AOGR AUGUST 2013.pdf - mining oil and gas resource

OIL & GAS REVIEW THE AUSTRALIAN

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ISSUE 35, AUGUST 2013

Queensland Gas Conference & Exhibition P28

SEAAOC 2013 P34

Empire Oil & Gas P42

Poor energy efficiency proving pricey for Australian business Jaimee Conn INADEQUATE investment in energy efficiency is costing Australia tens of billions of dollars in economic growth, according to new research commissioned by The Climate Institute and GE. Based on an analysis of more than three decades of data from 28 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, the research was undertaken by Vivid Economics and found that failure to match other countries’ rates of energy efficiency improvement would see Australia forego billions in revenue. The Climate Institute chief executive John Connor stated that if Australia improved its energy efficiency by just 1 per cent each year, it would generate an additional $8 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) by the end of the decade, and $26 billion by 2030. “This is an important contribution to improving Australia’s productivity, as well as cutting our energy bills and carbon pollution,” Mr Connor said. The research was the first to quantify the impact of energy efficiency on economic output. It found that on average, a 1 per cent improvement in energy efficiency boosted GDP per person by 0.1 percentage points. The Climate Institute – an independent research organisation focussed solely on the issue of climate change – reported there were simple ways that Australia could reduce its energy use across the economy, with the mining and oil and gas industries holding the potential to achieve significant savings. According to a ClimateWorks Australia report released last December, the nation’s industrial sector could cut its energy use by 11 per cent based on 2010 to 2011 energy

Australia’s industrial sector could cut its energy use by as much as 11 per cent without adversely affecting business activity, according to a recent report

use without adversely affecting business activity — offering a potential saving of $3 billion a year and preventing the production of millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases. The ClimateWorks report, commissioned by the Australian Government, revealed there were greater energy efficiency opportunities than previously identified. However, on current trends, most savings in the resources sector wouldn’t be achieved due to barriers such as a limited availability of internal capital; short pay back thresholds for investment; risk of

interrupting operations or key production lines; and long decision cycles. The Climate Institute outlined a number of key policies to combat these obstacles, such as: ensuring that energy pricing more accurately reflected the true costs of energy use; expanding state-based energy savings schemes into a consistent and robust energy saving initiative covering the whole country; implementing “ambitious” rising energy efficiency standards for vehicles and equipment; and maintaining the carbon price mechanism to shorten the payback

period for investments. ClimateWorks Australia interim executive director Greg Garvin said opportunities to reduce energy had a payback for business of less than two years. “By working with companies and government it will be possible to alleviate some of the barriers to action and therefore unlock significant reductions in energy use in the industrial sector,” Mr Garvin said. (continued on page 3)

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THE AUSTRALIAN OIL & GAS REVIEW

www.miningoilgas.com.au

AUGUST 2013

CONTENTS NEWS General

OTHER SECTIONS

Companies Gearing Up

44

Special Profiles

Oil & Gas Contractors

51

Queensland Gas Conference & Exhibiton 28

Drilling Equipment & Supplies

54

SEAAOC 2013

34

Laboratory Equipment & Services

57

DUG Australia

38

Asset Management

58

42

Heat Exchange

60

Pipes & Pipelines

62

Environmental Consultants

65

Splurge

68

Escapes

69

A Day in the Life

70

Empire Oil & Gas

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AUGUST 2013

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GENERAL NEWS

Emissions trading scheme could benefit business Courtney Pearson SCRAPPING the carbon tax just a year after it was introduced, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has shifted course to an emissions trading scheme (ETS) that will come into play from next July, a year earlier than planned. Mr Rudd said the carbon tax fixed price of $24.15 per tonne would be replaced with a European-style ETS floating price of about $6/t, reducing pressure on families and small business. “The government has decided to terminate the carbon tax to help cost of living pressures for families and to reduce costs for small business,” Mr Rudd

told a Queensland press conference. He said the ETS would save families about $380 per year, allow Australian businesses to link with international emissions reductions opportunities, and would ensure the Australian carbon price was consistent with world prices. CO2 Australia executive director Chris Mitchell said the ETS could be beneficial for companies. “It just brings the floating price forward for one year, so instead of having a high fixed price, for the first year of operation it should be cheaper to companies that pay the price,” he said. A poll commissioned by the World Wildlife Fund found that 41.4 per cent of respondents supported the change to

an ETS; 33.4 per cent were against it, while the rest were undecided. The Climate Institute’s Climate of the Nation 2013 report showed that two thirds of Australians believed climate change was real and happening now. Climate Institute chief executive John Connor said people were worried about the effects of carbon pricing but were not fluent with the actual policy. “Opposition to carbon pricing has dropped significantly but that’s not to say the policy is popular or understood,” Mr Connor said. “Support remains soft but it rises to a majority when people understand the policy correctly, that is that all of the revenue raised from it goes to support

households and industry, and is invested in renewable energy.” Axing the carbon tax will cost the federal budget $3.8 billion across the next four years, with money to be raised by abolishing the fringe benefits tax on cars ($1.8 billion); changing the energy security fund ($770 million); adjusting the coal sector jobs package to the value of the new carbon price ($186 million); the clean technology program and carbon capture and storage program ($586 million); the public service ($248 million); returning unallocated funds from the biodiversity fund ($213 million); and cuts to funding for the carbon farming futures program ($143 million).

Natural gas awareness campaign welcomed by industry THE Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) has launched a multimillion-dollar campaign to highlight the economic value of the nation’s natural gas. Our Natural Advantage will inform Australians of the risks posed to future jobs and investment, and has been welcomed by the the country’s gas transmission industry. APPEA stated the campaign would also act as a “wake-up call” to politicians and Australian energy consumers by showing what would be foregone if Australia’s next wave of gas projects failed to proceed. APPEA director of external affairs Michael Bradley said the campaign would send a clear message that saying no to natural gas development was not consequence-free. “Developing new supplies is absolutely critical if Australia wants to put downward pressure on energy prices, meaningfully reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and bring on the

next wave of Australia’s prosperity,” he said. “More than $150 billion worth of energy resource projects stalled in Australia last year and our country cannot afford to lose the next $150 billion worth of gas projects currently being assessed by potential investors.” APPEA has publicised concerns that should Australia not maintain its competitive advantage, its enormous potential natural gas supplies may not be developed, resulting in the loss of jobs, cheaper and cleaner energy, and future tax revenues. “The Australian economy can’t afford the risks posed by having public policy influenced by anti-gas misinformation. Activities designed to disrupt and delay future resource projects should be of concern to all who value jobs, investment, and new economic opportunity,” Mr Bradley said. Australian Pipeline Industry Association (APIA) chief executive Cheryl Cartwright said the Our Natural Advantage campaign

reflected the challenges outlined in a recent report by APIA, which highlighted that an increased gas supply was the solution to any domestic gas shortage or higher prices. “We support APPEA’s call for the removal of constraints to the exploration and production of natural gas – this can only be for Australia’s benefit,” Ms Cartwright said. Ms Cartwright said that with LNG contracts due to come online in 2015, any concerns regarding the availability or price of gas for the domestic market could only be met by ensuring there was an adequate supply. “This means removing constraints on exploration and development as soon as possible given the timeframe required for such massive gas projects,” she said. “Also, given the abundant gas reserves in Australia, companies and investors need appropriate policy signals from government that natural gas has a long-term future, both in the domestic and export market.”

APPEA hopes its newly launched Our Natural Advantage gas campaign will be a wake-up call to politicians and Australian energy consumers

Poor energy efficiency proving pricey for Australian business (continued from page 1)

GE Australia and New Zealand director of ‘ecomagination’ Ben Waters said there was enormous potential to achieve productivity gains and eliminate costs from some of Australia’s major industries. “This new research reaffirms that improvements in energy efficiency and economic growth are not mutually exclusive,” Mr Waters said. “By making even small investments in our energy productivity, we have the opportunity to reach new levels of efficiency, drive economic growth and improve utilisation of our...resources while reducing carbon emissions.”

According to The Climate Institute, agencies such as the International Energy Agency (IEA) found Australia had a “very poor” record in energy efficiency investment: the country’s annual energy efficiency improvement of about 0.5 per cent is below the IEA average of one per cent, and well below many comparable economies such as the US (0.9 per cent) and Canada (1.4 per cent). Mr Connor said the research put a figure on just how much Australia was missing out on, and that countries such as Japan, China, South Korea, the US and the UK were taking similar steps, as suggested by The Climate Institute, to save energy. “The reality is that our current policies are

inadequate to address the barriers preventing smarter energy use,” he said. “We need to get beyond the idea that energy efficiency means changing light bulbs. In fact, just about every product and process can be streamlined to reduce energy waste.” The Australian Government’s legislative Energy Efficiency Opportunities (EEO) program, implemented in 2006, has more than 300 participating corporations responsible for consuming more than 60 per cent of the nation’s total energy use. The program is mandatory for corporations that use more than 0.5 petajoules of energy per year – equivalent to 10,000 households – and they are also required to undertake rigorous energy efficiency assessments.

In 2011 to 2012, EEO program participants in the oil and gas sector used 243PJ of energy, representing 4 per cent of Australia’s total energy use. A Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism spokesperson said companies participating in the EEO program had already implemented a range of energy efficiency measures amounting to more than $808 million per year in energy savings. “In the oil and gas sector, companies are implementing savings representing 8 per cent of their assessed energy use, valued at $117 million per annum, with a range of opportunities still under investigation,” the spokesperson said.

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AUGUST 2013

GENERAL NEWS

Aussie algae could lead to future fuel production Rachel Dally-Watkins AUSTRALIA could soon become an oil exporter on par with the Middle East by devoting just 1 per cent of land to algae farms, according to University of Queensland Solar Biofuels Research Centre manager Dr Evan Stephens, who has identified a fast-growing and hardy microscopic algae. Recent work by the University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience, headed by Dr Stephens, showed that a recently trialled native algae species could provide “real hope” for the development of commercially viable fuels from algae. Dr Stephens and the team identified hundreds of native species of microscopic algae from freshwater and saltwater environments around Australia, testing them against thousands of simulated environmental conditionals in the laboratory to create a shortlist of top performing species. “Previously the main focus has been looking for oil-rich algae, but usually these are tastier to predators – like microscopic scoops of ice cream,” Dr Stephens said in a statement. “The integration of new technologies means we can turn a broad range of algae into bio-crude oil that can be processed in existing oil refineries, so now the success of the industry comes down to rapid growth and low production costs. “A major new frontier is in the biology and developing new strains – and we've already made significant advances through the identification of high-efficiency strains that have really stable growth, as well as being resistant to predators and temperature fluctuations.” The algae is being put through its paces at a pilot processing plant that opened in Brisbane in April, and the researchers have received international and domestic investment for the project. However, Dr Stephens said that the process was not commercially viable and the production of algal biofuel was expensive. “While we know that we can produce algae oil that is even higher quality than standard

Dr Evan Stephens at the algae pilot plant

petroleum sources, we are working to increase the efficiency of production with the ultimate aim being to compete with fossil fuels dollar for dollar,” he said. “There are still important challenges in science and engineering to be overcome to achieve the high efficiency needed to compete with conventional petroleum.” Algae are similar to fossil fuels in that, when burnt, they release carbon dioxide; however, the algae also remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during their growth cycle. The CSIRO has reported that it could be “possible to produce algal biodiesel at a lower cost and with less greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels”. According to the CSIRO, research is

currently underway to examine the quantity and quality of potential Australian algal resources from ponds and bioreactors, and sources of algae from locations including wastewater facilities, algal blooms and seaweed. Meanwhile, Algae.Tec – an Australian biofuels company focussed on commercialising technology that produces algae to manufacture sustainable fuels such as bio diesel and green jet fuel – signed a deal in early July with Macquarie Generation to site an algae carbon capture and biofuels production facility alongside the 2460 megawatt Bayswater coal-fired power station in the Hunter Valley. In the first phase of the $140 million project, planned to begin in 2014, 400 closed tanks will

Photo - Gisela Jakob, The University of Queensland

be filled with carbon dioxide emitted from the power station to stimulate the growth of algae. “At a time when all the petroleum refining capacity is closing down in New South Wales, this is the beginning of an era of renewable fuel which can be ‘grown’ in the state and can substitute imported petroleum products,” Algae.Tec executive chairman Roger Stroud said. The bioreactors, which are about the size of shipping containers, are designed to grow non-GMO algae on an industrial scale for biofuel production. The resulting algal oil will be converted to biodiesel and hydrogenated to Grade A jet fuel at a biofuels production facility, while waste vegetable matter will be converted into pellets for cattle feed.

Territory reforms plan to supply Gove refinery Courtney Pearson THE Northern Territory Government has proposed a new strategy to supply gas to Rio Tinto’s Gove alumina refinery after deeming its previous plan economically risky. Rio Tinto had warned that high operating costs and market pressures could force Gove’s closure, which would have affected more than half of the 4000 people living in Nhulunbuy, 800km east of Darwin, who depend on the refinery.

