adaptability, technical strength, and commitment to achieving high-quality results under pressure.
CPP unveils “Four Full-Capacity” Welding and Inspection System
On 3 April 2025, China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co,. Ltd. (CPP) launched its self-developed “Four Full-Capacity” Pipeline Welding and Inspection System, delivering major advances in pipeline construction. The system features full diameter coverage, full terrain adaptability, full weldjoint-type compatibility, and fully automated welding and ultrasonic testing. Supporting pipe diameters from 33 mm to 1,422 mm, it operates efficiently across complex terrains like mountains, deserts, and swamps. The system delivers
fully automated welding and ultrasonic testing, setting new industry standards for quality and precision. In the East African Crude Oil Pipeline Project (EACOP), the system achieved a one-pass welding qualification rate over 98%. It reduced welding material per joint from 2.9 kg to 1 kg, and fuel consumption from 30 litres to 10 litres, cutting emissions by over 60%. To date, CPP has produced 65 complete equipment sets, developed 10 new construction methodologies, obtained 56 invention patents, and led the drafting of 10 industry standards. The robotic system has replaced traditional manual and semi-automated methods, accelerating the shift toward intelligent construction. It has been widely deployed in major domestic and international projects, including the third line of West-to-East Gas Pipeline Project in China and projects for TotalEnergies and Saudi Aramco.
De Romein continues to develop Pipeline Division to support the energy transition
Since its founding, De Romein has made significant contributions to the rapidly evolving energy industry through the engineering and construction of energy infrastructure. De Romein is now actively supporting Pipeline Operators and Transmission System Operators (TSOs) in the energy
transition to hydrogen. In 2024, De Romein started expanding its already existing Pipelines Department to operate as an independent pipeline contractor for its customers. Last year, the company constructed a highpressure 6" transport pipeline in Belgium, which included a 650-metre HDD. This project was successfully delivered, from design to delivery, to the complete satisfaction of the customer and in accordance with the specified requirements. De Romein is currently working on various valve schemes in the Netherlands, including prefabricated valve installations, with delivery included as part of the scope. In the coming years, De Romein’s ambition is to be even more actively involved in supporting European countries through the much-needed energy transition. The company supports the increasing demand for renewable energy and embraces continued sustainable growth as an organisation.
Gascontrol Polska hosts successful 9 th ENERGAS Conference
Gascontrol Polska together with Silesian University of Technology delivered the 9 th edition of ENERGAS Technical and Scientific Conference entitled High-Pressure Gas Pipelines: New Technologies, Specialised Works, Services, and Equipment for Gas Network Infrastructure. The event, held from 29 to 31 January, attracted more than 150 professionals from the natural gas industry. The conference was divided into several sessions. The first session focused on developing the natural gas market in Poland, with a strong focus on biomethane and hydrogen. The speakers presented a programme for the construction of CNG and LNG refuelling stations, as well as modern solutions for biomethane and hydrogen equipment. The possible use of ammonia as a fuel for gas turbines was also discussed. The second session focused on state-of-the-art technology within the gas industry, namely metering systems, pressure regulation, pressure vessels, fuel gas heating for heavy duty turbines in CCGT applications, deep gas purification, valve actuation and control solutions for problematic installations.
In another session, speakers talked about pipeline maintenance issues. One of the most interesting parts of the conference was the workshop on the latest methods for grid inspection - particularly for detecting potential leaksinvolving AI tools.
Geocean engaged in landmark FLNG project offshore Congo
Geocean, a unit of VINCI Construction Grands Projets, has been selected by Wison New Energies to undertake the transportation and installation of the mooring system for the ENI Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) facility located on the Marine XII block, offshore the Republic of Congo. This strategic infrastructure aims to harness the block’s substantial gas reserves to bolster the country’s energy autonomy, support exports and embrace low-carbon technologies. Set at a water depth of 33 metres, the mooring system comprises a foundation package made of three drilled and grouted piles, each with a diameter of 2.5 metres, and a subsea anchoring system made of a swivel and yoke (SSY). Once operational, the FLNG unit will have an annual production capacity of 2.4 million metric tons of LNG, with the potential to reach 4.5 billion cubic metres of gas per year by 2025. Site activities began in early January, and the project is currently progressing offshore. The initial maritime operations have been completed, with final installation of the mooring system scheduled for completion in the coming weeks. This project exemplifies Geocean’s commitment to delivering complex offshore energy solutions in challenging environments, reinforcing its role as a key player in the transition toward more sustainable energy systems.
Jump in demand for Goriziane’s SAW Welding System for double joints
Goriziane’s advanced Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) solution, designed for both offshore and onshore applications, has been in high demand lately. The system
ensures seamless, high-quality welding for double joints and features innovative components such as the SAW External Welding System with Trolley and the SAW Internal Welding System with Boom. These systems provide precision and efficiency, making them ideal for complex welding operations across various industries. Whether onshore or offshore, Goriziane’s technology helps customers achieve top-tier results.
LaValley Industries strengthens U.S. field support with new Product Representative
LaValley Industries is pleased to announce Matt Barkdull as its Houston, Texas-based Product Representative. He brings over 20 years of experience in heavy equipment operations, including product support, fleet management, and service leadership. In this role, Barkdull will support pipeline and infrastructure contractors across the southern United States. He will provide technical guidance on LaValley Industries product setup, field training, and real-time troubleshooting. His appointment reflects the company's commitment to strong field support as project demands grow more complex and environmentally focused. “Every job site is different, but the goal is the same. Get projects done safer and more efficiently,” said Barkdull. “My role is to make sure crews know how to use our products to their full potential.” His background aligns with LaValley’s mission to improve job site efficiency through tools like DECKHAND® and TONGHAND®, which enhance safety and control in pipe handling and HDD operations. “Matt’s hands-on knowledge and customer-first mindset make him a strong addition to our team,” said CEO Jason LaValley. With Barkdull, LaValley Industries strengthens its ability to deliver timely, practical support—helping contractors meet evolving safety and efficiency standards.
New Contract awarded to MAX STREICHER S.p.A. by
Società Padana Energia
S.r.l.
MAX STREICHER S.p.A. has received a new EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contract for the development of production infrastructure for the wells in Clusters A, B, and C of the Longanesi field, in the municipalities of Bagnacavallo and Lugo, in Ravenna province. The agreement, signed with Società Padana Energia S.r.l. — a subsidiary of Gas Plus S.p.A. Group, one of Italy's foremost natural gas producers — marks a significant milestone for the region. The project, spanning 540 days from the handover of the sites, will engage MAX STREICHER S.p.A. throughout 2025 and into 2026. The scope includes modernising facilities to process fluids extracted from reservoirs and ensuring efficient connection to the San Potito gas plant. Key elements of the work involve civil construction, plant upgrades, and the installation of critical equipment for fluid separation and transfer.
With an ambitious target to increase local natural gas production to up to 1 million cubic metres per day, the initiative is set to boost energy self-sufficiency. By delivering locally sourced energy directly to households and businesses across the region, the project marks a key milestone in reinforcing Emilia-Romagna’s energy resilience and driving forward its energy transition.
Murphy lands key gas terminal infrastructure project in Scotland
Murphy has been appointed by National Gas to oversee a multi-million pound infrastructure project at the St Fergus Gas Terminal, located on the north-east coast of Scotland. The St Fergus Gas Terminal is a critical component of Great Britain’s energy landscape, contributing between 25% and 50% of the nation’s natural gas supply. It serves as a crucial entry point for gas from the UK Continental Shelf and Norway, feeding into the National Transmission System. Additionally, the terminal receives processed gas from three sub-terminals operated by Shell, Ancala and North Sea Midstream Partners. Murphy’s partnership with National Gas at St Fergus is
well-established, with previous collaborations encompassing a variety of complex engineering and construction projects. These have ranged from asset health interventions to actuator replacements and cathodic protection enhancements. The latest project involves the design, construction and commissioning of three low-emission compressor units, alongside extensive civil, electrical, mechanical and piping work along with OEM rotating equipment. As the UK continues to seek ways to enhance its energy infrastructure and comply with environmental standards, projects like the MCPD Compressor Project at St Fergus stand out as pivotal steps toward a more sustainable future.
