Australian Pipeliner September 2025

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Chairman

John Murphy

CEO

Christine Clancy christine.clancy@primecreative.com.au

Managing Editor Eugene Duffy eugene.duffy@primecreative.com.au

Editor

Timothy Bond tim.bond@primecreative.com.au

Journalist Gerald Lynch gerald.lynch@primecreative.com.au

Business Development Manager Jake Niehus jacob.niehus@primecreative.com.au

Head of Design Blake Storey blake.storey@primecreative.com.au

Designer Apostolos Topatsis

Front Cover Image STATS Group

Copyright

The Australian Pipeliner is owned by Prime Creative Media and published by John Murphy. All material in The Australian Pipeliner is copyright and no part may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic or mechanical including information and retrieval systems) without written permission of the publisher. The Editor welcomes contributions but reserves the right to accept or reject any material. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information, Prime Creative Media will not accept responsibility for errors or omissions or for any consequences arising from reliance on information published. The opinions expressed in The Australian Pipeliner are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by the publisher unless otherwise stated. © Copyright Prime Creative Media, 2021

Articles

All articles submitted for publication become the property of the publisher. The Editor reserves the right to adjust any article to conform with the magazine format.

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The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association’s (APGA) vision is to lead the sustainable growth in pipeline infrastructure for Australasia’s energy. APGA is a non-profit organisation formed to represent the interests of its members involved in: the ownership, operation, maintenance, design, engineering, supply and construction of pipelines, platforms and all other structures used in or in connection with the drilling for, extraction and transmission of hydrocarbons, solids, slurries and similar substances both onshore and offshore. As a single voice representing the collective interests of its members, APGA is dedicated to encouraging the extension and development of the industry.

The Australian Pipeliner is the official journal of the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association (APGA) and is distributed to members without charge and circulated to interested organisations throughout Australia and overseas. It is also available on subscription. The publishers welcome editorial contributions from interested parties. However, neither the publishers nor APGA accept responsibility for the content of these contributions and the views contained therein are not necessarily the views of the publishers or APGA. Neither the publishers nor APGA accept responsibility for any claims made by advertisers. All communications should be directed to the publishers.

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From the President

I am pleased to welcome you to the 2025 Convention and Exhibition edition of The Australian Pipeliner.

This year, I’m delighted to welcome many of you to the vibrant city of Brisbane – a hub of innovation, industry, and culture. Over the coming days, I encourage you to make the most of the engaging business sessions, network with peers, and take the opportunity to experience all that this dynamic city has to offer.

We have prepared an enriching and forward-looking program for this year’s Convention. Members of our industry will be sharing invaluable insights into emerging trends, evolving best practices, and future opportunities across the pipeline and gas sectors. Collaboration, creativity, and a shared pursuit of excellence continue to define our industry, and this event reflects that spirit.

Our Keynote Speaker, the legendary Wayne Bennett, brings a unique perspective on leadership, resilience, and high performance. His career in rugby league has inspired generations and offers powerful parallels to the challenges and opportunities we face as an industry. We are honoured to have him with us this year.

The fully subscribed Exhibition Hall is a testament to our collective efforts – providing a vital platform to share innovations, form partnerships, and build on our progress as a community.

This edition highlights many of our valued exhibitors, focusing on technologies and services from all across the pipeline industry. Beyond gas, many of our members are heavily involved in major water infrastructure projects, especially here in Queensland, which continue to grow in scale and importance and is another key area in this edition. Large-scale water pipelines including the 117km Fitzroy to Gladstone Pipeline, Stage 2 of the Haughton Pipeline Project and the Mount Morgan-Gracemere Pipeline have demonstrated the adaptability of our industry and the critical importance of infrastructure to Australia’s future.

I would like to thank the APGA Secretariat for their

APGA Secretariat

Registered Office:

2nd Floor, NFF House, 14-16 Brisbane Avenue, Barton, ACT 2600

(PO Box 5416, Kingston ACT 2604)

T: +61 2 6273 0577

E: apga@apga.org.au

W: www.apga.org.au

ABN: 29 098 754 324

hard work in preparing this year’s Convention and Exhibition, and express sincere gratitude to our exhibitors, speakers, and presenters for their commitment, insight, and contributions. Congratulations also to this year’s award winners, recognised for their outstanding service and innovation. And finally, thank you to our members – your support, passion, and dedication are what drive the Association forward.

As APGA’s mission states: we exist to foster innovation and collaboration, deliver valued services, and represent our members’ collective interests. I trust your experience here in Brisbane delivers on that promise.

As this is my final message as President, I want to extend my sincere thanks to all of you. It has been a privilege to serve in this role. I leave immensely proud of what we have achieved together and confident in the strength, resilience, and innovation that will continue to shape our industry’s future.

Stay safe, and I look forward to seeing you here in Brisbane.

JOHN STUART-ROBERTSON APGA PRESIDENT

Chief Executive Officer

Steve Davies

Head of Corporate Services

Dhammith Abeysuriya

Head of Corporate Affairs

Paul Purcell

Head of Operations & Communications

Lawrence Shelton

Head of Engagement

Gayle Bower

Accounts & Membership Officer

Katy Spence

National Policy Manager

Catriona Rafael

Senior Policy Manager

Stephen Campbell

Technical Advisor

Craig Bonar

Growing presence throughout Australia and the wider Asia Pacific

STATS Group expects revenues in the Asia Pacific region to more than double in the current year with demand from major oil and gas operators seeking high integrity inline isolation, hot tapping and line stopping technology.

In addition to growth in Australia, the company is also investing in assets and increasing local personnel numbers to support an uptick in opportunities in New Zealand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and China.

STATS patented double block and bleed isolation tools offer a comprehensive and efficient solution for the repair and maintenance of critical hydrocarbon pipelines.

The ability to perform operations without shutting down the pipeline, providing dual leak-tight seals for enhanced safety and realtime seal monitoring capabilities, position these technologies as valuable assets in the industry.

STATS Group’s patented branch installed self-energised plug (BISEP®) technology represents a significant advancement in line stopping. Developed over two decades ago to address specific client challenges, the BISEP provides a true double block and bleed isolation through a single full-bore hot tap.

Its hydraulically actuated dual elastomer seals surpass the limitations of conventional lip seal technologies, delivering a proven, leaktight, and fail-safe isolation, verified through a multi-stage testing process once deployed into the pipeline.

STATS BISEP is fully certified by DNV to verify that the design criteria satisfies the requirements for pipeline isolation plugs to provide dual seal and isolation in accordance

with offshore standards, DNV-OS-F101 (submarine pipeline systems) and recommended practices, DNV-RP-F113 (subsea pipeline repair), and in compliance with code ASME BPVC Section VIII, Division 2.

Complex infrastructure decommissioning

Earlier this year, STATS Group was engaged by a leading gas network operator in Western Australia to support the decommissioning

and removal of key infrastructure from the historic East Perth Power Station site, helping pave the way for future redevelopment.

STATS safely and successfully executed multiple hot taps and BISEP line stop isolations on four-inch, six-inch, and ten-inch pipelines using STATS-supplied standard split tees and spherical tees, including operations that maintained live gas flow via integrated temporary and separate permanent bypass arrangements.

A project in Perth using six-inch BISEP line stop technology.

Sixteen-inch BISEP deployed into inclined pipeline in Indonesia. Images: STATS Group

The project was delivered within a suburban residential area, requiring careful planning and execution to minimise disruption and ensure the highest safety standards throughout.

“We supplied all fittings and services, with our local team completing full function testing prior to mobilisation from our operational facility in Perth,” STATS Business Development Manager Sam McKinnon said.

“We are very proud of the STATS site team and all project partners for the safe and collaborative delivery of this complex scope”.

Provision of equipment and training

A leading natural gas transmission and distribution company in New Zealand recently purchased two eight-inch #600 BISEP line stop tools along with a range of STATS dual seal slab valves, split tee fittings, and other specialist ancillary equipment.

STATS Group APAC Regional Manager Gareth Campbell said reaching this milestone and seeing STATS equipment located in the facility was a proud moment.

stop equipment means repairs can be completed without disrupting production, with fewer onsite operations and enhanced safety,” he said.

Zealand, STATS delivered theoretical and practical hands-on training for selected technicians at STATS global training facility. In addition to the BISEPs and Slab Valves, test fixtures were also supplied which can be used for pre mobilisation and routine training campaigns, providing the client with the ability to continuously develop technician competence.

Challenging subsea platform tie-in

STATS recently achieved another major milestone for the company, successfully

completing a complex subsea platform tie-in for a leading Chinese energy company.

STATS deployed its SureTap® subsea hot tapping machine and BISEP line stopping technology at two locations in the East China

Indonesia milestone

“The BISEP is the only line stop technology

STATS completed its first-ever hot tap and BISEP isolation project in Indonesia for an oil and natural gas corporation, executing 12 precision operations across three challenging locations in a single campaign. The scope included six 16-inch high pressure hot taps to deploy BISEP isolations and six 16-inch hot taps for a new bypass flow, enabling a seamless pipeline re-route without disrupting production.

The project provided an efficient, commercially significant solution for the client, allowing them to divert their pipeline away from privately owned land. Despite complex rigging requirements and demanding site conditions, STATS’ team demonstrated the resilience of their equipment and the depth of their expertise, completing the work efficiently and safely.

outstanding collaboration with third parties and

“This landmark achievement for STATS has not only proven the capability of our technology in Indonesia but also sets a new benchmark for high integrity, leak-tight pipeline intervention and isolation projects in the region,” Campbell said.

With major projects successfully delivered in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and China, STATS is cementing its position as a trusted partner for high-integrity pipeline intervention and isolation solutions across Asia Pacific.

Supported by patented technologies such as the BISEP and Tecno Plug, full DNV certification, and an expanding local footprint, business in the Asia Pacific region is set to boom. With planned further investment and rising demand from leading operators for leak-tight, high-integrity isolation solutions, STATS is also preparing to grow its workforce to support continued expansion.

Eight-inch BISEP with integrated bypass maintains flow during pipe cutting in New Zealand.

Deployment of the SureTap hot tap machine in China.

Leak-tight BISEP provides welder safety.

2025 APGA Convention & Exhibition

From ideas to impact

APGA Head of Communications and Operations Lawrence Shelton discusses how collective investment in the convention strengthens the pipeline industry.

We are now standing on the cusp of an event that not only celebrates technical excellence – but delivers long-lasting value to the entire industry.

What makes the APGA Convention so impactful isn’t just the quality of the technical content or the number of delegates in attendance. It’s the fact that the entire event is the result of collective investment of time, expertise, insight, and trust. Year after year, individuals and organisations across the pipeline sector contribute to the Convention not simply for recognition, but because they believe in the value of shared progress.

The Convention as a product of industry investment

Every abstract submitted, every speaker prepared, every question asked from the audience – they’re all examples of members choosing to give back to the industry. In doing so, they help build a Convention program that reflects the true priorities of our sector.

But this investment goes far deeper than technical papers. It includes organisations granting their staff time to attend, present, and participate. It includes committee members and reviewers who volunteer their expertise to shape the program. It includes sponsors and exhibitors who ensure the event remains viable and vibrant. It even includes delegates who show up with curiosity and openness – ready to learn, ready to challenge, and ready to grow.

This is not a passive audience. This is a

committed professional community that understands that the value of the Convention lies not only in what is shared, but in what is created when we come together.

When the industry shows up, value multiplies

There is a multiplier effect that occurs when the right people are in the room.

For early-career professionals, the Convention provides an accelerated learning environment, with exposure to a full spectrum of industry expertise. For technical leaders, it’s a chance to road-test ideas, gain validation, and source inspiration. For decision-makers, it’s a rare opportunity to hear firsthand how technologies, regulations, and priorities are evolving across the value chain.

This depth and diversity only happens when the industry shows up – not just physically, but with the intention to contribute.

Importantly, this kind of shared environment creates more than just intellectual benefit. It builds a stronger, more resilient sector – one where people are more likely to collaborate across organisational boundaries, where good practice spreads faster, and where new ideas are treated with rigour, not resistance.

Sharing the load, reaping the reward

The simple truth is this: the more we all invest in the Convention, the more we all benefit from it.

An organisation that sends a speaker also sharpens its story. A company that encourages a young professional to attend also accelerates their development. A delegate who shares insights from a panel session back at the office spreads knowledge more widely. A question asked during Q&A can shape the direction of future research.

The return on investment from this kind of industry engagement is exponential – not just for the individual, but for the sector as a whole.

Looking to the future

As we prepare to gather in Brisbane this October, we do so with the knowledge that the APGA Convention is more than a fixture in the calendar. It’s a strategic opportunity to advance our thinking, align our efforts, and affirm our shared commitment to excellence.

The program is strong. The conversations will be rich. But the real value will come from how we carry this momentum forward – how we continue to invest in one another, in the industry, and in the idea that collaboration makes us all stronger.

If you’re attending the Convention this year, thank you. Your presence is part of what makes this community work. And if you’re contributing – through a presentation, a panel, or a paper – know that your voice is not only heard. It’s valued.

Together, we’re not just building a great event. We’re building a better industry.

The APGA Convention is much more than a fixture in the calendar.

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2025 APGA Convention & Exhibition

CONVENTION

FRIDAY – 17 OCTOBER 2025 Time Session

8:00 am–5:00 pm 2025 WLDP Alumni Leadership Summit (Invite Only) APGA

SATURDAY – 18 OCTOBER 2025

8:30 am–11:00 am 2025 WLDP Alumni Leadership Summit (Invite Only) APGA

11:15 am–5:00 pm Vermeer Golf Classic

SUNDAY – 19 OCTOBER 2025 Time Session

11:00 am–2:30 pm Sunday Get Together CNC Project Management

4:00 pm–6:00 pm Women in Pipelines Function APA Group, Jemena

6:00 pm–7:30 pm Exhibition Opening

7:30 pm–11:00 pm Opening Dinner

Turbines, Tremco Pipeline Equipment

Partners, Vacuworx, Bao Steel, Jemena, Baker Hughes 11:00 pm–12:00 am Happy Hour

MONDAY – 20 OCTOBER 2025

8:00 am–9:00 am Arrival and Registration

9:00 am–9:05 am Convention Opening John Stuart-Robertson APGA

9:05 am–9:15 am Official Welcome to Country Jahmarley Dawson A proud Gomeroy Man

9:15 am–9:25 am State of the Industry Steve Davies APGA

9:25 am–9:55 am Minister's Address Hon Dale Last | Minister for Natural Resources and Mines

9:55 am–10:35 am APGA Awards Presentation 2025 John Stuart-Robertson APGA

10:35 am–11:05 am Morning Tea

11:05 am–11:45 am Leaders Panel Steve Davies, Erik Cornelissen, Craig de Laine, Liza Maimone APGA, Rosen Group, AGIG, FYFE

11:45 am–12:15 pm Keynote Speaker Wayne Bennett

12:15

1:15 pm–1:35 pm Global Learning for Local Application - International Best Practice Klaas van Alphen, Tom Jackson RSC, GPA

1:35 pm–1:55 pm FFCRC Projects (Combined) and GIRA, (GIRA - A New Standard in Gas Industry Research) Doug Proud GIRA

1:55 pm–2:15 pm EPRG Research Update Marion Erdelen-Peppler EPRG

2:15 pm–2:35 pm Addressing Design Challenges in Storage Pipeline Systems

2:35 pm–2:55 pm Supporting Electricity Networks - Distributed Gas Backup and Inertia

2:55 pm–3:15 pm Future Fuels Pipelines –Why a Digital Engineering Approach is Required

3:15 pm–3:45 pm Afternoon Tea Enscope

3:45 pm–4:05 pm Constructing The Kurri Kurri Lateral Pipeline. A Truly Unique Infrastructure Project that Includes a Gas Transmission and Large Storage Pipeline

4:05 pm–4:25 pm Atlas East: Improving CSG Facility Design, Construction and Commissioning Sequencing

4:25 pm–4:45 pm Reducing the Pressure on Redevelopments: Delivery of Urban Gas Infrastructure to Enable High Density Development in Perth’s CBD

4:45 pm–5:05 pm Atlas to Reedy Creek Pipeline

Mitchell Pearce, Ethan Woods Spiecapag Australia Pty Ltd

Neil Butt, Ramon Leano ATCO Australia

2025 APGA Convention & Exhibition

CONVENTION PROGRAM

5:05 pm–5:10 pm Convention Close for Day 1

7:00 pm–11:00 pm Fancy Dress Dinner Tremco Pipeline Equipment, Solar Turbines

11:00 pm–12:00 am Happy Hour

TUESDAY – 21 OCTOBER 2025

Time Session Speaker

8:00 am–9:00 am Arrival and Registration

8:30 am–9:00 am APGA Annual General Meeting

9:00 am–9:05 am Convention Opening

9:05 am–9:25 am Safeguarding Sustainability: APA's Path to Process Safety Excellence

9:25 am–9:45 am Transforming Utility Planning: BYDA’s GIS-Based Digital Portal

Sponsor/organisation

Allyson Woodford, Tim Wall APA Group

Mell Greenall BYDA

9:45 am–10:05 am Psychological Safety Nada Wentzel Jonah Group

10:05 am–10:35 am Panel – Psychological Safety

10:35 am–11:05 am Morning Tea

11:05 am–11:25 am Final Report: DEI in the Pipeline Sector-Voices & Recommendations

Carol Bond

RMIT University

11:25 am–11:45 am Navigating Ambiguity: Lessons From Our Journey Towards a Zero Gas Future in the ACT Carina Nixon, Phil Colvin GPA Engineering

11:45 am–12:05 pm How The Renewable Roll Out Will Impact Future Pipeline Projects Marcus Baker CNC Project Management

12:05 pm–12:25 pm The Comfort Zone: Advocating for a Safe Pipeline Industry for All with APGA's Newest Code of Practice

12:25 pm–12:55 pm Panel - YPF - Next-Gen Pipeliners: Building Careers from the Ground Up

12:55 pm–1:55 pm Lunch

Elizabeth Wheeler

APGA Women in Pipeline Forum

Gretyl Lunn, Charlotte Lyndon, Mark Hutchinson, Steph Johnson, Nathan Crouch APA Group, UEA, GPA, PFP, Inductabend

1:55 pm–2:15 pm Pioneering Renewable Gas in NZthe First Biogas Upgrading Project Tim Lepper First Gas Limited

2:15 pm–2:35 pm Australia's Hydrogen Horizon: Navigating Challenges and Unlocking Opportunities in Pipeline Infrastructure?”

