The Australian Pipeliner March 2023

THE AUSTRALIAN PIPELINER | MARCH 2023

Environmental protection

ISSUE 196 | MARCH 2023

PIPELINE MINIMISES IMPACT ON FLORA AND FAUNA - page 36

McElroy's rugged and reliable equipment 26

Pipe Tek collaborates 28 on vital project

New year, new gear for Vermeer 52

Pipetek-TAP-FP-IFC-060223.pdf

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

1

7/2/2023

9:45 am

WE KNOW PRESSURE › Pipeline integrity › Pigging services › NATA pressure testing › Inline inspection

› Live line dig ups › Leak detection › CCTV inspection › HDD construction Our Exclusive Global Partner

Taddam: 0432 666 917 taddam@pipetek.com.au

Myles: 0417 707 729 myles@pipetek.com.au

www.pipetek.com.au

R

LARGE BORE PE PIPES Locally Manufactured in Australia

Larger Sizes Available

More than 50 years of experience

Diameter range from DN16 to DN1800

Technical Support & Expertise

Fabrication Available

Iplex team of Sales Engineers and Product Managers are available to help with your project needs..

Capability of producing customised fittings to suit customers’ needs.

Get in touch with our team of experts today

13 10 86

WWW.IPLEX.COM.AU

CONTENTS

20

SA Water safeguards the environment. Image courtesy of SA Water.

EXECUTIVE REPORTS CEO’s Message POLICY Emissions reduction process needs to change

Advocates for corrosion prevention

34

8

Steel Mains owns environmental responsibility

36

12

LEAK DETECTION Getting started on the path to net-zero

38

14

WELDING PSSS offers hands-on auto welding experience to customers

40

16

German welding system manufacturer on hunt for Australian distributors

42

SOUTH AUSTRALIA Pipelines in South Australia

18

CORROSION Safety factors in AC mitigation applications

44

SA Water safeguards the environment and its people

20

REHAB & REPAIR Tapping into Northern Ireland’s electricity

46

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT The use of vacuum lifting technology

48

kwik-ZIP’s HDXT-43 assists UK project

50

New year, new gear for large-scale projects

52

APGA Q&A APGA Government Relations Manager Paul Purcell FUTURE FUELS Water: The vital ingredient in Australia’s energy industry

WOMEN’S PIPELINE FORUM Reflections on a year of gender equality action

22

WATER PIPELINES Pipelines making headway in 2023

24

McElroy's rugged and reliable equipment keeps the job going

26

Pipe Tek and Pensar collaborate on vital Unitywater project

28

REGULARS Members & memos

10

Iplex: Setting the standards for large diameter pipe systems

30

APGA members

56

Pipeline Plant Hire keeps the water industry moving with VacLift

APGA Convention

54

32

People on the Move

58

4

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

The leading innovator supplying cutting-edge integrity solutions. Together we can ensure sustainable decision-making. Our combination of advanced inspection systems and expert consultants delivers a comprehensive understanding of asset safety, lifetime, and performance.

Comprehensive Asset Integrity Management

www.rosen-group.com

PUBLISHER

Maximise brand awareness by connecting with thousands of industry professionals

CEO John Murphy COO Christine Clancy christine.clancy@primecreative.com.au

The Australian Pipeliner brand comprises: a quarterly magazine, a news website, a fortnightly e-newsletter, multiple social media platforms, an annual industry directory and an annual pipelines wallchart. Book an advertising and editorial package to gain access to our exclusive audience.

MANAGING EDITOR Molly Hancock molly.hancock@primecreative.com.au JOURNALISTS Jenna May jenna.may@primecreative.com.au Christian Alphonso christian.alphonso@primecreative.com.au BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Nick Lovering nick.lovering@primecreative.com.au

3,300+

DESIGN PRODUCTION MANAGER Michelle Weston michelle.weston@primecreative.com.au ART DIRECTOR Blake Storey blake.storey@primecreative.com.au

magazine subscribers

website views each month

16,500+

13,700+

e-newsletter subscribers

DESIGNERS Kerry Pert, Louis Romero

20,000+

social media followers

Want to find out more?

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

Contact our business development team to discuss how you can grow your business with The Australian Pipeliner. Call 0414 217 190 or email nick.lovering@primecreative.com.au

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.

Head Office 379 Docklands Drive, Docklands VIC 3008 Ph: +61 3 9690 8766

Printed by: Manark Printing 28 Dingley Ave Dandenong VIC 3175 Ph: (03) 9794 8337

Sydney Office Suite 303, 1-9 Chandos Street Saint Leonards NSW 2065 Ph: (02) 9439 7227

enquiries@primecreative.com.au www.primecreative.com.au

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.

6

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

TURNKEY ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTION PROVIDER ◊

Transmission Pipelines

◊

CSG Gathering and Wellhead Connections

◊

Above Ground and Buried Facilities

◊

Refinery Facilities including Brownfield Sites

nacap.com.au

CAPABILITIES Pipelines

Renewables

Facilities

Defence

CSG Gathering

Power

+61 3 8848 1888 (Melbourne, Head Office) +61 7 3328 8800 (Brisbane) +61 7 3029 1111 (Brisbane, PNG Office) +61 2 6884 7878 (Dubbo) +61 418 441 827 (Darwin) +61 8 6229 6500 (Perth) +675 321 1001 (Port Moresby)

WE BRING ENERGY TO ITS DESTINATION

EXECUTIVE REPORTS

Chief Executive Officer’s report

T

he year is well and truly underway! I hope your 2023 is starting well.

At the APGA Secretariat, there is a record number of events, projects, and engagement activities underway. Our new and expanded team is putting a lot of effort into delivering all these and more during this exciting time for the association.

It is fantastic to see this issue’s focus on the role of pipelines in the water industry. At APGA, we often focus on energy issues, you only need to look at the news any given week over the last 10 years to see why, but we are always cognisant of the significance of the water industry to members.

The pipeline industry is a major service provider for water and this role is very likely to expand significantly in the years ahead. The energy transition sees an expanded and new role for water as an energy storage medium, in both pumped hydro and some thermal mass applications and as an input to future fuels, especially green hydrogen production.

Importantly for the pipeline industry, an increasing role for water in energy will mean an increasing need to move water long distances.

APGA’s Social Responsibility Pillar and Capability Pillar both go directly to making sure we are able to deliver the best pipeline projects possible. Whether it’s securing social licence for pipeline projects through landholder engagement, delivering optimal environmental outcomes through the Code of Environmental Practice or ensuring our people have the skills, expertise and ability to share knowledge and experience, there is a lot of APGA’s services that are relevant to water infrastructure. And we are always interested in a discussion on how we can do more to support members, so please share your thoughts with the team and I if you

8

think there’s something we can do to bring our industries even closer.

An increasingly common issue for all industries in 2023 is resourcing. Whether gas, electricity, water, mining, manufacturing, the energy transition requires so many projects to be delivered over the next decade that it is inevitable all sectors are constrained for resources and skills. It is an issue increasingly on our minds at APGA and we are always including in our advocacy and messaging the importance of pursuing all decarbonisation options and technologies to spread the resource load over as many sectors as possible.

For pipelines, this means promoting options that move molecules. Whether it is the increasingly visible role of renewable gas, the contribution pumped hydro can make in electricity storage, the growing need for water in the regions or the potential for zero-carbon fuels to power ships and planes, there is a major contribution to be made by pipeline infrastructure.

By ensuring considerations such as the skills of this sector, the social acceptability of buried infrastructure compared to above-ground infrastructure and the differing raw material needs, we are doing our best to make sure government has the pipeline industry and the contribution we can make front and centre in its mind.

There is a lot to look forward to!

STEVE DAVIES CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

ABN: 29 098 754 324 APGA Secretariat Registered Office: 7 National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600 (PO Box 5416, Kingston ACT 2604) T: +61 2 6273 0577 E: apga@apga.org.au W: www.apga.org.au Chief Executive Officer Steve Davies Corporate Services Manager Michelle Wickson National Policy Manager Jordan McCollum Communications Manager Lawrence Shelton Engagement Manager Dean Bennett Membership Officer Katy Spence Events Coordinator Matthew Freeborough Policy Manager Catriona Rafael Government Relations Manager Paul Purcell

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

ai167448104825_STATS FR_A4 Advert_Flaring Venting.pdf 2 23/01/2023 13:37:29

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

MEMBERS & MEMOS

APA Group appoints Managing Director The APA Group’s board has announced Adam Watson as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director following the completion of a comprehensive global search process.

Watson joined the company as Chief Financial Officer in 2020. He has significant experience in capital intensive industries and the development, delivery, and operations of large-scale infrastructure.

APA Chairman Michael Fraser said that Watson’s leadership skills and commercial experience in the growth and transformation

Adam Watson takes APA's top position.

of complex and diverse organisations is the right mix for APA’s next phase of growth.

“In partnership with our customers, investors,

government, communities, and our people, we will continue to build on the underlying strength of the APA business,” said Watson.

Indigenous Elder to oversee crucial gas and landholder relationship

John Anderson to mediate between gas industry and landowners.

John Anderson, a governance specialist, Indigenous Elder and traditional owner from the Nywaigi People and Mamu People, will oversee the crucial relationship between Queensland’s gas industry and landholders.

Resources Minister Scott Stewart said that the agriculture and resources industries are multibillion-dollar industries that support thousands of jobs and help underpin Queensland’s economy and regional communities.

“Mr Anderson is a First Peoples’ engagement specialist with extensive governance

experience,” he said.

Anderson will chair a group of five part-time commissioners – three of them existing commissioners and two new appointees.

He was also appointed as the Commission’s first community representative commissioner.

“The GasFields Commission provides critical independent regulatory oversight of our $70 billion onshore gas industry,” Stewart said.

“The Commission is fundamental to maintaining the productive co-existence of our gas and food and fibre industries, and the communities in which they operate.”

Narrabri gas pipeline edges closer to construction The Narrabri Gas Project is one step closer to commencing following the National Native Title Tribunal’s decision to permit the construction of the pipeline.

The tribunal ruled that the project could go ahead and found the public benefit of the project outweighed environmental concerns.

The tribunal imposed a condition that Santos takes all necessary steps to ensure an Additional Research Program be implemented.

Santos will continue to engage constructively with the Gomeroi people and work closely with them to ensure their heritage is protected and they benefit from the project development in a range of ways, including through training and employment, and involvement in all aspects of their cultural heritage protection and management.

Santos has been consulting and working with

10

the Gomeroi people since 2012, and in formal negotiations regarding the Narrabri Gas Project since 2015.

According to Santos, Narrabri natural gas is

essential to ensuring that Australia’s transition to renewables and cleaner energy technologies maintains both security and and affordability for all Australians over the coming decade.

National Native Title Tribunal gives Narrabri green light.

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

MEMBERS & MEMOS

Tremco Pipeline Equipment celebrates 30-year anniversary

Tremco Pipeline Equipment has supported the industry for 30 years.

2023 marks 30 years since one of the region’s leading suppliers of pipeline products, Tremco Pipeline Equipment, was established to service Australia, New Zealand, Papua

New Guinea and the Pacific’s with the world’s leading brands.

The company was established in 1993 by Ron and Margaret Trembath and has since developed a reputation as a supplier with integrity, honesty, and reliability across its dealings with the oil and gas, water and petrochemical industries.

The 1994 Gilmore to Barcaldine pipeline was Tremco Pipeline Equipment’s first major project, with the company supplying tape coating, construction equipment and on-site technical support.

Since then, the company has supported the construction of every new major gas transmission pipeline built in Australia and assisted operators and contractors in maintaining the vitally important existing infrastructure.

Tremco Pipeline Equipment’s has played an integral role in some of the biggest LNG

pipeline projects in Queensland, like the massive 42-inch, 556 km long Queensland Curtis LNG pipeline to older pipelines like the Moomba to Sydney ethane pipeline.

Brett Trembath, Director and Sales and Service Technician said Tremco Pipeline Equipment has taken steps to position itself as the region’s leading supplier of products to aid the energy transition, putting it at the forefront of decarbonisation of the pipelines sector.

“With the number of projects exploding as Australia undertakes its energy transition, there’s an opportunity for us to be part of the solution,” he said. “In our 30 years of business, we’ve been able to establish and foster relationships with the leading pipeline suppliers all around the world, and we’re looking forward to continuing to supply our local partners for 30 more.”

Verbrec completes efficiency study for Beach in NZ Beach Energy has contracted Verbrec to complete an energy improvement study of its Kupe Oil System in Taranaki, approximately 30 km offshore New Zealand’s North Island.

Kupe is critical to the country’s energy infrastructure, providing 15 percent of the country’s gas and 50 percent of its LPG during peak periods.

The ‘Kupe Oil System Energy Efficiency Improvement Study’ will be completed by Verbrec’s Engineering Services division.

For the study, the company will conduct analysis of process engineering and conclude options for efficiency, complete mechanical and piping engineering to high level equipment specifications, and engineer instrumentation and electrical for the preliminary identification

of control elements.

Verbrec New Zealand General Manager Glenn Howlett said the study will play an important role in Beach meeting its emission reduction goals.

“Undertaking this work for Beach Energy is very satisfying. It’s a major step forward, in helping Beach attain their goal of a 25 percent reduction of operational emissions by 2025,” he said.

The company is committed to playing its part in the decarbonisation of the energy mix, facilitated by renewables and alternative fuels, such as hydrogen and biogases, and has played a significant role in several important and innovative projects which leverage technology and innovation to facilitate

Sydney I Melbourne I Brisbane I Perth Adelaide I Townsville I New Plymouth

Verbrec is committed to playing its part in decarbonisation.

emissions reduction.

Verbrec Chief Operating Officer Brad Love said Verbrec is uniquely positioned to support its clients in its net zero journey with capabilities that range from concept design to end-of-life management.

“This year we continue delivering on our purpose of transforming assets and people for a sustainable and smarter future,” he said.

AUSTRALASIA’S LEADING CATHODIC PROTECTION & CORROSION SPECIALIST

Our Experience Delivers Solutions Engineering • Field Services • Products

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

www.cceng.com.au 11

POLICY

Emissions reduction process needs to change

By Jordan McCollum, National Policy Manager, APGA

The months since the Federal Election has seen the pace of legislative change around energy and emissions policy ramp to record pace. But key shortcomings in ongoing reforms mean energy users ultimately have few decarbonisation pathways beyond electrification or a radical change in their business model.

A

PGA has engaged in twelve energy and emissions reduction policy consultation processes in 2023 so far. Given that, APGA lodged a total of 30 submissions across the entire previous year and 29 submissions in 2021, the pace of change is stark.

The wide range of reform processes underfoot has included matters directly relevant to the future of the gas industry. This includes proposed introduction of regulated rates of return for gas as a commodity, and a separate consideration of embedding emissions reduction targets within the National Gas Objective.

The latter could have positive impacts on preparing regulated infrastructure for renewable gas uptake. The former, however, is a sharp departure from a foundational tenet of the modern Australian economy – thou shall not regulate commodity prices. Put simply by Hilmer et al in the 1993 National Competition Policy report: “Since price control never solves the underlying problem it should be seen as a last resort".

Other reforms have been considering broader industry support measures on a national scale.