The new plan would involve supplying Gove with a dual fuel option of heavy fuel oil and natural gas, with the NT Government selling Rio Tinto subsidiary Pacific Aluminium 13 petajoules of gas per year for up to 15 years, totalling 195PJ. Earlier this year under former Chief Minister Terry Mills, Pacific Aluminium proposed that the government supply 25PJ of gas per year for 12 years, totalling 300PJ, but Chief Minister Adam Giles dubbed the option as “risky”. “Under Pacific Aluminium’s plan,

Northern Territory taxpayers would have faced a massive $3.2 billion gas pricing risk and the possibility of energy shortages in the long term,” he said. Mr Giles said the original plan would cost more for power and water customers and that the Federal Government “refused to help”. “The alternative proposal strikes a balance between meeting the needs of one single company against the interests of the whole of the Northern Territory and its economy,” he said.

The proposal also required a 600km gas pipeline to be constructed, which would cost about $800 million. “What we need now is agreement from Pacific Aluminium and formal sign-off by the Prime Minister to support underwriting the pipeline and its construction,” Mr Giles said. The NT Government said the new plan could increase incentive for the commercial market to open new gas fields and meet Pacific Aluminium’s energy needs. Heavy fuel oil would act as a supplement until then.

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AUGUST 2013

GENERAL NEWS

New start for Timor Sea spill site Courtney Pearson PRODUCTION has begun at PTTEP’s Montara oil field in the Timor Sea – the site of its 2009 oil spill – following a rigorous transformation of management culture, operational capabilities and safety and environmental processes. The Montara project is 690km west of Darwin and includes the Skua, Swift and Swallow fields, an unmanned well head platform, four horizontal production wells and a gas re-injection well. At the beginning of June, hydrocarbons were introduced to the Montara Venture floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) facility – which can store 750,000 barrels of oil – and “steady production” was achieved 12 days later, the company reported. PTTEP Australasia (PTTEP AA) chief executive Ken Fitzpatrick said the well head platform, subsea equipment and tie-backs and FPSO facilities were going through a start-up and commissioning phase. “First oil at Montara is an exciting development for PTTEP AA,” Mr Fitzpatrick said. According to PTTEP, oil production at Montara would initially ramp up to 21,000bbls of oil per day and the project’s first offtake of oil was expected in August. Once a fourth production well is drilled, oil production from Montara is expected to reach a maximum rate of 35,000bbls/d. However, the project has not been without delays. A fourth production well was scheduled to be completed last year but will be postponed to the second half of this year, due to a lack of drill rig availability. “As with any project of this nature there have been delays caused by a range of factors outside of PTTEP AA’s control such as tropical cyclones,” Mr Fitzpatrick said. “We had two cyclones, Narelle and Rusty, during the 2012 to 2013 season.”

The Montara well head platform with work boat the Normand Clough and the Montara Venture floating production storage and offloading vessel in the Timor Sea

The Montara incident in 2009 saw 4750t of oil spill into the ocean due to the company’s failure to maintain and verify two well barriers; poor management of change control and a lack of staff competence were also found

to be contributing factors. Since 2009, PTTEP has undergone a number of steps to rectify company processes and prevent any future spills under the Montara Action Plan, which focusses on short, medium and long-term

actions to embed the lessons learned from the incident. The Montara oil field was discovered by BHP Petroleum in March 1988 and was initially deemed too small and remote for commercial development.

Energy major floats billion-dollar gas merge GAS and energy giant APA Group has proposed a merger with Adelaide-based gas distributor Envestra. APA is currently Envestra’s largest shareholder, with a 33 per cent interest, and has invested $230 million in the company since 2007. If the merger goes ahead, the combined group would be worth about $6.6 billion, placing it in Australia’s top 40 listed

companies. APA chairman Len Bleasel said the merger would benefit shareholders. “The combination of Envestra and APA is a logical next step in creating Australia’s pre-eminent energy infrastructure group with a diversified and integrated suite of assets,” he said. “Envestra’s 22,500km of natural gas distribution network, together with APA’s

extensive pipeline infrastructure, will form a unique footprint of natural gas infrastructure assets.” APA manages and operates Envestra’s gas distribution networks in South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and NSW under a long-term agreement that serves about 1.2 million customers. “APA’s involvement with Envestra’s business and assets puts it in the best position

to efficiently operate and sustainably grow the business,” Mr Bleasel said. The deal is subject to due diligence, finance approval and the unanimous recommendation of Envestra’s board of directors. APA has interests across Australia, including more than 14,000km of natural gas pipelines, gas storage facilities and a wind farm.

New guidelines to safely manage abandoned Queensland wells GAS emissions from abandoned exploration wells will be more safely managed under a set of new guidelines, the Queensland Government has announced. The introduction of the guidelines followed an incident last year at Kogan, when gas emissions from an abandoned coal exploration borehole on the Western Downs caught fire. The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) and the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) are looking over a draft agreement, which will be finalised at the end of August.

The Gasfields Commission and other stakeholder groups will then read through the agreement. Queensland Natural Resources and Mines minister Andrew Cripps said the guidelines would provide the industry with ways to deal with future gas emissions incidents. “The agreement will outline the means to access and remediate bores and will allow the government to authorise operators to remediate bores that pose a risk to the community or to employees,” Mr Cripps said. “We are also developing options for legislative amendments to provide

certainty so that all possible scenarios including other bore types can be dealt with and to clarify the rights and responsibilities of tenure holders to manage uncontrolled gas emissions on their tenures. “While these types of events are few and far between and the risk they pose is generally low, it is important that there are mechanisms in place to quickly resolve any situations that arise from legacy exploration bores.” The government completed its plan to inspect 250 CSG wells and 160 drilling rigs throughout the year at the end of June. The government unit charged with

monitoring the CSG industry exceeded the target and inspected 369 CSG wells, 154 drilling rigs and 29 pipelines. Mr Cripps said a major priority was also protecting groundwater resources. “We committed to check and measure standing water levels in 300 water bores annually and verify the accuracy of water data supplied by CSG companies,” he said. “To date, inspectors have conducted 181 water level measurements and made 52 analyses of water quality at water bores.” The number of petroleum and gas inspectors was increased to 28, to keep up with the CSG industry’s growth.

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AUGUST 2013

GENERAL NEWS

Power provider pays for law violations Courtney Pearson GAS and electricity provider AGL has brushed with the law for a second time this year, resulting in a fine from the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA). The company was ordered to pay $1000 for failing to publish monitoring data from its Rosalind Park gas plant, part of the Camden gas project about 60km southwest of Sydney. Under the ‘community right to know’ requirements of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, AGL

was required to obtain and publish emissions data from its three gas compression engines at Rosalind Park from an on-site continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS) and routine independent stack testing. EPA chief environmental regulator Mark Gifford said the requirements were in place to improve the public’s access to project information. “When EPA reviewed the AGL website on 6 June 2013, the last CEMS data was for the month of January 2013,” he said. “No CEMS data was published for the months of February, March and April 2013.”

The EPA requires a monthly summary to be published on the company’s website within 14 days of the data being collected. “Once notified, AGL immediately published the data,” Mr Gifford said. “The data indicates that emissions were not above the limits permitted by its Environmental Protection Licence.” The EPA also fined AGL $1500 in March this year for failing to maintain equipment at Rosalind Park, which caused nitrogen oxide emissions higher than the permitted limit; the company is still under investigation for not continuously monitoring the plant’s

nitrogen oxide emissions between 2009 and 2012. At the end of May, AGL announced that it had been fined $1.55 million for misleading tactics by some door-to-door salespeople. “This case demonstrates how difficult it is to control what salespeople do when they are at people’s premises,” AGL group general manager retail energy Stephen Mikkelsen said. “Even if a company puts significant training and compliance mechanisms in place, doorknocking remains a risky sales technique.”

Shutdowns spur drop in major’s revenue AN outage at one of Woodside Petroluem’s major oil fields contributed to a 6.9 per cent fall in revenue for the June quarter, the company’s most recent quarterly report revealed. Woodside made about $1.35 billion for the three months to June, compared to $1.45 billion in the first quarter and $1.43 billion for the same period last year. The Vincent floating production storage and offtake (FPSO) facility went offline for planned shipyard maintenance, which lowered oil volumes and resulted in lower average realised prices for the period, Woodside stated. June quarter production fell 8.6 per cent to 20 million barrels of oil equivalent, down from the first quarter’s 21.9mmboe, due to planned maintenance on the North West Shelf and Pluto projects and an unplanned Pluto LNG outage. Towards the beginning of July, Woodside announced that its production target was downgraded to between 85 and 89mmboe, from between 88 and 94mmboe, due to the unplanned shutdown of the Pluto LNG processing train and the refurbishment of the Vincent FPSO, which was expected to reach completion in October. Woodside stated that the “impairment cost for half-year 2013 is anticipated to be in the range of $120 million to $140 million” due to abandoning the Cimatti-Enfield tieback concept, FEED work on its Pluto expansion and a charge from its Neptune

Woodside Petroleum suffered a 6.9 per cent fall in revenue compared to last quarter due to outages at projects including Pluto LNG

field in the Gulf of Mexico. On the upside, Woodside revealed a

23 per cent increase in production during the first six months of 2013, compared to

the same period last year, boosted by the full half-year of production at Pluto.

Successful quarter boosts production plans SOUTH Australian-based oil and gas explorer Beach Energy is predicting a 16 per cent rise in production for the 2014 financial year after a period of successful exploration and development. Beach expects to produce between 8.7 and 9.3 million barrels of oil equivalent in the 2014 financial year due to continued exploration success and an increase in production from a number of

its projects. The company is the largest net oil producer in the Cooper Basin. For the year to 30 June, Beach produced 8mmboe — a 7 per cent increase from the previous year and a 23 per cent rise on the previous quarter’s 1.8mmboe. Furthermore, the company reported record quarterly revenue of $200 million.

Beach’s operations on the Western Flank of the Cooper Basin were credited as the main reason for the sudden rise in production. New oil flowlines on the Western Flank allowed Beach to produce more than 10,000 barrels per day for 12 days in the June quarter. Gas and condensate production at PEL 106B and a lower number of shutdowns

in the South Australian Cooper Basin joint venture facilities also contributed. Beach has reported plans to spend between $420 and $480 million this financial year, mainly on development in the Cooper Basin and unconventional exploration, due to “an expected improvement in operating cash flow”. Beach had cash reserves of $348 million at the end of June.

Suspected equipment sabotage under investigation at QCLNG Rachel Dally-Watkins AN investigation is underway on Queensland’s Curtis Island following the discovery of suspected sabotage at a Bechtel construction site. Bechtel Gladstone general manager Kevin Berg sent an email to Upstream Online

stating that workers at the Queensland Curtis LNG (QCLNG) project had discovered a number of chain block lifting devices that appeared to have been tampered with. Mr Berg said further investigation had prompted suspicions the equipment had been “intentionally damaged”. “A full inspection of the equipment across the site found further suspected tampering

had occurred on the same equipment," he said. Queensland Police reportedly inspected the site and would await the results of an investigation by Workplace Health and Safety before deciding if it was a police issue. “This act goes against our Bechtel Safety Absolutes and we will take immediate action to remove the person or persons responsible

from our projects,” Mr Berg said. “And if this is found to be the result of criminal or intentional actions, Bechtel will strongly support any action the regulators and the Queensland Police Service determine to be appropriate. “Bechtel is working closely with both organisations to fully investigate these incidents on site.”

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AUGUST 2013

GENERAL NEWS

Ancient organisms could stall Pilliga operations Courtney Pearson THEY may be just 1mm long, but a group of ancient organisms could put the brakes on Santos’ massive CSG operation in the NSW Pilliga State Forest. The presence of stygofauna could halt the company’s plans to drill 18 CSG wells in the Pilliga, as part of a $1 billion project to determine the commercial and technical viability of a gas project at the site. The miniscule creatures live deep in underground water systems, filtering and determining the quality of groundwater. Two unknown species were discovered underneath the project site by hydro-ecologist Dr Peter Serov, and new laws require Santos to prove the organisms would not be affected by the project. Dr Serov’s evidence comprised just one of 1800 submissions to the Federal Government criticising Santos’ plan. “These groundwater communities play a vital role in preserving water quality and many are very unique; many being restricted to only one aquifer and therefore occurring nowhere else in the world,” Dr Serov said. Santos was required to submit a Water Resources Assessment after Independent MP Tony Windsor made changes to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act towards the end of June. Mining and CSG companies can no longer continue with plans unless independent scientific advice determines they would not harm water resources. Dr Serov described Santos’ plans to start drilling by September as “completely unacceptable”. “This allows no time for scientific investigation, or examination of their

The stygofauna found in the Pilliga State Forest in NSW could complicate Santos’ plans to drill 18 CSG wells in the area

claims, by the Independent Scientific Committee,” he said. “Based on my research, the threat posed to stygofauna communities by proposed mining activities within the Pilliga forest area is considered to be high.” The organisms in question are vulnerable to groundwater changes and mining activities, as they have adapted to their environment during many years. However, Santos groundwater expert

Peter Hancock told the ABC they may not exist at the depth the CSG wells would be drilled. “The deeper coal seam aquifers are unlikely to have stygofauna in them,” he said. “It’s the shallow alluvial aquifers that are most unlikely to have them.” A Santos spokesperson told The Age that it would be possible to move forward with production without disturbing the

Photo - Peter Serov

stygofauna by carefully drilling through to reach gas without allowing them to be contaminated by drilling residue or other aquifers. The stygofauna challenge came on the back of mixed June quarter results for Santos, with a report revealing its 2013 production guidance had been downgraded by 1.5 million barrels of oil equivalent – despite a rise in sales revenue – due to operational problems and field decline.