As innovation is part of PipeSak’s DNA, the company is excited to share that something big is coming! Traditional pipeline support methods like wood skidding and plastic cones come with significant drawbacks and risks, including inconsistent stability, high labour demands, and vulnerability to weathering or deformation. These traditional solutions can be difficult to handle, may not always be reliable, and can pose safety risks due to tipping or collapse under heavy loads. But you already knew that. The new TallPillo® pipeline stand is the most versatile stand, supporting 4–24”
PipeSak unveils new support tool
O.D. pipelines with a single stand. It represents a major advancement in temporary support technology for oil and gas infrastructure. Pipeline construction is evolving and with it the tools that make projects safer, faster, and more efficient. From engineered pipeline weights to advanced outof-trench supports, Pipesak is excited to successfully push boundaries to bring safer, smarter, and more sustainable solutions to the field. TallPillo® is the latest example of that commitment, to redefine what’s possible in pipeline suppor t.
Qapqa opens new facilities in Saudi Arabia and UAE to support Middle East expansion
Qapqa has announced the opening of two new facilities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This expansion demonstrates the company’s commitment to providing a high level of service and support to its customers in the region. With these new facilities, Qapqa is now closer to its clients than ever before, enabling it to offer faster response times, a stronger local presence, and a more personalised service. Qapqa looks forward to continuing to build strong relationships with its customers and partners in the Middle East and Africa region and is excited about the opportunities this expansion brings.
Selmers sees beyond the machine
Selmers, known for its blasting and coating equipment, is taking a broader role in pipeline construction. The machine remains at the core, but Selmers increasingly considers how it performs within the full field environment. That means thinking through what contractors deal with daily: coordinating suppliers, operating in remote locations, and managing harsh conditions. In collaboration with a leading EU pipeline constructor, Selmers explored how systems perform on site—in the mud, under pressure, with minimal margin for error. Selmers received industry recognition for its contributions to this sector, including an innovation award. Selmers also
developed a system to log production data directly at the workstation. Depending on the setup, it records weld parameters, wire and gas consumption, pipe/joint ID numbers, coating specifications, blasting roughness, spillage, wear on parts, and outcomes of quality checks. Spillage in particular is a concern. When blasting media ends up in surrounding soil, it can cause contamination and potential environmental claims. Logging such data gives contractors better insight and traceability, helping reduce liability if something goes wrong. Selmers’ approach reflects a subtle shift: from building standalone machines to supporting the full process—with tools that improve control and simplify operations.
recently opened new premises in Great Yarmouth, UK. The new facility was a strategic move to ensure that the service excellence that clients have come to expect from the business continues to be delivered. VP of Eastern Hemisphere Operations Stuart Young said, “The new office and workshop facility will not only provide ongoing support to SPS’s NDT operations, both in the UK and internationally, but also provide a dedicated area for product and personnel development in addition to client demonstrations. We are excited to embrace this new chapter as we seek to expand our global footprint.” The Great Yarmouth facility adds to SPS’s existing offices in Oklahoma, Ohio, West Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, Alness (Scotland) and Perth (Australia), which specialise in providing Automated Ultrasonic Testing (AUT) and Real Time Radiography (RTR) NDT in addition to the standard NDT methods.
Sherwin-Williams boosts pipeline weld coating efficiency with LAT powder coatings
Coating pipeline girth welds in cold conditions presents significant challenges. Traditional methods, both liquid and powdered fusion-bonded epoxies (FBEs), require preheating, which is energy-intensive and inefficient.Powdered FBEs,
Shaw Pipeline Services opens new office in UK
Shaw Pipeline Services
however, cure faster and offer better adhesion and consistency, especially when applied using automated methods. Keymay Industries, facing inefficiencies with conventional FBEs in extreme cold, collaborated with Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine to develop a low-application temperature (LAT) FBE, Pipeclad® 2000 LAT. This new formulation requires 85°F (29.4°C) less heat, reducing energy costs and emissions. Since its adoption, Keymay has coated over 50,000 girth welds with a repair rate of less than 1%. The automated application process for LAT FBEs enhances consistency and reduces human error. The lower heat requirement mitigates issues like coating damage, moisture challenges, and heat retention. LAT FBEs also offer environmental benefits, producing less waste and reducing diesel fuel consumption. Keymay successfully implemented LAT FBEs in major projects, achieving significant cost savings and improved performance. The innovation has revolutionised the girth weld coating process, providing a more efficient and sustainable solution.
SOCAR Midstream establishes new gas entity
As of 1 April 2025, SOCAR Midstream Operations LLC (SMO) has officially completed a spin-off, resulting in the creation of a new legal entity: SOCAR Midstream Gas Operations LLC (SMGO). This strategic reorganisation separates gasrelated activities from SMO, enabling SMGO to operate independently and take over the technical and commercial management of the South Caucasus Pipeline (SCP) in Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as represent the company in the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and SCP projects. Additionally, SMGO will operate the Iğdır–Nakhchivan Gas Pipeline and lead an electrification project in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. These changes mark a significant step in SOCAR Midstream’s organisational evolution, aimed at enhancing focus and efficiency across its business lines. Both SMO and SMGO will now function as separate entities with distinct management structures. Polad Rustamov serves as Executive Director of SOCAR Midstream Gas Operations.
TAG completes major gas pipeline project in Brazil
Completed in 2024, the construction of the GASFOR II gas pipeline is among the main initiatives carried out by TAG reinforcing the company's natural gas transport network in Brazil’s Northeast Region. The new gas pipeline, which is a variant of the GASFOR I gas pipeline, is approximately 84 km long and was constructed away from the densely populated area of Fortaleza city. The pipeline represents a milestone in the return of large investments in the natural gas transportation sector, paving the way for expanding the gas pipeline to Rio Grande do Norte State, reinforcing the supply options for the markets served by the national integrated network, and addressing the needs of an expanding market in the region. The project began in 2011, and – under the company’s previous management - construction was interrupted in 2013, only to resume in 2022, after TAG was acquired by its new shareholders. Subsequently, new pipes were purchased and the final commissioning activities for the commercial operation of the gas pipeline were replanned. TAG currently operates more than 300 km of gas pipelines in the state of Ceará, transporting natural gas to the local distributor company, thermal plants and various industries.
Aging Infrastructure tops industry challenges, TAMUCC survey reveals
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Coastal Bend Midstream Program, in partnership with GPA Midstream, conducted the 2025 “Top Ten Issues Facing the Midstream Industry” annual survey of USA-based midstream pipeline and service companies, which yielded the following results. The top 10 issues, in order, were aging infrastructure, government/regulatory, tariffs/trade, permitting, human capital, public perception, supply chain, safety, upstream behaviour, and planning difficulties. The most notable shift compared to the 2024 survey was that human capital, which has been the top issue for several years, fell to #5 behind issues generally related to governmental matters
– government/regulatory, tariffs/trade, and permitting. Also of interest was a material separation of views between a panel of executive respondents and the respondents in their entirety on four of the ten issues – a first for this annual survey. This divergence between the groups is unique when compared to the four previous surveys, and it may suggest an opportunity for improved communication on strategic goals in some companies. The survey is available in the newsfeed at: cbmp.tamucc.edu
Techint - SACDE JV leads Argentina's largest oil transportation project in 50 years
The Techint - SACDE (50/50) joint venture (JV) continues to play a vital role in the development of Argentina's energy infrastructure by developing the most significant oil pipeline project in the country in the last 50 years. The Vaca Muerta Sur Oil Pipeline Project (VMOS) entails building a 437 km (271 mi) pipeline with a 30-inch diameter, from Allen to Punta Colorada on the Atlantic coast in the province of Río Negro. The construction team must overcome several technical challenges, including the execution of 22 special crossings. Two of these will be carried out using Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) technology. The project will employ more than 2,000 people directly, and a considerable
number of indirect jobs will be generated, which will have a positive economic impact in the region. VMOS will represent a significant improvement in the evacuation and export capacity of crude oil from Vaca Muerta. Once operational by the end of 2026, it is expected to increase Argentina’s exports via the Atlantic by more than 380,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd). Subsequently, this capacity is projected to reach 690,000 bpd with the addition of two new pumping stations.