Beyond APGA’s first submission to Treasury’s 2023-24 pre-budget submission process, we provided feedback to the National Reconstruction Fund proposal of co-funding development of Australian electrolyser production capability, highlighting the necessity of prioritising advanced manufacturing techniques to avoid high, labourdriven hydrogen prices.

The states are also picking up the pace with Tasmania, New South Wales, and South Australia consulting on renewable gas legislation or strategies. Tasmania stands out as a shining example of a rational approach to the future of gas, contemplating the opportunity of transitioning from a net natural gas importer to a net renewable gas exporter.

AEMO has been consulting on another electrification-heavy Inputs, Assumptions and Scenarios Report – the foundation of its Integrated System Plan. Having been given powers to direct gas market participants to avoid yet-to-have-occurred gas supply shortfalls,

"Australian legislation is currently designed to consider electrification as the only pathway to emissions reduction.

This needs to change, but it cannot change through individual legislative reform processes alone. The problem can only be resolved by a coordinated process to reform all interrelated legislation together."

AEMO is also scrambling to establish procedures to enact its newfound powers, in circumstances reminiscent of the 2018 Capacity Trading and Auction reforms.

While each of these processes have their individual shortcomings big or small, the systemic shortcomings start to be seen in combined reforms to the Safeguard Mechanism, Hydrogen Guarantee of Origin (GO) Scheme and National Energy Performance Strategy (NEPS) alongside the independent review of the Emissions Reduction Framework (ERF; governs Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) generation) and National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting scheme (NGERs) legislation.

Each of these consultations (and legislative instruments) are separate, yet each legislative instrument is inherently interconnected. While challenging from a time management perspective, the benefit of reviewing reforms in rapid succession is that the shortcoming of the interconnections is very evident.

Safeguard Mechanism reforms seek to reduce the scope 1 emissions of Australia’s 212 largest emitting facilities, considering emissions reductions via NGERs reporting or ACCU surrender. Alongside this, the GO Scheme is being developed to track hydrogen emissions and the NEPS seeks to set energy efficiency standards.

On the surface, this all sounds positive.

However, the Safeguard Mechanism, NGERs and ERF generation of ACCUs can’t consider emissions certified under the GO Scheme; the GO Scheme can’t consider ACCUs and doesn’t track scope 1 emissions for the Safeguard Mechanism, NGERs or the ERF to consider (despite having access to the necessary data); and the NEPS electrification focus risks

implementing appliance efficiency limits above 100 per cent, which would rule out anything but electric heat pump appliances.

All of this while the gas industry identifies renewable gases as the least cost gas use decarbonisation option for industry and a cost competitive option for gas-consuming households.

Australian legislation is currently designed to consider electrification as the only pathway to emissions reduction. This needs to change, but it cannot change through individual legislative reform processes alone. The problem can only be resolved by a coordinated process to reform all interrelated legislation together.

The Australian Federal Government needs to undertake meaningful cross-sector, crosslegislation reform in order to allow for emissions reduction solutions other than electrification, including renewable gases. Without this, Australia’s pathway to achieving decarbonisation at least-cost will be compromised.

It’s not all doom and gloom however – recommendations from the independent review of ACCUs are a beacon of hope.

Recommendation 5 proposes debottlenecking creation of robust ACCU generation methods by implementing a proponent-led approach. We have our fingers crossed that this type of progressive, common-sense reform, already endorsed by Minister Bowen, may infuse into other reform processes.

To reference a meme, January has been a tough year, but we made it. On the upside, I’ve fit 1/3 my annual workload into two months – does that mean I can take the next two months off? Unfortunately, it is unlikely that the pace of change will slow anytime soon.

For more information visit www.apga.org.au

12

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

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.

www.steelmains.com

More than a steel pipe supplier

APGA Q&A

Paul aspires to help lawmakers and regulators find a costeffective way to decarbonise as quickly as possible.

Infrastructure assets key to achieving emission-reduction targets In a bit of a change up this month, APGA sat down with its own Government Relations Manager Paul Purcell to get his take on the state of industry and what it is looking to achieve in the next five years.

C

an you tell us a little about yourself and your previous experience in industry?

Since I was young, I have been a complete believer in the power of storytelling. I believe stories inspire us to grow and realise self-improvement, connect us with the communities we live in and, most importantly, help us realisation our individual and collective aspirations.

It’s why I began my career as journalist – to investigate, report upon and play a small role in helping solve the issues that plague our community. While I was hesitant to leave journalism behind, I wanted to actively do something about the challenges we’re facing in Australia. It’s what inspired me to search for roles where I could have hands-on impact through policymaking and advocacy – first as a senior staffer to a Federal Parliamentarian and now with the APGA. How have you adapted to your role here?

The APGA has an excellent team of professionals

14

from all walks of life who bring a range of perspectives on the challenges faced by industry.

But above that, they’re all just great people which has made the transition into a new role as easy as humanly possible!

What drew you to the APGA and the role?

The decarbonisation journey will be extremely challenging for all Australians, and every industry has an important role to play to achieve our collective goal of net zero by 2050. Here in the gas infrastructure industry, our job is bigger than many other industries, but we are already at the forefront of the decarbonisation effort with a range of initiatives to rapidly reduce emissions at the lowest cost for consumers. For more than 100 years, our infrastructure has been delivering lowcost, reliable, and safe energy to millions of Australian households and industries. As we move toward net zero, I am excited to play a small part with the APGA and the broader industry in helping ensure Australia’s green, reliable, and vibrant energy future.

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing our industry at the moment?

Every industry is looking for cost-effective ways to reduce emissions in line with state and federal government climate targets. While it isn’t a sector-specific issue, it is one in which the midstream gas industry must work with the entire business community to collectively achieve.

How do you see our industry evolving in the next five years?

The importance of our pipelines and gas networks in helping Australian achieve its emission-reduction targets will not diminish, particularly as the domestic renewable gas industry begins to mature. At the moment, a lot of the focus has been upstream on how to source and deliver innovative technologies like green hydrogen with the benefits to filter downstream in the gas supply chain. However, both up and downstream must work in tandem to ensure infrastructure assets are ready to support the next generation of gaseous fuels. It is incredibly

APGA Q&A

important to put infrastructure at the centre of the solution, and we’re working with governments and other industries to ensure our support networks are ready to deliver when called upon.

How do you believe the APGA can stay competitive and adapt to these changes?

The entire gas supply chain is already moving at lightning speed to find innovative solutions to decarbonise while also staying cost competitive to ensure Australians receive affordable and reliable green energy. We know we can provide the best and most cost-efficient solutions to the energy dilemma, now it’s about showing the community how we’re going to deliver them.

How do you stay current and informed on industry developments and trends?

I read everything. From mainstream media to trade journals, it is imperative for me in this

role to be able to talk in an informative and engaging manner with key stakeholders.

How do you think your role and current objectives will contribute to the overall success of the APGA? Even the most basic conversation about Australia’s holistic energy system is a 10-minute conversation to cover all the bases in the most reductionist way.

And it’s important to note, very few lawmakers have a background in energy or engineering, which is why we need to be able to communicate in a way that’s honest and factual, but also accessible.

What are your future career aspirations and how do you see this role helping you achieve them?

My career aspirations are entirely aligned with that of my job here at the APGA – helping lawmakers and regulators find a cost-effective way

to decarbonise as quickly as possible.

What would you like to see happen in the next 12 months?

The implementation of a Renewable Gas Target will be a critical step to help unlock investment and emission reduction opportunities. An ambitious Renewable Gas Target will help deliver a rapid and least-cost pathway to reach net zero emissions across a broad range of sectors, including hard-to-abate industries. Presently, infrastructure operators are ready to cut scope 1 & 2 emissions drastically and a number of pipelines and networks are technically ready to accommodate renewable gases such as hydrogen and biomethane. With the right government initiatives and the involvement of the full gas value chain, greater emissions reductions can be enabled whilst sustaining domestic gas demand – which remains a critical resource for sectors that cannot be easily electrified.

APGA Government Relations Manager Paul Purcell.

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

15

FUTURE FUELS CRC

Water: The vital ingredient in Australia’s energy industry

By David Norman, CEO of Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre

Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre is at the centre of developing the future technology of Australia’s energy pipeline infrastructure.

W

hile our focus is on new fuels for energy pipelines, every Australian should also be considering the future role of water and water pipelines in Australia’s energy industry.

As we develop the rollout of hydrogen fuel made from water, it’s worth remembering Australia already uses 350 gigalitres of water a year in coal, oil and gas extraction and another 110 gigalitres in electricity and gas supply.

That’s a small percentage of the 11,000 gigalitres of water Australia uses every year, but that water plays a vital part in our energy system in everything from dust suppression at mines to cooling systems in thermal power stations.

Although hydrogen is connecting our energy systems to water in new ways, in reality this connection has been with us for over a century.

Our National Electricity Market relies on those thermal power stations and 8GW of installed hydroelectric power stations that use the water cycle for energy. The new Snowy 2.0 project will add another 2GW of dispatchable pumped hydro energy storage when construction is completed.

Hydrogen will develop that connection by using water in its production. The process to create hydrogen by splitting water with

16

electricity is called electrolysis and requires the water to be almost pure with a maximum salt concentration of 0.5 ppm and no organics. The basic chemistry needs 9 litres of water to produce each kg of renewable hydrogen gas, but water purification and cooling processes can use several times more.

The Australian Hydrogen Council has delivered a lot of information on water in hydrogen production and you can find out more at h2council.com.au Our soon-to-be-release modelling research on hydrogen production found that while small projects that could use municipal water may only pay $0.1 per cubic metre for pure water, the extra costs of greater purification can increase that to $1.2 for sea water and $2.5 for grey water for industrial sized projects. But the cost of water is not the major cost in hydrogen production, being significantly below the costs of electricity and the capital cost of the plant.

Future production systems will therefore be sited where they can access the lowest cost of electricity, then they will pipe in water from where is available. Piping water will always be more cost effective that electricity transmission lines per kilometre.

Our economic and technical modelling has The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

shown there is a important role for the water pipeline industry in the hydrogen energy sector.

As we all develop what a true net-zero carbon emission Australia will look like, the need for water for hydrogen production will be balanced by the reduced need by the fossil fuel industry.

We are a sponsor of the Net Zero Australia study and look forward to the forthcoming next stage of their energy modelling that includes factors like land and water use in more detail.

Although hydrogen will create a new demand for water in Australia, it has the opportunity to use clean, treated water from Australia’s sewage processing plants that currently goes into the sea.

It also has the technology to use sea water when that is the best option, and it can use water that is currently used by thermal power plants and coal mines. Making the best use of our water is a vital task that through research and development can deliver the best possible outcome for Australia.

You can find out more about our research at futurefuelscrc.com and the Net Zero Australia study at netzeroaustralia.net.au

YOU CAN’T FIX WHAT YOU CAN’T MEASURE

Measure and Reduce Emissions •

Picarro provides the only data driven solution to measure, quantify and report methane emissions across your network

•

Enables

•

Supports OGMP 2.0, NGSI, One Future, Veritas, Marcogaz

•

Adopted and implemented by multiple leading operators worldwide

Emissions Measurement

and scalable emissions reduction programs

Emissions Reduction

Pipeline Replacement

Advanced Leak Survey

NEW! Network Assessment Viewer delivers total measured methane emissions for your entire network, tracked by regions and over time.

gas.picarro.com

PIPELINES IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Water, gas and hydrogen paving the way for South Australia Utilities and operators in South Australia have shown a strong sense of community, not only using their expertise to ensure the success and development of key projects across the state but also to protect infrastructure assets from the impacts of flooding.

Commissioning has since commenced at Vali1, beginning with the purging of the system with nitrogen to expel air and various checks prior to the introduction of gas. This will then be followed by commissioning of the metering facility, Beckler tie-in and export lines. Subject to the progress of commissioning, it is projected first gas from the field is likely in 7-12 days.

Managing Director, Neil Gibbins said Vali is now one step away from first gas and with that the commencement of revenue generation.

“Our focus is firmly on executing commissioning safely and efficiently so Vali gas can start flowing to eastern Australia as soon as possible,” he said.

Construction and installation work is ongoing at the Vali-2 and Vali-3 sites.

South Australian utilities are supporting infrastructure across the state.

S

upporting local communities

In December 2022, SA Water’s River Murray working barge, the MV Maratala, made the journey from Berri down to Murray Bridge in efforts to protect the utility’s underwater recycled water pipeline from potential flood impacts in late December of 2022.

Together with contractor McConnell Dowell Diona joint venture, the barge vessel helped to reinforce the structural integrity of the underwater pipe using innovative concrete covers.

Stretching along the floor of the River Murray from Murray Bridge to the eastern side of the river, the pipeline delivered cleaned and highly treated recycled water to two large customers from SA Water’s recently constructed wastewater treatment facility in Brinkley.

SA Water’s General Manager of Operations Chris Young said the important work was completed ahead of the anticipated rise in flows.

“We identified this recycled water pipeline as one of our priority sites that could be impacted by floods and have spent recent weeks undertaking comprehensive assessments and bathymetry surveys to investigate how we can best maintain the pipe’s operation for our customers,” Young said.

“Harnessing its brand new 30-tonne crane, our MV Maratala has carefully placed a series of large concrete mats across sections of the re-use

18

pipeline, protecting its structural integrity from an increase in debris and water velocity expected over the coming weeks.”

Each concrete support was laid atop the pipeline thanks to the assistance of commercial divers who were well-versed in working in low visibility environments like the River Murray.

In executing the works successfully, SA Water has helped preserve the pipeline and protect the infrastructure during an already difficult time for the region.

Developing gas infrastructure The Vali gas field is being connected to the South Australian Cooper Basin to bring a new source of gas to Australia.

The project involves the installation of metering facilities at the Vali facility, including the installation of flowlines connecting the field’s three completed wells to the metering facility and twin export gas pipelines from the field to tie-in to the Moomba gas gathering network at the Beckler gas field.

The installation and pressure testing of the export flowlines was completed successfully in December 2022.

Mechanical handover of the facilities at Vali-1 took place on Saturday 11 February 2023, with control passing to Upstream Production Solutions (UPS), the contractor engaged to commission, operate, and maintain the infrastructure.

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

Internationally recognised innovation Earlier in the 2022-year, Hydrogen Park South Australia (HyP SA) received the Hydrogen Project of the Year Award at the Connecting Green Hydrogen MENA 2022 Hydrogen Future Awards in Dubai.

Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) chief executive officer Craig de Laine was honoured to accept the award via virtual attendance at the presentation evening.

"HyP SA has been integral in our vision to reach volumes of 10 per cent renewable gas by 2030 and to fully decarbonise all our distribution networks by 2040 as a stretch target," de Laine said.

"We strive for this target with the confidence that our customers also support our goal (87 per cent of customers surveyed in South Australia told us it’s ‘very important’ or ‘extremely important’ we consider ways to lower carbon emissions).

Since May 2021, HyP SA has been servicing approximately 700 residential homes on our network providing Australia’s first delivery of a 5 per cent blended renewable hydrogen gas.