New solar plant marks clean energy milestone Jaimee Conn THE launch of Australia’s largest concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar plant in Victoria has been described as a “seminal milestone” for the nation, and will be used to demonstrate the feasibility of utility-scale solar power generation. Built by Silex Systems subsidiary Solar Systems, the 1.5 megawatt solar plant in Mildura was designed to establish if ‘Dense Array’ CPV dish technology could reliably and cost-effectively produce electricity, before larger scale plants are built. The plant is currently connected to the national grid and will provide enough electricity to power up to 500 average sized homes,

while eliminating 4200t of carbon dioxide emissions each year. “The official opening of the Mildura solar demonstration facility is a seminal milestone for Australian clean energy and an outstanding showcase of Australian innovation,” Silex Systems managing director and chief executive Michael Goldsworthy said. “It is expected to demonstrate the economic feasibility of the company’s Dense Array CPV dish technology for utility-scale solar power generation at a time when governments around the world are considering solutions for a zero-emissions energy future.” CPV technology involves the use of curved mirrors in a series of dishes that

track the sun as it moves across the sky, concentrating light onto a super-efficient solar receiver. Mr Goldsworthy said the company’s long-term vision was to deploy the technology commercially within the burgeoning global utility-scale solar power station market. “As a country highly dependent on coal to supply our energy needs, solar can provide clean energy security for Australia into the future, provide secure, long-term green jobs and reduce our carbon emissions.” Plans to expand the solar plant’s power generation capacity to 100MW with about 2000 dishes are already underway, and once built, the expanded plant would be one of the largest CPV plants in the world.

Victorian Energy and Resources minister Nicholas Kotsiras said Mildura was the perfect place for major solar developments. “The Coalition government wants to see this potential realised so the local community can benefit from the jobs and investment, and all Victorians can benefit from new clean energy sources,” Mr Kotsiras said. The Coalition government granted $10 million towards the solar power project through its flagship Energy Technology Innovation Strategy, and may commit further funds subject to the pilot meeting stringent performance milestones. “This would see the development of a large scale solar plant in Mildura that could potentially power more than 35,000 households,” Mr Kotsiras said.

Cooper Basin explorer gains foundation customer for gas resource A breakout gas supply deal with Orica Australia will facilitate the evaluation and commercialisation of Strike Energy’s large prospective gas resource in the South Australian portion of the Cooper Basin, making Orica a foundation customer. The two companies entered into a binding term sheet for Strike to supply up to 150 petajoules of gas from its PEL 96 tenement for a 20-year period. Operated by Strike, with a 66.7 per cent interest, PEL 96 forms part of the company’s large Southern Cooper Basin gas project, which also includes PELs 94 and 95.

“This agreement has the potential to provide a future new source of gas supply to our Australian east coast manufacturing plants at an affordable price,” Orica Australia managing director and chief executive Ian Smith said. Orica is the largest provider of commercial explosives and blasting systems to the mining and infrastructure markets and, like Strike, it is listed on the ASX. To secure its gas offtake, Orica can elect to make gas pre-payments of up to $52.5 million as Strike achieves

appraisal and development milestones. Strike Energy managing director David Wrench said the agreement provided the company with the opportunity to unlock substantial value in its Southern Cooper Basin gas project. “’[The] announcement is a win-win for both parties, providing potential gas supply at an acceptable price for Orica while delivering to Strike a material contribution towards the appraisal and development of the project,” he said. As part of Orica’s project due diligence, leading petroleum industry consultancy DeGolyer and MacNaughton

was engaged to advise on both technical and commercial aspects. Development of the prospective gas resource in PEL 96, which is estimated to contain between 2.7 trillion cubic feet and 6.3tcf of net gas, has the potential to make the company a new independent Cooper Basin gas supplier. The Southern Cooper Basin gas project as a whole contains a prospective resource of between 6.3tcf and 16.4tcf of net gas in its primary coal source rock. Strike reported that it would begin field activities in PEL 96 during the current quarter.

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Scientific report lays ground rules for commercial production of Queensland UCG Courtney Pearson UNDERGROUND coal gasification (UCG) projects should not be given commercial approval until decommissioning has been proven during the pilot trial, the Independent Scientific Panel (ISP) has recommended. The ISP findings, which received the support of the Queensland Government, concluded that UCG “could, in principle, be conducted in a manner that is acceptable socially and environmentally safe when compared to a wide range of other existing resource-using activities” but commercial operations must first demonstrate decommissioning. Since the report’s release the Australian Syngas Association (ASA) publicised its support of the findings, which included case studies from ASA members Linc Energy and Carbon Energy. ASA president and Linc chief executive Peter Bond said the announcement brought the attention back to UCG. “UCG is already blossoming as an emerging energy platform in various countries around the world,” he said. Linc constructed the only UCG and gas to liquids demonstration facility in Chinchilla, Queensland and owns the world’s only commercial UCG operation in Uzbekistan which provides syngas to a local power station. The company has begun preparations to decommission a gasifier at Chinchilla, which Mr Bond described as “very straightforward”. Although Mr Bond said the company did not agree with some of the content in the report, he stated that the future of UCG was now much brighter and that there was “a definitive path forward for the UCG industry in Queensland”. Syngas can be used for industrial processes such as power generation and producing liquid fuels.

Linc Energy’s underground coal gasification and gas to liquids facility in Chinchilla, Queensland

Two power stations available following government asset sales ANOTHER state-owned electricity generator is up for grabs after NSW Treasurer Mike Baird called for expressions of interest for the Liddell and Bayswater power stations. Privatisation of the two coal-fired stations followed the recent sale of a string of assets such as Newcastle Port, Port Botany, Port Kembla, the Sydney desalination plant and Sydney Ferries. Liddell and Bayswater are owned by the

government’s Macquarie Generation and are between Singleton and Muswellbrook in the Upper Hunter Valley. Annually, Liddell produces 10,000 gigawatts of electricity while Bayswater produces about 16,000GW; together they provide 13 per cent of eastern Australia’s electricity needs. “Being located in the Hunter Valley, [the assets are] well-placed to meet... long-term fuel supply needs,” Mr Baird told AAP. However, the sale has not impressed

critics who believe it proves that the government plans to completely privatise electricity. Electrical Trades Union NSW secretary Steve Butler told AAP that the sale would be negative for the state. “NSW is becoming a poorer state thanks to the long list of asset sales that NSW Treasurer Mike Baird continues to preside over,” he said. “Once these assets and income streams

are sold to the private sector it generally results in higher charges for the general public, a loss of income for future governments and a smaller assets base to borrow against.” Last year Macquarie Generation delivered taxpayers a $124 million dividend, Mr Butler said. In addition to the sale of the plants, Mr Baird said two of the company’s development sites would also be offered.

Licence request for unconventional exploration in Tasmania Jaimee Conn GEOTHERMAL energy company Petratherm has applied for a petroleum exploration licence (PEL) onshore Tasmania to explore for unconventional shale oil and gas through its wholly-owned subsidiary PetraGas. The company’s decision was leveraged off its core areas of expertise, including basin geology and deep drilling, and its knowledge of the Australian electricity and gas markets. Covering 3900 square kilometres, the tenement application spans part of the petroleum-bearing Tasmania Basin, which is prospective for both conventional and unconventional oil and gas. “PetraGas will arrange to meet with

key stakeholders and the local community to ensure that a comprehensive two-way communication process is established from the outset,” the company stated. Petratherm’s initial geological assessment indicated shale oil and gas were the most prospective targets, with the primary areas of interest 50km north of Hobart. The licence straddles the Tasmanian Gas Pipeline, which runs between Hobart and eastern mainland Victoria, for potential access to major gas markets. The licence application is subject to public gazette and, if successful, may be granted within two to three months. “Once the licence has been granted, systematic desk-top source rock analysis will be undertaken as a first step to quantify potential hydrocarbon

volumes and to determine the potential for hydrocarbon recovery,” Petratherm stated. However, Tasmanian Greens mining spokesperson Paul O’Halloran has urged the state’s Resources minister to be cautious about granting the PEL, stating that the potential impacts of petroleum projects on arable farmland needed to be carefully assessed. “In Tasmania there is virtually nothing a landowner can do to prevent exploration and development of petroleum projects on their property, which can leave farmers in a powerless situation,” Mr O’Halloran said in a statement. “There is still very little detail in the company’s proposal regarding the possible impacts on productive farmland

from a large scale shale oil and gas project.” He said Petratherm had not indicated whether it planned to use controversial techniques such as hydraulic fracturing, also known as ‘fraccing’. “This is not about being anti-industry, it’s about supporting Tasmanian farmers and ensuring the security of the state’s rural industries and food supply,” Mr O’Halloran said. The onshore Tasmanian Basin contains mature potential source rocks, including Permian rock formations that have been targeted by limited conventional hydrocarbon exploration in the past, with some encouraging indicators. Petratherm is based in Adelaide, and has geothermal projects in Australia, Spain and China.

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Concerns rising for Channel Country rivers THE Queensland Government has ruled out open cut mining and capped water extraction in the Channel Country of western Queensland, as it pushes ahead plans to overturn the Wild Rivers Act 2005. Peak mining and agricultural groups have long to advocated for the relaxation of protections for the region’s river beds and floodplains, despite ongoing protests from environmental and indigenous groups. On 31 July, Queensland Natural Resources and Mines minister Andrew Cripps provided the first details of the management framework the Government intended to use in place of the Act. “Open-cut mining will not be allowed in the Channel Country and oil and gas development will be strictly controlled under strengthened conditions to be contained in the Environmental Protection Act,” Mr Cripps said in a statement. “This will mean proposed petroleum and gas developments will be subject to stronger environmental conditioning than in any other part of Queensland,” he said. “A special Channel Country Protection Area will be created which will protect a greater area of riverine channels and flood plains than the existing Wild Rivers legislation.” Mr Cripps labelled the Labor Government’s Wild Rivers legislation as “restrictive”, stating that his new framework would “strike a balance between protection of the environment and sustainable economic development”. Earlier in the month, Mr Cripps announced the results of a report by the Western Rivers Advisory Panel (WRAP) on the future management of the Georgina, Diamantina and Cooper Creek catchments. These catchments run into Lake Eyre and are currently protected under the Act, which aims to preserve the natural values of rivers that have all – or almost all – of their natural values intact, and provide for the preservation of the natural values of rivers in the Lake Eyre Basin. Debate around the Wild Rivers Act has been rampant since 2010 when Opposition Leader Tony Abbott announced a federal intervention into the state’s environmental

Concerns have been raised following the Queensland Government's decision to push ahead with plans to alter the Wild Rivers Act 2005, opening Western Queensland's Channel Country to CSG exploration Photo - Helen Commens

legislation, to overturn the Act. “The Newman Government has today ripped up protection for wild rivers in the Channel Country, opening up previously off-limits areas of western Queensland to oil and coal seam gas mining,” Australian Greens environment spokesperson Senator Larissa Waters said in a statement. “The wishes of traditional owners and local graziers have been ignored, with the Newman Government once again doing the bidding of the big mining companies, even though the Wild Rivers Advisory Panel recommended a total ban on mining in floodplains, major rivers, tributaries and lakes. “The Channel Country’s wild rivers, some of the last free-flowing rivers in the world, support floodplain grazing and have

significant cultural value for indigenous groups – they are no place for coal seam gas mining.” The Channel Country is a region of outback Australia that sits upon the Cooper and Eromanga Basins, mainly in Queensland but also in portions of South Australia, the Northern Territory and NSW. The land is criss-crossed with intertwined rivulets that cover 150,000 square kilometres. “Coal seam gas mining threatens these pristine, sacred rivers with masses of salty wastewater and through contamination and depletion of the groundwater these river systems connect with,” Ms Waters said. Prior to Mr Cripps’ announcement, Traditional Owner for Mithaka country near Windora George Gorringe told media he was concerned the Queensland Government

would push ahead with changes without proper consultation. “Wild River declarations protected the special parts of these rivers by setting aside a small area of the catchments and saying mining, gas and oil projects should not take place,” Mr Gorringe said. “We know these projects need to happen to provide jobs and money for Aboriginal people. “But under this new state government, we have a minister for Natural Resources and Mines who is looking to remove the Wild Rivers Declarations and in all likelihood put a much weaker level of protection in place.” Mr Cripps advised that he would continue to consider the findings of the WRAP report and finalise his recommendations by the end of the year.