Tesmec’s 1875XL EVO trencher achieves remarkable success
The Tesmec 1875XL EVO, the most powerful trencher ever developed by the company and unique in the market, is achieving significant success in the heavy equipment market. With a formidable 950 HP (709 kW) engine, this groundbreaking machine is redefining excavation performance and setting a new benchmark for the industry. Specifically engineered for large-scale infrastructure projects in the toughest environments, the 1875XL EVO features a rigid frame and a reinforced undercarriage that ensure exceptional stability and durability. Its advanced design is particularly suited for laying large-diameter pipelines in hard, abrasive rock.One of its most notable features is its versatility—supporting both double and triple chain boom configurations—allowing trenching depths up to 732 cm (24 feet) and widths of 213 cm (84 inches). Powered by EVO technology with upgraded flywheels, gearboxes, and hydraulic components, the trencher delivers optimal chain pull and reduced chain speed, enhancing performance on demanding terrain. Integrating cuttingedge systems like TrenchTronic 4.0, TrenchIntel, Re.m, and Smart Tracker, the 1875XL EVO also offers improved efficiency, fleet monitoring, and reduced operational costs. With its unmatched capabilities and rapid adoption across the sector, the Tesmec 1875XL EVO is solidifying its reputation as a transformative force in excavation and pipeline construction.
TRIKAUSCH supplies advanced vacuum lifters for ductile iron pipes
As the exclusive dealer for Aerolift (Netherlands) in India since 2007, TRIKAUSCH has been a trusted supplier of vacuum handling systems for a wide range of oil and gas pipes—including seamless, spiral, and L-SAW pipes—across various diameters. Aerolift’s vacuum lifters ensure exceptional safety and efficiency in pipe handling operations. Recently, TRIKAUSCH successfully completed a pilot project with one of its esteemed clients for the vacuum lifting of ductile iron (DI) pipes in India. DI pipes, typically used in underground potable water transmission and distribution systems, feature a spigot on one end and a socket on the other, with common diameters ranging from DN 80 to 1200 mm. This spigot-socket configuration presents a unique logistical challenge, especially during dispatch and transport from the manufacturing plant, where traditional methods involve labour intensive manual attachment using chains—posing significant safety risks.
The Aerolift vacuum lifting solution supplied by TRIKAUSCH is engineered with high precision and is capable of lifting up to eight pipes in a single cycle. Ongoing R&D aims to increase this capacity to 22 pipes per cycle. This customized vacuum solution allows operators to position the system directly over a layer of pipes for quick loading or unloading, all controlled remotely. This not only streamlines the process but also minimises manual labour, significantly reducing the risk of accidents and injuries during pipe handling.
United Pipeline Systems completes 270 km Tite Liner® installation in Australia
United Pipeline Systems recently completed the internal HDPE lining of two 135 km steel pipelines as part of the Iron Bridge iron ore project in Western Australia. Each 26” diameter pipeline serves a critical role—one transports magnetite ore concentrate from the mine to the coast, while the other returns recycled water to the mine site for processing operations. Both pipelines were lined
with Tite Liner® to handle abrasive slurry and corrosive water conditions common in iron ore operations. United’s crews worked in close coordination with the steel pipeline contractor to meet the mine’s schedule for the first ore delivery to port. The remote location, extended pipeline length, and exposure to harsh desert heat, bushfires, and monsoonal rains presented additional logistical challenges. United’s experienced field teams safely completed the installation, contributing to the long-term reliability of Iron Bridge’s pipeline infrastructure. This project represents one of the company’s longest continuous Tite Liner® lining installations in the mining sector.
Vacuworx lifters handling installation of large-diameter pipe in Chile
Bonatti and Sigdo Koppers have been contracted to construct a major pipeline at the Centinela Mine to support mining operations in Chile. The project involves the construction of a 144 km pipeline that transports seawater from the Port of Mejillones onward to the Centinela Mine. To handle the installation of large-diameter pipe along this route, MCI, an authorized Vacuworx dealer, is supporting the effort with four Vacuworx lifting systems on rental. This includes three RC10 units and one RC20, all specially outfitted with pads
ranging from 30–42 inches in diameter. The Vacuworx lifters are on-site for approximately six months, providing a safer, more efficient method for handling heavy pipe across rugged terrain and long distances.
Volvo CE electrifies Bauma 2025 with first-ever all zero-emission lineup
Volvo CE showcased an all-electric lineup at Bauma 2025 held from 7 to 13 April in Munich, Germany introducing the world’s first battery-electric articulated hauler, the A30 Electric. This zero-emission lineup reflected its commitment to sustainability, offering electric versions, which can support customers at various stages of their transformation journey. The company also unveiled solutions to enhance productivity and efficiency, with digital tools and fleet monitoring services. Highlights also included the EC230 excavator, the
News from the NextGen Network
Saji Khoury, NextGen Network Project Lead
“As of now, we have successfully onboarded 31 NextGen members, all of whom were recommended by Board members. Among them are seven women, reflecting our commitment to diversity and inclusion. The average age of our members is 31, highlighting the strong presence of early-career professionals within the network.
“We continue to host regular virtual sessions with industry leaders. So far, we’ve had the privilege of hearing from Roberto Castelli, IPLOCA Past President, Commercial and Business Development Director, and Senior Advisor to the CEO at Bonatti S.p.A., who shared insights from his career journey. Herwig Peschl, Senior Vice President at Caterpillar Inc., responsible for Global Construction & Infrastructure (GCI), spoke about leadership. We also welcomed Jonathan Green, President of the Geneva Energy Forum, who discussed the energy transition.
“The last Novel Construction Spring Session took place in April in Palermo, Italy, with strong participation from NextGen members. During the session, Ramzi Abunemreh presented the NextGen Network and its objectives. The good news is that we will soon be opening the NextGen Network to more members. It has proven to be a valuable platform, and we’ve seen how much its participants benefit from it. Expanding the group will allow even more young professionals to take advantage of these opportunities. You’ll hear more about this soon, and we strongly encourage you to nominate candidates to join.”
EWR150 wheeled excavator and L120 wheel loader, all battery electric, emphasising Volvo CE's dedication to support sustainable operations in construction and mining.
Ramzi Abunemreh and Kaan Kandemi (not in the picture Michelangelo Blasi and Etienne Pfister)
News from the Scholarship Project
Saji Khoury, Scholarship Project Lead
“Last year, the Scholarship Project team reviewed applications internally for the first time, rather than outsourcing the process. We’re following the same approach this year. We received a total of 128 applications, which are currently under review. As in 2024, 12 scholarships will be awarded, with the winners to be announced in June 2025. The overall quality of applications is high, and selecting the final recipients will be a challenge for the project team.”
Members of the IPLOCA NextGen Network at the Novel Session in Palermo in April. From left: Diana Romero, Nicolò Pompili, Elias Awad,
Cotterill,
IPLOCA's 57 th Annual Convention
15 to 19 September, Izmir, Türkiye
Pack your bags for Izmir! Our 57th Annual Convention brings us to the "Pearl of the Aegean" - a coastal city where 8,500 years of history meets Mediterranean charm.
After our wonderful time in Sorrento last year, we're excited to continue our Mediterranean journey in a city that gracefully blends ancient heritage with modern energy. Izmir offers something for everyone – fascinating archaeological sites, lively bazaars, delicious cuisine, and that special warmth that makes you feel instantly welcome.