Supported by the South Australian Government with grant funding of $4.9 million, the $14.5m HyP SA project is aligned with the State's vision to leverage its wind, sun, land, infrastructure, and skills to be a world-class renewable hydrogen supplier and to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

Safety with Productivity Pipeline Plant Hire provides innovative solutions increasing Safety and Productivity

PIPE HANDLING? Australian Designed and Built industry leading VacLifts and Pipe Handling systems deliver more features and benefits than any other machine available. Made by Pipeliners’ for Pipeliners’. Your machine or ours, our extensive range of VacLift equipment covers from poly pipe to large diameter steel pipe weighing 15Tonne.

We can engineer a solution to suit your project needs Not just a hire company, our extensive industry experience will match the best equipment to your project needs. We are continually adding new machines to our fleet broadening the type, range and quantity.

Fully Equipped Heavy Plant Hire ONE CALL - PROBLEM SOLVED 1300 367 046 www.pipelineplanthire.com.au

PIPELINES IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

SA Water safeguards the environment and its people SA Water’s Senior Manager of Capital Delivery, Peter Seltsikas, talks to The Australian Pipeliner about meeting the challenges of remote projects - from environmental protection to looking after the mental health of isolated workers.

I

n February 2022, SA Water announced its intention to renew 34 kilometres of the Morgan to Whyalla Pipeline as part of a $62 million investment in securing reliable water services for 100,000 of its regional customers.

The 358-kilometre above ground pipe transports treated River Murray water from the Morgan Water Treatment Plant.

In August of that year, a new threatened ecological community was identified by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). The Mallee Bird Community is a collection of around 20 different bird species, many of which have habitats at various points along the Morgan to Whyalla Pipeline.

This meant that SA Water’s teams, including Senior Manager of Capital Delivery Peter Seltsikas, decided to redesign the project to make sure that it could be safely completed with

minimal impact to the Mallee Bird Community.

Seltsikas says that SA Water has always acknowledged the need to think differently about the way work is prioritised based on risk assessments and the capacity for non-invasive methodologies.

“Technologies have included advanced condition assessments, including smart technologies that use audio information to listen to water flow through pipes and identify faults before failures can occur,” he says. “On top of that, when we expand or replace sections of the network, we look for more durable pipe materials than we used in the past.”

In the case of the Morgan to Whyalla Pipeline project, it has become important for SA Water to assess how it works in regards to the particular conditions of the environment.

“We obviously have to minimise the amount of vegetation clearing that we’re going to do,”

The Morgan to Whyalla Pipeline runs above ground for 358 km.

20

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

Peter Seltsikas, Senior Manager of Capital Delivery for SA Water.

Seltsikas says. “But we also need to look at protecting threatened communities – like the Mallee Bird Community – by avoiding habitat destruction.”

The issue is that the native birds in those areas tend to nest in hollow-bearing trees. Part of SA Water’s solution, aside from avoiding these trees, has been to reduce the construction corridor for the works by about three metres.

One of the difficulties is that the renewal project has to follow the existing pipeline

PIPELINES IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

infrastructure, limiting the company’s ability to adjust.

But SA Water is adapting by adopting methodologies that focus on environmental harm reduction and operations to offset what damage is done.

“Rather than clearing the land, we’re using a slashing method,” says Seltsikas.

Slashing involves cutting plant life down near the base, rather than removing plants from the soil. By slashing, regrowth occurs a lot faster as flora doesn’t need to reseed but can instead grow from established root systems. As an additional bonus, it means that the site needn’t be revegetated.

Environmental impact and conservation are vitally important. But Seltsikas says that operators of remote worksites, such as is required for the Morgan to Whyalla Pipeline renewal, also need to make sure they look after things a little closer to home.

He says that remote work can be isolating for work crews, and that this isolation can have a very real impact on mental health.

“We’re very conscious of the importance of considering employees mental health,” says Seltsikas. “We are working very closely with contractors to make sure that crews are looked after – with rosters making sure they get time away from the worksite and ensuring that the facilities are adequate.”

With over 600 people working in SA Water’s programs at any given time, Seltsikas says that the company considers psychosocial safety to be of key importance to the overall safety of each project.

It is impossible to avoid some impact on the environment when building pipelines. As

Remote projects come with their own challenges for workers on site.

The Morgan to Whyalla Pipeline route.

Australia’s population grows and demand on utilities increases, companies like SA Water have to expand their networks.

“Ultimately, we have to build infrastructure.

It’s part of how we deliver reliably to over 1.7 million customers,” says Seltsikas. “But we have to make sure that we keep our people’s wellbeing, and the surrounding environment, at the forefront of our thoughts.”

He says that operators need to be conscious of what’s happening in the environment so that they can respond to it quickly and efficiently.

“We’ve gone through a rigorous process of understanding in response to the Mallee Bird Community,” he says. “But it doesn’t end there.

We’re continually monitoring and scanning the area to keep on top of how our work environment is changing.”

Asset owners need to balance the need to expand infrastructure with non-invasive methodologies.

For more information visit www.sawater.com.au The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

21

WOMEN’S PIPELINE FORUM

WPF's Carina Nixon and Margaret Gayen with APGA President Donna McDowall.

Reflections on a year of gender equality action

By Margaret Gayen, APGA Women’s Pipeline Forum Advocacy Committee

About 18 months ago, I had a conversation with some colleagues who were struggling to acknowledge gender inequality. It left me frustrated – at myself, because I didn’t have the words to explain it – and also at society, because we have learned to believe only what we experience for ourselves.

I

dwelled on it for a while. I started reading about it in my spare time. I had many conversations – with other women, with men.

When I found the words, Carina Nixon helped turn my ramblings into a deep and vulnerable presentation to our team. We wanted to explain our experiences – the ones that were very different to those of our male colleagues. We held a Q&A session after that presentation; our colleagues were

able to ask the questions that normally seem too hard to ask. It was a positive, productive discussion, so we kept the conversations going.

We prepared a webinar panel for our company on International Women’s Day, on the topic of biases against working parents and part-time employees. A few months later, we did a presentation to our whole company, sharing our experiences with gender bias and harassment as

engineers. Each time, there was engagement, there was support, there were learnings. We started to feel like we were making a difference, so we submitted an abstract to the APGA Convention.

We were accepted to speak at the Convention as keynote speakers. We were shocked, excited, but then apprehensive: what would we share? How much would we share? We decided to go beyond just our own experiences, so we sent out a survey, and had an overwhelming response: nearly 1000 stories relating to gender bias, discrimination, and harassment.

We quickly realised the power in those stories.

We felt the pressure to do the stories justice. The

A C I

P s a In

If you haven’t read the report mentioned, or watched the presentation yet, they are available here: www.apga.org.au/sites/default/files/ uploaded-content/website-content/ creating_cultural_change_to_support_ gender_equality_in_engineering_and_in_ the_oil_gas_and_pipeline_industry.pdf Carina Nixon and Margaret Gayen, alongside the APGA, have estabished the Women’s Pipeline Forum.

22

www.vimeo.com/showcase/10032636

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

( in w

WOMEN’S PIPELINE FORUM

anticipation, knowing that the speech and the paper could be influential – but also the trepidation, knowing that the topic can be controversial. In the end, we let the stories speak for themselves. The report we produced is long, but it is only difficult to read because of the raw intensity in the voices of our survey respondents.

I don’t think it is overstating things to say that our presentation at the Convention was an impressive piece of work. We were honest and factual, but we drew on emotion and compassion. We prepared well, we spoke well, we communicated the message well. Nonetheless, the greatest success of it all is that people listened. This is where I gain the most hope: in the past, women complaining about gender inequality have been ignored, fired, abused. This time, you listened. You learnt. You talked about it afterwards. You took our message on board.

It's a hugely encouraging result for gender equality – but we need to build on this momentum.

The APGA’s Women’s Pipeline Forum (WPF) is stepping up in that space. Established only a year ago, the WPF has become a national network of

passionate and highly competent women. These women are keen to make friends, establish business connections, and support one another in a maledominated field – but also to create change.

Three sub-committees have been established: Research, Development, and Advocacy, as well as state-based committees. These sub-committees have already organised: a networking event at the APGA Convention in Brisbane, a development day in Melbourne, and a social event in Sydney. For 2023, a research grant approved by the APGA and the FFCRC will continue our research, and the Advocacy committee will be bringing you this column in The Australian Pipeliner throughout the year.

The WPF events tend to generate conversations about gender equality, but we need to also continue these conversations in the workplace and beyond.

This column will actively contribute to that – we will delve into some of the themes mentioned in our Convention report, the WPF’s work, and the questions we have received since, to explore them in more detail. We hope that you learn from our

The WPF has become a national network of passionate and highly competent women.

articles and share them at work and at home.

For now, we ask you to talk about gender equality. Talk, to learn how to talk about it.

Talk, to share your stories.

Talk, to work out the solutions.

And if you don’t have a story to share: Listen, to understand the problem.

If you have had conversations about gender equality (at work or at home) that you would like to discuss, or if you have questions that you’d like us to cover in these columns, we would love to hear them.

Please get in touch at: wpf@apga.org.au

ACC 1-2-3 Corrosion Protection Design, Installation, Monitoring.

Pipeline Cathodic Protection supply, installation, maintenance and monitoring. Corrosion Investigation and reporting.

PTY LTD (03) 9432 5166 info@auscorr.com.au www.auscorr.com.au

Our services include:  Corrosion Investigation and Consulting  Cathodic Protection Design  Pipeline Surveys and Investigation  Cathodic Protection Installation and Maintenance  Stray Traction Current Mitigation

Ensure that your pipeline corrosion protection is effective

WATER PIPELINES

Pipelines making headway in 2023 The Australian Pipeliner takes a look at some of the current water pipeline works taking place across Australia, in particular in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.

Q

UEENSLAND

Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline

In early January 2023, the Palaszczuk Labor Government officially signed off on funding for the Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline, supporting more than 400 jobs in the southwest regions.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said cabinet had locked in the final funding amount of more than $370 million.

“This is fantastic news for the people of western Queensland, with a pipeline of good, quality jobs just around the corner,” said Palaszczuk. “We know that water security is vital to these local economies, as well as the liveability of our Queensland communities.”

Planning is already underway, and the funding announcement signals that major construction can kick off this year.

While negotiations have been taking place, preconstruction activities, such as progressing the necessary environmental and native title approvals have been ongoing. The next stage of early works

24

will include geotechnical works, final route determination, landowner engagement, and final detailed design.

In addition to the pipeline, the funding also includes upgrades to the Wivenhoe Pump Station to boost existing capacity, construction of new water treatment facilities to service communities along the pipeline route, and installation of network monitoring to reduce losses and improve water security for Southern Downs.

The pipeline will carry raw water from Wivenhoe Dam and connect with Toowoomba Regional Council’s existing water infrastructure to deliver water to Warwick. It will be an opportunity to deliver treated water to the region’s communities Cambooya, Greenmount, Nobby, and Clifton.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA The iconic Golden Pipeline Celebrating 120 years of service in 2023, Western Australia’s iconic Golden Pipeline has contributed significantly to the state’s development. The The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

heritage listed scheme was officially opened at Mount Charlotte, Kalgoorlie, on 24 January 1903, pumping fresh water 566 km east from Mundaring Weir to the Eastern Goldfields.

Announced October 2022, Water Corporation will be working to secure the region’s safe and reliable water supply by progressively replacing old sections of above-ground pipe with modern below-ground pipe over the next 50 years.

Extensive lengths of the retired sections will be retained for heritage, tourism, and operational purposes, following planned community consultation.

Water Minister Simone McGurk said that the iconic pipeline is the only reason people in the Goldfields get fresh water every day, and how Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Coolgardie survived as towns through the gold rush and beyond.

“The scheme will evolve over the next 50 years, as sections of the above-ground pipework reach the end of their service life, to improve the reliability of the scheme, while also supporting population and economic growth well into the future,” he said.

WATER PIPELINES

to thousands of new and existing households in the fast-growing suburbs of Henley Brook, Ellenbrook and Brabham.

TASMANIA Pioneer Pipeline The delivery of a treated drinking water supply pipeline to the residents of Pioneer, Tasmania, has reached a key milestone with the completion of works on the town’s reticulation network.

The existing TasWater-owned network in the north-east town has been completely replaced and is ready for testing and commissioning.

The installation of the mains system to feed the town network is continuing and will be connected in the coming months.

Once complete, the project will deliver safe and reliable drinking water to Pioneer’s residents via the continuation of the Ringarooma Valley water scheme.

Acting General Manager for Project Delivery Tim Cubit said the project was ahead of schedule.

“We made a promise to the people of Pioneer that we would deliver safe, reliable drinking water

by May 2023 and we can proudly say we are well on track to achieve this, weeks ahead of schedule,” Cubit said.

“Meter installation is underway, and in the coming weeks our team will undertake commissioning of the network and water quality testing. We are now very close to turning on the tap to Pioneer.”

VICTORIA Newry Pipeline

2023 is shaping up to be a busy year for water pipelines.

NEW SOUTH WALES City of Swan In New South Wales, the McGowan Government is investing $36.5 million in new water and wastewater infrastructure to cater for residential growth in the City of Swan – expected to grow to 310,000 people by 2051.

Water Corporation will construct an 18 km wastewater pipeline from Bullsbrook to Ellenbrook and a 2.6 km water pipeline in Henley Brook, with completion expected in late 2023.

Wastewater works will include a new transfer pump station to safely divert flows from Bullsbrook Wastewater Treatment Plant to Beenyup Water Resource Recovery Facility, allowing the Bullsbrook plant to be decommissioned.

A new water pipeline along Starflower Road and Park Street will help transport drinking water

In Victoria, Southern Rural Water’s construction partner, Jaydo Construction, has started works on the Newry Pipeline component of the MID Phase 2 Project in Gippsland.

The Newry Pipeline contract was announced in September 2022 and will be delivered as part of Phase 2 of the $159.7 million Macalister Irrigation District modernisation program.

The works will deliver around 4300 megalitres in water savings and increase delivery efficiency to customers to over 90 per cent. This will drive vital investment in on-farm efficiencies, improve farm productivity and support local businesses to be more climate resilient.

The MID Phase 2 project is replacing 100-year-old channels with new pipelines and automated outlets.

The project includes the installation of the Newry Pipeline, including associated outlet upgrades, reconnection works and decommissioning for Newry customers.

Epsom-Huntly Pipeline Final trenching is underway near Station Street and ground boring is being finalised across several short sections of the new Epsom-Huntly Pipeline, located in regional Victoria.

Once completed, Coliban Water will then prepare to connect the pipeline to the existing water network and complete testing before it is officially commissioned.

Designed to increase the capacity of the network, residents in the Huntly and Epsom areas can expect an improvement to their water pressure when the new 5 km Epsom-Huntly Pipeline is completed this autumn. Recent population growth means the network is currently running close to capacity.

Some customers have been experiencing water pressure issues, particularly on hot days and at peak times when more water is used to run air conditioners, water gardens, and keep cool.

Operating from autumn 2023, the benefits of the pipeline will be immediately felt.

However, residents can expect to notice a real difference from next summer, when increased demand for water typically adds to low-pressure issues.

The new pipeline, which will run from Howard Street in Epsom to Gungurru Road in Huntly, is one of the largest water supply pipeline projects installed in the region in recent years.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

SA Water is delivering around 40,000 m of water main upgrades between 2022-23 as part of its $155 million management program.