2:35 pm–2:55 pm Repurposing an Existing Onshore Natural Gas Pipeline for CO2 Service: Key Safety Considerations

2:55 pm–3:15 pm Driving the Renewable Gas Sector Forward with Policy

3:15 pm–3:45 pm Afternoon Tea

Jason Amiri Fyfe

David Johnson APA Group

Suzie Jakobovits, Phillipa Minton Jemena

3:45 pm–4:05 pm Changing the Definition of Unpiggable: A Case Study with APA Group on the Inspection of an “Unpiggable” Critical Natural Gas Pipeline and Avoiding Shutdown by Launching via Hot Tap - An Australian First

Herman Quakkelsteijn, Robert Nearhos Intero Integrity, Services Australia

4:05 pm–4:25 pm Advancements in In-line Inspection of Gas Pipelines Under Challenging Conditions Kelly Verhagen Pacific Gas & Electric

4:25 pm–4:45 pm 2024 Queensland Gas Pipeline Rupture Raj Jeyarajah, Marshall HolmesJemena, Resources Safety & Health Queensland

4:45 pm–5:05 pm Closed Vent Compression Systems Roxy Mounter Tremco Pipeline Equipment

5:05 pm–5:10 pm Convention Close for Day 2

7:00 pm–7:30 pm APGA Pre-Dinner Reception APA Group

7:30 pm–11:00 pm APGA Gala Dinner Austrack Equipment, Tremco Pipeline Equipment, Bao Steel, McConnell Dowell Constructors, Fyfe, Denso Australia

11:00 pm–12:00 am Happy Hour CNC Project Management

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2025 APGA Convention & Exhibition

Time flies when you’re having fun

In Pipe Tek’s 10th year in business, The Australian Pipeliner spoke with co-founders Myles Brannelly and Taddam Farrant about their shared passion for pipelines, a leap of faith and the challenges of establishing the company as a leading turnkey pipeline contractor.

How do you define ‘pipeline people’? The answer to that question is no doubt entirely objective; however, two people that embody the ideology are Pipe Tek cofounders, and current managing director and coo, Myles Brannelly and Taddam Farrant.

Pipelines are in their blood. Brannelly grew up around the industry through his family’s business Tank Calibrators, established in 1953, which he eventually took over in 2000.

Farrant got his start in pipelines labouring with AJ Lucas, filling sandbags and throwing skids. He went on to work on some of the country’s major pipeline and energy projects, including the Eastern Goldfields Pipeline, the Curtis Island QCLNG, and extensive work in the Cooper Basin on behalf of Santos.

The two men eventually met on a pipeline testing and pigging project in 2014 when Brannelly was working for himself and Farrant for a construction company.

Pipeline passion

They quickly bonded and identified a shared passion for pipelines. It didn’t take long before the pair identified a gap in the market when it came to testing and commissioning.

Backed by their years of cumulative

experience, they established a plan to fill that space and haven’t looked back since. And now, in the blink of an eye, they are celebrating 10 years since they backed themselves, went out on their own and established Pipe Tek.

“It might be a cliché, but it really does feel like yesterday that we decided we were going to go for it,” said Brannelly.

“Time does fly when you’re having fun, but there have been some tough and challenging times along the way and it hasn’t been easy.”

Farrant said the early days of the business were tough. Pipe Tek was coming in and disrupting the way things had been

done for – in some cases – decades.

“Being the new kid on the block was challenging in a lot of ways,” he said.

“While we have always been passionate about the industry, there are a lot of organisations that just default to doing what they’ve always done. Trying to change the way people think and promoting a more efficient way of testing, cleaning, and commissioning has been a challenge.

“We’ve been able to cut through and overcome this legacy mindset. But it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of key industry people along the way.”

Pipe Tek’s first ute and trailer, parked outside Brannelly’s family home where the company was initially based.

Two of Pipe Tek’s current truck and trailer combos en route to a pipeline project

Backyard business

The early days of Pipe Tek were ‘no frills’. Initially based out of Brannelly’s family home in Brisbane, where Farrant was also living at the time.

They scrounged together enough to purchase a ute, trailer and some gear to get going and split responsibilities for running the business between the two of them. Anyone that has crossed paths with the two men knows they are unconventional, and the concept for the business was no different.

“There was no ‘real’ business plan written down,” said Farrant.

“It was just two mates trying to change the world. We had a conversation around what was missing and what we thought we could bring [to the industry], which was a turnkey solution.

“Rather than going out to different vendors, we wanted to put a company on the market that gave clients a one-stop-shop for integrity and maintenance.”

Brannelly echoed the same sentiment.

“We always talk about Pipe Tek being a family and it’s easy to see why that mindset is embedded and part of the company’s DNA,” he said.

“The fact Taddam (Farrant) was living with my young family at the time meant we were all in, living and breathing the business.”

Leap of faith

After the first few years in operation, Pipe Tek grew and resources naturally expanded. The company invested in more plant and equipment, technology and moved out of Brannelly’s family home, setting up a lay down yard near Brisbane airport.

In 2019, they wanted to align themselves with industry leaders, and identified an opportunity to secure a partnership which they believed would give them a point of difference, and take Pipe Tek to the next level.

“Enduro Pipelines Services reputation really does precede them,” said Brannelly.

“The company is recognised and respected around the world for manufacturing and designing the world’s most technologically advanced pipeline cleaning and inspection equipment. It didn’t have a presence in Australia or anywhere else in the world, so we decided to reach out and see if we could do business.”

But Enduro – based in Oklahoma, US –was a tough nut to crack.

“As an established pipeline integrity product manufacturer with a focus on quality, Enduro is particular about who they partnered with,” said Farrant.

“We sent emails and didn’t get a response. We knew they were going to be exhibiting at a

pipeline inspection show in Houston, US, so Myles [Brannelly] and I took a leap of faith and flew there.”

Without any indication Enduro would be open to a partnership, Brannelly and Farrant booked flights for the 14,000km journey from Brisbane to Houston.

On the first day of the event they introduced themselves to Enduro’s CEO Dwayne O. Laymon.

“We said: ‘We want to promote it. We think it’s the best. And we want to keep Pipe Tek associated with quality, so Enduro was the only fit for us,” said Farrant.

Laymon was receptive to the pitch and over the course of the next couple of days, an exclusive partnership was negotiated, making Pipe Tek one of a handful of companies to represent Enduro products outside of the US.

Brannelly said the partnership with Enduro has been everything they expected and more.

“In the more than six years since that initial meeting we have been welcomed into the Enduro family with open arms,” said Brannelly.

“Dwayne (Laymon) and his team have offered unwavering support, advice and direction.”

In addition to a full suite of pipeline products, like pig tracking and analysis tools, Pipe Tek stocks an extensive range of Enduro cleaning pigs, in a range of diameters, at the company’s headquarters in Brisbane. These can be supplied to asset owners running their own integrity and maintenance crews, or Pipe Tek can utilise the equipment itself and be contracted to complete cleaning, inspection and testing works.

New horizons

Despite the economic challenges facing most of the country and world during the pandemic, Pipe Tek was able to continue to grow during this period. In addition to working on major gas pipeline projects, the company diversified into other markets including water, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen and more recently resources.

Over the past 10 years Pipe Tek has contributed to more than 100 pipeline projects, working directly or indirectly for companies like Chevron, Ventia, Downer, Ampol, BHP, Origin, Viva, APA, Jemena and dozens more.

To capitalise on opportunities in mining and resources Pipe Tek has established a footprint in WA, giving it the capabilities to service all of the country.

“We predict there will be a lot of work for Pipe Tek in the region servicing the gas and LNG sector, as well as demand from the resources and mining sector,” said Brannelly.

He said the company’s strategy will be to continue positioning itself as more than a contractor.

“Mining environments are some of the most challenging; remote locations, harsh conditions and tight schedules are the norm. What sets Pipe Tek apart is our ability to deliver highly specialised services with flexibility and efficiency.

“We’re not just a contractor; we’re a partner that works closely with clients to tailor solutions to their infrastructure and operational needs.”

For Brannelly and Farrant, who both admit they wear their hearts on their sleeves, Pipe Tek’s journey so far has been a personal one.

“We’re proud of the journey so far – from a small start-up to a trusted name in pipeline integrity,” said Farrant.

“It’s been built on the back of strong relationships, quality work and a team that genuinely cares about what we do. We’re excited about what the future holds for the business and the challenges that lay ahead.”

Pipe Tek Managing Director Myles Brannelly and COO Taddam Farrant who are celebrating 10 years since they established Pipe Tek.

Brannelly and Farrant hard at work on a business trip in southeast Asia in 2018.

2025 APGA Convention & Exhibition

Tesmec Australia brings the future of trenching to the APGA Convention

The Australian Pipeliner sat down with Tesmec to learn how the company’s trenching machines are improving infrastructure projects around the world.

Whether it’s coping with difficult terrain, tight timelines, limited manpower, or rising environmental expectations, pipeline professionals face a growing set of challenges on every job site.

At the 2025 APGA Convention and Exhibition in Brisbane, Tesmec Australia will be on hand to showcase how it is helping Australian customers meet these challenges head-on, with trenching solutions built entirely around their needs.

When the ground gets tough, Tesmec Australia trenchers get going. For pipeline contractors needing to cut through everything from solid monolithic rock to soft, sandy soils, Tesmec Australia provides a robust lineup of chainsaw trenchers that offer precise, reliable performance in any condition. With trenching depths ranging from 91cm–732cm and widths from 15cm–213cm, Tesmec Australia machines are engineered to match project specifications exactly delivering the right cut. This precision ensures better downstream performance in pipe laying and backfilling, reducing rework, material waste, and unexpected delays.

Tesmec Australia understands that every project is unique, and that responsiveness matters. That’s why the company has committed to a strong local presence in Australia, with a dedicated office in Sydney and a highly experienced local team ready to support customers nationwide. By combining global innovation with local expertise, Tesmec Australia delivers solutions that are not only technically advanced but tailored to the specific conditions and requirements of the Australian market. From faster service response to immediate spare parts availability, customers benefit from real-time support and seamless project continuity.

Contractors today are looking for ways to reduce overhead, streamline operations, and make better use of limited resources. Tesmec Australia trenchers are designed to do exactly that. A single Tesmec machine can replace multiple conventional machines, accelerating trenching operations while minimising personnel, equipment, and fuel use.

For long-distance pipelines, this means shorter construction timelines, fewer disruptions, and a leaner, safer, more agile worksite, an essential advantage in today’s competitive market. Material handling presents an opportunity for efficiency gains in trenching operations.

Tesmec Australia trenchers turn spoil into an opportunity: excavated material is immediately suitable for on-site reuse, whether as bedding, padding, or backfill, without additional processing. This reduces the need for haulage, cuts fuel usage, and contributes to a lower carbon footprint. At a time when sustainability is no longer optional, Tesmec’s approach supports both environmental goals and bottom-line performance.

Job sites today demand visibility, traceability, and real-time data. Tesmec Australia delivers with integrated digital technologies that include GPS-guided trenching, georeferenced data logging, realtime remote monitoring, and automated reporting. These features allow project managers to track progress, ensure quality, and make informed decisions.

With Tesmec Australia, customers get more than just a machine, they gain a strategic tool for smarter project execution.

Pipeline projects often run around the clock and in harsh environments. Tesmec Australia trenchers are built to keep up, with rugged components, improved digging teeth, and simplified maintenance access for faster servicing and less downtime. Designed for double-shift operation, these machines are trusted by contractors worldwide for their long-term durability and return on investment.

From remote deserts to urban corridors, Tesmec Australia trenchers help Australian pipeline professionals meet the demands of modern construction with strength, precision, and intelligence. At APGA 2025, visitors will see firsthand how Tesmec Australia is transforming trenching into a strategic advantage, solving real-world challenges with innovative, customer-centric solutions.

In a market where results matter more than ever, Tesmec Australia is proud to stand beside its clients as a trusted partner in their success.

Excavated material is immediately suitable for on-site reuse.

Image:

Tesmec

Safe, Reliable Pipeline Solutions

•Hot Tapping

•Line Isolation & Bypass

•Pipe Cutting

•Commissioning

•Decommissioning

•Equipment Maintenance

•Training

2025 APGA Convention & Exhibition

No anomaly left behind

MDS Pro’s SMFL and LFM uncover every pipeline threat in one run.

MDS™ Pro is a cutting-edge in-line inspection (ILI) tool that combines multiple advanced sensors to provide a comprehensive survey of pipelines in a single inspection run.

By collecting six data streams at once (geometry, ID/OD discrimination, low-field MFL, high-field axial MFL, SpirALL® MFL, and mapping), MDS Pro provides pipeline operators with a complete integrity assessment while eliminating the need for multiple individual tools.

This one-run approach reduces inspection times and costs. MDS Pro’s SpirALL Magnetic Flux Leakage (SMFL) and Low-Field Magnetic Flux Leakage (LFM) technologies deliver unique benefits: SMFL enhances detection of axial (longitudinal) defects, and LFM reveals ‘hidden’ material issues like hard spots.

SMFL: SpirALL MFL for axial anomaly detection

Traditional MFL tools magnetise the pipe axially, which best finds general metal loss and circumferential anomalies. SMFL, by contrast, induces a spiral magnetic field in the pipe wall. As a result, axial anomalies trigger a clear signal in the SMFL data.

The advantage of this is that SMFL detects axially oriented defects that axial MFL can struggle with. Examples include seam weld flaws (lack of fusion, hook cracks), selective seam weld corrosion (SSWC), or narrow axial metal loss features that run along the pipe

axis. In an axial field these sorts of flaws might produce weak indications, since the magnetic field is parallel to the anomaly. The spiral field, however, cuts across them, creating a signal in the data. In essence, SMFL closes the detection gap for longitudinal seams and cracks. SMFL can reliably flag long-seam corrosion or crack-like anomalies that would be under-called by traditional MFL. This makes SMFL a key technology for assessing seam weld integrity – helping find seam cracklike or SSWC anomalies early, before they grow towards an increased threat to pipeline integrity. Additionally, by comparing SMFL and axial MFL signals together, analysts can distinguish defect geometry. If SMFL sees a strong indication but MFL doesn’t, it’s likely an axial planar flaw rather than corrosion. Using the combined datasets together thus improves the characterisation accuracy and helps in avoiding false calls.

“SMFL on MDS Pro revealed seam-weld anomalies that would have been missed with a conventional axial MFL tool,” said senior MDS Pro analyst Kevin Tyler, referring to seam crack indications that axial MFL alone did not highlight. “Combining SMFL and axial MFL in one run gave us confidence no seam threat slipped through.”

This feedback underlines SMFL’s value in pipeline operations: it provides a dedicated lens

In turn, this extends pipeline life by enabling proactive repairs on seams and axial flaws.

LFM: Low-field MFL for material property insight

Low-field MFL is an innovative technology included in MDS Pro system that magnetises the pipe at a lower field level than standard high-field MFL. High-field MFL saturates the steel, mainly revealing metal loss. LFM, by keeping the pipe below saturation, maintains the magnetic response sensitivity to the magnetic permeability. Permeability shifts occur due to material properties or increased levels of the pipe steel.

LFM excels at spotting variations in material or increased level of stress in the pipe, in addition to metal loss. For instance, hard spots – localised hardened areas from manufacturing or welding – show up as distinctive LFM signals. They often don’t have metal loss, so depending on the morphology of the hard spot, signals in axial MFL might be ignored.

detection of fatigue-prone seam defects, SMFL

Conversely, the altered microstructure causes a permeability change that’s detectable in LFM data. Hard spots matter because they can be brittle and crack under stress. With LFM, operators can find these hard spots and treat or remove them before they become crack initiation sites. LFM also highlights zones of cold work or strain, for example, the workhardening at a dent’s shoulders. This means MDS Pro can help rank dents, extending beyond just dent depth, considering signal responses in all six MDS Pro technologies –something geometry tools alone cannot do. In short, LFM acts as a ‘detector’ for metallurgical and stress anomalies, mapping locations where the steel itself is unusual. LFM can also indicate areas of heightened stress. This allows MDS Pro to be used to identify circumferential stress corrosion cracking (CSCC) and help prioritise uncharacteristic girth welds.

In mid-2024, T.D. Williamson (TDW) conducted an MDS Pro inspection on a gas pipeline that was over 50 years old. The LFM response prompted an excavation, and the hard spot – which standard MFL had not highlighted strongly – was confirmed and removed. In multiple other cases, LFM helps pinpoint critical dents, sometime very shallow, that have associated gouging; these dents are proactively repaired and the threat to pipeline integrity mitigated. These cases show LFM’s unique contribution: finding the unseen threats (material embrittlement, residual stress, or even material differences in the steel) that other ILI methods miss. For operators

Localised hardened areas from manufacturing or welding show up as distinctive LFM signals.