Our convention home will be the Swissôtel Büyük Efes, with its beautiful gardens overlooking the bay. You'll be just
steps away from the famous Kordon promenade - perfect for evening strolls, seaside dining, and watching spectacular sunsets with colleagues and friends.
Business Programme
Our Open General Meetings on Thursday and Friday will feature talks on important topics like challenges in our industry, clean energy trends, leadership skills, and working with communities. The Annual General Meeting on Friday, 19 September will cover IPLOCA's achievements, finances, and plans for the coming year. These sessions are great opportunities to stay informed about our industry and Association.
We offer two great opportunities to showcase your company and connect with others: Poster Sessions during coffee breaks on Thursday and Friday morning, and B2B Meetings on Thursday afternoon. Both options provide a friendly setting to present your work, learn about other companies, and make valuable connections.
Want to host a Poster Session to share your latest technologies and recent pipeline projects? Interested in participating in B2B Meetings for quick 10-minute conversations with potential business partners? Simply indicate your interest when registering for the convention. Places are limited, so sign up early!
And don't forget to vote for who will represent you on the 2025-2026 IPLOCA Board! At the Election Meetings, Regular Members will vote for their region's representative, and Associate Members will vote for their representative.
Social Programme & Tours
Besides our convivial cocktails and dinners, we've planned amazing trips to places you'll love! Visit two UNESCO World Heritage sites - the ancient ruins of Ephesus and
Pergamon. You can also explore the pretty village of Şirince, the beautiful coastal towns of Çeşme and Alaçatı, Izmir's colourful bazaars, or Urla's wonderful wineries.
Golf lovers - don't miss our traditional Maats/Liebherr Golf Tournament on Wednesday at the beautiful Kuşadası Golf Club! And on Friday morning, while IPLOCA members are in meetings, spouses can join our First Lady's special trip to Reçine Horse Farm. You'll tour the farm, enjoy a delicious lunch, and learn about Turkish olive oils through a fun tasting workshop.
We expect many friends to join us in Izmir this year, so please register early to make sure you secure your spot in all your favourite activities!
Join our IPLOCA family in beautiful Izmir! You'll love this special city where old traditions meet modern life by the blue Aegean Sea. It's the perfect place to reconnect with old friends, make new business connections, and learn what's new in our industry. We can't wait to see you there! It's always the highlight of our year when our IPLOCA family comes together again!
Registration Information
The Convention Fee is EUR 2,520 per person or per couple. Registration closes on 15 August 2025.
Important: Everyone attending the IPLOCA Convention must stay at our official hotel - the Swissôtel Büyük Efes, Izmir. Please book your room using the special link on our registration website.
Online registration is available here
Convention Sponsorship
Want to get your company noticed by pipeline professionals from around the world? Become a convention sponsor!
Sponsorship opportunities are available for a variety of events and items throughout the convention. Your company could sponsor tours, special dinners, transfers of delegates from/to the airport, AV equipment, photography services, and many other elements of our gathering. Each sponsorship option offers unique visibility for your brand. For example, tour sponsorships are available from EUR 10,000 to 14,000 and sponsors have their logos printed on tour tickets, and on tour guide and coach signage.
Convention fund contributions are another option. Your company can become a sponsor for as little as EUR 3,500,
and benefit from the advantages of increased logo visibility. These funds are used to cover all those miscellaneous costs that come with organising an event of this size.
All sponsors get these benefits:
- Your company name listed in the June IPLOCA newsletter
- Your logo featured on our website, app, and at the Registration Desk
- Your company name listed in the Final Banquet menu
- Your logo shown during our "thank you" slideshow at the Final Banquet
- Your logo published in the September IPLOCA newsletter
- Special visibility for the event or item you sponsor
If your company would like to join our sponsors, please contact isabelle.bourzeix@iploca.com.
Platinum from EUR 25,500
Two complimentary registrations and two invitations to the President’s Dinner
- Caterpillar
- CRC Evans
- PipeLine Machinery International
- Liebherr
- Maats Pipeline Professionals
Gold
from EUR 13,000
One complimentary registration and an invitation to the President’s Dinner
- Euro Pipeline Equipment S.p.A.
- Bechtel Energy, Inc.
- Glavbolgarstroy International AD
- Michels Corporation
- Nesma & Partners Contracting Company UJSC
- Pipeline & Gas Expo
- Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers
- SICIM S.p.A.
- Spiecapag
- Vermeer
- Darby Equipment Company
- Gulf Companies
- LAURINI
- Mears Group, Inc.
- NUOVA PATAVIUM S.r.l.
- Premier Coatings
- Shaw Pipeline Services, Inc.
- Techint Engineering & Construction
- Volvo Construction Equipment
- American Augers
- DENSO GmbH
- Goriziane E&C S.p.A.
- Lincoln Electric
- AI Clearing
- Bonatti S.p.A.
- Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC)
- ENKA
- Fernas Construction Company
- Murphy
- World Pipelines
- Qapqa
- SCAIP S.p.A.
- Seal For Life Industries
Silver from EUR 3,500
- Grupo Desarrollo Infraestructura S.A. de C.V.
- U.S. Pipeline, Inc.
- China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co., Ltd. (CPP)
- Denys
- Vemak
- HABAU Hoch- und Tiefbaugesellschaft m.b.H.
- MAX STREICHER GmbH & Co. KG aA
- Pipeline & Gas Journal
- VACUWORX
- Gascontrol Polska
- Herrenknecht AG
- OPUS S.r.l.
Health, Safety, the Environment & CSR
HSE & CSR Committee Meeting
The HSE & CSR Committee met on 15 April in Palermo, Italy. Points on the agenda included defining the topics of the HSE & CSR Workshop taking place in the autumn and discussing the awards adjudication process.
We are pleased to welcome two new members to the HSE & CSR Committee. The members expressed their sincere gratitude to departing member Stacey Winkleman for her invaluable contributions to the group's work. She was followed in the role by Ian Pibworth, HSE Manager at CRC Evans.
After completing a degree in engineering, Ian began his career in the glass manufacturing industry, where he spent six years developing a strong foundation in technical and operational processes. He then moved into an operations role at CRC Evans, where he spent eight years gaining valuable experience across the pipeline industry. Over the last two years, he gradually transitioned into his current position as HSE Manager, a role that allows him to combine his industry experience with a passion for promoting health, safety, and environmental excellence across the organisation.
Health & Safety, Corporate Social Responsibility and Quality Awards
The winners and runners-up of the IPLOCA Health & Safety Award, sponsored by Snam, the IPLOCA Corporate Social Responsibility Award, sponsored by TotalEnergies, and the IPLOCA Quality Award, sponsored by Socar, will receive their trophies at the first Open General Meeting on Thursday, 18 September during the 57th Annual Convention in Izmir.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Shell’s Loek Vreenegoor for his remarkable contributions to IPLOCA’s Health & Safety community over the past 15 years. His commitment, insight, and leadership have left a lasting and meaningful impact on our Association. We wish him all the very best as he begins this new chapter of his life, retiring from Shell in the spring of 2025.
Taking Loek’s place in the committee is Wim Guijit, Shell’s Principal Technical Expert – Pipelines.
HSE & CSR Workshop
This year’s workshop will be held on 28 October 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.
The workshop will be split into two parts: the first part in the morning will address the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. The second part in the afternoon will deal with how to drive a positive safety culture. Please visit www.iploca.com/ events/hse-csr-workshops/ for more information.
News from the HSE & CSR Committee
Giovanni Muriana, Committee Chair
HSE & CSR Committee Advances Key Initiatives in Palermo Meeting
“On 15 April, the HSE & CSR Committee convened in Palermo for a productive one-day meeting to review ongoing
initiatives and set ambitious targets for the coming months. A major milestone was the finalisation of guidelines for tie-ins, which will soon be accessible on the IPLOCA website, ensuring members can implement best practices.