The program targets regional SA, with pipe renewals on the cards for Whyalla, Tanunda, Yankalilla and a number of smaller towns in the region.

According to SA Water’s General Manager of Sustainable Infrastructure Amanda Lewry, the program builds on the 60,000 metres of water main that have already been replaced over the last 2 years.

“A comprehensive prioritisation system helps to identify which water mains need replacing, based on factors including likelihood of future breaks and the potential impact of a break on customers and commuters,” said Lewry.

The works are aimed at reducing failures like leaks and breaks, and to maintain the integrity of the network.

“While it isn’t possible to completely prevent a water main leak or break, our management program is a proactive way of reducing the frequency of these incidents,” Lewry said.

For more information visit www.pipeliner.com.au The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

25

WATER PIPELINES McElroy understands the importance of fusing with confidence.

McElroy's rugged and reliable equipment keeps the job going No two jobsites are ever alike. Each come with its own set of challenges like weather, terrain, or confined spaces. With McElroy’s equipment, contractors can keep on fusing in any conditions.

M

cElroy’s machines are designed to be rugged and reliable, whether fusing in the Australian outback or the middle of a crowded metropolitan street.

Need proof? Look no further than in 2015, when fusion operator Jared Hall journeyed to the Dominican Republic of Congo (DRC), to install drinking water lines for seven villages.

The site was located in the Virunga National Park, which spans more than 7769 square km in Africa’s most biodiverse protected area. This UNESCO world heritage site is constantly threatened by war, poaching, and illegal activities as well as unpreventable natural disasters.

“Before we installed the pipeline, residents in the surrounding areas had to walk 6 km to get water,” Hall says.

Hall spent 45 days on site, leading a team which installed 25 km of six-inch HDPE water line using a TracStar® 618 and a TracStar 412 models. The lines were connected to three springs from nearby mountains to provide the drinking water.

26

To further complicate matters, Virunga National Park is home to Mount Nyiragongo, a 3470 m active volcano. Since 1882, the volcano has erupted at least 34 times and its lava often has the consistency of water, traveling at speeds of up to 104 km per hour.

Hall says that to keep the water lines out of harm’s way, the pipe was raised into the air once it was fused.

In 2021, Mount Nyiragongo erupted, forcing thousands of nearby residents to evacuate. The pipeline, however, remained undamaged.

“McElroy’s machinery made it possible to fuse in even the roughest conditions. Those machines were put to the test, and they passed with flying colours,” he says.

The TracStar 618 and TracStar 412 models have both undergone redesigns thanks to the feedback drawn directly from the field. The models are powered by powerful diesel engines – especially useful on jobsites where gasoline is not permitted.

Designed to butt fuse pipe sizes from 6-inch IPS to 18-inch OD (180 mm to 450 mm), the TracStar 618 offers a self-contained, self-propelled, track-mounted vehicle that can handle grades up

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

to 30 per cent.

Similarly, the TracStar 412 is designed to butt fuse pipe sizes from 4-inch IPS to 12-inch DIPS (110 mm to 340 mm) and incorporates an interchangeable 4-jaw carriage which can be easily removed for in-ditch fusions. For tight installations, the outer fixed jaw and skid can be removed from the carriage converting it to a 3-jaw carriage for an even more compact fusion unit.

Both machines feature a new cowling design that aids in heat dissipation while providing easier access when machine maintenance is required.

More recently, Victoria-based GEM Industrial was faced with finding a HDPE solution to yet another unique problem – installing a trenchless pipeline that ran beneath the riverbed of the Nerang River. This project was part of a monumental undertaking by the city of Gold Coast in Queensland to increase the capture and treatment of millions of litres of wastewater so it could be used for irrigation.

Further complicating matters, the job had to be

Thanks to McElroy's equipment, contractors can keep fusing in any conditions.

WATER PIPELINES

completed as quickly as possible – the Gold Coast is one of Australia’s top tourist destinations and experiences high levels of traffic. The pipe itself was up to 140 mm in thickness.

Using McElroy’s MegaMc® 1600 model, GEM Industrial was able to perform four to five fusions a day, for a total of 75 fusions. The MegaMc was used alongside a DataLogger® to record each step of the fusion process.

The MegaMc 1600 machine tackles large pipe jobs such as these with ease. The machine features 4 jaws each with 13,607 kgs of clamping force for improved gripping and re-rounding of pipe.

With an impressive 39,916 kgs of fusion force, operators can have faith that they will have extra force in reserve in order to overcome drag. The machine allows for butt fusion of most fittings without special holders or removal of the outer jaws and mitered inserts are available for fabricating Ls. Hydraulic power assists all fusion functions, including the complete operation of the jaws, pipe lifts, heater, and facer.

The HDD contractor for the project dug pilot holes on each side of the Nerang River, drilling

Using a McElroy machine, GEM Industrial was able to perform four to five fusions a day.

beneath the riverbed until the holes met in the middle. Once complete, the 900 m preassembled pipeline was string-towed 5 km along the Gold Coast shoreline, to the location where it would be installed beneath the riverbed.

In addition to being far more durable than traditional pipe materials, HDPE has a density that is slightly less than water, meaning that it will float – even if the pipe is full of water.

Back on land, the pipe was aligned with the borehole entrance, connected to a drill head, and pulled. The pipe, which weighed some 300 tonnes, took 30 hours to install.

McElroy understands the importance of fusing with confidence. Therefore, every piece of equipment is specifically designed to keep the job going, no matter the conditions, for as long as needed.

For more information visit www.mcelroy.com

Safer, more efficient material handling solutions.

Vacuworx Australia 22 Huntington Street, Clontarf, QLD 4019 Australia P: 0498 101 888 E: sales@vacuworx.com.au www.vacuworx.com

WATER PIPELINES

Pipe Tek and Pensar collaborate on vital Unitywater project Pensar, a leading water infrastructure contractor, is spearheading a joint venture tasked with building Unitywater’s Wamuran Irrigation Scheme, a project that will provide recycled water to farmers year-round while sustainably managing wastewater from the Caboolture South Treatment Plant. To ensure the project’s 10 km of pipeline was constructed to the highest standards, Pensar engaged Pipe Tek to complete pigging and testing of the alignment before it becomes operational next year.

T

he Wamuran Irrigation Scheme Joint Venture (JV), made up of construction contractor Pensar and local growers Twin View Turf and Pinata Farms, was awarded the contract by Unitywater to design and construct the Wamuran Irrigation Scheme (WIS). Pensar has a proven reputation in the design and delivery of fit-for-purpose critical infrastructure solutions for a range of industry segments, providing a broad spectrum of technical capabilities to organisations such as government departments, regional and metropolitan councils, and the private sector.

Taking the pressure off The WIS will take Class A recycled water from the Caboolture South Wastewater Treatment Plant to farms for irrigation, ensuring a sustainable future for the growing regional population while reducing the nutrient discharge into the Caboolture River, with 11 tonnes of nitrogen and 1.8 tonne of phosphorus being diverted away from the river in the first stage alone.

The WIS will help address forecast population growth in the Moreton Bay region that will increase wastewater through Unitywater’s

treatment plants. Subsequently, the scheme will help provide a secure water supply for local agricultural businesses and growers as well as contribute to nutrient offsets at Caboolture River.

In addition, as more water becomes available from the treatment plant, the scheme will expand to service more local growers.

Agricultural hub According to Moreton Bay Regional Council, the region’s agricultural industry is worth an estimated $846 million, with exports worth approximately $420 million to the local economy. This includes the largest strawberry producing area in Australia, more than 25 per cent of Australia’s pineapples and a burgeoning finger lime segment among others.

A design and feasibility assessment for the project kicked off in early 2020, with Unitywater assessing the scheme’s efficiency and design for current and future demand targets. The JV started construction of the WIS in early 2022 and the scheme is expected to be operational next year.

During this construction phase, Pipe Tek was engaged by Pensar for pigging and pressure testing on the 10 km pipeline being constructed

as part of the project. Pipe Tek’s analysis will guarantee the integrity of the pipeline before it is brought online, avoiding any issues like leaks or sections coming apart once in use.

Pipe Tek Managing Director Myles Brannelly says the company was excited to be involved in such an important project, ensuring local farmers are able to maintain irrigation on their farms.

“Agriculture is the lifeblood of many parts of Australia, but especially in the Moreton Bay region, which produces so much fruit, vegetables and meat for consumption around the country and overseas,” he says.

“Water is such a precious resource in the area it was imperative that for this project the pipeline was analysed to the highest standards to ensure efficient operation once the WIS is completed.”

Pigging and testing Once mobilised on site, Pipe Tek commenced pigging of the pipeline, with medium density foam pigs used on sections constructed using horizontal directional drilling & trenching to remove air and debris prior to testing. Some mainline sections couldn’t be pigged, leading Pipe Tek to use valves in order to bleed out air at all high points of each section.

The WIS will provide recycled water to farmers year-round while sustainably managing wastewater from the Caboolture South Treatment Plant.

28

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

WATER PIPELINES

The Wamuran Irrigation Scheme JV was awarded the contract by Unitywater.

After pigging had been completed, Pipe Tek pressurised the pipeline to the required test pressure, after which it needed to sit and relax for a minimum of 12 hours before the commencement of the pressure test. The test maintains the required pressure for the specified amount of time to ensure the structural integrity of the pipeline.

To complete the pigging and testing Pipe Tek used its custom built hydro testing trailer,

Pipe Tek was engaged by Pensar for pigging and pressure testing on the 10 km pipeline.

equipped with an inbuilt air actuated hydro test pump. The trailer features calibrated pressure gauges and flow meters, and has a compact design to ensure manoeuvrability on testing sites with limited footprints, which Brannelly says was a key challenge on the project.

“The main challenge has been how tight the job has been with other stakeholders and contractors working closely together on site. It’s been a real test of maintaining strong

Pensar, a leading water infrastructure contractor, is spearheading a joint venture tasked with building Unitywater’s Wamuran Irrigation Scheme.

communication and patience to ensure we get the job done right.”

Testing of the pipeline is ongoing but is expected to be be completed in May. Once finalised, the pipeline will be commissioned prior to going online, which is estimated to be in May 2024. In addition to pigging and testing, Pipe Tek has also been contracted to complete facility testing during this commissioning process.

Brannelly says the company is thrilled to have established a new relationship with an innovative infrastructure contractor in Pensar, and looks forward to partnering with the company again on future projects.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside Roy Jordan and the entire team over at Pensar,” he says.

“The engineers have been competent and easy to work with and have really highlighted why we do the work we do.”

Pipe Tek is one of the only pipeline contractors in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific which provides a full turnkey solution to its clients. The company's services include non-destructive testing, pre-cleaning, gauging, filling, hydrostatic and pneumatic testing, dewatering, drying with either desiccant or refrigeration dryers, nitrogen purging, caliper pigging, inline inspection with dig ups and verification by phase array.

For more information visit www.pipetek.com.au The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

29

WATER PIPELINES

Setting the standards for large diameter pipe systems

Iplex has the capability to provide up to 2000 mm OD mitre bends with commercial supply in Australia already up to 1800mm OD.

Luke Kennedy, Iplex’s Product Manager – Polyethylene (PE) Systems, speaks to The Australian Pipeliner about how the company is able to offer complete large-diameter PE pipe systems.

H

istorically, a challenge with larger diameter pipes has been that the fittings have been much harder to source and fabricate. Iplex is able to complete the large bore water system with its capacity to manufacture fittings for large diameter pipes from its Brisbane based fabrication facility.

Iplex has been fabricating products with different material types since the early 80s. Expansion into large, more complex sizes has developed because of customer need and with a focus on being the chosen partner for customers in the water industry, the fabrication capability and expertise enables Iplex to provide a holistic service across water systems.

Why PE? The are many advantages of PE pipe because the material itself is very robust. With the drivers for material selection changing to more sustainable solutions, PE pipe systems are an excellent option due to the material’s longevity and inert properties.

“As the pipes are single use applications with 100 per cent recyclable options at the end of life, it’s no wonder they are replacing conventional pipe systems in Australia,” says Kennedy.

“They’re very low maintenance systems. They tend to not suffer many of the corrosion issues experienced by other pipe materials. Some substances in the soil can cause corrosion to non-

30

Iplex manufactured multiple 1600 inspection pits for a Victorian client.

PE pipes. For trenchless applications such as horizontal directional drilling (HDD), especially in large-diameter applications, PE pipe is often preferred.”

Beyond this environmental safeguarding, Kennedy says that PE pipes are also durable when it comes to unstable ground conditions such as New Zealand’s Christchurch.

“We’ve found that, in situations where there has been geological movement, PE pipes have stayed intact where other products tend to fail – this durability is replicated in our larger sizes,” says Kennedy.

Beyond the pipe Key to Iplex’s ability to meet all customer needs is

its ability to source fittings for PE pipes with far greater diameter than previously thought possible.

One example of this is the 1000 mm OD manifold that the company supplied for Port Augusta in South Australia.

Made in Iplex’s Brisbane fabrication facility, the manifold was an exceptional piece of fabrication expertise. Aside from the 1000 mm main, the manifold had a series of 500- and 315-mm OD offtakes. The product was fully pressure rated to 1250 kPa at 20 degrees Celsius, meaning it was unrivalled with respect to capability.

“We used a process called electrofusion to weld the tapping saddles on,” says Kennedy. “Which really goes to show the versatility of some available products.”

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

ROWELD

WATER PIPELINES

He says that the electrofusion saddles can be sourced up to 2000 mm OD main with a 500 mm offtake.

“The range of options has expanded monumentally in recent years,” he says.

Iplex also managed to manufacture multiple 1600 inspection pits for a Victorian client. The 1600 mm main pipe came from Iplex’s range, and the product was manufactured in the Brisbane facility with an impressive four-week turnaround from time of enquiry.

As well as having capabilities across a range of fittings, Iplex is able to manufacture multiple angled 1800 mm OD mitred bends for a client at the Werribee Treatment Plant. These bends were also considered fully pressure rated in accordance with industry guidelines.

The company's extrusion equipment is capable of manufacturing significantly bigger sizes than other local manufacturers.

“We have successfully extruded up to 1800 mm OD. Most manufacturers are limited to diameters of about 1200 mm,” says Kennedy. “When you can walk through the pipes, you get a real appreciation

A landfill leachate stack: 1200 mm OD with a 110 mm wall thickness.

for the size we’re capable of making.”

He says that Iplex is even able to fabricate T sections up to 1000 mm for customers when needed. And fully rated Ts are now available up to 1600 mm OD. Iplex has a CNC router than enables the company to manufacture its own feedstock pieces,

support bracketing, bases and more. Plus, the company ensures the compliance of its entire supply chain.

With fittings that can match the large diameter PE pipes that Iplex is known for, the company is able to deliver the entire water system for projects with high volume needs.

For more information visit www.iplex.com.au or speak with a technical sales consultant who will be able to help with your project needs on 13 10 86.

PLASTIC PIPE WELDING TECHNOLOGY Innovative and reliable high quality pipetools and machinery can be found on construction sites all around the globe.

Interested in representing ROWELD in Australia?

We are looking for State Distributors and Service Agents.

Deal direct with the manufacturer.