Signals in axial MFL might be ignored.

MDS Pro provides pipeline operators with a complete integrity assessment.

preparing pipelines for new challenges, LFM’s ability to identify hard spots and other material issues provides invaluable insight.

One-run synergy and value proposition

By integrating SMFL and LFM with conventional sensors on one platform, MDS Pro offers the most comprehensive picture in a single inspection. The synergy between datasets yields several benefits:

• Full coverage of defect types: Axial MFL finds general corrosion; SMFL finds axial/ seam anomalies; LFM finds hard spots and stress zones. Together, virtually all structural threats are detectable.

• Better characterisation: Data fusion means an anomaly can be cross compared across multiple ILI technologies. For instance, a dent with metal loss will appear in geometry, MFL, SMFL, and LFM data – giving a multi-dimensional understanding of its severity.

• Operational efficiency: One tool run replaces what previously might require three separate runs (geometry, high-field MFL, and a seam tool). This saves time and reduces costs and the risk of disruptions.

“Our Australian operators manage vast, remote pipelines and can’t afford multiple inspection runs,” TDW APAC Regional Manager of Pipeline Integrity Matt Runchey

Leading the way, from the ground up.

We make life flow.

said. “MDS Pro’s ability to catch every threat in one go is a game-changer. We’re excited to bring this technology to solve pipeline challenges here, helping customers boost safety and efficiency.”

By combining multiple innovative technologies in a single survey run, MDS Pro detects and accurately identifies every critical anomaly, ensuring nothing is missed. For operators navigating aging infrastructure and rising integrity demands, MDS Pro delivers fewer surprises, greater certainty, and stronger operational confidence. One run is all it takes to uncover hidden threats, confirm pipeline integrity, and empower smarter, faster decisions.

minimise environmental impact.

For over 60 years, Vinidex has delivered trusted pipe systems and solutions. From large-bore pipelines for water and gas to custom-fabricated products, we engineer durable, high-performance solutions that endure tough conditions and minimise environmental impact.

To find out more about our industrial solutions come visit the Vinidex team at stand 44.

To find out more about our industrial solutions come visit the Vinidex team at stand 44.

Proven in the lab, trusted in the field

Denso Bore-Wrap’s impressive HDD performance has been confirmed through rigorous independent testing.

As technology continues to evolve, so too does the expectation for protective coatings that can withstand the extreme demands of horizontal directional drilling (HDD).

The team at Denso Australia believes that these expectations must be met with evidence – not assumptions.

Since launching Bore-Wrap, Denso Australia has committed itself to an extensive program of internal research and development and independent thirdparty testing.

Its most recent collaboration with the National Facility for Pipeline Coating Assessment (NFPCA) at Deakin University provided valuable, unbiased insights into the product’s performance across a range of fieldrelevant conditions.

The testing assessed gouge resistance and adhesion strength using international standards including CSA Z245.20, NACE TM0215, and ASTM D4541. Two separate gouge test setups were used to reflect realworld HDD risks.

Gouge Test 1 tested with a simulated weld margin to represent side-impact strain and

Gouge Test 2 tested without a weld margin to assess overall material integrity in standard

(inclusive of simulated weld margin)

Gouge Test 2 Results (without weld margin)

A recent installation in Bolivar, South Australia. Images: Denso

In both scenarios, Bore-Wrap demonstrated exceptional resilience.

In the weld margin configuration, it resisted gouging forces up to 1250kgF before disbondment – more than double the load required to compromise other tested systems. This is a critical result, as field joint weld zones are particularly susceptible to mechanical damage during pull-through.

Beyond its mechanical performance, BoreWrap also offers several practical and longterm advantages for trenchless pipeline installations.

It is fully non-shielding, ensuring compatibility with cathodic protection systems.

The wrap is supplied in convenient, easy-toapply packaging and can be installed in multiple layers if required. Its field-friendly formulation allows for application in a wide range of environmental conditions, whether on-site or off-site.

Bore-Wrap’s patented fibre architecture ensures that during HDD installations, its flexural strength is greater than that of the underlying parent coating system such as FBE, 3LPE and 3LPP parent coatings.

This is due to its high fibre content which provides enhanced durability under HDD stress, unlike more brittle UV-cured ARO systems.

Adding to this, Bore-wrap’s overlaps are smooth thus allowing for an easier installation uninhibited by larger overlaps which can cause additional stress on coatings and equipment.

From lab validation to in-field success (such as with recent applications in Bolivar, South Australia), Denso’s approach has been consistent and clear: test, refine, verify, and protect.

Denso Australia is committed to

invites engineers, asset owners, and pipeline for themselves.

One of the coated pipe samples used in testing – this one used

Denso Bore-Wrap as the ARO for both the mainline and FJC.

The crew working hard in Bolivar.

2025 APGA Convention & Exhibition

TPE’s unofficial guide to the APGA Convention

As a long-time Host Sponsor, the Tremco Pipeline Equipment team knows a thing of two about surviving – and thriving – at the Australian pipeline industry’s most prestigious event.

The APGA Convention and Exhibition is the ultimate mix of high-vis expertise, technical deep dives, and good oldfashioned industry banter.

Whether you’re a first-timer still figuring out the difference between a pig and a pig launcher, or a seasoned attendee with a wellworn Gala Night tux, here are Tremco Pipeline Equipment’s essential dos and don’ts to help you make the most of Brisbane this October.

Do: Pack your business cards –and your best handshake

QR codes are great, but a physical card with your name on it is harder to forget (and makes a handy coaster at the bar). You’ll meet everyone from gas policy buffs to field operation veterans. Make connections, swap cards, and remember: nothing says “I’m serious about networking” like a firm handshake and a question that shows you’re interested in learning more.

Don’t: Skip the business sessions

The social events are legendary but the daytime business sessions are where the real gems are shared. The technical papers and policy discussions are one of the best ways to stay up to date with the latest in operations, research and regulation – from gas policy debates to real-world lessons from recent projects.

If you miss the 9am sessions, don’t worry. Someone will happily inform you at lunch that they were “the best ones yet”.

One not to miss: the ZEVAC team will be presenting on closed vent compression systems. They will cover best practices for managing pipeline emissions during pigging, maintenance, and repair operations, plus how ZEVAC’s portable compression equipment is helping operators reduce venting

and stay ahead of regulatory and environmental expectations.

Do: Go all-in on Fancy Dress Night

APGA’s themed costume parties are the stuff of industry legend. If you’re not dressed up, you’ll stand out – and not in a good way. Bonus tip: don’t underestimate Brisbane’s humidity and choose breathable fabrics.

The Fancy Dress Dinner is always a main draw of the convention.

Don’t forget to stop by Tremco Pipeline Equipment’s stand for a chat and a massage.

Images:

Tremco Pipeline Equipment

The hotel aircon may be icy, but step outside and that full-body nylon jumpsuit won’t seem like such a good idea.

Don’t: Be the one who talks shop at the Gala Dinner

There’s a time for compressor specs, and there’s a time for cutting shapes on the dance floor. Know the difference. If you try to discuss hydrotest procedures over dessert, someone will gently guide you toward the bar – for everyone’s sake. Key business relationships are forged at APGA’s social events, but not because you’ve cornered someone into a 30-minute sales pitch.

Do: Visit stands 8, 9 and 10 to tap into international expertise

With David Henry from Girard Industries, Guz Garza Jr from CRC Evans, and a representative from ZEVAC, you’ve got a global brains trust at your disposal.

Whether it’s how to progressively pig your pipeline, avoid venting during maintenance, or align your welding system in the middle of nowhere – chances are, our global

experts have solved it. Use your time at the stand to dive deep into technical solutions with people who live and breathe this stuff.

The Tremco Pipeline Equipment team will be on hand throughout the exhibition to demonstrate equipment, discuss product solutions, and catch up with customers and industry peers.

Don’t: Underestimate the massage booth

Yes, it’s real. Yes, it’s free. And yes, after a day on the exhibition floor (or night on the dance floor), it will change your life.

Brought to you by Tremco Pipeline Equipment because we care about your lower back almost as much as your pipeline integrity. Remember: prevention is better than a cure. We’re basically offering free physio.

Do: Pace yourself at the social events

APGA’s iconic social events bring fun and connection to the convention experience, and

Tremco Pipeline Equipment is proud to cosponsor the Exhibition Opening, Fancy Dress Dinner and the Gala Dinner.

But be warned: four nights of back-to-back social events require pacing. You don’t want to peak too early – and you definitely don’t want to try to keep up with someone from WA at the bar. You will lose. They’ve trained for this.

Don’t: Forget to follow up post-convention

You’ll have dozens of great chats – in sessions, at the booth, over satay skewers. Don’t let those leads and learnings fade away after you return to your desk. Follow it up on LinkedIn or email, and lock in the next step. The real value is what happens after the event.

Visit Tremco Pipeline Equipment and its global supplier brains trust at Stands 8, 9 & 10 – and don’t miss ZEVAC presenting on Closed Vent Compression.

For more information, contact TPE on sales@tremcopipeline.com.au

2025 APGA Convention & Exhibition

Pushing the standards in pipeline equipment

Whether navigating iron-hard rock, undulating terrain, or tight project deadlines, Australia’s pipeline contractors increasingly rely on one name: Vermeer.

In the high-stakes world of pipeline construction, the ability to move earth with surgical precision isn’t just a matter of efficiency, it’s essential to project success.

With a robust line-up of track trenchers engineered for performance and durability, Vermeer has quietly become the muscle behind many of the nation’s most critical pipeline projects.

From the compact yet capable T555III to its flagship T1255III, the range offers tailored solutions for every phase of trenching, no matter the complexity of the geology or the scale of the task.

Pipeline installation in Australia often means working in remote, rugged, and sometimes unforgiving environments. Vermeer’s trenchers, particularly the T755III, T1055III, and T1255III are designed with this reality in mind.

Heavy-duty undercarriages, SmartTEC electronics, and powerful Caterpillar engines give operators the confidence to cut through limestone, basalt, and even granite with minimal downtime.

Vermeer’s trenchers, particularly the T755III, T1055III (pictured), and T1255III are purpose built for Australian terrain.

Advanced features like auto-tilt tracks, elevated cabs, and adjustable conveyor systems ensure that productivity isn’t sacrificed in difficult terrain. These aren’t just machines, they’re purpose-built platforms designed to adapt to real-world jobsite demands.

For pipeline contractors, precision is as important as power. A trench that’s even a few degrees off alignment can translate into costly adjustments and delays.

Vermeer’s track trenchers offer laser-guided accuracy paired with high tractive force like the T1055III’s 415 horsepower engine, coupled with a track-driven system that holds grade and alignment even on long hauls.

Models like the T655III and T955III also feature sectionalised booms and SmartTEC control systems, allowing contractors to tailor the depth and width of cuts without changing equipment making them ideal for projects that require multiple trench profiles.

One of the reasons Vermeer trenchers have found a home in Australia’s pipeline sector is their focus on up-time.

With up to 600 horsepower, machines like the T1255III are built not just to work hard, but to keep working for thousands of hours.

Extended care packages offered by Vermeer Australia up to five years or 5000 hours mean these machines can be operated with confidence, even in remote locations far from service centres.

In a competitive industry where time and accuracy are everything, Vermeer’s trenchers give pipeline contractors a strategic edge.

The trenchers’ ability to cut through the toughest material while maintaining line and grade translates directly into faster installs, fewer reworks, and reduced environmental impact due to cleaner trenching paths.

As Australia continues to expand its energy and water infrastructure, Vermeer’s trenchers are likely to become even more essential.

With a strong local support presence, rugged machine design, and operatorfocused technology, Vermeer isn’t just making trenchers – they’re shaping the future of pipeline construction.

Image:

Vermeer Australia

Above. Beyond. Below.

Michels in Motion: Between March 2023 and February 2025, Michels completed 3 record-breaking HDDs in New South Wales. The 2,250-metre HDDs included elevation changes of 590 metres.

Michels established as an energy and infrastructure contractor in

Michels completed our first Horizontal Directional Drill in 1987

Michels establishes permanent presence in Australia in 2022

Increasing efficiency with smarter emissions management

For oil and gas operators, cutting emissions and improving efficiency go hand in hand. The challenge is finding ways to detect and fix leaks faster without wasting time or resources. A growing body of best practices is emerging, supported by advanced methane detecting technologies that offer more accurate data and operational insights.

But how can operators use this new technology to reduce emissions and increase efficiency? Below is a step-by-step guide outlining how operators can streamline leak detection and repair (LDAR) strategies to reduce wasted gas and improve operational performance.

Step 1:

Pinpoint leak locations accurately

One of the most significant sources of inefficiency in emissions management is uncertainty. Operators sometimes spend hours chasing leaks that are either misattributed or too vaguely located to act on quickly.

High-resolution data can eliminate this guesswork by mapping emissions plumes down to within a couple of meters and tying them to specific pieces of equipment. With this level of precision, crews can be dispatched directly to the source of the leak, reducing travel time, improving safety, and cutting operating costs.

Step 2: Quantify to prioritise

Not all leaks are equally important. Small leaks may not demand immediate action, while large leaks can have outsized impacts on emissions intensity and lost product. This is where quantification – the ability to measure the actual size of a leak – becomes essential.

By knowing how large each emission source is, operators can make data-driven decisions: fixing the biggest leaks first, reducing emissions more effectively, and allocating maintenance resources where they matter most.

Operators should seek out technology that has peer-reviewed studies that demonstrate that the technology can provide quantification accuracy with low uncertainty, ensuring that decisions are based on reliable data.

Step 3: Distinguish fugitive from process emissions

Another key to efficiency is understanding what kind of emissions are being detected. Are they fugitive leaks (unintended losses) or part of normal process operations? Some technologies, including aerial LiDAR paired with repeat surveys (reflights), can distinguish between persistent and intermittent emissions. This distinction helps operators understand whether emissions are likely tied to equipment faults or expected process activity.

With this context, maintenance teams can prioritise leak repairs over process emissions that may require different strategies. Additionally, having clear and updated imagery of the site and emission plumes as a part of your data can help you understand where a leak may be coming from and how to address it.

Step 4: Scale insights to drive continuous improvement

Leak detection shouldn’t just be about reacting to problems. The most effective emissions management strategies use data to anticipate and prevent future issues. Consistent, high-quality data allows operators to:

• Develop baselines and inventories – Track progress over time and support compliance with reporting frameworks such as OGMP 2.0 and Australia’s National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting scheme.

• Benchmark methane intensity – Measure emissions relative to production volumes across assets and identify opportunities for improvement.

• Spot trends across assets – Identify recurring issues at the equipment, facility, or regional level and act proactively.

• Support transparent reporting – Provide regulators, investors, and the public with defensible data to demonstrate accountability.

Smarter emissions management doesn’t just reduce environmental impact and increase safety; it can also improve operational efficiency and reduce wasted product. By combining accurate leak detection, quantification, and contextual data, operators can move from reactive fixes to proactive strategies that prevent leaks before they occur.

Companies like Bridger Photonics are helping operators worldwide implement these approaches with advanced methane detection technology and industryleading data.

If you’re attending the APGA Conference, visit Bridger Photonics at booth 45 to learn how it’s already working with operators to make leak detection and repair safer, faster, and more efficient.

Bridger Photonics discusses best practice leak detection and repair strategies.

Some of the biggest names in energy have adopted Bridger Photonics’ technology.

SUPPORTING PIPELINE OWNERS AND OPERATORS THROUGH EVERY STEP OF THE PIGGING PROCESS

Trusted by industry leaders, FB Pigging specialises in pigging and testing services from the planning stage, right through to project delivery and beyond. We act as an extension of your team, providing a complete suite of services from advanced pig tracking to inspection and testing.

2025 APGA Convention & Exhibition

Meet the SafeVac SV400i

The very latest SafeVac Lifting Systems SV400i makes its debut at the APGA Convention and Exhibition.

As the annual APGA Convention and Exhibition approaches, Austrack Equipment is furiously putting the final touches to its very latest SafeVac Lifting Systems vacuum lifter. This will be the third model the company has released since the first public showing of the SV400 at the Perth convention in October 2023.

When Austrack embarked on its journey almost five years ago to design and build what was to become its most ambitious excavator attachment, it had no idea where that path would lead. It developed into a circuitous and sometimes complicated journey involving design, fabrication, testing, redesign and more testing of the SafeVac Lifting Systems SV400.

Once all the necessary standards were met,

the mechanical components were installed, and the sophisticated electronic control system had been integrated, Austrack knew that it had created something exceptional.

The company was so confident, in fact, that an IP patent for the machine was lodged on completion in mid-2023. This leg of the journey culminated in June this year, when Austrack received notification of the patent approval for a number of design elements of the SV400 model.

Another milestone came this year with official Australian Made certification, allowing all SafeVacs to sport the trusted kangaroo logo. For Austrack, the certification confers high levels of recognition and trust in the marketplace.

The SV400 vacuum lifter was released in 2023 just before Austrack’ first ever participation in the APGA Convention and Exhibition held that year in Perth. Two years on and the SV400 is approaching 100,000 safe lifts.

Then, the following year in Adelaide, Austrack unveiled its second model: the SV200, a smaller unit on a wheeled Hitachi ZX170 excavator. This combination is intended to service vacuum lifting activities on gas gathering works in places like the Surat Basin in Queensland, and has been steadily gaining admirers among contractors and gas producers there.