Key deal increases stakes in Canning Basin leases Rachel Dally-Watkins A new sales agreement has Key Petroleum poised to acquire interest in two leases from Emerald Oil & Gas: a 24.98 per cent interest in Exploration Permit 104 (EP104) and a 14.17 per cent interest in Retention Lease 1 (RL1), both in WA’s Canning Basin. Key Petroleum currently holds 16.44 per cent interest in the leases, which are operated by Buru Energy and contain several identified development and exploration opportunities. The consideration for the sale is $50,000 plus 4 million ordinary, fully paid shares in Key Petroleum. The leases cover 800 square kilometres 20km northwest of Derby along the highly prospective Pinnacle Fault trend, which runs for about 225km along the northern edge of the Canning Basin. The land lies within the Lennard North Province, which is dominated by a regional dip to the southwest, interrupted by synthetic and antithetic faults bounding the Precambrian Kimberley Block to the north, setting up titled fault blocks and terraces in the deeper part of the section.

Low stand deltaic sands in the Lower Anderson Formation extend from the untested Stokes Bay-1 well to the Point Torment gas discovery in RL1 and southeast to West Lora-1 and Kora-1 in the adjoining L15 lease, in which Key Petroleum holds a 49 per cent interest. Key Petroleum reported that there was the potential for 150 billion cubic feet of gas-in-place trapped along the trend. Key Petroleum will use the information gathered through an airborne gravity gradiometry and magnetic survey to determine its exploration plans for the leases. West Head Lead in EP104 is interpreted to be a Devonian reef. The seismic data gathered for this lead will be reprocessed and remapped to determine if additional seismic data is required or whether the prospect can be drilled based on the available information. While the deal is subject to standard approval by the Department of Mines and Petroleum, Key Petroleum stated that neither company could foresee any reason that the transfer of interests would not be approved. Following the acquisition, Key Petroleum will hold 41.42 per cent interest in EP104 and 30.61 per cent interest in R1.

The EP104 and R1 leases in the Canning Basin contain several identified development and exploration opportunities

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Gulf of Mexico well catches fire after blowout Courtney Pearson A fire broke out on a shallow water drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico last month after a natural gas well ruptured. The rig, owned by Houston-based Hercules Offshore as a contractor for the Walter Oil and Gas Corporation, is 88.5km off the Louisiana coast in 47m of water. According to the US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), Walter Oil and Gas lost control of its A-3 well on an unmanned platform at South Timbalier Block 220 on 23 July, while undertaking completion work to prepare the well for production. The blowout forced the evacuation of 44 people. Nobody was on board when the fire broke out. The BSEE reported that supporting beams under the rig floor and derrick had collapsed but no oil was seen at the site. Hercules announced that the jackup rig was still standing but appeared to have sustained “extensive damage to the derrick package as a result of the continuing fire”. BSEE spokesperson Eileen Angelico told AAP that the exact cause of the fire was unknown. The US Coast Guard confirmed that the fire was decreased to a small flame after the leaking natural gas well was bridged over.

A Hercules jackup rig on fire 88.5km off the Louisiana coast

Funding explores clean energy through waste gas Rachel Dally-Watkins ONE of Australia’s largest ASX-listed clean energy companies has received a $75 million loan from Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), for investment in new projects designed to generate electricity from what would otherwise be waste gases from coal mining and landfill. Queensland based Energy Developments Limited (EDL) specialises in systems that capture waste coal mine and landfill gas and turn them into electricity. Waste coal mine gas is a reliable source of base-load power that can be used to substitute coal-fired power. “Fugitive emissions from coal mines and landfill are potent greenhouse gases and using them to generate electricity that would otherwise come from higher emissions sources creates environmental and economic efficiency benefits,” CEFC chief executive Oliver Yates said in a statement. The CEFC was established by the Australian Government to mobilise capital investment in renewable energy, low-emissions technology and energy efficiency in Australia. It aims to be financially self-sufficient within the first two years of its operations. The finance would be used to fund individual projects that meet the CEFC eligibility criteria to enable EDL to expand its clean energy and abatement projects and develop new opportunities in its core business areas of landfill gas, waste coal mine gas, mine vent air abatement and remote energy solutions. CEFC’s finance facility is also intended for use in funding remote generation solutions involving hybrid technologies that use renewable energy sources. This may require co-funding as these technologies are not yet commercial, but they do offer significant potential for low carbon energy solutions for remote communities and mining companies. EDL has already received $445 million from a syndicated loan facility provided by banks including Babson Capital Australia, Bank of America, ING, Investec, Macquarie,

For the next 25 years, Anglo American's metallurgical coal business will supply waste coal mine gas to Energy Developments Limited

NAB and UBS. “This additional finance on top of our bank loan facility means we can make faster progress on projects that take damaging greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere,” EDL managing director Greg Pritchard said. “The loan from CEFC will enable the faster implementation of new projects by EDL.” Mr Pritchard said the loan was on commercial terms consistent with EDL’s syndicated loan facility.

“The potential to help Australia achieve its targets for reduction in greenhouse gas emissions using this technology to abate waste methane from mining and landfills is significant,” he said. EDL has also entered an agreement that will see Anglo American’s metallurgical coal business continue to supply waste coal mine gas to its clean energy generation operations in the Bowen Basin for the next 25 years. EDL’s existing 45MW Moranbah North

power project has been operational since 2008, using waste coal mine gas from the existing Moranbah North coal mine. The long-term extension to the contract will also include supply from the new Grosvenor metallurgical coal mine, which is currently under construction. The agreement also provides the future opportunity for EDL to develop an 18MW expansion of its current 45 MW power project.

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Energy major expands portfolio with block offshore Darwin Courtney Pearson IN an effort to expand its Australian interests, Origin Energy has bought a stake in a project offshore Darwin. Origin entered into a farm-in agreement with MEO Australia for a 50 per cent interest in the WA-454-P permit and will become the operator of

the project. The company will reimburse 80 per cent of the costs paid by MEO in two $2.8 million instalments and will pay for 80 per cent of the exploration costs for drilling a well on the Breakwater prospect, which was capped at $35 million. MEO chief executive and managing director Jürgen Hendrich said the

prospect was expected to be rich in resources. “MEO considers the Breakwater prospect has the potential to host significant gas and possibly liquids resources which, in the event of exploration success, would readily feed into a growing regional gas market,” he said. The Breakwater prospect was estimated to contain recoverable

resources of 750 billion square cubic feet of gas and 13 million stock tank barrels of condensate. The WA-454-P permit was awarded to MEO in 2011 and 3D seismic was acquired in 2012. Origin has assets across Australia and New Zealand, while MEO is focussed on operations off the coast of northern Australia and up to Thailand.

Oil revenues hit record high with Saudi Arabia in top spot Jaimee Conn EXPORT oil earnings from members of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) reached a near four-decade high last year of US$982 billion according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). The figure represented a 5 per cent increase on the previous year’s earnings, and was the highest amount recorded since the EIA began tracking OPEC oil revenue in 1975. Iran was excluded from the analysis

due to the difficulties associated with estimating its earnings, including its inability to receive payments and possible price discounts it offered its existing customers. This was a direct result of sanctions imposed by the US and European Union (EU) to target Iran’s oil and gas export industry following allegations it was pursuing “non-civilian objectives” in its nuclear energy program, the EIA stated. Once the third largest exporter of crude oil in the world, Iran’s exports have dropped dramatically since a ban on the import, purchase and transport of Iranian

crude oil and natural gas by EU countries came into force last year. With US$311 billion, Saudi Arabia accounted for the largest share of the OPEC revenues, equating to 32 per cent of the 2012 total. However, demand for its oil may soon be affected in the wake of the US shale boom; the country recently hit its highest level of crude production since 1992. Saudi Arabia is currently the second largest exporter of crude oil to the US, behind Canada. The United Arab Emirates came in second with US$100 billion, and Ecuador

with the least at US$10 million. Based on projections from its July 2013 Short Term Energy Outlook, the EIA estimated that net oil export revenues for OPEC members (excluding Iran) would drop to about US$940 billion this year and US$903 in 2014, in nominal terms. OPEC was formed in 1960 with the purpose of coordinating and unifying the petroleum policies of its member countries and ensure the stabilisation of oil markets. OPEC has 12 member countries: six in the Middle East, four in Africa and two in South America.

Study shows well water contamination highest near natural gas drilling Rachel Dally-Watkins ELEVATED levels of heavy metals have been discovered near natural gas extraction sites in the Barnett Shale area of North Texas, according to a report from the University of Texas, Arlington. The study, An evaluation of water quality in private drinking water wells near natural gas extraction sites in the Barnett Shale Formation by Brian Fontenot and Kevin Shug et al, tested 100 private water wells of varying depths during a four month period in 2011 to evaluate the levels of potential contaminants. Arsenic, selenium, strontium and total dissolved solids were found to exceed the Environmental Protection Agency’s Drinking Water Maximum Contaminant Limit (MCL) in some samples from private water wells located within 3km of active natural gas wells. The paper noted that many of the heavy metals occurred naturally at low levels in groundwater, but suggested that disturbances from natural gas extraction activities could cause them to occur at elevated levels. “Arsenic concentrations in active extraction areas ranged from 2.2 [to] 161.2 [microgram per litre], with an average of 12.6 µg/L,” the report stated. “The maximum concentration of arsenic detected in a sample from an active extraction area was almost 18 times higher than both the maximum concentration among the non-active/ reference area samples and historical levels from this region. “Notably, 29 of 90 water wells in active extraction areas exceeded EPA’s arsenic MCL for drinking water of 10 µg/L.” The study concluded that the highest concentrations of arsenic, selenium, strontium, barium and TDS were found in areas of active extraction in close proximity to natural gas wells. “Samples that exceeded the MCL for TDS, arsenic, and selenium were located an average of 1.1km from the nearest natural gas well. Similarly, the highest values for both strontium and barium

Brian Fontenot and Kevin Shug at the University of Texas, Arlington

were over twice as high in areas less than 2km from the nearest natural gas well compared to more distant gas wells,” the report stated. Methanol and ethanol were also detected in 29 per cent of samples. In a statement, lead author Brian Fontenot explained that although the study couldn’t “conclusively identify the exact causes of elevated levels of contaminants in areas near natural gas drilling”, it did “provide a powerful argument for continued research”. “We expect this to be the first of multiple projects that will ultimately help the scientific community, the

natural gas industry, and most importantly, the public, understand the effects of natural gas drilling on water quality,” he said. The Barnett Shale is a geological formation in the Bend Arch-Fort Worth Basin, underlying 17 counties and the city of Fort Worth. It is a tight gas reservoir that is not amenable to conventional mining. Recent improvements in hydraulic fracturing technology and horizontal drilling have rendered the shale viable for the production of commercial quantities. An abstract of the study concluded that “the spatial patterns in ... data suggest

that elevated constituent levels could be due to a variety of factors including mobilisation of natural constituents, hydrogeochemical changes from lowering of the water table, or industrial accidents such as faulty gas well casings”; however the authors said that “not all gas well sites were associated with higher levels of the metals in well water”. The researchers accepted no outside funding to ensure the integrity of the research. The team is now turning its attention to the Permian basin in West Texas, where it will establish a baseline set of data prior to gas well drilling activities there.

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Documentary questions Australia’s energy future Rachel Dally-Watkins AUSTRALIAN entrepreneur, businessman, aviator and political activist Dick Smith has added filmmaker to his list of credentials with the release of his new documentary Ten Bucks a Litre. A self-proclaimed fossil fuel addict and one of the country’s largest individual energy users, Mr Smith spent a year investigating the potential consequences of Australia’s energy consumption. “With Australia sourcing more than 80 per cent of its crude oil needs from overseas, I believe we must be one of the world’s most vulnerable economies when it comes to fuel security,” Mr Smith said in a statement. “Australia’s economy could grind to a halt in a matter of days if there was a major disruption to the world’s energy markets. “Our governments have been incredibly slack when it comes to ensuring Australia has an effective stockpile of liquid fuels. Our hospitals and emergency services would last less than a week if there is a serious problem with Singapore’s oil refineries.” In Ten Bucks a Litre, which aired on ABC1 on 1 August, Mr Smith travelled around the nation trying to make sense of the complex subject. “I’m worried that we are not being realistic about our growing energy needs or taking the right steps to prepare for the future when the world will become increasingly desperate for power,” he said. “I’m certain the era of cheap energy, which has built the modern economy, is over. What comes next? We don't know, but it is bound to be much more expensive.” This expense is one of the key focusses of the documentary, which speculates that because Australia is the world’s biggest coal exporter – and will soon be

The documentary Ten Bucks a Litre explores the complex issue of energy consumption

the world’s biggest gas exporter (and therefore an “energy super-power, bigger even than Saudi Arabia”) – domestic supplies are likely to dwindle causing not only increased prices but shortages within the Australian market. “There is the very real chance that NSW, for instance, could face severe gas

shortages as soon as 2015,” Mr Smith said. He also explores alternative energy options such as nuclear, solar-thermal and biofuel from waste products. “We need to be bold if we are to become a world leader in alternative energy for the future,” he said. “I believe Australia has some

tremendous opportunities to build a sustainable energy future, but we just aren’t making the right decisions. None of our options will bring cheaper energy, I’m afraid, but putting off the hard decisions will only make things worse. “I hope energy will be debated properly in the coming election—but I doubt it.”