“A key discussion focused on Mental Health at Work, a priority chosen last year. With insights from two committee members, the team examined current trends, support programmes, and potential improvements. A comprehensive
HSE Committee Dinner in Palermo. Forth from right: Loek Vreenegoor
document summarising the findings will be presented to the Board before being shared with members. Recognising that the existing Health & Safety (H&S) Policy and Environmental Policy have remained unchanged since 2013, the committee took on the challenge of updating these documents to align with modern industry standards.
“Looking ahead, members will evaluate awards submissions
Innovation
Novel Construction Spring Session
More than 90 delegates from around the world took part in the Novel Construction Spring Session held on 16-17 April 2025 in Palermo, Italy.
16 speakers shared their presentations over the course of two days. The following subjects were presented on the first day:
- Unlocking Efficiency: Computer Vision and Machine Learning in Pipeline Construction *
Dariusz Ciesla & Adam Wisniewski, AI Clearing
- Casing Spacers and Rollers for Microtunneling Projects *
- Innovative Robotic Solutions for Sustainable Pipeline Construction and Coating
Dinko Cudic, Henkel / Stopaq
- Progress in the use of Hydrogen in Gas Turbines for Carbon Reduction
Jean-Luc Di Liberti, Solar Turbines
before reconvening in Geneva on 12 June to finalise selections. The next meeting in Budapest will feature an HSE & CSR workshop on 28 October, addressing the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and strategies for Driving a Positive Safety Culture. The committee remains committed to fostering continuous improvement and innovation in health, safety, and corporate sustainability.”
- Energy Transition Under the Trump AdministrationCurrent State of Play in the US
Bill Olson, Gulf Companies
- The Regulations Applicable to Artificial Intelligence *
Virginie Colaiuta, LMS Legal LLP
A workshop was held in the afternoon and participants were divided into small working groups for brainstorming. The group discussions were related to the following subjects:
AI Transformation, Skills & Resources, Standard & Regulatory Material, Energy Transition and Net Zero Construction.
On the second day, the following presentations were made, before the conclusions from the workshop were presented:
- AI-Enhanced Digital Transformation in Construction Planning and Execution
Wissam Abu Taha, WorkPacks
- Eliminating Welding through the Use of High Pressure Coupling to enhance Net-Zero Pipeline Construction
Jason LaValley, LaValley Industries & Frank Moritz, Victaulic
- Reducing Carbon Footprint on Pipeline Jobs through Hydroseeding *
Rob Verwilligen, Finn Corporation
- The Cost of Energy Transition – Economic and Environmental
Abhay Chand, Petro IT
- Empowering the Future: The NEXTGEN Journey in IPLOCA
Ramzi Abunemreh, Consolidated Contractors Company
We would like to thank our generous sponsors: Mediapoint, Max Streicher S.p.A., LaValley Industries, Henkel, Hercules Pipe Tools Engineering, Maats Pipeline Professionals, J. Murphy & Sons Limited, Sicilsaldo S.p.A., SICIM S.p.A., Spiecapag, Vacuworx Global, LLC as well as all those who participated in the Novel Construction Spring Session. We look forward to our next session which is planned for 29-30 October 2025 in Budapest, Hungary. The hotel is yet to be defined.
* Articles on these initiatives are published in this newsletter. All the presentations are available on IPLOCA NEST.
News from the Innovation Committee
Somaieh Salehpour, Innovation Committee Chair
“The IPLOCA Innovation Committee has recently taken significant steps to strengthen innovation in pipeline construction. At the Novel Construction event in Palermo, over 90 attendees gathered to explore forward-thinking ideas and practical solutions. The session featured 13 presentations made by 16 speakers from IPLOCA members and innovators, addressing key industry challenges and showcasing new technologies.
News from the Energy Transition Committee
Andrew Ball, Energy Transition Committee Chair
“The Energy Transition Committee continues to play a pivotal role in supporting members as they navigate a rapidly evolving alternative energy landscape. As the global energy transition accelerates, driven by the pursuit of net-zero emissions alongside the need for energy security and economic growth, the committee's work is increasingly critical.
“Key technologies at the heart of this transition include Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) and hydrogen. CCUS is essential for reducing emissions from hard-to-abate industries, allowing for the continued use of traditional energy sources with minimised environmental impact. Simultaneously, hydrogen, particularly green and blue hydrogen, is emerging as a flexible, low-carbon energy
“A highlight of the event was the official launch of NEST - the new IPLOCA knowledge hub. IPLOCA NEST is designed to connect members with innovative technologies, share learnings, and encourage cross-industry collaboration and can be accessed via the IPLOCA website (IPLOCA NEST - IPLOCA). All presentations from the Novel Construction sessions are available on NEST, making it a valuable resource for members looking to stay informed and inspired.
“These efforts reflect the committee’s ongoing commitment to creating a collaborative space for innovation, promoting practical adoption, and driving continuous improvement in the pipeline industry.”
carrier, enabling decarbonisation across a range of sectors from transportation to heavy industry. Together, CCUS and hydrogen are foundational pillars of a more sustainable and resilient global energy system.
“Success in advancing this landscape demands adaptability, technological innovation, and strong collaboration with clients and construction partners, as we work together to shape the future of sustainable energy.
“The Energy Transition Committee also serves as a central platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration through the ongoing committee work and sharing information on IPLOCA NEST, the Knowledge Hub. Our current focus areas include the promotion of new technical standards and procedures, environmental impact assessments, pipeline repurposing, and sustainable procurement practices. In addition, we are facilitating enhanced collaboration between owners, suppliers, and contractors to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of the next generation of energy infrastructure and pipelines.”
IPLOCA NEST
We are proud to present IPLOCA NEST, the Knowledge Hub!
As many of our challenges today cannot be solved by one company, knowledge sharing and collaboration are key to progress and staying competitive.
That’s why in April 2025, we launched IPLOCA NEST, a centralised platform for innovation, collaboration, and knowledge sharing in the energy and pipeline industry. The space is designed to connect our members, foster innovative solutions, and provide access to essential resources that drive
progress and excellence across our community. Whether you’re seeking guidance, sharing expertise, or exploring new technologies, the NEST is your go-to resource for all things innovation.
Benefits of the innovation hub:
- Enhance Knowledge Sharing: Provide a central space for accessing industry insights, best practices, and case studies.
- Support Problem Solving: Match members with the right expertise for addressing industry challenges.
- Foster Collaboration: Connect members with shared interests to co-develop solutions and exchange ideas.
- Drive Visibility: Highlight success stories, innovation outcomes, and member contributions.
- Promote Industry Leadership: Position IPLOCA as a pioneer in fostering collaboration and driving innovation in the pipeline industry.
Together, we can build a brighter, more sustainable future for our industry. As this is a members-only platform, our members have received a special password to access IPLOCA NEST on our website: www.iploca.com/nest/.
We warmly invite our members to explore and try out IPLOCA NEST!
Unlocking Efficiency with AI
Transforming pipeline construction from the ground up
Adam Wisniewski, CTO; Dariusz Ciesla, VP of Product and Strategy; and Jakub Fajkowski, AI Tech Lead, AI Clearing
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the face of pipeline construction. No longer just a buzzword, AI— powered by machine learning and computer vision—is solving some of the industry's most persistent challenges: tracking field conditions, reducing rework, and improving schedule adherence. The result? Faster, safer, and more efficient projects.
What is AI doing for pipeline construction?
At its core, AI refers to computer systems that learn from data to improve over time. In construction, AI systems are being trained to understand visual data—images, drone footage,
AI-powered drone inspections enable daily visibility into trenching, pipe laying, and earthworks.
sensor outputs—much like a human would, but at far greater speed and scale. Through deep learning and computer vision, AI can:
- Detect and classify construction elements
- Measure trench depth or earthwork volume
- Compare progress against design and schedule
- Identify discrepancies in real time
Unlike humans, who may overlook subtle inconsistencies, AI identifies patterns and flags issues with consistent precision. For instance, identifying pipe segments that haven’t been properly backfilled or verifying whether excavation matches the plan becomes an automated process.