Email us to register your interest or for more information: sales-au@rothenberger.com

ROWELD Australia Half Page for Print.indd 1

ROWELD

rothenberger.com.au

10/02/2023 1:23:47 PM

WATER PIPELINES

Pipeline Plant Hire keeps water industry moving with VacLifts Pipeline Plant Hire’s Gerard O’Brien and business partner Global Pipeline Equipment’s Mat Dridan tells The Australian Pipeliner how the company’s VacLift equipment has been utilised by operators across Australian pipeline construction projects for the last 20 years.

T

he Australian continent is home to some of the driest inhabited areas on earth, which makes access to safe and reliable water supplies vitally important, especially for remote communities,” says Pipeline Plant Hire’s Director, Gerard O’Brien.

Using its position as a leading supplier of plant machinery and construction services, the company has been central in providing long-term solutions to tier 1 companies and civil clients to facilitate a robust water infrastructure for over 30 years.

As existing water pipelines are expanded, transportation of large volumes over greater distances without suffering loss via excess evaporation is required.

O’Brien says that one example of this is the Wentworth to Broken Hill Pipeline – a project

that saw VacLift equipment facilitating a recordbreaking rate of pipe laying.

“Based on our extensive, hands-on experience in pipeline construction, we were able to identify the benefits of safety and productivity associated with the use of VacLifts,” he says. “The vacuum pipe handling equipment creates distance between workers and the pipe itself, reducing the risk of injury and dramatically reducing the cycle time for each pipe movement.”

Global Pipeline Equipment’s Mat Dridan explains that this time reduction results in each pipe movement taking mere seconds, as opposed to the minutes required by other methods.

However, Pipeline Plant Hire’s services don't stop there.

“Working with manufacturers, suppliers, and

our customers, we continue to provide improvement and innovations wherever we can,” says O’Brien.

The company provides fully integrated solutions to enable customers the most efficient operations on each project.

For example, the capacity to provide an excavator fitted with an integrated VacLift unit mounted on the counterweight of the excavator provides operators with maximum lift capacity.

“We have also developed a VacLift attachment that can be used on a customer’s own machine using auxiliary hydraulics to power and control the machinery,” says Dridan. “Additional safety features including the equipment only lifting or releasing pipe from a grounded position, which makes it almost impossible to drop the pipe,

VacLift reduces set up time compared to more traditional rigging methods.

32

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

WATER PIPELINES

Pipeline Plant Hire provided VacLift for use on the Wentworth to Broken Hill pipeline.

safeguarding the personnel, equipment and the pipe.”

The VacLift is a vacuum lifting attachment that works by sucking pipe lengths into the grasp of an attachment – called the “shoe”. While more traditional methods run the risk of damaging pipe coating, vacuum lifting utilises rubber seals that prevent damage while lifting.

VacLift also reduces cycle times compared to more traditional rigging methods, reducing overall

expense in terms of timelines and man-hours required. The VacLift cycle time is under 40 seconds, whereas conventional methods fall between five to 10 minutes per pipe. Traditional methods are also inherently riskier, as personnel are closer the hazards when attaching and detaching the slings or hooks.

“Removing people, slings and hooks from the pipes, allows the VacLift operator to lift and, for water pipelines, lay the pipe,” says O’Brien.

VacLift equipment has been utilised by operators across Australia.

Dridan says that every pipeline company’s success hinges on its ability to complete jobs without any injury to personnel.

“We have invested millions of dollars in making pipe handling safer,” he says. “In doing so, we have enabled tens of millions of safe pipe movements, without so much as a ‘paper cut’ attributed to our equipment.”

Pipeline Plant Hire has one of the largest ranges of equipment in the Australian market.

“All of our equipment is designed and manufactured in Australia,” says Dridan. “The range includes small units used to feed poly pipe, fusion welding machines lifting hundreds of kilograms each, and large units capable of lifting large diameter, high-pressure steel pipe at weights that can exceed 12 tons.”

“With the combined development of our rear mounted vacuum lifts, patented throughput of vacuum at the rotator, expanded range in pipe diameter per shoe and many other proven technical advantages, we have contributed massively to efficiency gains in the pipeline industry.”

With Pipeline Plant Hire’s ability to provide everything from buckets, rock breakers and augers, to material adaptors, beams and shoes, the company has positioned itself as a go-to provider that can cater for all project needs.

For more information visit www.pipelineplanthire.com.au The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

33

WATER PIPELINES

Advocates for corrosion prevention Australasian Corrosion Consultants’ team of engineers are armed with the extensive knowledge that comes from over 50 years’ experience in corrosion, mechanical, material and electrical engineering.

A

ustralasian Corrosion Consultants (ACC) provides a range of services to the pipeline industry, covering everything from corrosion investigations to corrosion protection system design, supply and installation, and monitoring to ensure clients’ cathodic protection systems operate to exacting Australian standards.

Among its client base, ACC counts government and privately-owned utilities in the water, electrical, oil and gas, marine sectors, as well as contractors in tunnel, road, rail, industrial infrastructure and the mining industry, who all rely on the company for its expertise in the corrosion sector.

Sales and Operations Manager Reece Baines says that ACC’s mission is to maximise the service life of essential infrastructure by applying innovative corrosion design and education, enabling asset owners to increase the

life of their infrastructure and reduce operational expenses.

“A burst pipeline due to corrosion has a huge implication on cost,” says Baines. “But it also causes inconvenience to customers and potential damage to the environment.”

Founded in 1987 by rural water industry veteran and cathodic protection specialist Leon Cordwener, ACC was acquired by Bill and Susie Gerritsen in 2001.

“ACC recognised that corrosion protection is a niche area that many companies forget about until something catastrophic happens,” Baines says. “We believe that early intervention and corrosion prevention provides an effective pathway for clients to mitigate their corrosion challenges and ensures compliance.”

There is a definitive need for a specialist who understands the scientific principles of corrosion prevention, and this has allowed ACC Corrosion engineer conducting an underground pipeline potential survey.

to flourish in the pipeline industry. Baines says that a specialised corrosion consultant often provides a quicker, simpler, and more effective solutions for customers when compared to those who troubleshoot in-house.

According to the International Impact Report released by the National Association of Corrosion Engineers in 2016, the global cost of corrosion is US$2.5 trillion ($3.6 trillion).

Referring to an article from the Australian Financial Review titled The Cost of Corrosion: Innovating an Overlooked Industry, Baines says, “In the Australian context the Chair of the Australasian Corrosion Association, Dean Ferguson, has quoted the cost of corrosion to be $100 billion annually.”

By performing regular corrosion protection monitoring surveys, ACC helps clients keep corrosion damage to a minimum, effectively extending the lifetime of pipeline assets by many years.

Core to ACC’s success in the industry has been the vision of Managing Director Bill Gerritsen, whose vision of continuous improvement has resulted in a motivated company culture and a team of engineers that are constantly improving its systems and solutions.

“Bill envisaged using telecommunications technology to apply to pipeline monitoring

Corrosion technician reapplying pipeline coating following the installation of electrolysis test point cables.

34

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

WATER PIPELINES

surveys before it became mainstream. Now that process has become routine,” says Baines. “His knowledge of corrosion and the mechanisms of corrosion, coupled with a training regime for our employees, has allowed ACC to become one of the leading corrosion specialists in the country.”

Gerritsen’s generosity with his extensive knowledge and the culture that he has fostered within ACC has resulted in a company that is able to act flexibly, delivering the outcomes required by its clients.

“By providing time-based costing models for medium to long-term project delivery – especially those that may take longer due to environmental, cultural or heritage impact assessments – and by consulting early in the design stage, we’re able to provide a much better solution for clients as their projects progress,” says Baines.

ACC is well known for delivering high quality, comprehensive, accurate and complete solutions for corrosion survey reporting, and advice on all corrosion related matters.

“We will continue to grow,” says Baines.

“With the Australian population expanding, the energy industry and water providers will also grow, increasing the demand for corrosion advice. ACC will meet that demand.”

Electrolysis test point cabling connected at a water pipeline bypass valve prior to being buried.

By implementing new technology to clients’ problems and questioning the status quo of the industries in which it works, ACC and its employees demonstrate the necessary qualities and values to be an industry leader in corrosion protection.

“The best advice we have for asset owners is to

engage with a trusted specialist corrosion company that can provide the up-to-date advice on protecting your expensive assets,” says Baines.

“Investing in corrosion protection during the design phase of a project can save time, money and give piece of mind that your reputation and the environment will be protected.”

Connections to pipelines fitted off before final ground level is re-established.

For more information visit www.auscorr.com.au The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

35

WATER PIPELINES

Steel Mains owns environmental responsibility Steel Main’s SINTAKOTE® steel pipe system has received an environmental product declaration, edging the company closer to its end goal of reducing emissions.

Pipes are manufactured at Steel Mains’ Somerton Plant.

A

ccording to Ben Twigg, Steel Mains’ Environment and Sustainability Lead, there is a rigorous verification process that goes into acquiring an environmental product declaration (EPD), especially for a product associated with a hard to offset industry like steel manufacturing.

“We performed a full lifecycle assessment of the SINTAKOTE pipe,” says Twigg. “Every step of the way, from basic raw materials, supplies required for manufacturing, all waste outputs, up to the decommissioning stage.”

Steel Mains spent the whole of 2020 recording and tabulating every truckload of product, tonne of

waste and kilogram of steel to form the basis of the EPD. Twigg says the process was not as simple as submitting the eventual document for approval.

Instead, EPD Australasia would take the information provided, and return with a list of changes or amendments required by the operation in order to meet the EPD criteria.

He says that pursuing the EPD is a strong signifier of the intention of Steel Mains, but that it also reflects how councils and businesses are making asset related decisions.

“We really want to take accountability for any emissions and any wastes involved in making our

SINTAKOTE steel pipe is designed to support any water-based media.

36

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

products,” he says. “Ultimately, this process clearly indicates the impacts of current operations, and shows us what we need to do to reduce our emissions.”

Not only is it the right thing to do, but Twigg says that reducing emissions is the only way that companies like Steel Mains are going to be able to stay competitive.

“The direction the industry is moving – towards emissions reductions – is obvious,” he says. “It’s about getting ahead and making sure that we’re not only serving customer’s needs now but can continue to do so over the next 10, 15 or even 50 years.”

Having started with raw data, putting in the work to contextualise it to have the product acknowledged in an EPD has galvanised Steel Mains in terms of the direction the company wants to go.

As Australia’s major supplier of mild steel cement lined (MSCL) pipes, Steel Mains’ proven interest in reducing emissions and supporting a circular economy in the industry has the potential to impact other elements of the industry – from manufacturing to transport.

SINTAKOTE steel pipe is designed to support any water-based media across a variety of industries, including potable water, wastewater and stormwater, but also slurry from industrial operators.

Steel Mains’ pipe system is shielded by SINTAKOTE Corrosion Protection Coating,

WATER PIPELINES

Steel Mains’ EPD has the potential to impact other parts of the industry.

comprised of a medium density polyethylene, fusion-bonded directly to the steel pipe and fittings.

Features of the coating include: • Excellent adhesion • High impact and load resistance • Excellent chemical resistance • High dielectric strength • High electrical resistivity • Low water absorption

• Resistance to soil stresses • Service temperature range with temperatures from -40 to 70 °C having no detrimental effect.

An important part of reducing the environmental impact of pipe systems is the recyclability of the materials. Recycling steel consumes 75 per cent less energy than the production of steel from raw materials.

SINTAKOTE steel pipes are made from 17.4 per cent recycled material, which, combined with the long service life, results in a sustainable and robust product.

“Getting the EPD has been really important for us. Having all the data together, and understanding our impact, has helped us understand how we are able to influence the wider pipeline industry,” says Twigg.

For more information visit www.steelmains.com

Automated Welding Adjustable from 4” to 120” All Welding Positions Factory or Narrow Gap Joint Light Weight, Compact, and Portable

1300 794 096 sales@psssa.com.au

Pipeline Pigging

www.psssa.com.au

From Foam & Steel to Food Grade pigs We offer it all! Including spare parts & complete customisation!

Garnet Sand Blasting

Blas t

Garnet Available in blasting Grades 20/40 & 30/60

le lab ai

s also av ot P

MACKAY - (07) 4998 5299

TOWNSVILLE - (07) 4774 8332 SALESTSV@AJPIND.COM.AU SALES@AJPIND.COM.AU

We've got you covered

LEAK DETECTION

Getting started on the path to net-zero The Picarro AMLD solution is used by some of Australia’s largest utilities who know that, by following the Picarro Emissions Reduction protocol, natural gas distribution operators can target their largest leaks and significantly reduce emissions.

P

icarro’s Emissions Reduction protocol leverages the shape of the leak distribution curve for a natural gas network where the top 5 per cent of leaks account for over 50 per cent of emissions.

The top 20 per cent of leaks can account for as much as 80 per cent of a network’s total emissions.

Historically, natural gas distribution operators have counted emissions reductions by the replacement of pipeline mains and services, removing older pipes and installing modern, leak-free pipes in their place. Utilising emissions factors provided by a regulatory agency and the replacement of pipes inevitably shows a reduction.

Unfortunately, this replacement process is capital intensive, slow, and does not provide a true view of emissions. To achieve meaningful emissions reductions, operators need to measure their emissions directly and take steps to remove emissions accordingly.

Picarro’s approach – collecting data frequently from the gas system and repairing the largest leaks preferentially – enables operators to cost-effectively reduce their emissions.

This is good news for major Australian operators that have adopted the Picarro AMLD solution. The solution has been the driving force behind many of these meeting their aggressive near-term targets of 50 per cent reductions in Scope 1 emissions by 2030, against their recent baselines.

Doug Ward, Picarro’s Director of Gas Sales & Marketing and leading efforts in the APAC region, says that these reductions are achievable with a mature emissions reduction program.

“When Picarro AMLD is fully-scaled by the operator, meaning the operator has a sufficient number of Picarro equipped vehicles to be able collect emissions data on substantially their entire gas network annually and budgets for the repair the larger leaks as they are identified, then over the course of two to three years an operator can rapidly reduce their fugitive emissions by as much

38

The leak distribution curve for a natural gas distribution network evidencing the fact that the largest leaks bear the vast majority of a system’s emissions.

"It takes a real commitment to an emissions reduction program and then the ability to look beyond fugitive emissions to find the pathways to achieve netzero in a meaningful way." as 30 per cent below a baseline year,” says Ward.

But what then?

Focusing on an AMLD-based emissions reduction program, operators can progressively reduce the high-emitter flow threshold and accelerate their data capture. This allows them to move from annual surveys to bi-annual or quarterly, further reducing fugitive emissions to as much as 80 per cent from the original baseline.

How quickly an operator can achieve these emissions reductions depends on multiple factors: O&M budgets, speed to scale their AMLD program, survey frequency and how quickly they can repair the above-threshold leaks.

Once an operator has designed, implemented, and scaled an emissions reduction program, the emissions reductions typically asymptotically reach 80 per cent reduction. This is due to new leaks in the system finding equilibrium with accelerated The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

surveying and repair. Attempting to reduce emissions further through leak repair yields diminishing returns. How can an operator continue to reduce below 80 per cent emissions?

Many large utilities have pledged to either be at net-zero emissions, or carbon-neutral, by 2050.

There are several ways to drive emissions reductions past an 80 per cent reduction, though many of them rely on things other than additional measurements and actions on the distribution network itself.