Purchased power stations could cut company costs Courtney Pearson ONE of Australia’s biggest energy companies, EnergyAustralia, has acquired two coal-fired power stations from state-owned Delta Electricity near Lithgow in NSW. EnergyAustralia bought the Mount Piper (1400 megawatt) and Wallerawang (1000MW) power stations from Delta for $160 million as a strategic financial move.

Since 2011, the company has been under the Delta Western GenTrader Agreements with state-owned Delta Electricity. EnergyAustralia managing director Richard McIndoe said the purchase of the power stations would allow the company to manage the plants more flexibly while removing the high costs associated with the agreement. “The GenTrader Agreements gave EnergyAustralia the right to trade the output

from the Mount Piper and Wallerawang power stations, necessary at that time to maintain a balanced market position with the related acquisition of a significant customer base,” he said. In addition to ceasing the high cost fixed contract commitments, he said EnergyAustralia would have unrestricted access to the full 2400MW capacity of the plants. “We will then be able to run these assets

in the way we manage our entire portfolio – flexibly managing capital and operating expenditure in keeping with market performance and business priorities,” Mr McIndoe said. EnergyAustralia said jobs and electricity and gas costs would not be affected by the purchase. The completion date for the deal is 2 September and it is not subject to any approvals, according to a company statement.

Gas discovery offshore WA as US assets are sold Jaimee Conn US-based Apache Corporation has discovered gas at its subsidiary-operated Bianchi-1 well in the Carnarvon Basin, offshore WA. Drilled to a depth of 5400m using the Ocean America semi-submersible deepwater drilling rig in Retention Lease WA-49-R, Bianchi-1 encountered 112m of net natural gas pay in eight reservoir zones between 4748m and 5343m. The well adds to Apache’s exploration success in the region following its Zola gas discovery in 2011, just 6km southwest of Bianchi-1. Data from the wells – along with Apache’s Olympus gas discovery drilled in an adjacent permit earlier this year – provides the company with critical insights into the area’s hydrocarbon distribution. "Bianchi is an important well for Apache, providing further understanding

of the development options with the greater Zola area," Apache managing director for Australia Faron Thibodeaux said. “Evaluation of these recent discoveries is at an early stage and is being undertaken to assess potential commercial opportunities.” Bianchi-1 is part of Apache's ongoing exploration program across the Carnarvon Basin. During 2013, the company plans to invest about US$1.9 billion for drilling, recompletion, development, and production enhancement projects, as well as equipment upgrades and seismic acquisitions. Bianchi-1 is owned between Apache, as the operator, Santos, OMV Australia, JX Nippon and Tap Oil. Apache has interests in more than 31,000 square kilometres of acreage offshore northwest Australia, including exploration permits and production licenses. Overseas, the company has just agreed to sell its Gulf of Mexico Shelf operations and properties to Fieldwood Energy, a Texas-based portfolio company, for

US$3.75 billion. Fieldwood will assume asset retirement obligations for the properties, which Apache estimated had a discounted value of about US$1.5 billion. Apache will retain 50 per cent of its ownership interest in all exploration blocks and in horizons below production in developed blocks, where high-potential deep hydrocarbon plays are being tested. Apache chairman and chief executive G. Steven Farris said the transaction was an important step towards rebalancing the company’s portfolio. “Apache has had a great run on the Gulf of Mexico Shelf over the last 30 years, and the Shelf region and staff have played a vital role in making Apache the company it is today. As our company has evolved, however, so have our investment priorities,” Mr Farris said. “Since 2010 we have increased our focus in North America on capturing and developing a deep inventory of onshore

assets, where we have been generating exceptional production growth at attractive rates of return. “The shallower horizons in the Shelf have matured to the point that dependable production growth is more difficult to achieve than from our onshore liquids plays. “We remain excited about the potential associated with the emerging plays under existing salt domes, which is why we retained 50 percent of the deep rights on 406 blocks held by production and 50 percent of all rights in 146 primary term blocks.” Apache’s Shelf portfolio comprises more than 500 blocks covering 1.9 million net acres and 2013 year-end estimated proved reserves of 133 million barrels of oil and natural gas liquids, and 636 billion cubic feet of natural gas. The sale is subject to approvals and conditions, and is expected to close by the end of September.

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European wind potential reaching greater depths Jaimee Conn DEEPWATER wind turbines are key to unlocking “massive” energy potential in Europe’s Atlantic and Mediterranean Seas, a new report from the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) has revealed. The report found that floating turbines in the deepest parts of the North Sea could meet the European Union’s electricity consumption four times over. “To allow this sector to realise its potential and deliver major benefits for Europe, a clear and stable legislative framework for after 2020 – based on a binding 2030 renewable energy target – is vital,” EWEA head of policy analysis Jacopo Moccia said. The report found that offshore wind in Europe could supply 145 million households with renewable electricity and employ 318,000 people by 2030, while providing energy security, technology exports and zero greenhouse gas emissions. “This must be backed by an industrial strategy for offshore wind including support for research and development,” Mr Moccia said. The report stipulated that the technology was cost-competitive with standard fixed-bottom offshore turbines from water depths of 50m. More than 65 per cent of the North Sea is between 50m and 220m deep, making it an ideal location to deploy deepwater wind turbine designs. The EWEA stated that if the requirements were met, the first full-scale deep offshore wind farms could be producing power by 2017. Two floating wind turbines, Hywind and WindFloat, in the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean respectively, currently supply electricity to Europe.

An illustration of a floating wind turbine concept designed by Swedish company Hexicon

“The European seas and oceans offer considerable and untapped economical potential. Nevertheless, they also pose a formidable policy challenge to decision

makers,” Maritime Affairs and Fisheries European Commissioner Maria Damanaki said in the report. “Offshore wind plays a key role in the

maritime economy. “It is an emerging and booming industry, ready to renew the industrial fabric of our region and create jobs.”

Major oil and gas acquisitions for lab services group Jaimee Conn LABORATORY testing services company ALS is set to acquire UK-based Reservoir Group for $579 million following extensive due diligence completed as part of an exclusive sale process. With major hub operations in Aberdeen, Dubai, Houston and Edmonton, Canada, Reservoir Group is a global provider of oil and gas services and equipment that assist with the evaluation, development and optimisation of oil and gas discoveries. The company’s existing senior management team has committed to continue in the business, and will roll over 50 per cent of their equity in Reservoir Group into ALS shares. This will result in senior management having a 1.5 per cent pro forma shareholding in ALS. Multi-year conditional escrow arrangements have been fixed for the two largest management shareholders, and key members of Reservoir Group’s senior management have agreed on retention bonuses. ALS managing director and chief executive Greg Kilmister said Reservoir Group held a leading position in the global coring market, and was the principal surface logging provider in North America. “The acquisition will considerably broaden our capabilities in upstream oil and gas and will strongly complement

our existing laboratory services,” Mr Kilmister said. “Reservoir provides a portfolio of eight distinct diversified technical services to the global oil and gas markets, for both conventional and unconventional resources. “The missing piece to Reservoir’s service offering is a strong capability in laboratory services; ALS brings that capability to the services suite and the combined businesses will provide a compelling offering.” Mr Kilmister said ALS intended to build at least three strategically placed oil and gas hub laboratories. Separately, ALS has agreed to buy Earth Data — an Australian-based provider of gas sampling and analysis services to the country’s oil and gas industry — for $18 million;. Earth Data also provides safety monitoring, sampling and analysis for fugitive emissions to Australian coal mines, and operates laboratories in Brisbane and the Hunter Valley. The completion of both acquisitions was subject to limited conditions precedent, and expected to close in early August. ALS estimates an underlying net profit after tax between $95 million and $105 million for the half year ending September 30, following the acquisitions: a mid-point decrease of 26 per cent on the record underlying net profit after tax reported in the first half of the 2013 fiscal year.

Testing services provider ALS is set to acquire UK-based Reservoir Group for $579 million

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PROMOTION Liberty Industrial


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SPECIAL FEATURE Queensland Gas Conference & Exhibition 2013

Conference to explore future of Queensland gas sector Courtney Pearson THE number of delegates and visitors to the Queensland Gas Conference and Exhibition (QGCE) has grown by 40 per cent since the inaugural event in 2011 and organisers say they see no signs of its popularity slowing. Queensland is home to 98 per cent of Australia’s proven CSG reserves, as well as large-scale projects such as Queensland Curtis Island LNG, Australia Pacific LNG and Arrow LNG. Proposed projects could increase gross state product by more than $3 billion. QGCE works to bring exploration and extraction experts together as Queensland’s resources industry continues to expand. Focussed heavily on the LNG and CSG sector, this year’s exhibition will showcase the latest technology and provide a platform for networking, while the two-day conference program will outline the latest challenges and the future of the gas industry. Furthermore, a series of free all-access workshops on the exhibition floor will delve into key areas such as drilling, field safety, environmental issues and technological advancements. “In the first year QGCE was establishing itself as a niche, conference-led industry event with a key focus on exploration and extraction,” QGCE exhibition director Paul Baker said. “Last year the focus was on regulatory hurdles, water issues and financing projects. “This year, as the LNG projects gradually shift into operational and maintenance phases, we are seeing a new set of challenges and regulations that the industry must address, so QGCE 2013 has developed and evolved to provide the insight and intelligence to

The 2012 Queensland Gas Conference and Exhibition buzzed with activity

help the industry move forward.” Mr Baker said that organising the QGCE was all about understanding what the industry needed to discuss. “With Queensland’s CSG-LNG industry on the cusp of moving into [its] full-scale production and export phase, we will continue to modify the content to meet our customers’ needs to maintain relevance, and in order to further cement QGCE as Queensland’s definitive annual

CSG-LNG industry showcase,” he said. Addressing the issues in 2013 The ongoing development of the gas industry brings a range of issues to tackle, such as safety and political policies. The first two QGCEs taught organiser Reed Exhibitions what the industry wanted and needed from a conference and exhibition, Mr Baker said. “From dodging protestors in the

The Queensland Gas Conference and Exhibition is a good place for businesses to explore development opportunities

first year to gaining the support of key professional bodies such as the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) and Women in Mining and Resources Queensland (WIMARQ) this year, the event has come a long way,” he said. “QGCE 2013 will offer visitors, delegates and also exhibitors the most concentrated audience of local CSG-LNG professionals with whom to do business, network and learn from.” The way in which companies increase production, recovery rates and cost efficiencies, improve safety and monitoring and run smoothly are key issues in the industry marketplace. According to Reed Exhibitions, QGCE 2013 delegates will be offered a snapshot of what is affecting the sector, and ideas for how to solve the problems being raised in the CSG and LNG industries. Mr Baker said environmental issues were one of the conference’s top priorities. “With the amendment to the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 in June this year, there were a number of moves that pushed environmental issues around CSG into the spotlight,” he said. “This has added further layers of compliance in which companies along the CSG-LNG supply chain will be looking at integrating into their current operational process. “With a direct impact on ground and surface water flows we wanted to ensure this was adequately covered in QGCE’s conference program from both a policy and technical viewpoint.” Safety in the industry is paramount to smooth operation, and will be a prominent conference topic this year. The Welding Technology Institute of Australia (WTIA) has partnered with QGCE to promote key processes and techniques to ensure safe asset integrity management in the WTIA Reliability and Integrity stream that will take place on the conference’s last day. Additionally, the nationwide skills shortage in the oil and gas industry will be represented by a number of



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SPECIAL FEATURE Queensland Gas Conference & Exhibition 2013 recruitment agencies. A recent report by the Australian Human Rights Commission revealed that just 15 per cent of total employees in the mining and oil and gas industries were women. In an attempt to bring the lack of women in the resources sector to the industry’s forefront, QGCE’s Women in Resources Action Plan will aim to make a difference by attracting and retaining women in the minerals and energy sectors. The Women in Engineering forum and Inspire Convention will take place on the first day of the conference. Inspire will include high profile speakers, a panel session and a cocktail function. The annual Women Engineering Queensland forum, on the last day of the conference, will bring together women studying engineering in Queensland universities. Mr Baker said the conference would be the “biggest and most comprehensive” event for the state’s CSG-LNG sector, showcasing the latest technology, trends and solutions. (continued on page 30)

The Queensland Gas Conference and Exhibition is rife with networking opportunities

PVC pipes a cost-effective and sustainable option for CSG wells COAL seam gas production is a water-hungry business: millions of gigalitres of water are brought to the surface during the process, and removed from the coal seam to allow gas to be extracted. Conservative estimates suggest that

CSG wells could draw 300GL of water from the ground each year, from about 40,000 CSG wells estimated for Australia. Once the water is brought to the surface, it needs to be transferred via a vast network of underground water pipes to large feed ponds on mining tenements.

According to Australian Vinyls Corporation, large diameter PVC pipes are the most cost-effective pipes for transporting underground water from gas fields to water treatment plants, often more than 50km away, and back to the environment after treatment.

PVC pipes offer cost reductions of as much as 20 per cent, compared to polyethylene pipes. PVC pipes are available in sizes from 500mm to 800mm and are the best performing, most sustainable and safest option for water infrastructure.