The striking innovation in this design is the natural void in the excavator dipper arm has

been cleverly engineered to function as a vacuum chamber which eliminates the need for a conventional spreader bar. This delivers weight-saving benefits that translate into increased lifting capacity. The integration is so seamless it is hard to see where the excavator ends and the SafeVac unit begins.

Austrack set the tone for the 2024 APGA Convention when it transported a fully operational SV200 unit onto the exhibition floor to give attendees an up close and personal look at the machine.

The SV200 has all of the control systems and safety smarts of the SV400 but is capable of ground speeds of up to 35km per hour, giving it the speed and flexibility to handle lighter HDPE pipes quickly, efficiently and safely. It is equally at home with concrete culverts and steel plates as it is with HDPE, and indeed anything its vacuum seal can latch onto.

Returning to the present, Austrack will once again return to the APGA Convention

in 2025 in a big way, this time armed with its brand-new model the SV400i.

The new unit is possibly the company’s most innovative to date, combining the very best elements of its predecessors.

As with the SV200, the dipper arm has been converted to provide a vacuum chamber which in single shoe mode dispenses with the requirement for using a spreader bar. This frees up more than a tonne of lifting end weight, resulting in the excavator being able to safely lift weights not previously possible. The intelligent design delivers an immediate efficiency payoff.

“We have been working hard on the development of the SV400i for the best part of twelve months, and I am happy to confirm we will have a unit on display at the show,” Austrack Operations Manager and SafeVac Project Leader Dylan Gamble said.

“We are very excited by the prospect of showing off our very latest model in our hometown and giving everyone at the show the opportunity to see the unit at close quarters.

“The development of the dipper arm as a vacuum chamber in the SV200 opened up the possibility of using that technology with larger tracked units, allowing us to take advantage of the lifting benefits that this design change produced.”

Gamble said the new unit will be impossible to miss at the convention.

“This time we have fitted the unit to a Komatsu PC360LC. A 36-tonne excavator with an emerald green dipper arm will definitely stand out,” he said.

“We are really pleased with our newest model and the best news is that all the safety benefits of the original SV400 are retained in the SV400i.

“The approach at Austrack is to constantly look for new and better ways to do things –and our vaclift project has very much followed that philosophy.

“Come and visit Austrack at the show and witness the very latest in pipe vacuum lift design.”

The SV200 was released in 2024.

2025 APGA Convention & Exhibition

Managing gas leaks with speed and precision

Heath Pipeline Services is backing the industry with gas leak detection equipment and surveys.

For as long as there have been natural gas pipelines, operators have battled leaks.

And for more than fifty years, Heath Pipeline Services has been on the frontlines of this fight.

While there’s no silver bullet to prevent gas leaks entirely, prevention is the name of the game. But not all leak detection solutions are created equal.

Operating across Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea, Heath Pipeline Services has established itself as a distributor of choice for the supply, service, training, and rental of a comprehensive suite of gas leak detection equipment.

In particular, GMI gas detectors, including the GS700H hydrogen-capable portable unit, Heath USA laser detection, including the RMLD-CS handheld and AMLD vehiclebased systems, Addglobe high flow methane sampling units, Konica Minolta QOGI thermal cameras, Opgal EyeCGas range of QOGI thermal cameras, Sealweld sealants and valve servicing equipment, and more.

Put simply, the company has a broad range of tools that allow it to take on an equally broad range of pipeline challenges.

In addition to equipment supply and servicing, Heath Pipeline Services specialises in conducting fugitive emissions detection and gas leak surveys, as well as

onsite valve maintenance training. Heath Pipeline Services’ field service consultants have access to the full range of its detection equipment, allowing them to provide clients with the most comprehensive, flexible, and cost-effective option for gas leak and fugitive emission surveys.

The team combines advanced detection tools – ranging from TDLAS lasers and optical gas imaging cameras to high-flow direct samplers – to produce bottom up, component level leak surveys.

Heath Pipeline Services General Manager Chris Reddy put it best: “With our help, pipeline operators can catch all their small leaks before they become big ones.

“Our detailed surveys capture parts per million-level component leaks under realworld conditions, allowing technicians to keep it all in the pipe.”

Reporting and regulatory compliance is another major focus of Heath Pipeline Services’ approach.

“We’re helping clients develop long-term and cost-efficient Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0-compliant sampling programs,” Reddy said.

“The thoroughness of our surveys allows clients to share operational expenditure across

production, maintenance, and sustainability departments, with all departments’ regulatory requirements met with a single survey.

“The resulting data can be entered directly into a client’s existing maintenance and reporting system daily, eliminating the need for extra leak management software.”

“Pipeline network surveys utilising vehicle mounted lasers also help to reduce transportation risks, as they can result in less kilometres per person travelled than that of a beyond visual line of sight drone support crew,” he said.

“Our surveys predominately involve low speed driving on linear assets, with minimal vehicle interactions, and no aviation risks or associated Civil Aviation Safety Authority requirements.”

Heath Pipeline Services will exhibit at the upcoming APGA Convention, and the Heath team are eager to make some new connections.

“Drop in to our stand to meet our visiting Konica Minolta specialist, Atsushi Yamada,” he said.

“We’re excited to teach the industry more about our capabilities and discuss how we can best assist with their pipeline projects.”

Images: Heath Pipeline Services

Heath consultant with an Addglobe GFM2.0 in use.

Konica QOGI optical leak detection in action.

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2025 APGA Convention & Exhibition

Airborne asset management

Fleet Helicopters is helping pipeline operators at every stage of a project’s life.

As the pipeline industry pushes for the development of new sources of natural gas, and the infrastructure needed to move it, logistical challenges are appearing.

The vastness of Australia is one major stressor in this space, complicating matters such as easement mapping and the transportation of crew and equipment.

Fortunately for the pipeline industry, Fleet Helicopters is bridging this gap.

As Fleet Helicopters CEO Mike Watson put it: “We’ve got a helicopter for everything.”

In the early stages of a project’s life, asset owners are leveraging Fleet Helicopters’ aerial capabilities to conduct easement identifications and flora and fauna surveys with speed that terrestrial surveying simply cannot match.

When it comes to cargo, Fleet Helicopters can transport equipment up to 1.5 tonnes, enabling the fast and efficient placement of equipment into otherwise inaccessible sites. The same goes for moving people, which cuts out lengthy commutes through often harsh environments.

These capabilities are helping gas asset

owners bring projects online faster, with less overhead costs, greater employee safety, and no fuss.

And once pipeline infrastructure is constructed, the Fleet Helicopters’ role evolves. Measuring pipeline emissions was once a numbers game – an equation factoring in the length of the pipe, its intricacies, and a presumed rate of leakage. Leak inspections were onerous, requiring the deployment of ground crews to scan hundreds of kilometres of pipeline, potentially exposing them to harmful gases.

But Fleet Helicopters brings a vastly different approach, replacing ambiguity with precise, actionable information.

Utilising the Boreal GasFinderAB laser system on board its helicopters, the company is able to scan pipeline infrastructure on an enormous scale to detect gas leaks.

“Our aerial leak detection surveys are much more economical and efficient than traditional ground inspections,” Watson told The Australian Pipeliner

“We can do 1000km in a day, not 14km.

We also don’t have all those huge ongoing labour, accommodation, and vehicle expenses, or any issues with land access.

“The system uses an infrared laser that’s tuned to the frequency of light absorbed by methane. It’s very accurate and very sensitive, measuring down to 0.5 parts per million.

“And by measuring at the aircraft, it’s physically reading the gas rather than trying to sense it at a distance.”

This data is reported clearly and in a timely manner to asset owners. When a leak is detected, this critical information can be reported directly from the helicopter, allowing stakeholders to take immediate action.

All of this comes at a crucial time as Australia seeks to strengthen energy security through expanded gas infrastructure. But delivering new pipeline networks demands more than capital; it demands know‑how, agility and dependable logistics.

Fleet Helicopters provides exactly that: a fusion of aviation expertise, innovation and operational flexibility that answers the industry’s needs at every phase.

18 - 21 October

Thank you to Our Sponsors

Your commitment and generosity are the driving force behind the APGA Convention & Exhibition. We deeply appreciate your involvement and continued support, which help make this event possible and successful year after year.

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2025 APGA Convention & Exhibition

More than meets the eye

Whether it’s natural gas, LNG, LPG or hydrogen, Elaflex has a broad scope in the fluid transfer sector that few other companies can match.

Even if you don’t know the name Elaflex, chances are you’ve seen its products in action.

“Go to a petrol station anywhere in Australia and you will be holding the Elaflex ZVA nozzle in your hand while fuelling your vehicle,” Elaflex Pacific Sales Manager Mario Iglic told The Australian Pipeliner.

But Elaflex’s reach extends far beyond everyday nozzles. Over its century‑long evolution, the company has developed into a global powerhouse in fluid transfer and handling, playing a critical role in large‑scale LNG, gas, nuclear and hydrogen infrastructure. Through strategic growth and acquisitions, it now supplies an extensive product suite to the pipeline industry, spanning specialised pipes, expansion joints, penetration seals, and much more.

When it comes to LNG, Elaflex backs the industry with Brugg Flexwell Offshore Pipe. This eight inch, double walled pipe enables the dynamic transfer of cold fluid between offshore rigs and floating LNG facilities.

Thanks to its flexible construction, the pipe is easily deployed and can be reeled back in once transfer is completed. This eliminates the need for fixed pipeline infrastructure, reducing cost, manpower and time.

Fluid is transported through the inner pipe, and the annulus between the outer and the inner pipe is vacuum insulated. This means that the transfer of environmental heat to the fluid is reduced, similar to a thermos flask.

It is also an important safety consideration that the fluid is contained in two pipes. In the unlikely scenario that leakage occurs in the inner pipe, the outer containment pipe

prevents spillage into the environment.

Flexwell Safety Pipe is another key offering from Elaflex. This flexible, double walled pipe system is designed for the underground transport of flammable, water hazardous fluids. It can be used as a suction or positive pressure supply pipe, and thanks to its unique construction, can be permanently monitored by means of leak detectors that are also supplied by Elaflex and SGB Leak Detection, part of the Elaflex Group.

Flexwell Safety Pipe can be laid directly into the trench in one piece either overground in a trace or inside of buildings. The unique corrugated pipe design ensures excellent flexibility, allowing it to be bent through tight radii. The intelligent design also allows the pipe to be cut to required length on site, or laid endlessly depending on a project’s requirements.

Expansion joints are another pillar of Elaflex’s offering. These components ensure safe and stable connections between pipelines and infrastructure, such as treatment plants or power facilities, by absorbing axial movement that could otherwise cause damage. Elaflex

stocks expansion joints up to three metres in length, with larger sizes available through its partner company Ditec.

Ditec’s approach to manufacturing is rigorous and precise. Its expansion joints aren’t produced en masse from a production line but are each handmade, allowing the company to alter its standard models to suit custom orders and deliver premium quality.

“Ditec is one of the very few manufactures in the world that can make expansion joints for round, rectangular, oval, or other designs, for high pressure applications up to DN5000,” Iglic said.

“Ditec has supplied expansion joints to water and energy projects all over the world –even in nuclear facilities, and that’s a very difficult certification to get.”

It’s precisely this marriage of artisanal craftsmanship, rigorous engineering and far‑reaching global capability that has cemented Elaflex’s place in the pipeline industry.

In Iglic’s words: “You can be sure that when you’re going to Elaflex, you’re dealing with high quality and reliable equipment.”

Images: Elaflex

Brugg Flexwell Offshore Pipe at an LNG facility in the Gulf of Mexico.

Flexwell in action on an LNG project.

2025 APGA Convention & Exhibition

Local presence, global tools

With its rapid rise in less than a decade, Pro Pipe Services has positioned itself as an indispensable force in Australia’s transmission and distribution pipeline landscape.

Operating nationwide, and even reaching Papua New Guinea, Pro Pipe Services has earned its place through mastery of hot tapping, line isolation, and cutting-edge pipeline interventions that keep critical infrastructure flowing without a hitch.

At the heart of Pro Pipe’s offering are its hot tapping and line isolation services across gas, oil, water, slurry, biogas, and just about anything else that goes into a pipe. These capabilities span from smaller distribution pipelines, all the way up to high-pressure Class 600 pipelines, and pipelines in sizes up to 42-inches. These capabilities give Pro Pipe a significant scope within Australia’s infrastructure sector.

Pro Pipe Director and Owner Joe Buttigieg told The Australian Pipeliner about a few of the more memorable jobs.

“In 2023 we were engaged by one of Australia’s major pipeline operators to remove two 34-inch Class 600 LOCK-O-RING plugs, installed over 46 years ago on the Moomba to Wilton pipeline,” he said.

Using a T.D. Williamson (TDW) 936 tapping machine, the first retrieval went like clockwork, and was completed in a matter of days. The second, however, proved to be much more of a challenge – requiring the temporary installation of a 34-inch STOPPLE (line isolation), and a gas bag to rebuild the LOCKO-RING flange and install the new 34-inch ball valve.

“That was one of the largest high pressure line isolations ever performed in Australia, and we’re quite proud to be associated with it,” Buttigieg said.

“On another job, we executed two double 22-inch isolation jobs with 12-inch bypass for a major highway alteration to a large Australian airport.

“We’ve also delivered many gas pipeline alterations in support of Victoria’s Big Build,

where existing pipes need to be rerouted with minimal fuss to make way for new infrastructure like bridges and railway lines.”

Pro Pipes’s ability to perform these critical tasks is supported by a team with well over 100 years of combined pipeline experience, and a global partnership with TDW. As a local channel partner, Pro Pipe can leverage TDW’s advanced engineering support, international-grade equipment such as STOPPLE systems, global supply chain, and even specialised talent. This arms Pro Pipe with the resources it needs to tackle projects of almost any scale across the Australia–Asia Pacific region.

Pro Pipe’s growing infrastructure footprint as been supported by smart expansions at home. In late 2024, the business moved into a newly upgraded facility at Keilor Park, Victoria, equipped with an overhead crane and expanded storage capacity. The step positioned Pro Pipe for a ramp-up in large-scale projects and broader national deployment.

Pro Pipe Services will be on the ground at this year’s APGA Convention and Exhibition, making connections and sharing learnings.

“If you’re attending the convention, make sure to stop by our stand for a chat,” Buttigieg said.

“If you’re in the pipeline sector, chances are Pro Pipe Services can make your life easier.”

Pro Pipe’s new facility in Keilor Park, Victoria.

Images: Pro Pipe Services

The company can perform its services on a wide range of transmission and distribution pipelines.

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2025 APGA Convention & Exhibition

Transforming MFL usage for pipeline integrity management

Australia’s oil and gas sector is facing a pivotal moment.

ROSEN’s MFL Data Fusion service is already delivering validated, high-resolution 3D corrosion profiles and pressure models with engineering-grade accuracy.

Ageing pipeline infrastructure, evolving regulation, and increasing replacement costs are creating unprecedented pressure to maximise asset lifespans while upholding the highest safety and compliance standards.

Magnetic flux leakage (MFL) inspection is the industry’s most trusted method for detecting metal loss in pipelines. Its two primary models – MFL-A (axial) and MFL-C (circumferential) – use differently oriented magnetic fields to detect anomalies aligned in different directions. Each offers distinct advantages. But both rely on a unidirectional magnetic signal, which limits their ability to fully characterise complex corrosion morphologies – such as pitting within general corrosion – where accurate sizing of the deepest points is essential.

As pipeline integrity teams are pushed to deliver less conservative and more precise assessments, these limitations matter. Excess uncertainty in inspection results can force operators into worst-case assumptions, driving unnecessary digs, inflating costs, and sometimes misallocating resources.

ROSEN has developed a new approach to support operators in overcoming these limitations. MFL Data Fusion merges the strengths of MFL-A and MFL-C into a single, highly detailed 3D depth map, giving operators a new level of precision in detecting, sizing, and characterising metal loss features – regardless of their shape, orientation, or complexity.

The severity of potential pipeline incidents – combined with higher throughput, commercial pressures, and a need to extend asset life – has made the usual tolerance for MFL inspection uncertainty marginally adequate.

Traditionally, when data from MFL-A and MFL-C runs were available, different combined reporting approaches were possible. While this aims to improve accuracy, it is labour-intensive, subjective, and prone to interpretation differences.

ROSEN’s MFL Data Fusion approach solves these challenges. By aligning and processing both datasets with advanced algorithms and a pre-trained convolutional neural network (CNN), the approach produces a single, objective output – one that maximises each tool’s strengths and eliminates much of the ambiguity.

MFL Data Fusion enhances integrity decision-making by avoiding unnecessary digs, identifying complex anomalies, reducing integrity management uncertainty, and optimising inspection planning.

The process begins by combining axial and circumferential magnetic field data to enhance feature characterisation across all POF anomaly classes.

1. Data alignment: MFL-A and MFL-C datasets are precisely matched.

2. Machine learning analysis: A CNN model processes the aligned data to identify and profile corrosion anomalies.

3. 3D anomaly profiling: Output is delivered

as a River Bottom Profile (RBP): a continuous, high-resolution 3D map of each defect’s geometry.

4. Advanced pressure modelling: From these depth maps, burst pressure and models like Psqr can be calculated with confidence approaching that of an in-ditch laser scan. The result is UT-like performance in metal loss sizing – across all anomaly types –without the cost or disruption of excavation.

This brings numerous benefits to operators, including improved sizing accuracy, optimised dig programs, comprehensive feature assessment, 3D anomaly mapping, overcoming MFL limitations, better failure pressure calculations, and added value to historical data.

A practical, flexible service

ROSEN’s MFL Data Fusion delivers fused MFL-A and MFL-C data as high-resolution 3D depth maps, River Bottom Profiles (RBPs), and multiple failure pressure models for every anomaly or pipeline segment.