Director of Business Development and Technical Marketing at Picarro, Robby Vaughn, says that getting to net-zero is a formidable challenge for many utilities and operators.

“It takes a real commitment to an emissions reduction program and then the ability to look beyond fugitive emissions to find the pathways to achieve net-zero in a meaningful way,” says Vaughn.

“For example, ItalGas, a leading gas operator in Italy, achieved LEED Gold certification for their headquarters, which could allow them to reduce their net-emissions via carbon offset.

Other customers find ways to access carbon credits in differing ways, such as supporting tree planting or the preservation of wetlands.

Meanwhile, others electrify their fleet vehicles or invest in RNG.” “The point is, when seeking net-zero it may

LEAK DETECTION

"It will benefit every utility in Australia to give serious consideration to how they will achieve this important environmental milestone for the industry, and it can all start with a Picarro AMLD solution in your operation." require a number of emissions-reducing strategies working in conjunction and every little bit helps.”

As organisations commit to carbon neutral and net-zero initiatives, the often find that the process is more complicated than simply cleaning up infrastructure and repairing more leaks.

“It will benefit every utility in Australia to give serious consideration to how they will achieve this important environmental milestone for the industry, and it can all start with a Picarro AMLD solution in your operation,” says Vaughn.

Picarro’s novel approach of collecting more often and repairing the largest leaks preferentially, enables operators to cost effectively reduce their emissions.

For more information visit www.gas.picarro.com

• Process Control • Innovation • Leading Technology • Experience We apply induction technology to solve seemingly intractable problems.

Bending, shaping, extruding and heating.

www.inductabend.com Melbourne Australia Telephone: +61 3 9315 1244

I N D U C TA B E N D

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

39

WELDING

PSSS offers hands-on auto welding experience to customers Piping Speciality Supply Service (PSSS) recently engaged Dyna Torque Technologies to provide hands-on demonstrations using the company’s LoneStar auto welder.

B

y developing working relationships with other industry leaders, such as Houstonbased Dyna Torque Technologies, PSSS provided demonstrations that ensured its customers became familiar with the innovative technology ahead of using it in the field.

Dejan Medanic, Dyna Torque Technologies’ co-owner and Director of Technology performs research, development and technical support. PSSS and Dyna Torque Technologies hosted a series of hands-on demonstrations for the LoneStar auto welder at its head office in Loganholme, Brisbane.

“In our industry, it’s an invaluable benefit for contractors to be able to interact with the equipment,” says Medanic.

Medanic says that Dyna Torque Technologies is very deliberate in establishing the difference between automatic welding and automated welding – the latter of which applies to the LonStar auto welding system.

“Automatic welding would be fully machine-

PSSS hosted experts from Dyna Torque Technologies to provide the best experience for customers.

controlled,” he says. “Whereas automated welding, what we call auto welding, is designed to ease the workload on the welder, while still requiring an operator.”

He says that the move towards auto welding began towards the end of the sixties when Dejan Medanic has seen PSSS take a leading role in speciality pipe welding equipment.

40

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

mechanised improvements to manual welding techniques were taking off.

Auto welding machines like the LoneStar are filling a gap in the pipe welding industry by lowering the bar to entry for newer operators.

“If we’re being honest, the population of working welders is ageing,” says Medanic. “All of these people who were real artists in the industry are getting older.”

It means that the wealth of experience that comes from decades working long hours in remote parts of the country is slowly being lost. Auto welding allows the kind of consistency that is usually reserved for industry veterans to be achieved by less experienced welders.

That isn’t to say that there is no place for manual welding in the industry. Medanic says that there has been an increased demand for welding equipment in Australia in recent years.

“These new projects often require a manual welder to move ahead of the machine performing tie-in welds at certain points,” he says.

This demand situates auto welding equipment as an extra tool in an operator’s arsenal, allowing them to meet increased demand with the assurance that comes from the exactitude of auto welded joints.

WELDING

“Operators still need to understand what they’re doing when auto welding, but they don’t have to spend decades developing the technique,” says Medanic. “The welding equipment takes the variations in certain welding parameters into account and adjusts, but the operator can override control of the equipment if they need to adjust the width of the weld, or the centre.”

Medanic says one of the big benefits of auto welding technology is the impact it has on safety.

The reduction of strain on manual welders means that they are less inclined to fatigue, which leads to fewer potentially dangerous mistakes.

“Auto welding is not without its challenges,” Medanic says. “With manual welding you pick a good welder, the right consumables for the grade of the pipe, and then the welder has all the knowledge needed to get the job done.

“Automated is different because, once the consumable is chosen, we have to build a program so the machine runs within the correct parameters.

Once welding procedure is established, LoneStar Auto welder will control correct parameters, ensuring better productivity, consistency and quality of every weld when compared to manual welding.”

If the equipment has been used on similar jobs, then working out the programming is simple.

However, new and novel welding jobs require time to test the program, adjust the equipment and then make sure the resulting weld is able to stand up to pressure testing.

“Essentially, auto welding benefits welders and operators, but the increased productivity and decreased cost of auto welding also benefits asset owners,” says Medanic.

Innovative and effective equipment like the LoneStar fits with PSSS’s reputation for working with industry partners to provide the best in speciality equipment for the pipeline industry.

“Dyna Torque originally connected with PSSS three years ago because they had a customer that needed specialist pipe facing equipment, which we could provide,” Medanic says. “Since then, we’ve seen them really taking a leading role in providing speciality pipe welding equipment.”

He says that, through the process of acquiring equipment and materials needed for five days on demonstrations, PSSS proved that its position as a market leader is well earned.

“I think that demonstrations like these can open attendees’ eyes to new possibilities. By hosting these kinds of events, PSSS is empowering customers to be as competitive as possible in an evolving industry,” says Medanic.

PSSS have now invested in LoneStar auto welding equipment, so this, along with detailed training, is available for hire here in Australia.

"I think that demonstrations like these can open attendees’ eyes to new possibilities.

By hosting these kinds of events, PSSS is empowering customers to be as competitive as possible in an evolving industry."

Auto welding machines like the LoneStar are filling a gap in the pipe welding industry by lowering the bar to entry.

For more information visit www.psssa.com.au The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

41

WELDING

ROWELD offers both manual and CNC hydraulic butt-welding machines.

ROTHENBERGER is searching for Australian distributors.

ROTHENBERGER’s ROWELD range includes butt and electrofusion welding systems.

German welding system manufacturer on hunt for Australian distributors ROTHENBERGER, the manufacturer of one of the leading plastic pipe welding systems, ROWELD, is prospecting for local distributors and service agents for the company's range of butt-welding solutions.

The standard range is suitable for pipelines from 315 to 1200 mm in diameter, with the ability to manufacture build to order machines up to 3.0m diameter, designed and manufactured to perform at the highest standard.

E

stablished in Germany in 1949, ROTHENBERGER is focused on developing, producing, and marketing pipe tools and machines for plumbers, pipe fitters, HAVC & R engineers, and maintenance mechanics. The manufacturer’s tools and machines are used every day throughout the world across a variety of industries, including pipeline construction.

ROTHENBERGER’s ROWELD range includes butt and electrofusion welding systems which are applicable for pipe diameters from 20 mm to 1200 mm and on a range of plastic pipes, including PE, polypropylene and polyvinylidene fluoride, however distributors are required for the larger butt-welding applications only.

Butt fusion ROWELD offers both manual and CNC hydraulic butt-welding machines which are suitable for polyethylene (PE) and

42

ROTHENBERGER is excited about the prospect of establishing partnerships with state distributors and service agents in the Asia pacific region, with local distributors working directly with the manufacturer based in Germany and China. polypropylene (PP) pipes and fittings with an outer diameter from 315 to 1200 mm.

The machine features hardened and hardchrome-plated guide shafts guaranteeing torsion-resistant use of the machine. Thanks to the angle-adjustable basic clamping elements, segmental arc welding is also possible.

ROTHENBERGER Australia and New Zealand Managing Director Trent Carter says the company is excited about the prospect of establishing partnerships with state distributors and service agents in the Asia pacific region, with local distributors working directly with the manufacturer based in Germany and China.

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

“We have customers all over the world who rely on the performance and productivity of the ROWELD system for their plastic pipe welding,” he says. “With our equipment welding in accordance with DVS 2207/ ISO 12176 and other international standards and guidelines.”

With the use of plastic pipes on the rise, in Australia and overseas, we hope Australian installers see the opportunities associated with ROTHENBERGER welding machines and tools to help tackle new challenges with courage knowing we can assist in any conditions and requirements.

WELDING

The company has a range of butt-welding solutions.

The ROWELD P355 B Professional.

For more information visit www.ro-au.yum-labs.com/au-en

02 4966 5583 www.maxibor.com.au admin@maxibor.com.au Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook & Twitter

» Quality and collaborative HDD design and construct services » Expertise to advise at the right time in the project delivery cycle » Gas, water and sewer, rail, road, power, telecommunications, mining, residential development, renewables and hydrogen » Maxi-rigs capable of long and wide diameter bores in hard rock and difficult conditions » Building a future we all look forward to

AUSTRALIA’S LEADING HDD SPECIALIST Maxibor is using its design and construct expertise to deliver better project outcomes to asset owners and principal contractors alike

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

43

CORROSION

When working on alternating current corrosion mitigation projects, one of the primary goals is to minimise voltage levels between two points of contact. This is crucial not only for personnel safety but also to keep equipment protected.

Safety factors in AC mitigation applications With increasing frequency, corrosion industry professionals are being asked to address induced alternating current (AC) voltages that occurs when pipelines are in common corridors with overhead powerlines.

W

hen working on alternating current (AC) mitigation projects, one of the primary goals is to minimise voltage levels between two points of contact. Not only is this crucial for personnel safety, but it’s also important for keeping equipment protected.

Over-voltage differences could result from a single event, such as a utility fault or lightning strike, or be constantly present due to induced AC from nearby high voltage AC (HVAC) lines.

Equipment protection

Worker safety

Protect personnel and equipment – use a decoupler

These voltage differences can reach unsafe levels and create a significant worker safety risk.

Personnel can make contact between two points having a voltage differential at an isolation flange (touching each side simultaneously), between a pipeline and a ground, between two grounding systems, as well as a single grounding system where a voltage gradient could exist in the earth.

If a person makes contact between two points with a high voltage difference that are not referenced to each other, there can be a significant risk of injury or death. According to AMPP SP0177, as well as IEEE Standard 80 ‘Guide for Safety in AC Substation Grounding’, a maximum of 15 Volts AC is the safe ‘let go’ criteria, which means operators must mitigate the risk to below these levels to adequately protect workers.

44

Personnel safety is not the only risk. High voltage differences from lightning and AC faults could also cause damage to the equipment itself, or the isolation materials used at isolation flanges, causing damage to the flange components. Just like the criteria for personnel safety, equipment and products have voltage limits that need to be mitigated to protect those items and prevent costly damage to system components.

A decoupler plays an integral role in any AC mitigation design by helping to address concerns for both worker safety and equipment protection.

While grounding is required to address safety and equipment concerns outlined above, isolation is required to maintain an effective cathodic protection (CP) system. Decouplers are appropriately rated to handle over-voltage conditions while simultaneously providing CP system isolation, protecting the integrity of CP while also protecting personnel and equipment.

Don’t forget! Important safety considerations Effectively utilising decouplers in AC mitigation applications will help to minimise voltage differences to safe levels for both personnel and The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

A decoupler plays an integral role in any AC mitigation design by helping to address concerns for both worker safety and equipment protection.

equipment. Therefore, consider the following important safety tips: Address lightning concerns Lightning strikes are very fast, violent over-voltage events. Protective products need to be capable of handling the forceful, fast nature of a lightning strike or they could fail in catastrophic fashion. All Dairyland products have a significant lightning current rating, ensuring continued operation after a lightning event. In addition, the installation method of a decoupler is also critically important.

CORROSION

Lightning strikes are very fast, violent over-voltage events.

Safety tip 1: Keep conductor lengths short as sossible Conductor length used to connect a Dairyland decoupler is a critical component of proper installation. Conductors with lightning current flowing through them will have a significant voltage drop along the length of the conductor. Conductors have an inherent inductance, and the greater the inductance the higher the voltage spike during the event, making it critical to keep the conductors as short as possible.

When dealing with buried pipelines, it may be difficult to keep lead lengths as short as possible, which could limit the use of decouplers in this scenario. However, when dealing with above-grade isolation joints and gradient control mats, it is important to keep lead lengths as short as possible.

Address AC faults A decoupler is an integral part of an effective AC mitigation system. AC faults have different properties than lightning surges and need to be considered when using a decoupler in AC mitigation system. An AC fault from an HVAC line lasts much longer than a lightning surge (milliseconds vs microseconds) and AC faults have greater total energy. Preparing for an AC fault when using a decoupler is a two-part process.

up through to 15kA. Typical fault rating selections range from 3.7kA up to 10kA and are suitable for most applications. However, if the pipeline is near a power line grounding system, this will greatly increase the exposure of the pipeline and coatings to fault current and lightning. Carefully consider the application being addressed and whether AC fault current could be coupled to the pipe in addition to the pipeline’s proximity to the utility.

Safety tip 3: Select the right conductor size for AC faults Beyond selecting the appropriately sized decoupler, installation methods are a critical component of properly addressing AC fault risk. Utilising the right conductor size to ensure it can withstand the maximum energy from an AC fault current event is critical to system performance. Choosing the correct conductor ensures that it will be capable of handling the potential fault current levels at that location.

The below chart shows the recommended conductor size in relation to the fault rating of the decoupler.

AC Fault Current Rating

Wire Size (AWG)

1.2kA, 2.0kA, 3.7kA

#6

Safety tip 2: Identify the right sized decoupler for AC faults

5kA, 10kA

#2

Most AC mitigation projects have moderate exposure to AC faults. Dairyland offers a wide variety of fault current ratings from 1.2 amps (kA )

15kA

#2/0

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

For more information, reach out to Corrosion Control Engineering at contact@ cceng.com.au or 1300 COR ENG. Otherwise visit Corrosion Control Engineering’s website at www.cceng.com.au.

CCE is proud to announce that it has recently been appointed as sole distributors in Australia and New Zealand for a range of Dairyland products including: • Solid state decoupler • Polarisation cell replacement • PCRX • Over-voltage protector • All associated accessories and isolation switches • Gradient control mat • Decoupler isolation switch • Marine galvanic isolator

45

REHAB & REPAIR

Tapping into Northern Ireland’s electricity Industry leading technology from engineering specialist STATS Group has been deployed in Northern Ireland while vital work is underway converting a coal-fired power station to gas.

T

he Kilroot power station, located on the shores of Belfast Lough, once supplied one-third of Northern Ireland’s electricity but faced closure next year because it could not meet low-carbon environmental standards.

Power station owners EPUK Investments committed to a major project which would transform Kilroot into a more environmentally friendly energy producer, securing its future and jobs, while also strengthening Northern Ireland’s energy security.

A crucial stage of the project required Mutual Energy, the owner and operator of major natural gas pipelines across Scotland and Northern Ireland, to tap into its Belfast Gas Transmission Pipeline (BGTP) to tie-in a new line and block valve arrangement to provide a gas supply to Kilroot.