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Conference to explore future of Queensland gas sector (continued from page 29)

Exhibition If numbers are anything to go by, QGCE continues to grow in significance; last year more than 1000 people visited the exhibition alone, compared to 725 the previous year. In 2012, major companies such as Arrow Energy, ExxonMobil and Origin Energy attended the event and so far this year confirmed exhibitors include Atlas Copco, Marine Equipment International and Olympus Australia. “From suppliers of computer systems and software, to remote communications, drilling equipment, environmental consultancies, pipeline technology, safety and emergency response through to recruitment, liquefaction technology and of course process equipment and engineering, QGCE has every angle covered,” Mr Baker said. The event’s all-access workshops are free to attend and are on the exhibition floor. Backed by companies including Arrow Energy and Smartrak, the workshops are set to focus on aspects on the industry such as drilling, environmental issues facing the CSG and LNG sectors, laser scanning and emerging technologies, which will allow delegates an insight into industry-wide issues and new technologies, in addition to providing a networking session for the entire CSG and LNG supply chain. Mr Baker said the workshops were a good alternative for those spending less time at the event. “We have done this in response to industry demand; visitors can be time-poor and unable to commit to attending the full two-day conference, so these technical workshops have been developed to engage the sector in a short but effective format, giving a condensed version of some of the topics discussed at the conference,” he said. Conference It is an exciting time for CSG and LNG throughout Australia, particularly in Queensland, but the path to success for major projects is fraught with new problems and regulations that need to be addressed. The QGCE conference aims to do just that: across the two-day conference program, each session is tailored to look at new issues.

A product on display

Networking at the exhibition allows delegates to catch up with industry peers

The program begins with Gas Field of the Future, a panel discussion that looks into the digital age of oil and gas and how intelligent operations can improve field development and efficiency. This will be led by speakers from Honeywell Process Solutions, Santos and Schneider Electric. Following the first discussion, the day’s proceedings will include sessions on the environment, safety, produced water and brine management. “Safety management plays a greater role in this year’s program,” Mr Baker said.

“With projects now entering the next phase of development, operational efficiency and maintenance plays a big role in getting projects to their final stage. “The conference and technical workshops will showcase safety management throughout each stage of this critical phase, from drilling and completions to production.” Safety management will continue through to the second day of the conference with the WTIA Reliability and Integrity conference stream. The second day of the conference will also focus on community engagement and

managing relationships. “From partnership models to community project initiatives, there will be a number of topics looking at the main delivery requirements along with plenty of in depth discussion which will provide delegates with valuable insights and ideas,” Mr Baker said. “In partnership with the QGCE Conference, these… events will provide a content-rich experience that delivers educational, networking and supplier engagement opportunities for professionals at all levels within Queensland’s resources sector.”

Technical innovation on display at the Queensland Gas Conference and Exhibition 2012



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Flame-resistant clothing crucial for high risk workplaces IT is incredible to think that an item of workwear could be the difference between life and death, but that is the reality in many work situations. Every day, workers across industries such as oil and gas and mining put themselves at risk simply by not wearing the correct clothing to work. Flame-resistant workwear from the

Flamebuster range from NCC Apparel provides essential thermal protection to guard against moments of exposure. After the source of ignition is removed, flame-resistant clothing will self-extinguish, limiting the potential of a serious or fatal burn. Regardless of the specific risk environment, the Flamebuster range can

provide customised protective garments to suit. With vast experience in both design and manufacturing, the company can create customised garments for unique requirements, allowing clients to rest assured that workers will enjoy the highest level of protection and comfort from fabrics that represent global best practice.

The Flamebuster range is as affordable as it is safe, which shows that the life of a worker is beyond price. NCC Apparel’s garments not only protect the worker in the event of a mishap but protect the customer’s competitive advantage on price, demonstrating that the Flamebuster range is a crucial and sensible investment.

Integrated GPS solutions for the energy and services sectors AUSTRALASIA’S leading provider of GPS solutions, Smartrak can help operators to exceed CSG Logistics Safety Code of Practice requirements, minimise emergency response times and avoid budget blowouts – crucial in today’s market. Front line police, fire and emergency

services workers rely on Smartrak solutions 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and first responders are now protecting their people in the oil and gas sector in a faster, more accurate manner. Combining fixed and mobile assets, ‘jobs on your map’ and user defined reporting creates a completely

integrated solution for the energy and services sectors. Critical in today’s challenging market conditions, Smartrak’s fleet management services streamline asset performance, whether in or out of cellular or radio coverage areas. Satellite integration provides total

visibility and transparency of staff, contractors and subcontractors on smartphones, tablets, or browsers anywhere, anytime. Field and operations teams can confidently make informed decisions knowing health and safety is their company’s highest priority.

Proven coatings technologies offering long term performance A global leader in protective coating solutions for the oil and gas industry, International Paint forms part of market driven, technology based coatings and chemicals company AkzoNobel. With more than 35 years of experience supplying protective coatings and Chartek fire protection to the oil and gas market, International Paint was deemed to be the perfect coatings partner for AkzoNobel.

International Paint’s protective coatings and fire protection products are designed for use in some of the world’s most severe environments, and are utilised across the world. Corrosion under insulation is just one area in which International Paint is able to offer market leading technology solutions. One of its most popular products is its highly durable Interzone

coatings range. Focussed research and development programs have delivered proven coatings technologies, which are easy to apply and provide long term in-service performance. International Paint’s coatings technologies provide effective coatings specifications that are tailored to meet diverse project environments and long term project needs.

Supported by a global network of supply, manufacturing and technical services, International Paint is able to offer a complete coatings solution, no matter how big or small a project is. International Paint’s highly acclaimed and trademarked Interplan service delivers a detailed corrosion assessment and work program prioritisation system for protective coatings maintenance.

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Queensland Gas Conference & Exhibition Program Day One: Tuesday, 10 September

Day Two: Wednesday, 11 September

Conference Hall

Conference Hall

8:15 – 8:45 Registration

8:30 Registration

8:40 – 9:00 Keynote introductory session

9:00 – 9:40 Delivering Supply – Contacting and Supply Chain Models Into the Next Phase of Development – Economic Planning and Projections for the Gas Supply Chain

9:00 – 9:50 Becoming Digital The Gas Field of the Future – Making the CSG – LNG Supply Chain Intelligent 9:50 – 10:20 Networking morning tea 10:20 – 11:00 Environmental Compliance and Safety Excellence Evaluating the Extra Layers of Environmental Policy on CSG Development 11:00 – 11:40 Environmental Management: The Benefits of Early Investment in Studies when Negotiating with the Regulators and Liaising with the Community 11:40 – 12:20 Achieving Safety Excellence Delivering Safety Excellence through Asset Integrity Management Approaches 12:20 – 1:20 Networking lunch 1:20 – 2:00 Devising Leaner Drilling and Completion Practices that are Environmentally Sound and Deliver the Required Results 2:00 – 2:40 A Step Change in Emergency Management – Minimising the Impact of Emergencies in High Risk Environments 2:40 – 3:20 Networking afternoon tea 3:20 – 4:30 Produced Water and Brine Management The Latest Developments in Produced Water Management, Salt Management and Optimisation, with abstracts: - The Challenge of Salt Management in the CSG Industry - Co-Produced Water Treatment and Brine Management

4:30 – 5:00 Discussion Session: Discussing the Greater Tie Between Safety Management and Technology 5:00 Chairman’s closing remarks End of Day One and networking drinks

All Access Workshops Exhibition Floor 9:40 – 11:40 Introduction into Drilling: Basic Drilling, Completion and Operations for Non-Specialists 11:00 – 11:40 Real-time Geographical Visibility and Intelligent Information for Productive Field Safety from Anywhere 1:20 – 2:00 Exploring the Main Environmental Issues Facing the CSG and LNG Industries 2:40 – 3:20 Spotlight Session: Speed Networking Session 3:20 – 3:50 Emerging Technologies within HSSE

Co-Located Conference Sessions 1:00 – 5:00 Inspire Convention

9:40 – 10:20 Delving into Alternative Contracting and Partnership Models for Successful Collaboration Between all Stakeholders 10:20 – 10:50 Networking morning tea 10:50 – 11:30 Planning Under Uncertainty for Integrated Supply Chains – Improved Decision Making for CSG to LNG Projects 11:30 – 12:10 Micro LNG: Looking at LNG as a Key Transition Fuel for the Australian Resource Sector 12:10 – 1:10 Networking lunch 1:10 – 2:00 Engaging the Community at the Local Level Creating Better Linkages with the Community and Engaging Their Support and Involvement 2:00 – 2:40 Devising Frameworks for Local Industry Participation and Engagement that Deliver Value 2:40 – 3:10 Networking afternoon tea 3:10 – 3:50 Training and Development Needs for the Industry – Addressing the Real Issues 3:50 – 5:00 Roundtable Thinking: Workers, Community and the Critical Issues Key issues include: - FIFO Workers: Supporting and Exploring Health Strategies to Support Workers - Attracting Women into the Industry - Engagement, Communication and Recruitment through the Community

4:10 Chairman’s closing remarks 4:20 End of conference

All Access Workshops Exhibition Floor 10:20 – 11:00 Monitoring Well Performance through Laser Scanning 1:15 – 4:10 WTIA Reliability and Integrity Conference Track 4:20 End of conference

Co-Located Conference Session 9:00 – 1:00 Women Engineering Queensland

REGISTRATION The Queensland Gas Conference and Exhibition will take place at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre between 10 and 11 September. To register or for more information visit www.queenslandgasconference.com.au



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Australia-wide power solutions, service and support WITH an impressive national fleet of Cat rental power generators, air compressors and temperature control units, Energy Power Systems Australia is on hand to provide effective power solutions for businesses of all sizes. Customers are able to rent for a day or for extended periods as necessary, and can expect a quick response anywhere in Australia with solutions, service and

support available every day of the year. Cat Rental Power’s network of offices across Australia and PNG delivers technically superior Cat power with unmatched engineering support, technical advice and after sales support. The team possesses expertise in planned maintenance, shutdowns, emergency breakdowns, seasonal demand peaks and dealing with the summer heat.

Clients can rely on the latest technologies and products every time, with no maintenance or storage costs, and enjoy 24/7 support. Cat Rental Power has power generators available for hire to suit any business or workspace need, and offers the latest cutting-edge technology in power generation. Temperature control is crucial for the

productivity, efficiency and safety of a workplace, so it is important to make sure that a business is equipped with reliable process cooling equipment. Whatever a client’s use or environment, Cat Rental Power has air compressors that can cater to almost any pressure and air flow, providing an optimum working environment for efficiency, safety and performance.

Busy year proves expertise of marine drilling and sampling company DURING the last 12 months, J&S Drilling has completed a number of marine drilling and sampling investigations within Gladstone Harbour for clients involved in dredging programs, infrastructure and port expansion projects. The latest edition to the company’s fleet, the jackup barge Ocean Driller II, was used to recover PQ3 core samples and SPT data for technical evaluation.

Ocean Driller II is in the Port of Gladstone. A purpose-built geotechnical sampling platform, it is capable of drilling in water depths to 27m. Its facilities include an air-conditioned sample preparation room, crib room, ablutions area, state-of-the-art staff access/egress and core transfer systems. Similar marine sampling projects have been recently completed for jetties,

wharves, ship-loading facilities and marina developments in Darwin Harbour, Port Hedland and Anketell Point in WA. J&S Drilling is regularly audited by external companies and consistently surpasses client expectations with its project documentation, health, safety and environment and quality management systems. The company’s staff qualifications

include nationally recognised Class 1, 2 and 3 driller water well licenses, certificates of competencies in equipment operation and supervision, occupational health and safety and business management diplomas. With bases established in Perth, Darwin and Queensland, J&S Drilling is well placed to satisfy client requirements throughout Australia.

Compressors designed to perform in the most demanding conditions CLAIMING a unique position in the world of compressor design and manufacture, Howden Compressor Division companies are pioneers of leading gas compressor technologies for the oil and gas, petrochemical and power industries. As part of the Howden Compressor Division, Howden Thomassen Australasia’s head office in Sydney is the first point of contact for sales, spare parts and service throughout Australia, New Zealand, Papua

New Guinea and the Pacific Islands. Howden Thomassen Australasia can assist clients with the supply of original replacement parts, compressor upgrades and retrofits, valve repairs, field site services, engineering troubleshooting, maintenance contracts, re-commissioning and customer operator training. A particular specialisation of Howden Thomassen is the upgrading of existing centrifugal compressor installations. The

company is currently in the process of replacing two inner bundles for a natural gas centrifugal compressor installation that was commissioned in South Australia during the 1980s. Using the latest original equipment manufacturer design and fabrication techniques, the rotors and diaphragms have been aerodynamically re-designed resulting in improved reliability and efficiency.

Howden Thomassen process compressors and complete compressor packages are used in applications where performance and reliability are crucial. Building on more than 100 years of experience, the company now offers screw, piston (reciprocating) and diaphragm process gas compressors, and highly efficient turbo blowers and compressors capable of meeting the most demanding conditions.