The two datasets can be collected in separate ILI runs – ideally with minimal time between to prevent corrosion morphology changes – or in some instances, for larger diameters (over 20 inches), even in a single run. No special ILI tool setup or inspection conditions are required, and previously collected data can be used. Existing laser (or AUT) field scan data may also be incorporated to fine-tune algorithms for a pipeline-specific model.

In an industry where every decision matters, MFL Data Fusion isn’t just a new offer – it’s a step change.

With MFL Data Fusion, operators no longer have to make critical decisions based on partial information or broad statistical assumptions. Instead, they gain precise, objective, and comprehensive insight into every corrosion anomaly.

ROSEN’s MFL Data Fusion service is already delivering validated, high-resolution 3D corrosion profiles and pressure models with engineering-grade accuracy. While the service is in use with selected operators, ongoing development focuses on expanding model adaptability and enhancing pipelinespecific calibration – reflecting ROSEN’s commitment to continuous innovation.

For more information, visit rosen-group.com

Image: ROSEN

integrated bypass maintains production during isolation

Dual Leak-Tight Seals

Double Block & Bleed Isolation

Isolated Pipeline

Monitored Zero-Energy Zone

The BISEP® has an extensive track record and provides pioneering double block and bleed isolation while

dual seals provide tested, proven and fully monitored leak-tight isolation, every time, any pressure.

2025 APGA Convention & Exhibition

Building confidence in Australia’s infrastructure

For more than six decades, Vinidex has proudly delivered infrastructure pipeline solutions that keep communities and industries moving.

Manufactured right here in Australia, Vinidex’s quality, locally made products span PVC, polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) pipe systems. Over the years, these solutions have supported some of the country’s most significant infrastructure developments and contributed to the growth of the natural gas industry. With its vast experience and knowledge, Vinidex continues to deliver pipeline solutions that are trusted for their reliability, innovation, and enduring value.

At Vinidex, providing infrastructure solutions is only the beginning. The company seeks to go further, to work alongside customers to overcome the challenges that define the industry.

Vinidex understands the pressures of building faster while managing costs, delivering quality that will last for generations, and ensuring every solution meets or exceeds Australia’s strict compliance requirements.

The company delivers Australian-made products designed for tough Australian conditions. Its manufacturing excellence ensures that they don’t just perform today but remain in the ground longer, delivering value well into the future. Every pipe is built with

the confidence that it will meet compliance standards, giving asset owners lasting peace of mind.

Its distribution network is positioned where customers need us most, supported by a team of dedicated experts who bring not only technical knowledge but also lived industry experience. The team of expert’s understanding of diverse project needs, from metro centres to remote regions, ensures that every solution is tailored, practical, and delivered with confidence.

Vinidex is proudly Australian owned, committed to strengthening local communities and creating employment opportunities across the country. By manufacturing locally, it not only supports the national economy but also ensures the company shows up where its customers need them most.

Gas and infrastructure leadership

Vinidex is recognised as a trusted partner in delivering the infrastructure that powers homes, businesses, and industries across Australia, including vital projects in the natural gas sector. That commitment is further strengthened by purpose-built facilities opened in 2013 in Toowoomba,

which have recently been expanded.

The Toowoomba Facility, strategically located close to the gas fields, is designed to directly support regional projects while embedding sustainability at its core. A major investment into its long-term strategy, the expanded complex will act as a sustainability hub, recycling PE for use in new pipe products. This capability complements Vinidex’s existing PVC and PE recycling programs nationwide, creating a truly circular system. Beyond recycling, the expanded Toowoomba facility is set to transform warehousing, fabrication, and recycling operations, providing faster, more efficient, and lower-impact support to infrastructure projects across the region.

Vinidex’s sustainability leadership extends beyond facilities and strategies, it’s also reflected in everyday operations. Through its closing the loop initiative, Vinidex actively recovers off-cuts, manufacturing waste, postconsumer recyclate, and aged pipes that would otherwise end up in landfill. These recovered materials are reprocessed into high-quality new pipes without compromising technical performance, ensuring that recycling does not come at the expense of reliability. Working in collaboration with customer sites, stores, and industry partners, the program makes it easier than ever to return pipes for recycling. Customers are supported throughout the process, from identifying which pipes can be recycled, to understanding the recovery process, and recognising the broader environmental benefits of using plastic pipes that can contain recycled content and be recycled again at the end of their life. By reducing waste, conserving resources, and lowering the carbon footprint of plastic pipe production, the program not only demonstrates Vinidex’s sustainability commitment but also empowers customers to play an active role in achieving their own environmental goals.

Vinidex is investing in world-class sustainable facilities and leading the way in recycling and emissions reduction. These commitments reflect our determination to deliver smarter, more sustainable infrastructure for generations to come.

Image:

Vinidex

The Toowoomba facility, strategically located close to the gas fields, is designed to directly support regional projects.

Providing critical infrastructure reliability

In industries where operational integrity is non-negotiable, the demand for precise, timely, and expert intervention is paramount – enter TEAM Furmanite.

TEAM Furmanite is a leading provider of specialised industrial services, and has positioned itself at the frontline of infrastructure reliability.

Operating across Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea, the company supports sectors as diverse as oil and gas, mining, power generation, renewables, and most notably, pipelines.

TEAM Furmanite delivers a comprehensive suite of mechanical, valve, heat treatment and asset integrity services, all engineered to keep high-pressure and high-temperature systems performing safely and efficiently.

The company’s mission is a clear one: to help clients avoid unplanned downtime while maintaining safe, compliant, and optimised operations.

A key differentiator for the company lies in its capacity to perform critical mechanical interventions without interrupting production.

Services such as hot tapping, line stopping, and valve insertions are executed with precision, allowing pipelines and processing systems to remain live during repairs and system modifications. Beyond intervention, TEAM Furmanite’s field teams offer onstream repair and field machining services, supporting plant operators with repairs that do not require equipment to be taken offline.

For piping systems suffering from wall loss or degradation, the company deploys advanced composite wrap technologies that restore structural strength and prolong asset life.

These solutions, combined with controlled bolting and online valve testing show TEAM Furmanite’s emphasis on safe and efficient repair strategies.

Its heat treatment division brings further technical depth to the business. Utilising electrical resistance, induction, and combustion heating methods, the team offers precision control in stress relief, pre-heating, and post-weld treatment applications.

This work is critical in preventing material fatigue or structural failure particularly in large-scale or legacy infrastructure where asset longevity is crucial.

Valves are another core area of capability. TEAM Furmanite supports both pressure safety and process isolation valves with in-situ repair, testing, and full shutdown management programs.

Clients benefit not only from expert valve services but from digital valve management platforms that simplify selection, procurement, and maintenance tracking.

For major shutdowns and turnarounds, TEAM Furmanite offers end-to-end project

support with an emphasis on returning systems to service safely, on time, and within budget.

Its asset integrity programs help operators meet stringent compliance obligations, while advanced emissions control and digital monitoring platforms offer a forward-looking approach to environmental performance and real-time asset oversight.

In industries where even a minor delay can result in millions in lost revenue, TEAM Furmanite’s approach prioritises rapid mobilisation, multi-discipline expertise, and above all, safety.

The company’s culture of zero harm and commitment to technical excellence ensures every solution is tailored to the unique demands of each project, whether it’s a remote pipeline repair or a metropolitan power station turnaround.

With decades of experience in intervention and isolation techniques and the ability to operate across multiple geographies, TEAM Furmanite is a trusted partner for operators who cannot afford to compromise on performance.

Backed by global resources but driven by local knowledge, their services represent a critical layer of assurance in the infrastructure systems that power Australia and its regional neighbours.

TEAM Furmanite delivers a comprehensive suite of mechanical, valve, heat treatment and asset integrity services.

STRONG PIPELINES START WITH STRONG JOINTS.

Whether you choose electrofusion or butt welding, the key is simple: follow industry best practice. Because when every weld is done right, the whole system works better, for longer.

2025 APGA Convention & Exhibition

New pig in the race

FB Pigging Solutions is a young company with a clear objective: to simplify pipeline maintenance throughout the whole project lifecycle.

Pipeline integrity management can be a hydra of contractors, sub-contractors, suppliers, and mismatched logistics. But FB Pigging Solutions is making life simple by providing comprehensive management of pigging projects, providing everything from project oversight to hands-on expertise for all pigging and pipeline integrity needs.

The company was founded by Ross Fraser and Joe Bamborough, two pipeline industry veterans with roughly 30 years of pigging, pipeline operations, engineering and project management experience between them.

“We saw a consistent challenge in the industry throughout our careers,” Fraser told The Australian Pipeliner. “You’d have one contractor delivering pumps, another handling in-line inspection tools, another doing flange management, and no one pulling it all together.

“Operators were left in the dark, with no clear single point of contact. We naturally stepped into that role, and from there the idea for FB Pigging Solutions took shape.”

From its inception, FB Pigging Solutions set out to be more than a service provider.

It positioned itself as a one-stop shop, handling everything from project planning to delivery, pigging and ILI inspections, thirdparty verification and reporting. The company’s mantra is clear: make life easier for operators and vendors alike, without compromising on safety or quality.

FB Pigging Solutions’ capabilities span the full lifecycle of pipeline integrity. From project planning and delivery, pigging and intelligent inspection, hydrostatic testing, verification of ILI data, and ongoing maintenance, the company offers end-to-end solutions for the pipeline industry.

“We want to be known as the go-to people for pigging and testing,” Fraser said. “Whether it’s a simple cleaning campaign or a full pre-commissioning scope of work, we can deliver the whole thing or individual components as needed.”

FB Pigging Solutions’ first big break came early on. The company landed a major package of works with one of Australia’s largest pipeline infrastructure players to deliver cleaning services across a transmission pipeline running through Western Australia.

For more information, visit fbpigging.com.au

Now, FB Pigging Solutions’ sights are set even wider. The company has recently begun expanding into the mining sector, offering pressure testing and cleaning services for water pipelines. Offshore work is also on the horizon, with ambitions to bring their all-inone model to subsea operations.

Key to FB Pigging Solutions’ success has been its strategic partnerships, which bolster its technical offering and extend its market reach. One such partnership is with UK-based IK Trax, a developer of advanced pig tracking and signalling technology. FB Pigging Solutions now acts as the Australasian distributor for IK Trax, using its advanced equipment on projects.

Fraser said there are more partnerships currently being finalised.

With some early runs on the board, an expanding footprint, and an appetite for growth, FB Pigging Solutions is scaling with purpose. The company will also attend the upcoming APGA Convention and Exhibition, where it will showcase IK Trax pig tracking equipment and connect with industry leaders keen to streamline their operations.

Image:

FB Pigging Solutions

The company has a partnership with UKbased IK Trax, a developer of advanced pig tracking and signalling technology.

PIPELINE PROJECT AVIATION SOLUTIONS

Fleet Helicopters provides client focused aviation solutions for all stages of your pipeline project. From aerial surveys for pipeline easement identification, pipeline construction support and operational fugitive gas leak detection. Specialising in operations in Australia’s hardest to reach places we can cater to all of your aviation support needs.

Fleet Helicopters has been providing aviation services to private and Government sectors for over 41 years.

Fleet Helicopters specialises in operating in remote, difficult environments with an unmatched record for safety and reliability.

Fleet Helicopters operates a fleet of 19 aircraft ranging from single engine aeroplanes through to multiengine, heavy lift, transport category helicopters.

Fleet Helicopters has over 30 years history supporting the gas industry Australia wide providing charter, aerial survey, external load and gas leak detection operations.

Fleet Helicopters is the sole operator of the Boreal GasFinderAB laser based aerial gas leak detection system in Australasia. Leak detection surveys have been conducted for clients including SANTOS, Shell, the APA group, QGC and Origin Energy. The Boreal system ishighly sensitive with methane levels as low as 0.5ppm being detectable with surveys able to achieve up to 1000km of survey per day.

2025 APGA Convention & Exhibition

Connecting the digital dots

Mipela GeoSolutions is delivering streamlined data management solutions specifically engineered for the energy and infrastructure sectors.

Energy and infrastructure projects are notoriously complex, spanning diverse stakeholders including cultural advisors, regulators, landowners and environmental groups. What’s more, these assets stretch across geographically disperse locations, have multiple lifecycle phases, and often operate for decades.

With such complexity, fragmented systems and siloed data breed inefficiency, miscommunication, delayed decisions, mounting costs, and elevated risk. Organisations scramble to manage people, visualise spatial relationships, and optimise assets across portfolios, often without a unified approach. Effectively managing land access and stakeholder management is critical to achieving your social licence to operate.

That’s where Mipela steps in. Having provided expert led professional services to the industry for almost 30 years and its flagship

enterprise software, X Info Suite, the company delivers an integrated solution that bridges these gaps. By connecting ‘people’ (enhancing stakeholder engagement and communication), ‘places’ (enabling spatial data visualisation and location based intelligence) and ‘portfolio’ (managing diverse assets and activities across their lifecycle), X Info centralises everything in one coherent whole.

Mipela’s X Info suite of software solutions turns data collection and analysis into a streamlined process, as it can manage, share, visualise and capture data for clients –connecting people with information.

The outcome is greater efficiency, informed decision making, reduced risk, cost savings, and streamlined operations from project inception through to long term maintenance.

Mipela Managing Director Hayden McDonald put it best: “When you connect

your data, you connect the dots,”he told The Australian Pipeliner

“We know disconnected systems and fragmented data lead to inefficiencies, miscommunication, delayed decisions, and increased costs and increased risk.

“From core systems to real-time insights, Mipela connects it all together. Our solutions support the full lifecycle of projects and operations across the energy and infrastructure sectors, turning data into action where it matters most.

“We help our clients put their data – and their time – to better use.”

Mipela’s presence at this year’s APGA Convention and Exhibition is a prime example of its commitment to the industry it calls home.

“With the confluence of two key generational challenges – the energy transition and the growth of artificial intelligence – well underway, pressures from rising electricity

demands, geopolitical shifts, and digital advancements converge to redefine the way we produce, manage, and consume energy,” McDonald said.

“At this year’s convention, we want to visually highlight the race that is underway and the speed that we are all travelling along, communicating it in such a way that people

can easily understand what happens when you connect people, places and portfolios to manage complex relationships at scale.

“Whether you’re an established player or just starting out, we help our clients accelerate the assurance of their day-to-day data management activities or hosting needs, no matter where they are in their journey.”

The team’s exhibition booth at the APGA Convention and Exhibition will reflect that vision. Among the key messages the company will share is how Mipela is leveraging a worldleading cloud platform, Amazon Web Services, to help clients migrate from onpremise systems to scalable, hosted environments.

Similarly, Mipela will also share how it is providing secure solutions in the energy and infrastructure sectors that enable people to be proactive and improve the lifecycle of their day-to-day activities.

Reliability is another key area for discussion, with the company focused on innovating the future of the Before You Dig referral service in the asset protection space, in order to help ensure everyone gets home safely. Finally, the company will shed some light on where it will take its technology and offerings in the next twelve months.

Beyond its suite of solutions, Mipela aims to build lasting relationships and gather feedback from existing clients and industry peers – fuel for future innovation.

Mipela

HDD delivers water to elephants through a trunk-sized main

An elephant of a task was tackled at Werribee Open Range Zoo in Victoria, with contractor AHD Trenchless utilising a Prime Drilling horizonal directional drilling rig, acquired through the manufacturer’s partnership with TRACTO Australia, to construct a sustainable water supply needed for the zoo’s expanding habitat.

The $9.5 million recycled water pipeline project, delivered by Greater Western Water (GWW), Jaydo and AHD Trenchless, coincided with the arrival of nine Asian elephants at Werribee Open Range Zoo, providing a reliable source of Class A recycled water, reducing dependence on drinking water and freeing up allocations from local rivers.

With the zoo’s ambitious expansion plan in full swing, securing a sustainable water supply that met its strategic purpose as a world-leading conservation-based organisation aligned perfectly with the expansion of GWW’s recycled water network.

But behind this achievement lies an ambitious engineering feat: joining the zoo’s infrastructure to the newly constructed trunk main required a complex HDD crossing deep under the Werribee River.

This unique river crossing required a degree of skill and local knowledge of the surrounding geology, along with equipment capable of drilling a 1000mm bore through hard rock to house the new 710mm thick walled high-density polyethylene pipe.

AHD was up for the challenge and the project provided an opportunity to demonstrate the power and capability of the company’s flagship Prime Drilling PD150/90 drill rig.

The rigs was acquired by the contractor in October 2023 from TRACTO Australia, which is the local distributor of Prime Drilling equipment, as part of an exclusive agreement between the two German manufacturers.

Developed through a three-year

collaboration with Prime Drilling, this stateof-the-art platform combines the agility of smaller units with the endurance of a Maxi Rig – setting a new benchmark in HDD capability and innovation.

This complex and challenging river crossing demanded both precision and power as it traversed 425m through river pebbles, clay, and extremely hard basalt at depths of up to 40m, and AHD’s deployment of the Prime supported locally by Tracto proved decisive, with the rig’s power and versatility central to the project’s success.

AHD Managing Director Anthony Doherty said these challenging conditions made it one of the longest and most complex drills undertaken by the GWW.

“As part of our HDD design and delivery process, we conducted detailed geotechnical investigations to ensure the HDD alignment targeted the right ground conditions,” he said.

“An absolute must to reduce risk and ensure the success of the project for all our stakeholders.”

Environmental and cultural considerations were integral throughout the project. The area surrounding the Werribee River is not only ecologically sensitive but also holds cultural heritage significance.