But the BGT pipeline supplies gas to thousands of homes and businesses all across Northern Ireland, and it was inconceivable that the supply could be turned off while the pipeline tie-in work was carried out.

The solution was to deploy STATS’ BISEP pipeline sealing technology in two locations, which allowed a leak-tight isolation to be installed while a live gas feed to Belfast consumers continued through an integrated bypass without interruption.

“We needed to introduce a gas supply to Kilroot power station from Belfast’s main gas pipeline but without causing any disruption to

domestic and business users in Belfast and further afield,” says Mutual Energy Project Engineer, Marcus McFarlane.

“The only option was to create a bypass while the pipeline was still ‘live’ and for that we needed the latest technology available and STATS’ BISEP system came into its own.

“It is the first time this technology has been used in this way on a UK onshore gas transmission system and it brought a number of considerable benefits, mainly reducing the number of interactions needed with this strategic pipeline, and therefore greatly reducing the risk and the time needed to complete the job.”

STATS has an international reputation for providing leak-tight pipeline isolation and intervention tools to the oil and gas sector and is broadening its scope into renewable energies including CCUS and hydrogen.

“We are delighted with how the job has been executed with both our tools providing leaktight, monitored isolations allowing the site works to be undertaken in the safest manner possible, which is exactly what the BISEP is designed to do,” says Aiden Hardy, STATS Group’s Regional Business Development Manager.

“Our technology has a long-standing track record in the oil and gas industry where we work for the major operators and tier one contractors on complex pipeline isolations, but increasingly our remit involves alternative low carbon fuels.

“We are the first company in the world to hot

STATS Group's BISEP system being deployed in Northern Ireland.

tap and isolate a high-pressure liquid Co2 pipeline and we are also working with hydrogen blended and full 100 per cent hydrogen systems, so as the gas transmission networks fully engage in energy transition and the switch to a low carbon future, we’re ideally placed to support them on that journey.”

The BGT pipeline block valve and offtake connection works are nearing completion, allowing a connection to the new pipeline later in 2023.

Kilroot power station is part of a larger plan to create a £600 million energy park by EPUK Investments which represents the largest ever single investment in electricity generation in Northern Ireland.

For more information visit www.statsgroup.com

STATS’ BISEP pipeline sealing technology was used on the Belfast Gas Transmission Pipeline.

46

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

E S I T R E V D A Y A D O T  S B O J t n e l a t g n i Connect . y r t s u d n i with

au . m o c . r e n i l hiring.pipe

powered by careerone

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

The use of vacuum lifting technology Vacuworx is a leading provider of vacuum lifting equipment, specialising in engineering and manufacturing products tailored for energy and pipeline infrastructure. The company's equipment provides a secure and effective solution for handling pipe, which helps minimise the risk of job site injuries and improve productivity.

A

ll Vacuworx lifters are designed to be versatile and can be used for a variety of applications, including pipeline installation, maintenance, and repair. This versatility allows companies in the pipeline and energy sectors to streamline their operations, saving time and resources while increasing safety.

Vacuworx’s commitment to quality and innovation has earned the company a reputation as a leader in vacuum lifting equipment and has made it a popular choice for companies in the pipeline and energy sectors.

For Vacuworx, every pipe lift presents an opportunity to safeguard workers, protect one's corporate image and encourage the public's trust.

Vacuum lifting in recent decades has become a mainstay in the oil and gas pipeline trades in Australia as the technology—with no necessity for hooks, slings or cables—requires less human contact with the pipe and lifting tackle.

The system's vacuum lifting technology is designed to grip pipes firmly without damaging the coating, ensuring that the pipeline stays in pristine condition throughout the entire process.

Additionally, the system is capable of handling

pipes of various sizes and weights, making it an ideal solution for a wide range of pipeline projects, including water infrastructure.

According to Ledonne Constructions’ Construction Manager Shawn Zimmerman, the company has owned and utilised vacuum lifters for several years, with the use of vacuum lifting technology playing a crucial role in enhancing their competitive edge.

“It’s probably one of the reasons we won the project (St Helena pipeline). Our methodology on how we were going to handle the pipe and move the pipe forward safely without putting anyone at risk,” says Zimmerman.

“You can’t beat them when it comes to safety and efficiency. Basically, it becomes a one-man operation. You eliminate the need for 3 or 4 workers to have their hands at risk of being crushed or injured from putting slings under and around pipes.”

“We’re using one lifter to load and transport the pipes from the yard and one lifter onsite to unload and transport the pipes up and down some very steep terrain. Without the vacuum lifters it would become a safety nightmare in this

Vacuworx provides contractors with greater efficiency in comparison to traditional pipe handling methods.

48

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

environment,” he says.

The RC Series is designed to handle materials from 10-25 tonne in conjunction with largercapacity host carriers and are perfect for large scale infrastructure projects such as the this. Vacuum lifting provides a safer methodology regarding how to move pipe safely, eliminating the risk of injury to workers all the while increasing overall efficiency.

“We can have a truck loaded within half an hour with the RC 20, where it would normally take around 3 hours plus additional workers without a Vacuworx lifter,” says Zimmerman.

Drawing from global examples, Kissick Construction also successfully utilised the Vacuworx RC 16 Vacuum Lifting System to unload up to 12 trucks that arrived daily over the course of 12 months to various staging points along on the route on a rural job in Kansas.

By using the Vacuworx system, Kissick Construction was able to accept delivery of more than 7315 linear metres of pipe, which was typically laid out in 15 metre sections along the right-of-way. Prior to its experience with vacuum lifting, Kissick had been using nylon slings to

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

hoist heavy-duty pipe and lower it into a trench, requiring up to three additional workers. Kissick's workforce achieved greater efficiency in comparison to traditional pipe handling methods by implementing the Vacuworx system.

Customer outcomes Buyers in search of pipe handling tools and lifting are more regularly adding service before and after the sale, as well as access to the right parts, training and robust technical support to their equipment purchasing considerations, with overall higher expectations related to usefulness, convenience, and desirability.

The commitment to continuous innovation exhibited by Vacuworx has always been rooted in safety, realised both through listening and responding to the needs of current and future customers. It is a mindset that never tends to rest only on designing and engineering new machines but on helping facilitate exchanges that produce the most desirable business outcomes for highly productive companies.

“We're delivering safe and innovative solutions by providing easy access to (pipe handling)

Vacuworx is a pioneer, innovator, and global leader when it comes to vacuum lifting systems.

applications some of the customers may have been hard-pressed to imagine just ten years ago,” says Lou Guevara, General Manager for Vacuworx Australia and Southeast Asia.

“Our product is further supported by a global network of customers and distributors, engineers

and service technicians in addition to both local, in-country, and global manufacturing abilities.

“We've found our clients appreciate access to local service and flexibility. Vacuum lifting is 100 per cent our singular focus. Clients' results and outcomes is the number one priority.

For more information visit www.vacuworx.com

Productive equipment

helps you be more efficient on the job. McElroy’s line of fusion machines and accessories has been trusted on the jobsite for over fifty years for that very reason. Finish your job in less time, with the confidence and data that it’s done correctly.

TracStar® 900i

© 2022 McElroy Manufacturing, Inc. MMI block and TracStar are registered trademarks of McElroy Manufacturing, Inc. All rights reserved.

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

kwik-ZIP’s HDXT-43 assists UK project kwik-ZIP’s innovative HDXT-43 spacers have been used by UK-based infrastructure services and engineering company Amey to facilitate the slip-lining of a four-pipe bundle for the M42 Junction 6 Diversion Project near Birmingham Airport, England.

kwik-ZIP HDXT-43 on a 4-pipe HDPE bundle for a project in the UK.

U

sed and recommended by pipeline and civil contractors around the world, kwik-ZIP centraliser and spacer systems are solving production casing centralisation challenges throughout the pipeline industry.

The four-pipe bundle for Amey consisted of two DN 180 HDPE and two DN 450 HDPE pipes. The casing was a 1500 mm ID RCP sleeve for a total run length of 135 m.

The HDXT-43 spacers were specifically chosen for the project because they could secure the four-pipe bundle together and can work well with any pipe profile. The spacers also feature the added benefit of protecting and supporting the bundle throughout the sliplining process.

Amey’s Site Manager for the project, Tim Lohoff, says the kwik-ZIP spacer system was a perfect fit for the project.

“The spacer system was easily installed and was an excellent aid in slip lining the 4-pipe bundle through the – it’s an excellent product,” says Lohoff.

A leading infrastructure company in the UK, Amey is working to strengthen the country’s economy by designing, maintaining and transforming the nation’s strategic assets. A trusted partner of both the local and national government, Amey is adept in managing assets and complex projects which are vital to the sustainable growth of the country.

Junction 6 of the M42 highway connects the motorway to the A45 to the east of Birmingham.

Significant delays and congestion have been

experienced by motorists due to capacity constraints and are the driving force behind the project. kwik-ZIP’s large range of spacers cater to a wide spread of carrier casing pipe size combinations and provide the flexibility to deal with project alterations.

The HDXT series spacers come in five runner heights: 43 mm, 58 mm, 63 mm, 103 mm and 153 mm. The varying runner heights for the model ensures that pipeline installers can handle a range of carrier pipe outer diameter and casing inner diameter combinations. Additionally, this grants installers the ability to customise pipe position for grade control, otherwise known as centring.

Manufactured from high grade thermoplastic, kwik-ZIP casing spacers and centraliser products are used and recommended by pipeline and civil contractors as well as commercial plumbing companies, water authorities, water well drillers and international engineering firms throughout Australia. kwik-ZIP spacers have no metal parts and are

made from kwik-ZIP’s engineered thermoplastic blend that is flexible and extremely tough. Its low friction co-efficient minimises the installation forces for large bore pipes.

A completely non-corroding, non-metallic casing spacer for pipe-in-pipe applications, kwikZIP’S HDXT spacers are a viable option for the slip lining and cased crossings of all heavy-weight pipe materials including steel, ductile, MSCL, GRE, PVC and HDPE. The spacers are suitable for all diameters, from 300 mm OD and beyond with larger diameters accommodated by joining additional segments. kwik-ZIP maintains a focus on price effectiveness, simplicity, and rapid on-site assembly, to ensure that their systems deliver significant cost, time, and operational advantages to its customers.

The systems are now used extensively in production well completion, horizontal directional drilling, rock bolt and anchor centralisation and trenchless pipeline installations across Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the US.

kwik-ZIP HDXT-43 on a 4-pipe HDPE bundle for a project in the UK.

For more information visit www.kwikzip.com

50

COMMITTEES

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

Committ

JOIN AN APGA COMMITTEE TODAY Contractors Committee Consultants Committee Coals Seam Gas Committee Health, Safety & Environment Pipeline corridor Pipeline Engineering Competency Pipeline Operations Group Suppliers Forum Research & Standards committee WA Chapter Women’s Pipeline Forum

EES

COMMITTEES

CommitteeA4.indd 1

Young Pipliners Forum

YPF

21/10/2022 10:39 am

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

New year, new gear for large-scale projects As transmission pipeline projects in Australia increase in size and magnitude, so too must the equipment used to execute these projects. Vermeer strives to keep pace with this demand, constantly innovating and enhancing its equipment to streamline construction work and enable users to work on larger-scale projects. Vermeer’s latest D550 horizontal directional drill is a prime example of this.

T

he world finds itself in a critical position when it comes to gas, and Australia is no exception to this, resulting in a push for upgrades to existing gas infrastructure or new infrastructure to ensure increased capacity to deliver gas to all Australians.

There are a number of major gas pipeline projects which have been proposed around the country to meet demand, including the Hunter Gas Pipeline, the Western Slopes Gas Pipeline, the Golden Beach Gas Pipeline, the Western Outer Ring Main Gas Pipeline, and the South West Pipeline expansion, just to name a few.

Oftentimes major transmission pipeline projects such as these require excavation and digging across a long distance, resulting in significant disturbance and damage to the surrounding environment. As such, there is an increasing need for equipment that is sustainable, without sacrificing efficiency and effectiveness.

Maxi rig drill innovation Rising to meet this need, Vermeer has introduced its newest generation of maxi rig drills, the D550 horizontal directional drill (HDD). With an impressive 100,000 footpounds of torque to complement the various performance features, Vermeer’s D550 is the leader of the 550,000lb (249,475.8kg) drill class.

The drill’s productivity is further enhanced by the 10.2cm fluid course through the head-shaft and mud swivel, which allows up to 1,000 gallons per minute (GPM) of fluid to be pumped downhole while maintaining low pressure.

Clint Recker, Trenchless Product Manager at Vermeer Corporation says this latest generation maxi rig drill delivers more compared to older Vermeer models.

“In addition to the D550 drill’s class-leading torque, it can deliver a steady, ultra-slow speed control for working in challenging hard rock, as

Vermeer Australia's new D550 horizontal directional drill.

52

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

well as rotation speed for boring in challenging clay conditions,” he says.

Vermeer’s D550 horizontal directional drill brings the ease and sustainability of microtunnelling to large scale projects, enabling crews to work effectively and efficiently to install large-diameter products, including gas and oil pipelines, and high-voltage electrical lines over long distances.

Vermeer’s D550 HDD offers a less messy solution for excavating large-scale pipeline installation projects, not only increasing efficiency but also significantly reducing the impact of the works on the surrounding environment and infrastructure.

With a hydraulic circuit that delivers the peak amount of torque at high rotational speeds while simultaneously keeping system pressures low, the D550 helps to maximise component life.

As the cities of Australia expand, the likelihood

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

The D550 has 100,000 foot-pounds of torque to complement the various performance features.

"Oftentimes major transmission pipeline projects such as these require excavation and digging across a long distance, resulting in significant disturbance and damage to the surrounding environment. As such, there is an increasing need for equipment that is sustainable, without sacrificing efficiency and effectiveness." of urban areas being unaffected by these kinds of project works grows less and less likely. For this reason, many sites must now adhere to stringent noise requirements and sustainability regulations.

With sound power of only 111dB(A), the D550 HDD operates quietly, keeping jobsite sound levels down and minimising the need for sound barriers when working in urban and

residential areas.

Operationally, the D550 controls have three different auto drilling modes – rotation, thrust and speed – and the drill’s new onboard telematics system allows drill operators and service technicians to access important diagnostics information.

The D550 ultra-slow speed control technology

delivers thrust control that is precise and finite, allowing drill operators to regulate weight-on-bit pressure for optimal cutting action and maximum tooling life.

As Australia sees an increase in large-scale transmission pipeline projects, it's important that contractors have access to innovative equipment which will enable them to complete projects efficiently while reducing damage and disturbance to the environment.

Vermeer’s newest generation of maxi rig drills, the D550 HDD, allows contractors to bring the ease of microtunnelling to larger projects. In doing so, Vermeer Australia is ensuring it stays abreast with the growth and advancement predicted for Australia’s gas transmission pipelines.

For more information about Vermeer Australia, visit www.vermeeraustralia.com.au The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

53

APGA

APGA calls for papers for 2023 convention The 55th Annual Convention & Exhibition of the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association (APGA) will be held in Perth, WA from October 14 to 17, 2023 and will cover a range of issues in the theme: Power of the Present, Force of the Future.