AI-powered dashboards offer instant project insights, reducing ambiguity and miscommunication.
Better
than human? In some areas, yes.
Human intelligence brings creativity, adaptability, and on-site experience. But AI excels in processing high volumes of data quickly and reliably. For example, AI Clearing’s proprietary engine has analysed terrain and construction progress across areas exceeding 21 times the size of Paris— a task impractical for manual review.
Take the task of object recognition. Human spot-checks may yield accuracy around 80%. With AI, accuracy regularly approaches 100%, enabling confident decision-making and reporting. This performance has earned AI Clearing the distinction of being the first tech company in the world to receive ISO 42001 certification for trustworthy AI use in construction.
Real-world impact: from weekly reports to daily clarity
Pipeline construction professionals often struggle to answer key questions like:
- How much earth has been removed this week?
- Have pipes been laid and backfilled according to schedule?
- Are we meeting progress milestones?
Using drone footage and AI analysis, these questions can now be answered daily—often automatically. AI-enabled reporting replaces scattered field notes with centralised, visual dashboards. The result is fewer delays, fewer disputes, and far less guesswork.
Data is the foundation
AI is only as good as the data it learns from. High-quality, annotated data is essential. That’s why AI Clearing invests in centimetre-accurate drone inspections and expert GISbased data labelling. With custom-built labelling tools and proprietary training processes, models can learn rapidly, becoming effective in weeks—not months. This creates a system that not only detects construction elements like piles and trenches but also calculates quantities and flags missing elements in near real-time.
What’s next? AI agents on the jobsite
AI Clearing is developing an intelligent assistant to answer project-specific questions and assist in tasks like deficiency tracking and schedule management. Think of it as a digital project engineer, available 24/7, providing instant insights on project health and compliance.
Why it matters to you
The future of pipeline construction lies in clarity, speed, and data-driven control. AI is the tool that gets us there. By shifting from reactive problem-solving to proactive monitoring, project managers and field teams can deliver safer, more predictable outcomes—without increasing overhead. In an industry where margins are tight and mistakes are costly, adopting AI isn’t about chasing trends—it’s about staying competitive.
Interested in bringing AI efficiency to your next project? Visit www.aiclearing.com to learn more.
Engineering Precision in Microtunneling
Laurini’s Casing Rollers and Spacers
Michelangelo Blasi, General Manager, Laurini
At the IPLOCA Novel Construction Spring Session 2025 in Palermo, Laurini Officine Meccaniche took centre stage with a presentation that demonstrated how innovative mechanical design can enable more sustainable and efficient pipeline construction.
At the event, I delivered a talk, placing the spotlight on one of Laurini’s most impactful areas of expertise: the engineering and supply of casing rollers and spacers for complex microtunneling projects. My presentation went beyond abstract concepts and sustainability buzzwords. At the heart of my message was the concept that sustainability goes beyond electric engines or eco-friendly machines — it’s about thinking better, reducing impact in every sense:
time, cost, resources, and environmental footprint A key focus of the presentation was microtunneling, a trenchless technology used for pipeline installation. Through a guided boring system and a series of shafts, this method allows for minimal surface disruption.
Over the past years, Laurini has worked closely with contractors to co-design casing rollers and spacers that are not only mechanically robust, but also adaptable to the specific conditions of each tunnel. This includes projects where the pipeline must travel along a multi-shaft path, encountering vertical and horizontal curves, offset joints, and significant axial and lateral loads.
I presented a flagship case study: a 4,266-metre tunnel with a 2.0 m internal and 2.5 m external diameter, designed to house a 36” steel pipe. The pipeline would be pushed from shaft 5 downhill, traversing various sections before rising slightly between shaft 2 and shaft 1. The engineering complexity of this project required a precise and dependable support system.
The client's initial sketch suggested an 8-footed roller unit. However, Laurini’s engineering team proposed an optimised solution: a cantilever bogie system with 4 feet and 2 polyamide wheels per foot, significantly reducing both the contact points and the risks of misalignment or overloading — especially critical given the 12 mm offset between tunnel segments.
Laurini conducted detailed load simulations to cover all potential stress scenarios:
- Vertical loads when the pipe rests directly on the shoe
- Longitudinal loads as the pipe is pulled or pushed through steps or offsets
- Lateral loads during tunnel curvature or deflection
Using a certified hydraulic press, Laurini tested the rollers under extreme conditions, including load levels up to
40,993 kg per wheel at 200 bar. Every design was validated through finite element analysis (FEA) and destructive testing, ensuring that the final product met the project’s structural and safety demands. In addition to the mechanical core, Laurini integrated accessories such as grouting hose supports, essential for projects requiring tunnel filling postinsertion with cement or bentonite.
In tunnels where pipes are not aligned linearly, friction becomes a major risk. Laurini addressed this by developing spacers equipped with upper and lower wheels, allowing for 360° support across both vertical and horizontal curves. These spacers reduce resistance, preserve pipe integrity, and support long insertion paths without compromising the push force or safety of the operation. I emphasised that Laurini’s contribution extends well beyond the physical equipment.
The company delivered:
- Certified lifting beams for TBM positioning, compliant with DNV-ST-0378
- Manual installation tools that speed up assembly and improve safety
- Custom electric winches with rope guides and speed control
All components were delivered with full documentation and third-party certification, underlining Laurini’s commitment to both technical excellence and compliance.
Laurini’s work on casing rollers and spacers is not just about mechanics — it’s about making pipeline installation safer, faster, and less resource-intensive. Sustainability doesn’t mean doing everything — it means doing things better. Less time, less waste, fewer machines, same results.
By rethinking even the smallest mechanical components, Laurini is helping the construction industry build more responsibly — and more intelligently.
The EU Artificial Intelligence Act A step toward regulating artificial intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) has become an integral part of modern life, influencing sectors ranging from healthcare to finance, and transportation to customer service.
AI systems are designed to analyse vast amounts of data, recognise patterns, and make decisions without direct human control. However, as AI’s capabilities expand, so do the risks associated with its use. These risks include errors, bias, privacy invasion, and even harmful decisionmaking. Consequently, clear regulations are necessary to ensure AI’s responsible use while fostering innovation. In response to these concerns, the European Union introduced the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (“EU AI Act”) in 2024, aiming to regulate AI systems and establish a comprehensive legal framework for their deployment and use within the EU. This article provides an overview of the Act.
The EU AI Act: a pioneering risk-based regulatory framework
The EU AI Act is the first comprehensive legal framework to regulate AI within the European Union. Published on 12 July 2024, the Act will apply from 2 August 2026 (Article 113). Its primary goal is to ensure that AI technologies are developed and used in ways that are safe, ethical, and transparent. The Act applies to all AI providers (developers of AI systems) and deployers (users of AI systems for business purpose) whose systems impact individuals within the EU, regardless of whether they are located in the EU.
The AI Act adopts a risk-based approach, categorizing AI systems according to their potential risks. These categories are:
1. Unacceptable risk (Article 5): certain AI applications are outright banned, particularly those that manipulate or
deceive users or exploit vulnerabilities based on age, disability or a specific social or economic situation.
2. High risk (Articles 6 to 49): AI systems used in critical sectors such as law enforcement, healthcare, and transportation are subject to stringent requirements.
3. Low risk (Article 50): AI systems that present minimal risks are only subject to transparency requirements, ensuring users are informed when they interact with AI and that outputs are clearly marked as artificially generated.
For example, AI systems used in biometric identification, critical infrastructure, or education will fall under high-risk categories and must meet specific compliance standards, including data governance, technical documentation, and robust cybersecurity protocols. In contrast, low-risk AI systems used in non-critical sectors that generate deepfake content or interact with natural persons directly will be required to disclose their artificial nature to users.