“We always maintain a high focus on avoiding frac-out’s that could damage the river or result in fluid leakage to the surface (that could) impact areas known to be rich in cultural heritage, so identifying the right drilling window is a critical step in our process,” said Doherty.

A further challenge was the machine’s

The PD150/90 rig on site in Werribee.

There are nine Asian elephants now at Werribee Zoo.

Image: Werribee Zoo

proximity to a Viva Energy high-pressure oil pipeline, which required strict controls to be implemented, including vibration monitoring and advanced remote wireline gyroscopic tracking of the drill head.

Throughout operations, AHD’s guidance technician Will Boere monitored the drill head in real-time, providing stakeholders with continuous updates on the progress of drilling, as part of the risk mitigation process.

As the drill head approached the oil pipeline, AHD’s team performed potholing operations to successfully verify its actual 3D position confirming the strict design clearance parameters had been met.

“Drilling hundreds of metres from the rig and maintaining an accurate location of the drill head to within 10cm is all part of our everyday operations,” Boere said.

Construction within the zoo precinct also required delicate management. Much of the alignment ran along a back access track, which mean disruption to the zoo’s operations had to be minimised.

“It was quite unique to be working inside a zoo,” said Doherty.

“We had to coordinate around their access and operations, but they were great to work with and very helpful.”

GWW Senior Project Manager Alison Newland said the project benefited from early and sustained engagement with stakeholders, which helped shape the alignment and logistics.

Collaboration with Parks Victoria and the zoo ensured that future land use and animal welfare requirements were respected, while the recycled water quality was carefully aligned with the needs of the elephants and other zoo inhabitants.

The new system currently supplies the zoo with approximately 150 million litres of Class A recycled water per year, with the capacity to scale up to 400 million litres as demand increases.

The pipeline has been sized to accommodate future growth in the area, with further customers along the alignment expected to connect in time. Smart scheduling of irrigation within the zoo also helps manage peak demand periods.

Operationally, GWW will continue to

monitor and maintain the system in line with its standard recycled water management protocols, ensuring water quality remains consistently high. Meanwhile, the zoo can divert its river allocations toward improving environmental flows across its wetlands and billabongs, enhancing biodiversity within its grounds.

The project forms part of a broader strategy by GWW to expand the use of fit-for-purpose recycled water sources across Melbourne’s west.

Doherty said the project stands as a compelling example of what can be achieved using trenchless technology, leveraging strategic partnerships and committing to sustainable solutions.

“It’s really rewarding to know that our work has contributed in a small but important way, providing a critical leg, in supplying a sustainable water supply to help the zoo achieve its purpose of providing profound animal encounters that connect people with wildlife,” he said.

“The new 21-hectare Asian Elephant habitat is truly inspiring.”

Aussie ingenuity on the world stage

kwik-ZIP’s spacer systems are trusted by infrastructure professionals worldwide for critical pipeline and casing installations.

With a strong international presence, kwik-ZIP has consistently demonstrated its ability to supply high-quality, engineered spacer solutions to meet the demanding requirements of major civil, mining, and utility projects across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.

The company’s responsive support, rapid delivery capabilities, and adaptable product range make it a preferred partner for contractors and asset owners in highstakes environments.

kwik-ZIP recently demonstrated its prowess at the A465 Heads of the Valley project in south Wales, which involved the extension and widening of a major transport corridor.

As part of this infrastructure upgrade, existing utility services required diversion. To this end, four new pipe crossings were installed through precast concrete tunnels beneath the roadway at Hirwaun.

To ensure safe and efficient installation of the carrier pipes within these tunnels, kwikZIP HDXT-153 casing spacers were utilised across all four crossings.

The four crossings comprised of two crossings of 35m and 47.5m each of 711mm outside diameter (OD) pipe into 1050mm internal diameter (ID) casing, and two crossings of 35m and 47.5m each of 1118mm OD into 1500mm ID casing.

The use of kwik-ZIP HDXT-153 spacers ensured proper alignment and centralisation of the pipes within the tunnels, reducing friction during installation and protecting pipe coatings. The modular design of the HDXT-153 provided a reliable, corrosionresistant, and load-bearing solution suitable for the project’s demanding conditions.

The beauty of kwik-ZIP’s products is how straightforward they are to use in the field. Their segmented design means they can be efficiently stacked for shipping and storage, and assembled on site in mere moments. Contractors benefit from reduced labour time and costs, making projects more economical.

The company’s large range of spacers can also cater for a wide range of carrier and casing pipe size combinations, as well as providing flexibility to deal with project alterations.

Additionally, the spacers are suitable for most pipe materials.

And because they’re made from kwikZIP’s engineered thermoplastic blend and contain no metal, these spacers eliminate corrosion concerns, easily take on harsh chemicals or moisture, and are even certified as safe for potable water systems.

Another benefit of this unique thermoplastic blend is its inherent lowfriction surface, allowing for easier pipe installations. This feature reduces the force required to push or pull pipes through casings, minimising the risk of damage and ensuring a more efficient installation process.

kwik-ZIP has transformed its home-grown innovation into an internationally relied-upon standard. With its commitment to quality, adaptability, and customer responsiveness, the company remains an important partner to the pipeline industry.

At its roots, kwik-ZIP remains unapologetically Australian, but the company’s footprint is growing global with no sign of slowing down.

kwik-ZIP

kwik-ZIP spacers in action during the A465 Heads of the Valley project.

Simplifying gas pipeline projects

Inductabend is delivering flexible, cost-efficient induction bends to large-scale pipeline operators around Australia.

As Australia taps new sources of domestic gas from areas like the Surat and Beetaloo basins, the nation’s pipeline infrastructure will need to expand in order to move this resource effectively.

Whether it’s used to connect new wells to larger projects or to join production facilities to the energy grid, pipeline infrastructure is constantly being built or altered to accommodate new energy projects.

That’s why it’s critical for asset owners to have a partner like Inductabend.

The family-owned and operated Inductabend has backed the pipeline industry since 1992 with induction bending services, all made and delivered from Australian soil. This eliminates the challenges that can be associated with sourcing pipeline bends from overseas, such as lengthy lead times, quality assurance, and after-sales support.

Inductabend’s pre-qualified stock program takes this homefield advantage and elevates it to new heights, giving pipeline operators access to readily available bends with the specific angles, radius and tangent lengths to suit their pipeline projects.

In any induction bending service, a test bend – called a qualification bend – must be made from the mother pipe intended for use. Samples are then cut from this bend and rigorously tested to ensure it is fit for purpose. The strict quality standards associated with gas pipes mean this can be an arduous and expensive process – but Inductabend can remove this step altogether.

“We stock a range of X52 PSL2 pipe from reputable Korean mills. We purchase a full run [heat] of pipe at a time so each pipe for that size has the same chemistry,”

Inductabend Business Development Manager

Nathan Crouch told The Australian Pipeliner

“This way, we’re able to qualify the pipe by making just one qualification bend for an entire batch [heat].

“Inductabend performs and pays for the qualification up front, and then any customer is free to utilise that pipe to make bends customised to their specific project needs.”

This initiative drastically lowers cost and lead-times for pipe bends. Inductabend currently holds pre-qualified stock of standard X52 PSL2 HFW pipe in diameter nominals 100, 150, 200 and 300, suitable for 5D–10D radii bends. Clients can request to add other pipe sizes be carried by Inductabend to suit their pipelines too.

The company can also work with its repeat customers to create a generic inspection test plan (ITP), to which all respective bends can be made.

“This way, customers don’t have to go through quality and assurance checks every time they make a small order,” Crouch said.

“When they order bends from our prequalified stock program, we can make bends to their generic ITP, without having to recreate the ITP each time.”

Multiple major oil and gas companies have been reaping the benefits of Inductabend’s pre-qualified stock program for years.

“The large companies we work with operate in a dynamic environment,” Crouch said. “They regularly add new assets to their networks and perform maintenance.”

“Our prequalified program allows them to undertake these activities without any compromise to the optimal alignment and quality. They simply let us know the geometry of the bends they require and we make the bends to their tailored quality assurance requirements all within a couple of weeks.”

In one instance, Inductabend was even able to manufacture an urgent bend for a customer within 48 hours of the initial inquiry, significantly reducing the duration of an unplanned shutdown.

recently expanded its induction bending capabilities to

While Inductabend brings a lot to the table, it’s adaptability, speed and cost-effectiveness, as well as the satisfaction that comes with supporting Australian business, that keeps clients coming back.

“Our customers appreciate the consistency we provide,” Crouch said. “They get their high-quality bends quickly and economically, every time.”

Induction bends packed and ready for installation.

Inductabend

better serve the pipeline industry.

JOIN AN APGA COMMITTEE TODAY

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PIPA rolls up its sleeves

The Australian Pipeliner sat down with PIPA to hear how quality welding is key to unlocking the full value of plastic pipes.

Plastic pipelines are essential infrastructure, enabling the safe and reliable delivery of water, wastewater, gas, and other critical services. Thanks to decades of innovation and rigorous standards, the manufacturing of polyethylene (PE) pipes in Australia is world-class. The durability of a pipeline relies not just on the pipe itself, but on the strength of its joints – making welding practices essential. According to the Plastics Industry Pipe Association of Australia (PIPA), achieving the full lifecycle value of plastic pipelines requires attention not just at the factory, but at every stage of the pipeline journey, from transport and handling to installation and ongoing management.

PIPA’s mission in this space is clear: ensure quality, safety, and long-term performance through best-practice industry guidance. It accomplishes this by working shoulder-toshoulder with manufacturers, installers, and regulators to ensure the highest standards are applied in practice, not just in principle.

This commitment is especially evident in PIPA’s industry guidelines related to electrofusion and butt-welding for PE pipe jointing. These methods are widely used in the field, but their success relies on careful attention to process to ensure long-term performance.

PIPA’s POP001 guideline, Electrofusion Jointing of PE Pipes and Fittings for Pressure Applications, provides best-practice guidance for electrofusion welding. It covers all aspects of the process, from understanding electrofusion principles and ensuring welder

certification, through to equipment requirements, installation steps, post-fusion checks, and record-keeping. The guideline places a particular emphasis on pipe preparation, recognised as the most important and least understood step. Poor preparation remains the leading cause of electrofusion joint failure, making this stage of the process non-negotiable.

Complementing POP001 is the practical companion guide POP001A, Guide to Electrofusion Assembly and Welding. This guide turns theory into step-by-step instructions, designed for a range of electrofusion assemblies, including socket assembly and welding, slip couplings, and saddles. It provides clear processes for training, equipment handling, and site conditions reduce potential failures and associated liabilities. Similarly, the guide emphasises

quality control records which supports auditability and performance tracking. When it comes to butt-welding, POP003, Butt Fusion Jointing of PE Pipes and Fittings, offers a comprehensive framework for executing safe, durable welds. This guide is written in alignment with ISO 21307, the international standard for butt-fusion jointing procedures in gas and water distribution systems. It covers critical parameters such as materials, equipment, fusion method, and quality assessment, including surface prep, clamping, alignment, and cooling. It also provides an extensive list of best practice recommendations, providing actionable information for field workers.

Immersion in industry

Further reinforcing PIPA’s technical leadership is POP020, Principles of PE Electrofusion

The PE industry is one of the most rapidly developing industries in Australia.

Best practices must be integrated across the whole lifecycle of PE pipe to maximise its longevity.

Welding and Assessment, developed to support laboratories conducting destructive weld testing. By offering consistent, industryaligned principles for assessment, this

guideline helps close the loop between field application and laboratory validation.

PIPA is also a prominent voice in the pipeline industry when it comes to circularity.

Plastic pipes are designed for long life, as an engineered product that can be repaired through its lifecycle, reused (as a host pipe) and recycled. The association has worked hard to develop technical guidelines to ensure the appropriate recycled material is used in the manufacture of PE non-pressure pipes. It’s educating that not all plastics are the same and the importance of quality and standards to ensure the long life of a critical asset.

PIPA is advocating to continue improving the circularity of plastics pipes through the whole lifecycle to have all stakeholders recognise the sustainability and recyclability of these systems. This includes segregating offcuts during installation practices in waste management systems of projects to enable easy recycling, diverting resource from landfill.

Whether it’s educating welders, supporting design engineers, or helping laboratories assess weld integrity, PIPA’s reach is felt across the value chain.

Through its comprehensive guidelines and deep immersion in the industry, PIPA is helping to secure Australia’s plastic pipeline assets well into the future.

INDUCTABEND INDUCTABEND

We specialise in applying

to solve seemingly intractable problems.

Induction bending of pipe up to DN900, wall thicknesses up to 100mm.

Carbon steels, stainless steels, clad pipe and other exotic alloys

High X grade bends

Compound bends

Helix bends

Custom OD mandrels

Structural steel section bending

Fully customizable bend geometry

Other specialist heating applications

Onsite induction bending (large

PIPA works in collaboration with industry to develop best practice across the entire pipeline journey.

Combining innovation with rugged reliability

The latest innovations in medium-diameter pipe fusion are here.

McElroy is empowering operators to take control of their mediumdiameter fusion projects with the TracStar® 412i and TracStar 618i. These new additions to McElroy’s TracStar iSeries lineup combine industry-leading technology with all the versatility and muscle needed to get the job done.

The TracStar 412i and TracStar 618i are designed to boost operator confidence and efficiency, while also ensuring welds are performed accurately and according to standard. Utilising McElroy’s FusionGuide™ Control system, these medium-diameter machines provide users with three levels of control during the fusion process. Each level offers varying degrees of assistance, from manual control to fully automatic fusion. FusionGuide Control levels are as follows:

• L evel 1 (manual control) – Allows the operator to control the carriage position and times during the fusion process.

• L evel 2 (enhanced guided workflow) – This level provides a software-controlled shift sequence while heating and fusion times have on-screen prompts.

• L evel 3 (automatic fusion) – When fusing with this level, the entire fusion process is software controlled.

“In the years since the launch of our largediameter TracStar iSeries line, we’ve consistently heard from our partners and operators that the FusionGuide Control system has translated into countless hours and dollars saved in the field,” TracStar iSeries Product Manager Brett Stone said.

“As we’ve continued to see more HDPE [high-density polyethylene] projects that

utilise medium-diameter pipe, we knew that incorporating TracStar iSeries technology into our medium-diameter line of machines would provide an extra layer of value, both in terms of efficiency and quality control.”

Intuitive design

In the United States, a Missouri-based mining company switched to HDPE for some of its mine water removal operations, and its results, especially in terms of training, were stellar.

“With older models of the TracStar, such as the Series 2 line, seasoned operators could figure out how to use the machine but there would be a lot of questions,” said Sam Griese, Territory Manager for McElroy distributor GROEBNER. “Training involved constantly reinforcing the mechanical options available on the machine.”

When the company brought in a TracStar 412i, however, training was an entirely different experience.

“The trainer had operators up and running on the TracStar 412i within an hour,” Griese said.

Because all machine operations take place through the DataLogger tablet, trainees were presented with a touch-screen interface that felt as intuitive as using their cell phone.

“Everyone is so used to a screen, and having operations be presented in that way just clicked in their brains,” Griese said.

At the mine, operators were trained on Level 3 FusionGuide Control. In this specific scenario, the TracStar 412i operated entirely underground, creating a stable environment that makes it perfect for automated processes. That, Griese said, removed a lot of the guesswork for new trainees.

Then, the newly trained operators took things a step further.

“After training, we went out to lunch, and the fusion crew returned to the jobsite about half an hour before myself and the trainer,” Griese said.

“When we got back there, the guys had the machine up and running. They were fusing pipe, and they were already training other guys how to use the machine.”

Traceability in a growing market

Plastic pipe – in particular HDPE – is a fastgrowing pipe material, offering a more efficient, long-lasting, and cost-effective piping solution compared to traditional pipe materials. In addition, many key markets, including water, natural gas, and mining, have adopted HDPE as a preferred pipe material.

All fusion functions for the TracStar 412i and TracStar 618i – including setting machine pressures, carriage open/close, and shift sequence – are performed using the DataLogger, a ruggedised tablet tailored to pipe fusion. In addition to controlling machine functions, the DataLogger records fusion parameters and other pertinent data during the fusion process.

With the DataLogger, users can also take advantage of the Vault, McElroy’s powerful cloud-based storage platform. The Vault allows users to store their data for inspection, quality control, or other record-keeping purposes. Operators can share reports with supervisors, owners, and inspectors for closer evaluation to ensure each fused joint conforms to industry standards and is ready for service.

The new machines combine industry-leading technology with the tried and trusted design of McElroy’s TracStar line.

The DataLogger 7 allows operators to record and share pertinent fusion data for inspection and review.

Images: McElroy

WE CAN DO THIS THE EASY WAY, OR WE CAN DO THIS THE EASY WAY.

Need a pipe handling system to make your job faster, safer and easier? At Pipeline Plant Hire we have two flexible solutions ready to go. Hire and attach a PL1500 to your machine, or hire a fully-equipped VL machine as an efficient, all-in-one solution. All our vacuum lifter are capable of safely lifting 15 tonne. Our PL1500 integrates seamlessly with your host excavator using the main controls and hydraulics to operate the vacuum lifter. This system makes your life easier, more productive, and the whole site safer. Talk to us about a solution today.

As tuff as they come

Pollard’s Pack Tuff bags have become the go-to choice for Australia’s pipeline sector – offering durability, ease of handling, and eco-friendly design, equipped to handle anything, from major gas lines to long-term storage.

Pack Tuff bags

under pressure and support all manner of pipe dimensions.