"APGA’s Annual Convention brings together participants from all sectors of the pipeline industry as well as other industries associated with natural gas and the transportation of energy, slurry and water.

This major annual industry event provides a wealth of information in the business sessions, and the social events allow for extensive networking opportunities."

APGA has opened submissions for its annual convention.

A

PGA’s Annual Convention brings together participants from all sectors of the pipeline industry as well as other industries associated with natural gas and the transportation of energy, slurry and water. This major annual industry event provides a wealth of information in the business sessions, and the social events allow for extensive networking opportunities.

Core to the convention is the sharing of ideas and learning. The 2023 convention is geared towards knowledge transfer and will feature a detailed business session program. With industry representation from around the world, the business sessions provide an opportunity to connect with a large audience and disseminate learnings across a

broad sector.

The business sessions will include papers covering pipeline operations, project updates, training, research, environmental challenges and safety issues.

Issues surrounding gas policy and gas markets are increasingly topical, generating much interest and debate about the role of the transmission sector and the challenges of gas supply for the domestic market.

APGA is calling for papers from members and non-members to be submitted by Friday 10 March 2023.

This Call for Papers includes a request for presentations covering major (or smaller) projects, opportunities and developments in the industry.

Presentation topics can include, but are not restricted to: new and emerging technologies | natural gas and energy policies | gas markets | international developments | construction challenges | coal seam gas | water and slurry/waste | transportation | research | regulatory developments | health and safety | training and skills development | operational and maintenance issues | environmental issues | technical regulation The APGA Annual Convention is an opportunity to present forward-thinking and practical ideas that stimulate discussion and debate and give guidance to the industry as it prepares for the future.

For more information visit www.apga.org.au/apga-annual-convention-and-exhibition for more detail on requirements and submission

54

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

Connect

CONNECT WITH US

APGA NEWS

COMMITTEES

CO

For all the latest and most up to date on the APGA, the pipelines and gas industry as well as events, convention EVENTS and other industry news, make sure to connect with us through one of our channels.

n

APGA Mailing List

n

Linkedin

n

Facebook

n

Website

P: 02 6273 0577

ConnectA4.indd 1

EV

CONNECT

CO

E: APGA@APGA.ORG.AU

21/10/2022 10:44 am

APGA MEMBERSHIP

Australian Pipelines and Gas Association Membership CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR Alltype Engineering Directhitt Pty Ltd Enscope Pty Ltd Global Engineering & Construction Pty Ltd HH Civil Pty Ltd Maxibor Australia McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd Michels Corporation Mitchell Water Australia Pty Ltd Moody Civil & Pipe Pty Ltd MPC Kinetic Nacap Pty Ltd National Australian Pipelines P and G Welding Pty Ltd Pipecraft Pipeline Plant Hire Pty Ltd Quanta Services Australia Pty Ltd Service Stream Spiecapag Australia Pty Ltd The Newham Group Valmec Limited

Verbrec Ltd (ASX: VBR) Worley Services Pty Ltd GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS/ REGULATORS Department for Energy and Mining Department of Planning and Environment NSW Energy Safe Victoria Resources Safety and Health Queensland Water Corporation INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION Pipeline Research Council International, Inc

ENERGY DISTRIBUTOR ATCO Gas Australia

PIPELINE OWNER/OPERATOR AGL Energy Limited Ampol Australia Petroleum Pty Ltd APA Group Arrow Energy Pty Ltd AusNet Services Australian Energy Market Operator Australian Gas Infrastructure Group Beach Energy Limited Brookfield Infrastructure Group Epic Energy SA Pty Ltd Esperance Pipeline Company Esso Australia Pty Ltd First Gas Ltd Fortescue Future Industries Pty Ltd GB Energy Jemena Mobil New Zealand Oil Limited Mobil Oil Australia Pty Ltd Origin Energy Limited Power and Water Corporation Qenos Pty Ltd QGC Refining NZ Santos SEA Gas South Australian Water Corporation Tas Gas Holdings Pty Ltd Tasmanian Gas Pipeline Pty Ltd Vector Limited Viva Energy Australia Ltd WestSide Corporation Woodside Energy Ltd

ENGINEERING/PROJECT MANAGER A J Stack Solutions Pty Ltd AFS Projects Atteris Pty Ltd Bamser Holdings Pty Ltd Core Group Limited Fyfe GHD Pty Ltd GPA Engineering Pty Ltd ITP Interpipe Lidiar Group Long Energy and Resources Pty Ltd Momentum Engineering Pipeline Drillers Group SPIE Plexal

SERVICE PROVIDER ALS Industrial Pty Ltd ALS Industrial Pty Ltd Atlas Copco Rental Oceania Avmin Pty Ltd AXS Pty Ltd Baker Hughes Brooks Hire Service Pty Ltd Brownline Australia Pty Ltd Bureau Veritas Asset Integrity and Reliability Services Pty Ltd Civil Geospatial Services Pty Ltd Corrosion Control Engineering (Holdings) Pty Limited Deaton Enterprises Pty Ltd trading as CST Hire

CONSULTANT ACIL Allen Consulting Australasian Corrosion Consultants Pty Ltd CNC Project Management DNV GL Australia Pty Limited dss+ Energy Matrix Group Pty Ltd EnergyQuest Pty Ltd Jiva Consulting JLL Infrastructure Advisory Pty Ltd Kleinfelder Australia Pty Ltd Land Access & Management Services Pty Ltd MVC Services Pty Ltd OC Project Services Pty Ltd Pipeline Engineering Consultants Plant & Platform Consultants Ltd Powered Sage Consulting Solutions Pty Ltd Sustech Engineering Pty Ltd Ted Metcalfe Independent Consultant Twycross and Partners Pty Ltd Veris

Downer EDI Engineering Power Pty Ltd DSQ Pty Ltd ERIAS Group Pty Ltd IntelliGas ITI International LandPartners Pty Ltd Lochard Energy (Iona Operations) Pty Ltd Locusview Ltd Mipela GeoSolutions NDT Global Pty Ltd Oceaneering Australia Pty Limited ORIX Commercial Peter Norman Personnel Pty Ltd Picarro, Inc Pipe Tek Pty Ltd Piping Specialty Supply Service Pty Ltd Prime Creative Media Pro Pipe Services Pty Ltd Project Communications Australia QIC Protective Coatings (Aust) Pty Ltd Qube Energy Pty Ltd Red Rock Oilfield Service ROSEN Australia Pty Ltd Scape Consulting Pty Ltd STATS Group T D Williamson Australia Pty Ltd TFG Group Pty Ltd Turbo Systems Australia Pty Ltd Viega Pty Ltd Wasco Energy Group WRAP Resources Australia Zinfra SUPPLIER OF EQUIPMENT OR MATERIALS Aegis Pty Ltd Anode Engineering Pty Ltd Anti Corrosion Technology Pty Ltd Aquip Systems AtlasGas Pty Ltd Austrack Equipment Sales and Rentals Australian Pipeline Valve Australian Portable Camps Bao Australia Pty Ltd CRC-Evans Pipeline International Delnorth Pty Ltd Denso (Australia) Pty Ltd EagleBurgmann Australasia Pty Ltd EDMI Gas Pty Ltd Fast Fusion, LLC Gasco Pty Ltd GF Piping Systems Heath Pipeline Services Pty Ltd Herrenknecht AG Horizon Industrial Pty Ltd Inductabend Pty Ltd iPipe Services Iplex Pipelines Australia Pty Ltd Jindal Saw Limited Laurini Officine Meccaniche Srl LFF Australia Lincoln Electric Company (Australia) Pty Ltd Man Industries India Ltd

APGA New Membership Approvals CORPORATE MEMBERS

Service Provider Atlas Copco Rental Oceania - CMBR - Scott Robinson

56

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

McElroy Australia Ozzies, Inc. PAC Pipeline Equipment Rentals Pipeline Machinery International LP PipeServ PSAH Pty Ltd RAEDLINGER PRIMUS LINE PTY LTD RazValve Pacific RDO Equipment Pty Ltd Richmond RTi Asia Pacific PTY LTD Savcor Products Australia Pty Ltd Scapeworks Australia Shawcor Pty Ltd Shipman King SICK Pty Ltd Solar Turbines Australia Tapex Industrial TIB Chemicals AG TRACTO-TECHNIK Australia Pty Ltd Tremco Pipeline Equipment Pty Ltd Universal Corrosion Coatings Pty Ltd Vacuworx Australia Vinidex Pty Ltd Vlentec Australia Pty Ltd Welspun Corp Limited Western Process Controls Worldwide Group Future Fuels CRC

APGA MEMBERSHIP

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

APA Group Australian Gas Infrastructure Group

• •

• •

Epic Energy SA Pty Ltd Jemena

SEA Gas Tasmanian Gas Pipeline Pty Ltd

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

• • • • • •

AGL Energy Limited Australian Portable Camps Esso Australia Pty Ltd McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd MPC Kinetic Nacap Pty Ltd

QGC Quanta Services Australia Pty Ltd Solar Turbines Australia Spiecapag Australia Pty Ltd Verbrec Ltd (ASX: VBR) Worley Services Pty Ltd

Honorary Life Members • • • • • •

• • • • • •

Ken Barker David Curry Keith Fitzgerald* D C Gore* Robert Gration Max Kimber

• • •

Andy Lukas Tony Marletta Mick McCormack Stuart McDonald Jim McDonald* Allan Newham

Stephen Ohl Mark Twycross Phil Venton *deceased

Individual Members • • • • • • • •

Dean Barker John Blain Bevan Boocock Grant Bowley Stephen Callaghan Ken Cameron Chris Carter Mark Cooper

• • • • • • • •

Geoff Cope John de Robillard Stephen Dykes JP Fortin Gretchen Gagel Chris Gatehouse Lynndon Harnell Mark Harris

• • • • • • •

Chris Harvey Graeme Hogarth Justine Hyams Jeff Jones Ashley Kellett Steven Liddell Cameron MacDiarmid

• • • • • • • •

John Millett Mick Murphy Trevor Nichols John Piper David Pollock Brett Reay Shaun Smith Ian Spence

• •

Jasper Tieland Andrew Wood

Edwin De Prinse Yuyu Fang Daniel Faulkner Matt Felvus Sean Fleming Nick Flint Tom Forde Mark Fothergill Paul Frederick Tom Fuller Tess Gardener Jarrod Gilby Calvin Gordon Peter Hanily

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Peter Harcus Geoff Harrison Chris Hewson Ian Israelsohn Linda Johnson Hugo Kuhn Trent Leach David Levy Stephen Livens Nicole Lowndes Paul May John Messent Stephen Mudge Matthew O'Connell

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Brian O'Sullivan Neil Parry Tawake Rakai Ben Rees Darren Rogers Josh Row Craig Sheather James Smith Colin Symonds Soheil Taherian Warwick Tidswell Andrew Tsitas John Walsh Sean Ward

• • • •

Louise Watson Rob Wheals Paul Williamson Michael Xanthopoulos

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

Michelle Andersen Eric Bardy Geoff Barton Lauren Beynon Rick Boreham Andrew Bourke Liz Brierley Peter Bucki Mark Bumpstead Francis Carroll Philip Colvin Jeff Cooke Vera Corso Craig de Laine

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

57

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

People on the Move In this new and regular column, The Australian Pipeliner is tracking new appointments in Australia, New Zealand, Papuan New Guinea and the Pacific’s pipeline sector.

ADAM MATTHEWS DENSO AUSTRALIA

technician, and an offshore maintenance coatings coordinator among other roles.

the execution of works rather than just supplying the equipment,” he says.

Adam Matthews has joined the Denso Australia team as its National Development Manager for the Viscotaq™ line – the next generation of Visco-elastic coatings. With over two decades of work experience across a range of industries, Matthews has expertise and skills forged by his time spent working as a senior graphic designer, an industrial services

Equipped with his wealth of experience, Matthews is now eager to continue showcasing the effectiveness of the Viscotaq range as an excellent solution to a large variety of corrosion prevention applications.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with the team at Denso thus far; the company has a good, diverse bunch of people who have all been with the business for a long time.

I think a key indicator of a strong business is how long the employees have been on board – I’m pleased to continue to work for a company with a solid workplace culture and that really cares for the people that help it grow.”

SHIVA ALLURI – KWIK-ZIP

Australia, Alluri’s fast developing knowledge of the industry makes him a perfect fit at the company.

Recently joining the kwik-ZIP team as its new Product and Sales Engineer, Shiva Alluri has experience in several production and manufacturing industries. Equipped with a Master of Engineering in Additive Manufacturing from Deakin University and recognised as a mechanical engineer by Engineers

ROB BROWNING – PSSS Rob Browning has joined PSSS as the company’s Financial Controller.

In this role, he will manage the financial, commercial, and administrative functions of the business.

“At Denso, I’m looking forward to using my experience to provide a service in which we can better assist the clients with

“As a mechanical engineer, I am always keen on designing and developing mechanical devices and solving issues related to technical problems. The role I’ve stepped into at kwik-ZIP offers me the perfect opportunity to hone these skills and strengthening my understanding of the industry,” says Alluri.

Browning was drawn to the pipeline industry because he can see that it has high growth opportunities and can see the need for strong support with products and services – a need that, he says, is met by PSSS. “PSSS has a clear vision for the future and is agile and fast moving to meet client requirements. Supporting this vision commercially with growth

“Though I’ve only just recently begun this role, I’m eager to continue learning from the experts around me and collaborating with my team. kwik-ZIP is known across a range of diverse industries for its good reputation and quality products and I’m excited to play a part in the company’s growth.

I’m looking forward to helping implement positive change in the industry for the benefit of kwik-ZIP’s customers and, eventually, be integral to the company’s growth.”

plans is exciting,” he says.

Browning’s work history includes 15 years of experience in manufacturing and distributing products and services across the resource, industrial and communications sectors.

“PSSS has a people focussed culture.

I’m looking forward to being part of a team,” he says.

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 Molly Hancock at molly.hancock@primecreative.com.au

58

The Australian Pipeliner | March 2023

Is your pipe spacer compliant?

HDX and HDXT

The only casing spacers successfully appraised by WSAA

KWIK-ZIP’S HDX & HDXT CASING SPACERS COMPLY WITH WSAA PRODUCT SPEC #324 - CASING SPACERS; REFER WSAA PRODUCT APPRAISAL REPORT #1523

Call us for details on ordering P (08) 9725 4678 sales@kwikzip.com

www.kwikzip.com

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR DOWNHOLE POWER, SO TRY THE VERMEER D100X140 S3 DRILL. With a maximum rotary torque output of 14,000 ft-lb (18,981.5 Nm) and rotational speeds up to 203 RPM. The D100x140 S3 Navigator® horizontal directional drill offers an exceptional one-two punch in response to your most challenging projects.

Talk to the leader in HDD today and visit your local Vermeer Australia branch.

VERMEERAUSTRALIA.COM.AU | 1300 VERMEER

Vermeer and the Vermeer logo are trademarks of Vermeer Manufacturing Company in the United States and /or other countries.

Product specifications are subject to change by OEM. © 2023 RDO Equipment Pty Ltd (trading as Vermeer Australia). All Rights Reserved.

THE AUSTRALIAN PIPELINER | MARCH 2023

THINK BIG WITH THE D100x140 S3