Key provisions of the EU AI Act
The AI Act introduces several key provisions to address the risks AI poses to fundamental rights, in particular for high-risk AI systems. These include:
- Data governance (Article 10): providers must implement rigorous data management practices, ensuring that datasets used to train AI systems meet quality, transparency, and security standards. Transparency (Article 13): AI systems must provide users with clear information including as to their intended purpose, level of accuracy and technical capabilities.
- Human oversight (Article 14): high-risk AI systems must be designed to ensure effective human oversight, allowing natural persons to intervene when necessary.
- Accuracy, robustness and cybersecurity (Article 15): AI systems must be designed and developed in a way that they achieve an appropriate level of accuracy, robustness, and cybersecurity.
- Sanctions and penalties (Article 99): non-compliance with the Act can lead to severe penalties, including fines up to €35 million or 7% of global annual turnover, whichever is higher.
Importantly, the Act provides clarity regarding the role of AI systems in society, setting out clear rules for their
development, deployment, and monitoring.
Conclusion
The EU AI Act represents a significant step in addressing the ethical, safety, and legal challenges posed by artificial intelligence. By establishing clear rules for high-risk and lowrisk AI systems, the Act provides a framework that ensures AI systems are developed and deployed responsibly. As AI technologies continue to evolve, effective regulation will be crucial in balancing innovation with public safety and rights.
Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Pipeline Projects through Hydroseeding
As global efforts intensify to reduce carbon emissions, the construction sector faces growing pressure to adopt more sustainable practices. Pipeline projects often involve significant soil disturbance, which can release stored carbon back into the atmosphere. An innovative and effective solution to mitigate these environmental impacts is hydroseeding, a rapid and efficient method of land restoration that not only stabilises soil but also promotes carbon sequestration.
Hydroseeding is a planting process that involves spraying a slurry composed of water, seed, mulch, fertiliser, soil amendments, and stabilisers onto prepared ground. Applied using specialised machinery, this technique covers large areas quickly in a single pass. Hydroseeding also supports healthy vegetation growth, which plays a crucial role in soil restoration and climate mitigation. Hydroseeding requires relatively little manual labour.
The specialised equipment, such as manufactured by Finn Corporation, performs the bulk of the work—transporting, mixing, and spraying the solution—allowing for fast application over large surfaces. This reduces labour costs and shortens project timelines.
Healthy soil is one of the planet’s largest carbon pools, storing more carbon than the atmosphere and living plants combined. Construction activities like pipeline installation disrupt these carbon stores, accelerating greenhouse gas emissions. Rapid soil restoration through Hydroseeding helps maintain and even enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) levels, directly supporting climate goals. One of hydroseeding's significant advantages is its adap-
tability. By selecting seed mixes tailored to local soil and climate conditions—especially using native or well-adapted plant species—contractors can achieve higher germination rates, better plant establishment, and long-term vegetation resilience. Furthermore, these plants typically require less irrigation, fertiliser, and maintenance, reducing the ongoing environmental impact of reclamation efforts.
Native grasses and forbs with deep root systems are particularly beneficial. They enhance soil structure, reduce compaction, and draw atmospheric carbon deeper into the ground, substantially boosting carbon sequestration. Remarkably, turfgrass with deep roots can sequester around 0.131 kg of carbon per square metre annually. On a 2 km long and 15 m wide pipeline right-of-way, this equates to approximately four tonnes of carbon captured each year—a meaningful contribution to reducing the overall carbon footprint. Exposed soil surfaces are vulnerable to erosion and dust generation, causing further environmental
Rob Verwilligen, International Sales & Business Development, Finn Corporation
degradation and potential project delays. Hydroseeding effectively addresses these challenges. By incorporating tackifiers or specialised mulches into the slurry, the technique immediately binds soil particles together, preventing erosion and suppressing dust.
This instant soil stabilisation reduces the need for water trucks or chemical dust suppressants, both of which would otherwise increase fuel use and carbon emissions. Hydroseeding can be adapted to provide either short- or long-term protection, depending on project needs, offering a flexible and sustainable approach to site management.
Beyond individual project sites, adopting hydroseeding as a standard practice in pipeline construction aligns reclamation efforts with broader ecological and climatic goals. By maximising carbon sequestration, reducing reclamation-related emissions, and promoting biodiversity, hydroseeding sup-
Regional Meetings
Europe Central
4 June 2025 - Krakow, Poland
This full-day event, organised by IPLOCA and co-hosted by Gascontrol Polska Sp. z o.o., brings together industry leaders from the Central European region.
- Find out about the latest trends and major projects
- Network with fellow industry leaders
- Hold months’ worth of business meetings in one day
- Enjoy the beautiful setting of the Sheraton Grand Krakow
- Registration is free
ports the long-term health and stability of local ecosystems. The method's versatility and speed make it a cost-effective choice for large-scale applications. Successful projects demonstrate that with the right approach and technology, environmental stewardship and efficient project execution can go hand in hand.
In an era where reducing carbon footprints is a priority, hydroseeding offers a powerful, proven solution for the pipeline industry. By restoring soil health, enhancing carbon sequestration, controlling erosion and dust emissions, and requiring minimal labour input, it plays a vital role in minimising the environmental impacts of essential infrastructure projects.
With the reliability and performance of Finn hydroseeding equipment, companies can confidently integrate sustainable practices into their operations, achieving both environmental responsibility and operational excellence.
Middle East & Africa
December 2025, Saudi Arabia
For the first time in our Association’s history, we are organising a Regional Meeting on the Arabian Peninsula.
Make sure to attend the event in December 2025 to explore the opportunities, learn about the latest projects and trends, and grow your network by meeting companies from the region. The exact date and location will be revealed in the coming months. More information is available at: www.iploca.com/events/ regional-meetings/
News from the Membership & Communication Committee
Marcin Przywara, Membership & Communication Committee Chair
“At the Board meeting in Buenos Aires in December 2024, the Board asked the Membership & Communication Committee to develop the idea of a new membership category. Therefore, for the following Board meeting the committee came up with a name for the new category, which is “New Technology Startup Member,” and set the requirements for companies to become a member.
“The unanimous approval of the new membership category, at the Board meeting in Tokyo in March 2025, will enable new, emerging companies to join IPLOCA.
Upcoming Events
4 June - Krakow, Poland Europe Central Regional
Important IPLOCA Dates
With this decision, they will have time to learn about the many benefits of IPLOCA membership and participate in a series of meetings, where they can not only learn about current innovations, but, most importantly, network with the best companies in the industry and learn about the specifics of operations in a particular region of the world.
“For IPLOCA, it is also an excellent opportunity to attract new members — companies led by young and courageous individuals who bring fresh ideas, address gaps in the gas industry, and may one day become key contributors to our organisation.
“The new membership category requires changing the By-laws at the AGM. I would like to thank all members of the Membership & Communication Committee for their cooperation and the IPLOCA Board for approving the the new category of membership.”
Other Events
IPLOCA Newsletter: Member News for September 25 July - Deadline for submissions newsletter@iploca.com
IPLOCA 2025 Annual Convention 15 August - Cut-off date for registration
Candidates for Election to the IPLOCA Board of Directors 15 August - Deadline for applications
13 th Annual Global EPC Project Management Summit 24-26 September - London, UK www.opexgrp.com/upcoming-events.aspx
APGA Convention and Exhibition 18-21 October - Brisbane, Australia www.apga.org.au
ADIPEC 3-6 November - Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. www.adipec.com
Offshore Energy Exhibition & Conference 2025 25-26 November - Amsterdam, The Netherlands oeec.biz
In Memory of Issam Shukri Shammas
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Issam Shukri Shammas on 31 March 2025. He served as IPLOCA President from 2005 to 2006. He was a respected leader in the industry and the wider community. Georges Hage, IPLOCA Executive Secretary and former The C.A.T. Group CEO, knew him well.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Issam who was not only a dedicated and insightful leader, but also a trusted shareholder and Board member whose wisdom, integrity, and commitment left a lasting impact on The C.A.T. Group. I had the privilege of working with him and witnessing his commitment, not just to the success of the Group, but to the growth and well-being of everyone around him. He will be profoundly missed and fondly remembered,” Georges Hage said.