Established in 1968, Pollard’s Sawdust Supplies has processed, packaged and distributed wood shavings and sawdust across Australia for more than 55 years, with no signs of stopping.

Based in Plenty, Victoria, the company provides a reliable solution for pipeline bedding, and its Pack Tuff bags are supplied with timely service and competitive pricing.

The company’s primary material is sustainably sourced Australian softwood and hardwood fibres, and its eco-friendly products are biodegradable and chemical free.

Pollard’s Pack Tuff bags are both durable

and uncompromising, essential factors in facilitating multiple re-uses in the heavy-duty pipeline industry.

Light, yet hard-wearing and resilient, the Pack Tuff bags are an ideal solution for protecting assets, not only on-site but also during transportation of the pipes and for storage in laydown yards.

Pollard’s Director Peter Brennan said this is a strong point of difference with the product.

“The Pack Tuff bags can withstand a lot of hammering,” he said.

“Companies choose our bags because they can take a great deal of rough

handling and tossing about on job sites.”

Pack Tuff bags are ideal for medium-tolong-term storage, for reliable transport applications, and for supporting pipes up off the ground.

The bags are also available in three convenient sizes to suit all diameters of pipes and will not explode under the weight of the pipe, with the largest Pack Tuff bags able to withstand up to 15 tonnes.

By comparison, hessian bags can deteriorate and tear easily which will render them useless; therefore, a tough, durable, heavy-duty product like Pack Tuff is essential to allow for multiple re-uses, particularly in a heavy industry such as pipelines. Sawdust filled Pack Tuff bags are far lighter than alternative options such as sandbags, and this allows for easier maneuverability and lowers risk from an occupational health and safety perspective.

Providing a flexible service, Pollard’s freight its Pack Tuff bags across Australia with pallets arriving on-site stretch-wrapped and weatherproof.

Major projects that uitilised Pollard’s Pack Tuff bags include the Victorian Desalination Plant, Northern Gas Pipeline, Lake Way Gas Pipeline and the Fitzroy to Gladstone Pipeline in Queensland. Pack Tuff bags were also used on the Wentworth to Broken Hill Pipeline, for which Pollard’s supplied and shipped 25,000 bags, with even more projects in the pipeline for 2025/26.

Clients include industry leaders such as McConnell Dowell, Steel Mains, MPC Kinetic, Spiecapag, John Holland, Nacap, and Pipecraft.

Pipecraft Construction Manager Chris Carlyon said Pollard’s products are his preferred choice.

“As always, Pollard’s Pack Tuff bags are the best on the market,” he said.

In addition to the Pack Tuff bags, the company supplies several other hard and softwood products Australia wide.

These include a variety of chemical free and graded sawdust products which can be used for a range of applications in addition to pipe bedding, such as animal bedding, absorbing oil and chemical spills, horticultural applications, and as a composite component for a multitude of end products.

All are made from high-quality, chemicalfree sawdust and wood shavings –part of what keeps long-term customers coming back.

won’t balloon

Pollard’s remains the distributor of choice for pipe transport solutions around Australia.

WHERE RELIABILITY MEETS EXPERIENCE

Family-owned and trusted since 1980, Tyson Excavations delivers quality trenching solutions nationwide - big or small, we’re here to get it done right.

Transforming Australia’s water and gas infrastructure

Pipeline Plant Hire is helping the pipeline industry rapidly expand water and gas infrastructure around Australia, without sacrificing on safety.

Since its inception in 1991, Pipeline Plant Hire (PPH) has forged a reputation as an industry-leading plant and equipment provider to the water, gas and civil construction sectors.

With a modern fleet of well over 120 machines, PPH offers a broad range of earthmoving and lifting machinery, and specialised attachments such as rock breakers, augers, and more.

“As a market-leader in plant machinery hire, we can provide the latest and most innovative plant and equipment for everything from dry-hire to long-term pipeline construction and civil construction projects across Australia,” PPH Director Gerard O’Brien told The Australian Pipeliner.

This expansive toolkit gives PPH a similarly broad remit, which sees its machines deployed on everything from remote outback installations to metropolitan infrastructure upgrades.

In the realm of water and gas pipeline construction, the star of the show is the VacLift, the company’s own expertly manufactured and highly optimised vacuum lift.

The VacLift can raise lengths of polyethylene or steel pipe weighing up to 15 tonnes without causing damage during the lifting process. Notably, these machines have a cycle time under 40 seconds per pipe length,

whereas conventional methods take 5–10 minutes.

This dramatic gain in efficiency is evident in major projects like the FMG water and slurry pipelines. The VacLift is equally indispensable to the water sector, with major utilities utilising the machines for treatment, distribution and irrigation projects.

On the safety side of the equation, VacLifts can assemble pipes in-situ using a guidance system that eliminates the need for ground crew to be in or even near the trench. A unique shoe design also means the pipe cannot be released unless in contact with the ground, significantly reducing the risk of a drop. The result is much faster and safer pipeline construction. All of this comes in a highly optimised, lightweight package.

“Through careful consultation and engineering approval from the relevant manufacturers, we have been able to safely maximise the lifting capabilities of our machines,” Global Pipeline Equipment (PPH’s research and development partner) Matt Dridan said.

“This is the key to getting a job done efficiently. You can send an 80–90-tonne machine out to a project, but it will be extremely expensive. Alternatively, you can send out one of our 40–50-tonne VacLifts to do the same work for significantly less cost, by maximising its lifting ability while retaining the necessary safety factors in line with Australian standards.

“This is something we’ve specialised in for many years.”

Indeed, PPH has been in the vacuum lifting space for over 20 years, first cutting its teeth working with the likes of Vinidex – a relationship still ongoing to this day.

“Pipelines aren’t the place to experiment or cut corners – you want machinery with a proven track record that you know is going to work,” Dridan said.

“That’s exactly what we represent.”

The VacLift is just one spoke on the wheel for PPH, a company deeply immersed in the pipeline industry. Representatives from the company will be in attendance at the upcoming APGA Convention and Exhibition. Here, the team is hoping to strike up a few conversations, exchange knowledge, and strengthen ties.

Whether laying thousands of metres of water mains in the arid outback or installing high pressure LNG or natural gas infrastructure, PPH’s blend of engineering excellence and industry immersion secures its position as a partner of choice in pipeline and civil construction projects.

PPH has a large fleet of earthmoving and lifting plant.

PPH’s VacLift in action.

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF WATER TRANSPORTATION BEGINS WITH THE RIGHT PIPELINE

When critical water or wastewater transport is essential to the success of your project, helping you get there is what we’re here for. Steel Mains provides only the highest quality pipelines through our innovative Sintakote® Steel Pipeline System

Backed by 150 years experience, our pipelines have been trusted for generations and our capability has been proven in all the major water projects our pipelines have served.

Through our cutting edge corrosion systems, our Sintakote® Steel Pipeline System has an enviable 150 years’ service life to match. Choose Steel Mains for your next pipeline project.

More than a steel pipe supplier

One-stop shop for welding solutions

Queensland-based ArcPro Welding Services may be a young name in the industry, but it’s making a serious impact.

Since opening in 2023, ArcPro has been steadily building its reputation as a trusted, full-service welding partner for clients across a wide range of sectors including pipelines, commercial construction, and largescale custom fabrication projects.

Backed by deep industry expertise, ArcPro is more than just a welding company. It’s a complete project support hub, offering everything from precision piping and structural fabrication to procedure qualification, welder certifications, and Manufacturers Data Record (MDR) documentation – all handled under one roof.

Director Cory Hill explained that this full coverage approach is designed to make clients’ lives easier.

“Clients send us their drawings and requirements, and we take care of the rest,” he said. “Our goal is to reduce the need for coordination across multiple contractors for our clients. That’s where our ‘one-stop shop’ approach comes in.

“We make sure everything is delivered to the highest standard and fully compliant, giving clients confidence and peace of mind in knowing the end product is of the highest quality.”

With both mobile and workshop capabilities, ArcPro is set up to handle work both on-site and off-site. Their custom-built welding truck allows the team to service remote and regional projects across Queensland and beyond, while the new Toowoomba-based workshop – opened in early 2025 – enables them to take on larger and more complex fabrication jobs.

ArcPro’s full-spectrum service model is already proving its worth, delivering measurable results for clients across a wide range of industries.

A recent project saw the team support an oil and gas client, with a stainless-steel piping package. The team oversaw every stage of the process handling everything from procedure development and welder qualifications through to delivery, ensuring complete compliance and confidence every step of the way.

Recently, a client returned to ArcPro for further projects after the team assisted the client when facing delays on a large-scale fabrication job, they needed support to get the project across the finish line.

“They appreciated that we arrived on time, were honest and realistic in timelines – and we met them – and that we were transparent with costing,” said Director Chantal Hill.

A recent project saw the team support an oil and gas client, with a stainless-steel piping package.

“They valued that our approach was far more open and honest.”

pipe welding, through to final delivery and MDR documentation.

Welding Services delivers tailored, industriallevel results without compromising on service.

ArcPro offers a comprehensive range of services including procedure development, welding supervision and inspections, welder testing and qualifications, shutdown maintenance, structural fabrication and

As demand grows, the team remains committed to quality craftsmanship, efficiency, and client satisfaction. Whether it’s pipelines, structural steel, mobile welding, or specialised procedure development, ArcPro

With its adaptable team, strong safety record, and seamless project delivery, ArcPro continues to stand out as more than just a welding contractor – it’s a trusted partner in getting the job done right.

Pollard’s Sawdust Supplies has been a trusted national supplier of graded and bagged sawdust and wood shavings products for over 50 years

The pipeline construction industry has been entrusting our business to provide support for their pipe assets for many decades.

to

Our pipeline bedding Pack Tuff bags are:

Chemical free

3 sizes to suit all pipe diameters

Won’t explode or balloon under pressure

ArcPro has become a one-stop shop for welding solutions.

Old hand, new era

The story of Benton’s Gas is a testament to family-driven ambition.

When four brothers – Michael, Wayne, Brian and Terry Benton – acquired a small plumbing venture in Keilor East in 1987, they had no idea it would develop into the sprawling, multi division enterprise it is today.

Through growth, acquisition, and hard work, the company evolved into Benton’s, a family-owned enterprise that supplies plumbing, gas and water industries from 16 branches across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

In the pipeline space, Benton’s Gas was established in 1999 to service the gas and water industries. Since then, the company has grown to supply fittings for major pipe network projects and all requirements to connect gas from the mains to the meter. This includes PE and PVC pipe, pipe fittings, tooling, gas meters, valves, personal protective equipment, and much more.

Today, Benton’s Gas is renowned across Australia not only for its extensive product range, spanning PE and PVC pipe, fittings,

valves, meters, tooling and safety equipment, but also for its depth of service. Customers in the pipeline sector have come to rely on Benton’s electrofusion and butt-welding equipment from leading brands like Plasson and PFS. This equipment comes with manufacturer accreditation, enabling Benton’s to offer servicing, spare parts and calibration in line with international best practice. This professional pedigree, balanced with a familyrun, customer-first ethos, has earned the company an enviable reputation as a trusted one-stop-shop for pipeline projects.

That commitment to precision and reliability is backed by certifications such as ISO 9001:2000, reinforcing confidence in its warehousing and supply protocols. Behind the scenes, a strong sense of generational stewardship continues to shape the business’ character; Tracey O’Mara, the daughter of one of the founding Bentons, now helms operations, inheriting not just leadership but the founding values of care, pride and unwavering customer focus.

“As one of the largest stockists of gas materials in Australia, we’ve got our customers covered from tender to close-out,” O’Mara told The Australian Pipeliner.

With such a lengthy history, Benton’s has a similarly impressive track record across a range of gas infrastructure projects, including upgrades from low pressure to high pressure pipelines, developing new infrastructure, and renewals of gas meters.

In Gippsland, the company supplied equipment for a new natural gas project, which delivered gas to several locations in Gippsland including Wonthaggi, Inverloch and Leongatha.

In the Bellarine Peninsula, Benton’s Gas assisted in the delivery of new gas mains as well as the upgrade of an existing main, in line with the rapid growth in this coastal region.

Benton’s also played a key role in the development of the Western District Area, where it assisted in the conversion of gas mains servicing the townships of Colac, Warrnambool and Bacchus Marsh.

In Central Victoria, the company delivered natural gas mains for new estates, and upgraded low and medium grade mains to high pressure in Bendigo and Woodend.

And in the western suburbs of Melbourne, Benton’s delivered new gas mains to support the expanding Western growth corridor.

These are just a handful of the many feathers in Benton’s cap. Similar to its work in gas, Benton’s has played a driving role in the

The Benton brothers (left to right): Brian, Michael, Terry and Wayne.

The Benton’s group of companies has a long history in Victoria.

development of much of the state’s water infrastructure, and developed long-standing relationships with major water utilities.

“We strive for mutual trust in all our dealings,” O’Mara said.

“At Benton’s, we are proud to stand by our

name with an ongoing sense of commitment. That’s our formula for growth and excellence in service.”

For more information, visit bentonsgas.com.au

The whole world of HDD Technology

Benton’s has an extensive toolkit to leverage.

Images:

Benton's

Leaving a long legacy

Since being founded in 1980, Tyson Excavations has had to do it the hard way to become one of Australia’s most trusted pipeline construction contractors.

Atrusted family business, Tyson Excavations is based in Griffith – known as the ‘food bowl of Australia’ – situated within the Western Riverina region of NSW but ready to travel anywhere across Australia for the right job.

Paul Tyson has been a key figure in the company’s history since its inception, steadily expanding its operations and machinery arsenal.

That was until Paul and his family made the tough decision to step back after years in operation, selling the business in 2007.

In 2015, Paul Tyson and his son Mick were called upon by a major company in Griffith to help complete a challenging project. After a successful project run, they decided to mark the return of the business under a new trading structure, bringing the family’s expertise back to the forefront.

Since then, Tyson Excavations has experienced significant growth, now operating more machines and larger trenchers than ever before.

The company specialises in pipeline construction, including large-scale drip irrigation projects and major undertakings such as its installation of 180km of pipeline in a project for the Gunbar area in 2018.

In recent years, Tyson Excavations has continued to build on its reputation for reliability and expertise.

The company operates with a core team of five full-time staff, scaling up with additional subcontractors as needed for larger projects – sometimes managing crews of up to 11 workers on major sites.

Tyson Excavations is equipped with a modern and versatile fleet, including recently acquired 32-tonne rock wheel trenchers and specialised Vermeer machinery.

This investment in advanced equipment allows the team to tackle challenging

conditions, such as the rocky ground encountered on projects in Emerald, and to deliver efficient solutions for complex pipeline and irrigation installations

To re-affirm dedication and commitment to compliance, the process is also underway to gain certification against ISO standards 9001, 14001 and 45001 and in turn transition to a fully digital integrated management system, a significant investment for Tyson Excavations to ensure the continuation of growth and further streamlining of processes moving forward.

The company’s project portfolio spans a wide range, with long-standing relationships

in the agriculture and irrigation sectors.

Tyson Excavations has provided services for well-known organisations including Darling Irrigation and Irribiz, and has contributed to significant governmentfunded infrastructure upgrades including an $80 million irrigation channel renewal and piping initiative in the MLA region, in conjunction with Boots Civil.

No matter the location or scale, Tyson Excavations remains committed to delivering high-quality results, drawing on decades of experience and a flexible, mobile approach that enables the team to travel anywhere in Australia for the right opportunity.

Some of Tyson’s bucket wheel trencher fleet.

Images: Tyson Excavations

780 HD Rock Trencor trencher with sieve. Poly Line replacement channel works.

SINCE 1935

Upholding the OIL & GAS industry's high standard with independent testing & rigorous traceability.

Safe shore approaches for pipelines and cables

The versatile nature of modern microtunnelling is enabling safe, trenchless installations of pipelines and cable protection conduits on and offshore.

When conventional horizontal directional drilling (HDD) reaches its technical or environmental limits, new approaches are being taken to get the job completed.

With the global energy transition and the rapid expansion of offshore wind energy, the demand for landfall connections in Australia is expected to rise significantly.

These landfalls are essential for transmitting power from offshore wind farms to the onshore grid via export cables.

Microtunnelling methods with continuous mechanical borehole support throughout the entire installation process, offer a safe solution for installing these cables in sensitive coastal zones, especially where HDD is not applicable.

Additionally, the development of offshore gas fields requires similar landfall infrastructure, often in challenging geological conditions or protected areas.

To meet these demands, the drilling industry is beginning to adopt advanced, lowimpact technologies capable of covering a wide range of pipeline materials, diameters, and installation lengths.

Ambitious goals toward climate neutrality and a zero-carbon footprint not only require the development of modern, sustainable infrastructure but also place high demands on the construction methods used.

The SubCo SMAP project in Australia is a prime example. As the world’s first zerocarbon long-haul subsea cable system, it demonstrates how environmentally responsible design must be matched by equally sustainable construction practices.

Such projects require alternatives to open-

Operation of three Direct Pipe 42” equipment for cable landfalls on Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project, USA.

preserving water quality, and ensuring compliance with strict environmental regulations.

The direct pipe method combines microtunnelling technology with a Herrenknecht Pipe Thruster to enable trenchless installation of prefabricated steel pipelines in challenging ground conditions.

Originally developed to assist HDD operations, the Pipe Thruster pushes the welded pipeline forward in 5m strokes while a slurry microtunnelling machine (AVN) simultaneously excavates the borehole.

This one-step process allows for the safe and efficient installation of certified pipelines with diameters ranging from 24–60 inches, minimising environmental impact.

Direct Pipe is a very reliable technology in highly permeable or heterogeneous soils due to its high accuracy and wide application range regarding ground conditions, maintaining permanent borehole support.