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SPECIAL FEATURE SEAAOC 2013

Event showcases Top End potential Hannah Jenkins NORTHERN Australia’s largest and longest established petroleum conference will return for its 19th year in 2013, with more than 850 delegates expected to converge on the Darwin Convention Centre as part of NT Resources Week. Running between September 10 and 12, the South East Asia Australia Offshore Conference (SEAAOC) is set to attract gas professionals, offshore operators, engineers and key delegates from across the Australasian region. With Inpex’s Ichthys project in the construction phase at Blaydin Point, and development of ConocoPhillips’ Darwin LNG project underway, Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles said the Territory was ideally positioned to become the region’s premier oil and gas hub. “Australia is set to become the world’s largest LNG producer in the next 20 years, with the Northern Territory based Ichthys LNG project and ConocoPhillips’ Darwin LNG being major contributors to Australia’s growth in the sector,” he said. “Added to this are the exciting prospects for our onshore petroleum resources which have the potential to eclipse the region’s known offshore resources. “Our onshore potential has been recognised by innovative explorers and via farm-ins by Hess, Statoil, Santos and Total.” Mr Giles said SEAAOC was a great way for key industry players to promote development in the wider oil and gas sector, and get together to discuss the

Major project development in the Northern Territory has positioned it to become the Australasian region's premier oil and gas hub

“opportunities, challenges and future in this expanding region”. “SEAAOC is the premier industry

The two-day SEAAOC 2013 conference will cover everything from floating LNG to the outlook for the resources industry in the current global economic climate

event in northern Australia’s oil and gas calendar,” he said. “The event is co-located with the

Mining the Territory Conference to form NT Resources Week; in 2012 the events attracted a record delegation of over

The 2013 SEAAOC exhibition will feature more than 140 stands



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35

SPECIAL FEATURE SEAAOC 2013 900 industry leaders under one roof, highlighting the major interest in the event for northern Australia.” The event offers the chance to develop future business partnerships through formal and informal networking opportunities, as well as direct insight and knowledge from some of the industry’s major players through workshops and conferences. NT Resources Week has more than 140 stands, making it the largest expo of its kind in the Top End. This year’s event will feature oil and gas companies such as ENI Australia, ConocoPhillips, Inpex and Santos, as well as a number of industry service providers including Toll, Bhagwan Marine and BOC. Kicking off the workshop program on 10 September is the ‘FLNG — its time has come’ seminar, focussed on Australia’s growing interest in and development of floating LNG (FLNG) technology. (continued on page 36)

The Inpex gala dinner is one of the major events of the NT Resources Week calendar

Recruitment agency helps candidates find their calling THE expert in recruiting qualified, professional and skilled people across a wide range of specialised industries and professions, Hays operates across the full lifecycle of the global oil and gas industry. Hays deals in permanent positions and contract roles within exploration, project development and construction, asset

operations and maintenance. Operating around the world in major oil and gas centres including Houston, Calgary, Aberdeen, Norway, Perth, Darwin, Dubai, Rio de Janeiro and Singapore, the company has specialist local knowledge and industry networks to suit every requirement. For the year ended 30 June 2012,

Hays placed about 55,000 candidates into permanent jobs and about 182,000 people into temporary positions. The company leads the way in recruitment technology and partnering with key organisations, including LinkedIn and Google, to ensure it is at the forefront of recruitment and human resources best practice that

enhances global supply capabilities. Hays employs 7800 staff and operates from 245 offices in 33 countries across 20 specialties. The company is a member of the Recruitment and Consulting Services Association and has been accredited to ISO 9001:2008 standards since 1993.

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SPECIAL FEATURE SEAAOC 2013

Event showcases Top End potential (continued from page 35)

Companies are already taking advantage of the lower costs and faster project development periods associated with FLNG, with three projects currently under construction for use offshore Australia, and another 20 in the planning phase. Headed by Energy and Power’s managing director Asia Simon Newton and Tri-Zen International Singapore principal consultant Tony Regan, the FLNG workshop will cover everything from the benefits and disadvantages of FLNG to its process, appropriate business models, and a look at the FLNG projects currently under development.

Mr Newton and Mr Regan will also host a second workshop entitled ‘The next big market for LNG – transportation and industry,’ honing in on medium and small scale LNG and the way it is forging the growth of a new market. Running on the same day as the workshops will be two master classes: an executive summary of the LNG business, and an in-depth look at the gas to liquids process and some relevant case studies. The conference begins on 11 September with an official welcome by Mr Giles. This will be followed by a number of high profile speakers – such as Commonwealth Bank of Australia chief economist Michael

About 850 delegates are expected to attend this year’s event

Blythe and ConocoPhillips vice president commercial Mike Nazroo – delivering their thoughts and insights on the outlook for the resources industry as part of the global economic climate. The latter half of the day will see representatives from a range of large oil and gas companies discussing the proponents and progress of the region’s major developments, such as the Ichthys project, ENI and PTTEP’s activities in the Timor Sea and updates from Santos and Total E&P Australia. The day will end with a discussion on developments in the market, followed by the Inpex gala dinner on the lawns at Sky City Casino.

Thursday’s conference will cover the costs and risks of LNG projects in the current operating environment, floating LNG, and projects in northern Australia. Speakers during day two’s seminar will include Shell Australia’s Prelude LNG asset manager Jim Marshall, GDF Suez Bonaparte general manager Jean-Francois Letellier and Central Petroleum managing director Richard Cottee. NT Resources Week will finish with a cocktail party and the opportunity for delegates to cruise the Darwin Harbour, with views of both the Inpex Ichthys project site and ConocoPhillips LNG terminal at Wickham Point.

A number of high profile names will present at the 2013 conference, including the heads major players in the region such as Inpex and ConocoPhillips

Australia-wide power solutions, service and support WITH an impressive national fleet of Cat rental power generators, air compressors and temperature control units, Energy Power Systems Australia is on hand to provide effective power solutions for businesses of all sizes. Customers are able to rent for a day or for extended periods as necessary, and can expect a quick response anywhere in Australia with solutions, service and

support available every day of the year. Cat Rental Power’s network of offices across Australia and PNG delivers technically superior Cat power with unmatched engineering support, technical advice and after sales support. The team possesses expertise in planned maintenance, shutdowns, emergency breakdowns, seasonal demand peaks and dealing with the summer heat.

Clients can rely on the latest technologies and products every time, with no maintenance or storage costs, and enjoy 24/7 support. Cat Rental Power has power generators available for hire to suit any business or workspace need, and offers the latest cutting-edge technology in power generation. Temperature control is crucial for the

productivity, efficiency and safety of a workplace, so it is important to make sure that a business is equipped with reliable process cooling equipment. Whatever a client’s use or environment, Cat Rental Power has air compressors that can cater to almost any pressure and air flow, providing an optimum working environment for efficiency, safety and performance.

Weld management services backed by practical and theoretical experience AN expert in the field of materials welding and joining, Technoweld has helped many organisations meet their welding objectives in both the pressure equipment and structural manufacturing disciplines. Technoweld caters for the petroleum, chemical, power generation, mining and defence industries, with three main service areas: inspection, consultancy and development. The company was formed in 1996 and

has since operated with a core business focus on customer satisfaction. The Technoweld team includes nationally and internationally qualified welding inspectors offering the best in consultancy and inspection experience. The company undertakes welding and coating inspection services on behalf of a client, whether they are an asset owner or a fabrication business, to meet project quality objectives.

As part of its consulting capability, Technoweld looks for ways to decrease welding costs, eliminate reworks and improve productivity. The company can assist with documentation, process or workforce development, which is important to ensure that a business is operating as effectively as possible. By reviewing fabrication and welding operations, Technoweld can oversee that a client is

maximising the use of their equipment and workforce. The company also provides welding operator training, welding operator qualifications and welding supervisor mentoring. With practical and theoretical experience, the company works with welders to improve their understanding of the welding management process, or to further advance their welding skills.

New business precinct ideally suited for burgeoning supply and service industries THE Wishart Business Precinct is an industrial and business estate on 302 hectares of freehold land directly adjacent to Darwin’s satellite city of Palmerston. It is within striking distance of Darwin’s East Arm Port, the oil and gas Marine Supply Base, the Rail Freight Terminal, the existing ConocoPhillips gas plant and the Inpex gas plant under construction at Blaydin Point. Set to be one of the largest industrial

estates in the Northern Territory’s history, the Wishart Business Precinct is ideally suited to service Darwin and Palmerston’s booming oil and gas supply and service industries. The entire industrial and business estate will consist of about 650 allotments to be constructed and developed in stages during the next 10 years. Titles for 65 industrial allotments in

stage one have now been issued, and are ready to build upon or lease immediately. The allotments suit a wide section of the market including oil and gas services, freight, transport and logistics, light industrial, warehouses, sheds, showrooms, service industries and investors. The entire industrial and commercial land precinct is serviced by town water and town sewer amenities; overhead power;

roads wide enough to accommodate road trains; kerbs and gutters; street lighting; and landscaped street verges. Stage one of the Wishart Business Precinct is also ideally suited for hardstand and lay-down areas during the five-year construction of the Inpex gas plant. More information about land sales and leasing is available from Strangways Developments.

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SPECIAL FEATURE DUG Australia 2013

Unconventional event to make its Australian debut Jaimee Conn AT a time when the spotlight on unconventional resources has never been brighter, the first DUG (Developing Unconventional Gas) Australia conference will be staged this month, in its first foray outside of North America. Organised by Hart Energy – a US based provider of specialised data and information products for the global energy industry – DUG Australia 2013 will be held at the Royal International Convention Centre in Brisbane between 27 and 29 August. In addition to unconventional gas, the conference will focus on LNG and the emerging development of shale oil and gas resources in Australia to meet energy demand in Asia Pacific markets. According to Hart Energy, DUG Australia 2013 delegates would be able to gain a detailed understanding of the full potential of Australia's unconventional resources; hear from executives and engineers who pioneered the North American resources boom; discuss how Australia's emerging shale and tight sand plays built on its CSG experience; learn how Asian demand growth was fuelling Australia's gas supply market; acquire insight into the financial and investment potential of these plays; and learn about the best drilling and completion techniques for optimal shale and tight gas production through case studies. Hart Energy regards Australia as an unconventional resources powerhouse due to its world-leading position as a producer of CSG, which is poised for even

The world’s largest unconventional resources conferences are produced by specialised data and information products company Hart Energy

greater prominence in the global market as it ramps up shale gas and tight sands development. Australia’s unconventional gas

Australia’s vast unconventional resources represent a major investment opportunity

resources volume is estimated to be in the region of 700 trillion cubic feet: this gas will be critical to the growth of the Asian economy, and represents a major investment opportunity. In addition to economic advantages, unconventional gas has the potential to significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions, when compared to energy derived from coal. CSG, tight gas and shale gas make up the three main types of unconventional gas sources and, until recently, technology did not exist to extract these resources at a commercial scale. A report by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) released in September last year stated that CSG alone represented 175 years of reserves at current production levels, compared to just 66 years for conventional gas. “It is important that Australia sustainably exploits this energy source, as it will help ensure the nation’s domestic energy security, while fuelling the economic growth of developing neighbours,” the report stated. With its blossoming CSG-to-LNG industry, Australia is set to become the largest supplier of LNG to Asia by the middle of the decade. The nation is home to 75 per cent of the world’s LNG project construction currently taking place.

Inspiration behind DUG Hart Energy chief executive Richard Eichler said the first DUG event was staged in 2006 at Fort Worth, Texas to document the burgeoning growth of gas wells drilled and completed in the Barnett Shale – Texas’ largest gas field – of the Fort Worth Basin. “This wave of Barnett Shale development marked the birth of the modern shale revolution in North America,” Mr Eichler said. “The discovery was championed by George Mitchell, the legendary wildcatter and founder of Mitchell Energy, who was the first to successfully develop a shale reservoir using hydraulic fracturing technologies.” The CEDA report stated that new techniques involving the use of horizontal drilling with hydraulic fracturing – allowing natural gas to be recovered from shale formations in North America during the past decade – had been nothing short of a game changer. The Barnett Shale was the first play where this occurred, with production growing from virtually nothing 10 years ago to more than 5 billion cubic feet of gas per day. Since 2006, DUG conferences have become the largest series of unconventional (continued on page 40)

Combustion and environmental solutions leader’s inherent industry understanding SINCE 1979, Zeeco has been trusted to design and manufacture combustion and environmental solutions for the refining, petrochemical, production, power and pharmaceutical industries worldwide. Increasing exploration and production activity throughout Australian fields directly leads to unique environmental, health and safety concerns. Zeeco understands the driving forces and needs of oil and gas production, and designs, manufactures and installs production and well site flare systems and vapour control systems worldwide

that meet these needs. With its more than 30-year history as a combustion company, Zeeco’s product lines have grown to include next generation ultra-low emission burners, gas and liquid flaring systems and hazardous and non-hazardous waste incineration solutions. Zeeco has supplied some of the world’s largest combustion systems, including the largest enclosed ground flare, acid gas thermal oxidiser and elevated flare, and has also developed the industry’s best-performing ultra-low nitrogen oxide burner.

Oil and gas production may have changed during the past 30 years but Zeeco’s commitment to designing and delivering innovative, reliable and safe flares, burners and thermal oxidisers remains the same. Regardless of how remote a production field or processing plant is, or how strict regulations become, it is important to trust a combustion company with the engineering expertise to design the right flare or incinerator to meet specific needs. Simply put, Zeeco is the worldwide leader in combustion solutions.

