Held on the 11-14 October, the Australian Pipeline Industry Association (APIA) Convention hit new heights this year with its largest exhibition to date enabling delegates to see the latest equipment, services and technology on offer. In addition, the technical program covered developments from all points of the industry, stretching from commercial through technical to construction and operations, and much more.
40 years to celebrate
It was a fitting Convention to celebrate the growth and achievements of APIA over its 40 years. The Association has come from being a contractor-based organisation under the name, Australian Pipe Line Contractors Association, until in 1976 it transformed into an all-encompassing pipeline industry association that embraced contractors, operators and owners alike.
In 1999, the association made the decision to establish a full-time Secretariat in Canberra. A couple of years later APIA corporatised and in January 2004 officially moved from being an incorporated association registered in the ACT to a national body limited by guarantee to meet the changing roles required of modern associations.
APIA has formed new initiatives over the last 40 years, including launching a Construction Safety sub-committee in 1996, Vehicle Safety Guidelines in 1998 and an Environmental Code of Practice in the same year, as well as establishing a Young Pipeliner’s Forum in 2006 to give the younger people in the industry a voice.
Coming into its 40th Anniversary year during 2008, APIA has been travelling full steam ahead, tackling the many and diverse issues that confront the industry and its members.
Gas on the agenda
Gas was a key focus of the technical program presented at the 2008 conference. Speakers assessed the value of the fuel source in an increasingly carbon-constrained environment, while discussing the future of the gas generation and transmission industries.
Engineroom Infrastructure Principal Consultant Luke Berry spoke about gas as a bridging fuel in meeting climate change challenges. “Gas would appear to be the ideal choice of fuel to reduce the share of Australia’s emissions that come from stationary energy sources. Gas has much lower emissions than coal when burnt to produce electricity. It is a mature technology compared with some renewable technologies.”?
However, he noted that gas-fired power faced political and regulatory hurdles, such as the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target scheme, that could slow the development of further plant capacity to service the nation’s needs after 2020.
Mr Berry pointed to nuclear power generation as challenging the development of gas in the long term. “Current models suggest that demand for gas for electricity generation will grow strongly to 2020, during which period nuclear won’t be available and coal will not have the benefit of carbon capture and storage technology.
“However, the picture after 2020 is not so clear, with gas prices rising due to increased LNG demand, the increase in domestic gas demand, the possible emergence of zero-emitting nuclear power, and the emergence of carbon capture and storage, through which coal may regain its competitive edge over gas,”? he said.
In addition, the Executive Director of the Institute of Public Affairs John Roskam spoke about the economic outlook for the gas transmission industry and the nation. Mr Roskam apologised for not providing a power-point presentation for his speech, but said that he had given up having to change it so many times due to the economic climate over the last month!
Chairman of the Australian Energy Regulator, Steve Edwell, explained national energy regulation, while Sandra Dureau from APA Group outlined how the new gas regulatory regime would affect the gas transmission industry.
Other speakers covered topics such as the new gas regulatory regime, improved natural gas pipeline operation and contemporary project delivery methods for major gas projects.
Party like it’s 1968
Pipeliners certainly know how to celebrate and the social program of the 40th Annual Convention was the perfect event for delegates to let down their hair and socialise with others in the industry.
Delegates were treated to events such as a golf day, family day in Fremantle, welcome dinner, fancy dress night and the annual APIA dinner. Industry representatives from around the nation enjoyed the 1968-themed festivities with entertainment provided from cover bands such as BABBA and The Beatnix.
Fun was had by all, with pipeliners looking forward to the 41st Annual APIA Convention to be held in Cairns next year.