In Memory of Pieter Schoonenberg
Former IPLOCA publisher Pieter Schoonenberg passed away peacefully on 2 May at his home in the Netherlands at the age of 86.
For over 25 years, Pieter served as sales agent for Gulf Publishing Company and had been a regular attendee at IPLOCA Conventions since 1986.
Thanks to his charisma and commercial sense, he later took on the role of publisher of the IPLOCA Yearbook and Newsletter and many publications for IRO, the Association of Dutch Suppliers in the Offshore Energy Industry.
Pieter will be fondly remembered by his family and many friends for his positive spirit and vibrant mind.
IPLOCA Media Partners
As a benefit of membership, IPLOCA members have the possibility to post industry articles through any of our Media
Benjamin Media
Trenchless Technology
3554 Brecksville Road
Suite 200
Richfield, OH 44286
U.S.A.
T +1 330 467 7588
E info@benjaminmedia.com trenchlesstechnology.com
Rob Krzys
President & Publisher
E robk@benjaminmedia.com
Gulf Energy Information
Pipeline & Gas Journal
Underground Infrastructure
2 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1020
Houston, TX 77046
U.S.A.
T +1 713 520 4471 www.pgjonline.com www.undergroundinfrastructure.com
John Royall
President and CEO
Partners, as listed below. Should you have an interesting article you would like to share, please contact: eszter.czirjak@iploca.com
E john.royall@gulfenergyinfo.com
Jim Watkins
European Sales Manager
E jim.watkins@gulfenergyinfo.com
Mediapoint & Exhibitions Srl
Pipeline & Gas Expo
GIS Expo
Corte Lambruschini
Corso Buenos Aires, 8
V° piano - interno 7 16129 Genoa
ITALY
E info@mediapointsrl.it www.pipeline-gasexpo.it www.gisexpo.it
Fabio Potestà Director
E info@mediapointsrl.it
Palladian Publications
World Pipelines
15 South Street
Farnham GU9 7QU
Surrey
U.K.
T +44 1252 718 999
E mail@palladian-publications.com www.palladian-publications.com www.worldpipelines.com
Rod Hardy Director
E rod.hardy@worldpipelines.com
Chris Lethbridge
Advertisement Manager
E chris.lethbridge@worldpipelines.com
Elizabeth Corner Editor
E elizabeth.corner@worldpipelines.com
Elections to the 2025-2026 IPLOCA Board of Directors
Elections to the IPLOCA Board of Directors take place every year at the Annual Convention as seats become vacant. The term of office is up to two years for those seats that are not for appointed or “at-large” directors.
Vacant Seats
We are looking for candidates who would like to serve on the IPLOCA Board of Directors.
Regular Members
2 seats in America North www.iploca.com/americanorth
2 seats in East & Far East www.iploca.com/eastandfareast
2 seats in Europe Central www.iploca.com/europecentral
2 seats in Europe Eastern www.iploca.com/europeeastern
1 seat in Europe Mediterranean www.iploca.com/europemediterranean
1 seat in Europe Northwest www.iploca.com/europenorthwest
2 seats in Latin America www.iploca.com/latinamerica
Associate Members
There are no vacant seats for Associate Members this year.
If you are an owner or a senior executive of a member company and would like to be considered for a vacant seat on the IPLOCA Board of Directors, please review the Duties and Commitments of Board Members . An application form, complete with a brief résumé and a photograph, should be emailed no later than 15 August 2025 to Georges Hage, IPLOCA Executive Secretary, georges.hage@iploca.com .
Date of the election: 18 September 2025
Application deadline: 15 August 2025
Elected Board Directors serve a two-year term commencing after the approval of the results at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday, 19 September in Izmir, Türkiye. Further information on vacant seats for the 2025-2026 IPLOCA Board of Directors is available on our website: www.iploca.com/about-us/board-of-directors/candidatesfor-elections-to-the-2025-2026-iploca-board-of-directors/
Voting
All Regular and Associate Member representatives are invited to attend the Election Meetings held on the afternoon of Thursday, 18 September 2025. Each member company is entitled to one vote. If no-one from your company is able to attend the meeting in order to vote, one vote per member company may be made on a proxy form (also available on the website) and must be received by the Executive Secretary no later than 12 September 2025 in order to be counted. Any questions regarding the election procedure can be addressed to Georges Hage georges.hage@iploca.com
In accordance with the Association’s current By-laws, the 2025-2026 IPLOCA Board of Directors may consist of a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 25 directors as follows:
1. Up to sixteen directors representing Regular Members (one or two directors for each of the eight geographic regions as per the current membership), elected by the Regular Members
2. Three directors representing the Associate Members of the Association
3. Up to five Directors-at-Large make up the remainder of the Board and are appointed each year by the Board of Directors at its first meeting. The Directors-at-Large are nominated by the Executive Committee and appointed following the approval of the full Board. They are selected based on their active involvement and engagement in the work of the Association, including any committee work, to capitalise on their knowledge and ensure the continuity of leadership in certain areas.
4. Out of this group of directors, five officers collectively form the Executive Committee. These are the President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, the Treasurer and the Immediate Past President. Officers are directors of the Board and represent Regular or Associate Members.
IPLOCA Board of Directors 2024-2025
Officers
Yasar Giregiz
F ernas Construction Company
President Director, Europe Eastern
Saji Khoury
Consolidated Contractors Company
1st Vice President
Director, Middle East & Africa
Scholarship Committee Chair NextGen Network Project Lead
Bill Solomon
Vacuworx Global, LLC
2 nd Vice President Director, Associate Members
Roberto Castelli
Bonatti S.p.A.
Immediate Past President
Bruno Pomaré
Spiecapag
Treasurer
Director, Europe Mediterranean
Executive Secretary
Georges Hage
Directors
Andrew Ball *
J. Murphy & Sons Limited Director-at-Large Energy Transition Committee Chair
Pablo Brottier SACDE
Director, Latin America
Benet Chan * CATERPILLAR Inc. Director-at-Large
Dean Cowling Michels Corporation Director, America North
Andre Decastro
Darby Equipment Company Inc. Director, Associate Members
Michael Fakhoury
Nesma & Partners Contracting Company UJSC Director, Middle East & Africa
Hakan Göral
Tekfen Insaat Ve Tesisat
Director, Europe Eastern Speakers Project Lead
Henk de Graaf * CRC Evans Director, Europe Northwest
Leonardo Gravina SICIM S.p.A. Director, Europe Mediterranean
Wilko Koop
De Romein Groep B.V. Director, Europe Northwest
Jason LaValley LaValley Industries Director, Associate Members
David Lukas
AJ Lucas Services Pty Ltd. Director, East & Far East
Giovanni Muriana MAX STREICHER S.p.A. Director, Europe Central HSE & CSR Committee Chair
Marcin Przywara Gascontrol Polska Sp. z.o.o. Director, Europe Central Membership & Communication Committee Chair
Somaieh Salehpour * Seal For Life Industries Director-at-Large Innovation Committee Chair
Andrew Stuart * Winn & Coales International Ltd. Director-at-Large
Gulf Interstate Engineering Company Director, America North Convention & Board Location Project Lead
* appointed by the Board of Directors
Back row left to right: Kent Wilfur, Marcin Przywara, David Lukas, Henk de Graaf, Andrew Stuart, Dean Cowling, Pablo Brottier, Hakan Göral, Gerben Wansink, Jason LaValley Second row: Michael Fakhoury, Leonardo Gravina, Wilko Koop, Andrew Ball, Somaieh Salehpour, Andre Decastro, Giovanni Muriana, Benet Chan, Risal Mahmud. Front row: Roberto Castelli, Bill Solomon, Yasar Giregiz, Saji Khoury, Bruno Pomaré, Georges Hage.