The cuttings are transported to the surface through dedicated slurry lines inside the pipeline. Thus, the borehole itself is not pressurised, preventing hydraulic formation fracturing (frac-outs) and inadvertent fluid returns.

This is pivotal to the protection of coastal environments, and constitutes an advantage over HDD’s pressurised and open borehole.

In outfall projects for shore approaches, the

marine conditions. This makes planning and execution much more reliable, saving time and costs.

Remote-controlled recovery of the DPMTBM from the seabed is the only part of the process needing maritime operations –however, it can easily be postponed since it is the very last step in the process and the pipeline is already in the ground.

The Direct Pipe method can be adapted to install non-pressure-resistant pipes like HDPE, often used as cable protective pipes. One approach involves inserting the HDPE pipe into the steel casing, which is then pulled back and removed leaving only the HDPE in place.

For the first time, this technique was successfully used in 2024 on the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW, USA) project, where three Direct Pipe systems installed nine landfall sections under tight deadlines.

This project provided an ideal opportunity to test jet pump technology under near-perfect ground conditions with a 42 inch diameter.

Direct Pipe demonstrated its highest flexibility in addressing the complex technical and environmental challenges of shore approaches in the offshore wind sector, with valuable experience gained to make this technology an indispensable complement to HDD.

Direct Pipe jobsite installation onshore, heading offshore.

Image: Herrenknecht

Image: Michels Trenchless

discusses corrosion protection in a critical, yet often overlooked area.

Yellow metals such as bronze, copper, and brass are often overlooked in the quest for corrosion protection because they do not corrode as easily as less noble metals such as steel and zinc. However, that does not mean they are irrelevant or immune to corrosion. Cortec® reminds formulators why selecting corrosion inhibiting additives such as M-235 and M-236 for yellow metals can be an important piece to solving the corrosion puzzle. It is important to pay attention to yellow metals for three reasons. Firstly, some corrosion inhibitors for steel are harmful to yellow metals. Secondly, galvanic corrosion can shift the corrosion attack from a yellow metal to a less noble metal when dissimilar metals are together in harsh conditions. Finally, certain environments are harsh enough to corrode yellow metals themselves.

Protecting yellow metals

Formulators of cleaners, metalworking fluids, water treatments, and protective coatings that will be used in contact with yellow metals can turn to M-235, a powder additive.

This extremely versatile corrosion inhibitor forms a complex with copper oxides or yellow metal ions to create an extremely stable physical and electrochemical film barrier against corrosion. M-235 is soluble in both water and glycol and can be used in a variety of applications:

• Direct treatment of copper/brass sheets/ coils

• Flash corrosion protection in strong alkali or acid cleaners

• Water treatment in circulating cooling towers or air conditioning systems

• Protective wax or lacquer coatings for metal

• Corrosion protection in hydraulic or metalworking fluids

For oil- or solvent-based applications, formulators may use M-236, a liquid additive. This corrosion inhibitor can be added to transformer oil to protect yellow metals without changing the oil’s electrical properties. It also protects in the presence of H2S, SO2, and high temperatures.

It is great to focus on rust prevention for ferrous metals – but not to the neglect of yellow metals. Make sure the yellow component is covered by considering M-235 or M-236 for your next water treatment, hydraulic fluid, cleaner, or oil. These products are available through Savcor Products Australia in Australia and New Zealand.

Quality the key for petrochemical fasteners

In the high-stakes industry of Australia’s oil and gas, safety, reliability, and compliance are non-negotiable.

Petrochemical fasteners, though small in size, are essential to the integrity of operations, and Hobson Engineering is leading the charge in setting new standards for quality and assurance.

Fasteners may seem inconspicuous, but in the oil and gas sector, they are vital.

Hobson Engineering Product Manager Andre Lawless said the importance of quality fasteners must not be underestimated.

“Fasteners are used to bolt flanges together, which hold the pipes in place. These pipes transport oil, gas, and liquids, so it is crucial that the fasteners do not fail,” he said.

“A failure could result in an explosion or a leak, leading to immediate loss of productivity and potentially catastrophic consequences.”

Given the extreme pressures, temperatures, and corrosive environments these fasteners endure, high-grade materials and rigorous testing are fundamental.

Hobson’s differentiator in this high-demand market lies in its unwavering commitment to independent quality assurance.

“The high-tensile material we supply is 100 per cent independently ILAC tested,” Lawless said. “We sample orders and send it to a ILAC-approved laboratory for tensile and other appropriate tests to ensure compliance with American ASTM standards.”

Hobson has one of the most comprehensive testing systems in the country, which helps to mitigate risk and build trust with clients in

sectors where even minor failures can have outsized impacts.

Australia’s oil and gas operations often take place in coastal or offshore environments, where salt-laden air accelerates corrosion.

Hobson Engineering offers a range of coatings to protect fasteners in these challenging conditions including hot-dip galvanised, Xylan coatings, molybond 1PX1 and zinc-played finishes, as well as cadmium coatings.

This wide ranges allows the company to cater to customers across all terrains.

“In particularly harsh environments, a substrate such as zinc or cadmium is applied under the Xylan coating for extra protection. If the Xylan coating chips, the underlying layer provides additional defence,” Lawless said.

Hobson’s operates a dual supply strategy importing common sizes and manufacturing to order in Sydney and its new 11,000m2 facility in Perth.

“We import wherever possible, so the most common flange diameters and lengths are sourced from overseas and independently ILAC-tested. Items not in stock are manufactured locally,” Lawless said.

The result is not just quality, but also availability which a key concern in the oil and gas sector where delays can cost millions.

“Price is less important than availability; having stock ready is more critical than the price point,” Lawless said.

Traceability and documentation are another area where Hobson raises the bar. Its boxes of fasteners come with a heat or trace number, allowing clients to download the 3.1 material test certificate directly from Hobson’s website.

“Each heat or trace number has a separate location in our warehouse to avoid mixing batches. We aim to provide customers with a single heat number per order, simplifying certification for end users,” Lawless said.

When it comes to material grades, Hobson’s covers the full range required by petrochemical clients: B7 for medium temperature, L7 for low temperature, B16 for high temperature, B8 (304 stainless) and B8M (316 stainless) for extreme corrosion resistance.

“These five grades cover 95 per cent of petrochemical requirements in Australia,” Lawless said. “But it is important to be aware of the available options.”

At a time when cost-saving pressures tempt some in the industry to cut corners, Hobson stands firm on quality.

The company’s approach inclusive of full independent testing, rigorous traceability, high-grade materials, and versatile coatings reflects its broader mission to support safety, performance, and trust across the Australian energy sector.

“We are really focused on quality, which is our top priority,” Lawless said.

Image: Hobson Engineering

Hobson meets oil and gas demands with its petrochemical category.

The publication covers everything from upstream gas exploration and facilities, to construction and maintenance of hydrocarbon transmission pipelines and water pipelines. With mature readership lists developed over several decades, excellent brand recognition in the industry and a strong reputation for producing high-quality original content, The Australian Pipeliner has unparalleled access to key decision-makers in the upstream and midstream sectors.

Network intelligence is the way forward

A global leader in emissions management, Picarro is making innovations to move ahead of the game.

Picarro’s end-to-end solution is an integrated system combining data collection, geospatial context, and cloud analytics to deliver network intelligence for emissions reduction, compliance, and asset optimisation.

With a strong focus on leak detection and network intelligence, Picarro’s innovative solutions have been revolutionising the management of emissions in the natural gas industry for more than 25 years.

Its network intelligence is a transformational mindset that enables gas utilities to evolve from reactive operations to proactive, data-driven management –comprised of four key elements.

Firstly, comprehensive and frequent scanning of the entire gas infrastructure using advanced mobile leak detection AMLD technology, which enables accurate and quantitative mapping of fugitive methane emissions.

Next, geospatial contextualisation through the integration of multiple GIS data streams including below-and above-ground gas assets, buildings, weather patterns, ground conditions, and risk models; delivering a GIScentric frame of reference.

Thirdly, it involves a machine learningpowered analytics suite that generates a unified, dynamic representation of the gas network that delivers both local insights (such as risk-prioritised leak indications and assetlevel field of view coverage) and network-wide

intelligence to inform strategic decisions around emissions and risk profiling, operational and capital expenditure optimisation, multiyear trend analysis, forecasting, resource planning, and regulatory reporting.

Lastly, it has native software integration with existing utility workflow and IT systems, including work asset management (WAM), resource planning tools, DIMP/PSMS programs, GIS platforms, and other systems of record.

Natural gas operators face mounting pressures from regulatory requirements, environmental mandates, and investor expectations.

Picarro can transform these challenges into opportunities by advocating a shift from traditional leak detection to holistic network intelligence.

Its AMLD platform allows operators to leave behind isolated leak detection for a more comprehensive view of network health enabling them to identify patterns, predict future risks, and optimise resource allocation.

Not only does this shift improve operational efficiency, it also strengths

environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance.

The system provides its operators with numerous benefits, empowering them to derive measurable value from network intelligence.

Putting it into practice

Since adopting Picarro’s solutions in 2018, Italgas has reduced odour calls by 50 per cent and fugitive emissions by 83 per cent compared to its 2015 baseline.

These results highlight the value of integrating advanced analytics and proactive emissions management into daily operations.

Italgas’ use of network intelligence has also enhanced its ability to prioritise repairs, resulting in significant cost savings and safety improvements.

In another case, Pacific Gas and Electric’s (PG&E) adoption of Picarro’s solutions contributed to more than 40 per cent reduction in fugitive emissions.

By leveraging network intelligence, PG&E achieved its emissions reduction goals two years ahead of schedule.

This success underscores the power of integrating advanced analytics with proactive operational strategies.

The natural gas industry is at a critical juncture. Transitioning from traditional leak detection to network intelligence is no longer optional – it is essential.

Picarro’s integrated solutions offer the tools and insights necessary to navigate this transformation successfully. By embracing a mindset shift, operators can enhance safety, meet regulatory demands, and lead the way in environmental stewardship.

Picarro’s network intelligence framework promotes proactive, data-driven operations.

Safety for all

The Women in Pipelines Forum is developing a new code of practice for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the pipeline industry.

Over the past few years, conversations around psychological safety and the benefits of diverse teams have surged across industries. Research, panels, and policy discussions have consistently highlighted how diversity of thought, background, and perspective leads to stronger, more resilient organisations. Yet despite this momentum, progress has stalled. The initial enthusiasm has given way to hesitation, and in some circles, the term ‘DEI’ itself has become contentious – almost a dirty word. In this shifting global climate, it’s more important than ever to refocus on what truly matters: creating safe, inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive. For the pipeline industry, this means preserving the tangible benefits of diversity while making it easier to navigate the complex web of legal and social obligations.

The WPF is developing the Safety for All Code of Practice (SACoP); offering a clear, practical guide to serve as a reference for all APGA member companies, no matter their location and size. The SACoP serves as a onestop reference for organisations seeking clarity on their DEI obligations. It consolidates federal and state legislation, industry standards, and societal expectations into a single, accessible document. This includes requirements from bodies such as the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), WorkSafe, and relevant unions. The ability to remain compliant while working within the changing sentiment of society is

essential to an industry with a position as closely scrutinised as ours.

For example, under current legislation:

• Construction projects over $250,000 must provide gender-segregated toilets on-site

• Employers with over 100 staff must report annually to WGEA, detailing gender composition, pay equity, flexible work arrangements, and more

• Companies with over 500 employees must select and work toward three gender equality targets every three years, or risk being publicly named and excluded from government contracts.

These requirements are not just bureaucratic hurdles, but are essential for creating safe, inclusive, and high-performing workplaces.

Beyond compliance:

building better workplaces

While global discourse around DEI has become increasingly polarised, SACoP is designed to rise above the noise. It recognises that regardless of personal views on quotas or targets, the evidence is clear: diverse teams consistently outperform homogeneous ones. This Code is not about ideology – it’s about meeting legal obligations, improving workplace culture, and driving better business outcomes.

SACoP also clarifies what data must be reported, what qualifies as reportable, and how organisations can use this information to drive meaningful improvement, not just tick

boxes. It’s a practical tool for leaders who want to do better, not just do the minimum.

Developed under the leadership of Elizabeth Wheeler (LERA), Chair of the WPF Advocacy Subcommittee, SACoP is the result of a collaborative effort by a dedicated working group: Stephanie Johnson (PFP), Carina Nixon (GPA), Gretyl Lunn (APA), Julie Hamilton (APA), and Catherine Alvarez (GEC). Their collective expertise reflects APGA’s broader commitment to fostering diversity, supporting ESG outcomes, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the pipeline industry.

As social expectations and regulatory landscapes continue to evolve, SACoP will remain a living document, regularly updated and shared with APGA members. It ensures that pipeline organisations can stay compliant, competitive, and committed to the wellbeing of their people. SACoP is the embodiment of the WPF’s advocacy: turning the principles of inclusion and safety into practical, actionable standards.

Elizabeth Wheeler will present the Code of Practice at the APGA Convention in Brisbane this October. The WPF, established to promote the active participation and empowerment of women in the pipeline and gas sectors, continues to offer networking, development, and educational opportunities across Australia. The WPF invites attendees to visit its booth at the convention to learn more about SACoP and join the conversation.

DEI obligations can be hard to keep track of for large companies, which is what the SACoP aims to address.

Meet GIRA

Gas Infrastructure Research Australia is an exciting new research body that succeeded Future Fuels CRC and its predecessor the Energy Pipelines CRC.

Gas Infrastructure Research Australia (GIRA) is an industry-led research organisation which builds upon the work of Future Fuels CRC, initiated as a collaboration between the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association (APGA) and Energy Networks Australia (ENA). Our inaugural Industry Foundation Members are Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG), APA Group and Jemena. Other participants of GIRA include the members of the APGA Research and Standards Committee (RSC) and the ENA Gas Committee.

GIRA’s aim is to create a collaborative research centre with the capability of pursuing world class research and training relevant to gas infrastructure, to perform targeted and impactful research to understand and adapt the role of gas infrastructure in Australia’s energy transition.

The scope of GIRA’s research extends from high pressure transmission pipelines (which move large quantities of gas and other fluids over long distances across Australia) to the lower pressure distribution networks (which

service industrial, commercial and residential end-users), along with the facilities and systems which accompany these assets.

GIRA’s research seeks to explore the challenges and opportunities relating to the delivery of fuels and other gases and liquids in a net-zero emissions future, including hydrogen, biomethane, natural gas and carbon dioxide. GIRA will conduct research to improve the safety, efficiency and reliability of the physical assets across their lifecycle (such as design, construction, integrity management), along with strategic projects in areas such as systems modelling, policy research, and social acceptance.

Across these areas of research GIRA will:

a. create a collaborative research centre with the capability of pursuing world class research and training

b. promote a managed and cooperative approach to research and education to maximise the benefits from that research and education for GIRA’s members

c. use research to inform the development and improvement of relevant guidelines and standards

d. carry out education activities for students and for the professional development of persons working in related industries

use research outcomes to ensure that the maximum benefit accrues to Australia, including Australian industry, the Australian environment and the Australian economy generally.

Image:

GIRA

The inaugural meeting of the GIRA board of directors.

GIRA’s research extends from high pressure transmission pipelines to the lower pressure distribution networks.

Tracking the latest appointments

In this regular column, The Australian Pipeliner celebrates new appointments in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and the Pacific’s pipeline sector.

Business Development Manager

Austrack Equipment

Mick Sticklen steps into the role of business development manager at Austrack Equipment.

Mick takes over the reins from Michael O’Reilly who moves into the new role of Marketing and Communications Manager.

Sticklen comes with the perfect pedigree having spent most of his working life in plant management and operational roles working in Tier 1 contractors, including Nacap, MPC and most recently Clough.

He has worked all over Australia and completed contracts in PNG as well.

Director of Integrity Solutions

ROSEN Group

Product Support and Sales Representative TRACTO Australia

Liz Brierley has joined ROSEN Group as Director of Integrity Solutions and Regulatory Engagement.

In her new role, Brierley will facilitate seamless access within the Asia Pacific region to ROSEN’s worldwide team of over 250 integrity management professionals, including 30 principal specialists.

Brierley brings with her a wealth of experience working for network and pipeline operators, with more than 15 years in leadership roles, including a board position with the APGA.

Mick brings a wealth of on-site project experience, and solid industry client, contractor and equipment manufacturer contacts at every level.

“I am delighted to be joining Austrack Equipment who have become a force in the pipeline equipment hire space,” he said.

“The reputation they have gained for being a dynamic, processive and young company on the move is a great fit for me.”

“Having spent 25 years in pipeline operations, I have an enormous sense of gratitude to those people that helped me solve the more complex integrity issues I encountered,” she said.

“In this next chapter of my career, I am looking forward to paying this forward and providing support to operators to continuously improve their pipeline integrity management plans to maintain public safety.”

TRACTO Australia has announced John Walsh as its new Product Support and Sales Representative for NSW/ACT.

With a wealth of experience in the trenchless industry and in-depth knowledge of the TRACTO product range, John brings a strong customer focus and technical expertise to the role.

His appointment reflects TRACTO’s continued commitment to providing industry-leading support and service to both new and existing customers in these regions.

“We’re excited to have him on board as we strengthen our presence across NSW and ACT,” the company said.

If your company has recently employed a new person within your business you would like profiled in ‘People on the move’, send details of the career news alongside a high-res photo to Editor Timothy Bond at tim.bond@primecreative.com.au

Image: John Walsh

Image:

Liz Brierley

Image: Mick Sticklen

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