Zeeco’s combustion research and test facility was the first in the world to become ISO 9001:2000 certified and its staff strive to stay ahead of rapidly changing emissions requirements. Zeeco’s corporate headquarters are near Tulsa in the US, and it has offices in Sydney; Calgary, Canada; Houston and Plainville in the US; Stamford in the UK; Seoul, Korea; Mumbai, India; Yokohama, Japan; Moscow, Russia; São Paolo, Brazil; Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia; Milan, Italy; Baisieux, France; Bremen, Germany; and Beijing, China.

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SPECIAL FEATURE DUG Australia 2013

Unconventional event to make its Australian debut (continued from page 38)

resources events in the world. Last year, more than 15,000 oil and gas professionals attended six different DUG conferences, with more than 4000 exhibitors and sponsors taking part. Mr Eichler said the first DUG conference series, now known as DUG Permian Basin, inspired Hart Energy to create its DUG East conference and exhibition in Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) to track the development of the Marcellus Shale dry-gas play, and then the DUO (Developing Unconventional Oil) Reservoirs event to track tight oil plays, in Denver, Colorado. “The DUG Eagle Ford conference was added in 2010 to focus on that prolific multi-phase reservoir that produces dry natural gas, natural gas liquids, condensates and crude oils,” Mr Eichler said. “DUG events have since multiplied with DUG Canada (in Calgary), DUG Midcontinent (in Tulsa), DUG Bakken and Niobrara (which replaced DUO) and now DUG Australia in Brisbane. “Hart Energy calls them all ‘DUG’ events for ‘developing unconventionals’ since ‘unconventional’ relates to specialised drilling and completion techniques as well as to the target reservoirs for these oil and gas wells.” Hart Energy now has a total of seven annual DUG events and Mr Eichler said expanding the DUG conference series to Australia was a natural progression. Australian producers were already attending and exhibiting at DUG conferences to transfer technology from their North American properties and recruit personnel with shale drilling experience to develop shale resources in Australia. “LNG export markets create growing demand for Australia’s gas,” he said. “There’s a tremendous resource base identified in Australia. “Speakers at DUG Australia include the pioneers of shale drilling in North America as well as Australian producers active

The exhibition floor at a previous DUG event

in shale and tight gas basins in North America and in Australia. “DUG Australia promises to facilitate knowledge exchanges between producers, and bring them together with investors, analysts and services providers who are keen to develop the Australian market.” The conference Mr Eichler said DUG Australia 2013 would examine industry best practices for financing, drilling, hydraulic fracturing, completions, and community relations in context with Australian

Marathon Oil Corporation executive vice president and chief operating officer David E. Roberts Jr speaking at a DUG conference in the US

market requirements, limitations and opportunities, which ranged from tight oil and tight gas to CSG and shale. “The DUG Australia program offers a business management perspective covering everything from geology and financing to technology, midstream infrastructure, operating practices, logistics, emerging regional resource plays, the regulatory environment, and export markets,” Mr Eichler said. Although the conference offered a plethora of benefits, Mr Eichler said the biggest one was the early mover advantage

for delegates seeking new business connections and ground-floor opportunities in developing a “great” resource base for the world market. “‘Knowledge exchange’ and ‘shortening the learning curve’ are two benefits which attendees often cite, usually in reference to how technologies are being used and strategies for field development or overcoming logistics issues,” Mr Eichler said. Representatives from seismic companies, oil and gas producers, well-site services providers, materials suppliers,

Exhibitors at DUG events have access to a select group of industry executives



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SPECIAL FEATURE DUG Australia 2013 logistics companies and housing providers are among the exhibitors expected to participate in DUG Australia 2013. Mr Eichler said Hart Energy had forecast the attendance of more than 800 delegates, exhibitors, sponsors and speakers. “We don’t anticipate significant announcements or ground-breaking technological developments to arise from the event [but we do] expect industry leaders from Australia to forge bonds with potential new partners and suppliers from North America as producers make plans to develop Australian resources,” Mr Eichler said. Former BHP Billiton Petroleum North America shale production division president and Petrohawk chief operating officer Richard Stoneburner will join Swift Energy president and former Independent Petroleum Association of America president Bruce Vincent as a speaker at the ‘Roundtable: hydraulic fracturing, surface issues and communities’ conference topic. Aurora Oil & Gas chief executive Doug

Brooks will speak in the ‘Spotlight: real life trips and traps in resource plays’ session. “At the same time, early leaders in Australia’s unconventional resources market such as Santos technical and engineering vice president Diana Hoff, Advent Energy managing director David Breeze, and Strike Energy managing director David Wrench will be sharing their unique perspectives on what lies ahead,” Mr Eichler said. Hart Energy’s DUG conferences played a key part in the company’s role as a thought-leader facilitating dialogue and knowledge transfer among key industry players, he said. “We foresee returning to Australia and possibly branching into other venues in Asia as global trade in LNG continues to grow. “Already, we’ve been pleased by the interest expressed from Australian producers and have been gratified by the support DUG Australia has received from APPEA and the Queensland Government, among others,” Mr Eichler said.

The opening reception makes for an ideal networking opportunity

Completely integrated service solutions for range of needs and industry sectors DIVERSIFIED family-owned company Ostwald Bros delivers innovative, cost-effective service solutions to the energy, resources, infrastructure and agriculture sectors. The Ostwald Bros Group provides a completely integrated service encompassing civil contracting, construction materials, accommodation facilities and facility management, water management, mechanical services, rural services and bulk haulage transport.

The company has ISO and National Safety accreditation, covering quality, environment and safety systems. Its workforce is made up of highly skilled staff with extensive industry experience. During the past 14 years, Ostwald Bros has successfully and safely delivered dozens of upstream projects for a range of energy developers. The company first serviced the Surat Basin’s CSG industry in 2000 as a civil contractor on the Spring Gully ponds project

and continued to forge successful partnerships with major gas players. Ostwald Bros is a company that continues to grow, and it takes pride in the fact that its growth supports local and regional communities. The company’s Dalby head office and workshop facilities operate in conjunction with more than 15 project hub offices and depots strategically located throughout the Surat Basin and Bowen Basin gas fields. This network provides

Ostwald Bros with strong supply chain logistics and extensive knowledge of the geography, environmental requirements and community issues throughout the region. Ostwald Bros operates with an uncompromising commitment to safety and quality, with an inherent belief in the importance of building trusted relationships. This belief has shaped the company’s culture and enables it to deliver outstanding project outcomes for a broad range of clients.

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SPECIAL FEATURE Empire Oil & Gas

Expanding an onshore empire Hannah Jenkins EXPLORER and producer Empire Oil and Gas has had a busy start to 2013: its landmark Red Gully gas and condensate processing facility has been successfully commissioned and the company has comprehensive exploration programs underway throughout the highly prospective Perth Basin. The $35 million Red Gully facility, near Gingin in WA, is the first of its kind to process Jurassic-age gas from the onshore Perth basin, and was commissioned on 30 May. The plant has the capacity to process 10 million cubic feet of gas and 500 barrels of condensate a day; it was designed for a possible future capacity increase to up to 30MMcf and 1500bbl of condensate. The liquids-rich gas that supplies the plant is drawn from two back-to-back discovery wells – Red Gully-1 and Gingin West-1 – which are adjacent to the facility. Gingin West-1 was discovered in 2009 and flowed at a rate of 7.5MMcf of gas per day with 375bbl of condensate. Red Gully-1 was discovered in 2010 and had the largest flow rate of any onshore discovery well from a Jurassic-age reservoir, with a flow rate of 12MMcf per day and 832bbl of condensate per day. In 2011 Empire finalised a gas sales agreement with Alcoa of Australia for production from the two discovery wells and the facility is now supplying gas via the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline (DBNGP), the use of which Empire secured through a 20-year agreement. Alcoa purchased the first portion of gas from Empire (76.39%) and ERM Gas (23.61%) which was forward sold for $25 million. This year Empire also negotiated a crude oil sales agreement with BP, with production to be trucked by contractor Catalano from the Red Gully plant to BP’s Kwinana refinery. The Red Gully facility required a unique and complex design to be able to separate the condensate from the gas and meet BP’s specifications. Specialist equipment, including the plant’s flash gas compressor and export compressor, was specially manufactured for the plant and shipped from the US. Empire managing director Craig Marshall said it wasn’t simply the Red Gully facility’s specialist capabilities that put the company at an advantage, but also its position close

An aerial view of the Red Gully facility during commissioning in May

to existing infrastructure. “The Perth Basin is a prolific basin that is under-drilled and its drilling density is low by international standards. But if you make a discovery in the Perth Basin you basically have an economic proposition due to the proximity to gas pipelines, market demand, a robust gas price and the other forms of infrastructure available in the nearby industrial satellites of Perth,” Mr Marshall said. “If you discover oil, then you are so close to the [BP] refinery that you can truck it by road...so your costs per barrel are low. “Onshore you are able to drill your wells, complete your wells and then test them within a relatively short time frame, and that’s essentially what we’re doing.” Exploration Empire’s exploration program for 2013 remains focussed on conventional gas prospects within the EP389 permit, including prospects in the Wannamal and Gingin Gas Field areas near the Red Gully facility. The two areas have an estimated 205 billion cubic feet of recoverable gas and 9.2 million barrels of condensate, and were part of an innovative 3D heliseismic survey in May and June. With the help of three helicopters, 12 heliborne drilling rigs and a specialist crew, Empire recorded 80 square kilometres

Parts of the plant were designed specifically for Empire and were delivered from Houston in the US Photo - Brooke Marshall

of seismic work including an area within the Boonanarring Nature Reserve and surrounding areas, adhering to strict environmental regulations. The survey used shot holes and cableless geophones to record the area surrounding the 1964 and 1965 WAPET discovery wells Gingin-1 and Gingin-2, called the Gingin Gas Field area. Empire released an update in which it stated it was planning to drill “back-to-back wells upon all the prospects mapped from the new 3D seismic being interpreted”. The company reported that seismic data from its recent Wannamal 3D heliseismic survey was being processed and then interpreted to rank the drilling prospects in order of risk. The copmany stated that drilling in the surveyed areas was scheduled for 2014. According to Empire, further discoveries would extend the life of the Red Gully facility by at least 10 years. Empire’s 2013 oil exploration program involves a 750m well at Dunnart-2 near Dongara, which has potential recoverable oil of up to 5MMbbl, and a 1000m well at Black Arrow-1 near Jurien Bay which has potential recoverable oil of up to 10MMbbl. “Both of the wells are in the final approval process with a drilling contract being negotiated with Drilling Contractors of Australia for DCA Rig 7,” the company stated.

Photo - Brooke Marshall

Charger-1, a 1000m well near Three Springs with 20MMbbl potential recoverable oil, is expected to be drilled in early 2014 following harvest of the site’s wheat crop. Mr Marshall said Empire was also in discussion with local landowners near Mingenew to determine the best method and time of year to conduct a 3D seismic survey over the company’s North Erregulla oil prospect. “We’ll do something innovative there as well to ensure we don’t compromise the farming practices of the people that are broad acre cropping,” he said. “That seismic program is being lodged with the government for approval and we’ll do that in conjunction with the local landowners.” Unconventional prospects Significant recoverable gas and condensate lies within Empire’s 11 petroleum permits, which consist of about 3.5 million acres, putting the company in an enviable position to take advantage of growing industrial and domestic demand for gas. Mr Marshall said he predicted that other gas plants were likely to be constructed within the EP389 permit area as further discoveries were made in the mapped prospects along the 60km Gingin to Bullsbrook oil and gas trend. He said Empire had plans to expand its

Commissioning of the condensate load out area took place in June Photo - Brooke Marshall



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SPECIAL FEATURE Empire Oil & Gas Red Gully plant in the future, should future discoveries from its 2014 planned drilling program require it. “There is a demand in the domestic gas market. We have four utilities that are all wanting gas and they are all wanting a diversity of supply of gas – the reason [for that] is the vulnerability of relying on one pipeline from the North West Shelf,” he said. “Our forward strategy obviously is to increase this Red Gully facility, to produce 30 million feet a day with associated condensate; if we can sustain 30 million feet a day then we will be making a significant difference.” A recent independent report by RPS Energy Services showed that EP389 held a significant unconventional gas resource of about 24 trillion cubic feet. Together with Empire’s EP440 permit, RPS estimated the area to house some 60tcf of gas. Mr Marshall said this potential would be evaluated concurrently with the drilling program planned for next year. “After this 3D we’ll drill and evaluate the lower Cattamarra tight gas sands productive in both Gingin-1 and Gingin-2 wells for new

structures that we see on 3D, and we will core the shale gas sections,” he said. “The Lower Cattamarra will be targeted as the ‘Deeps’ (i.e. Gingin-4 Deep, Wannamal Deep and Gingin West Deep).” Mr Marshall said that given Red Gully’s proximity to unconventional recoverable gas and condensate prospects targeted for drilling in 2014, Empire was well placed to treat unconventional gas for potential future deals. “The company is in a very good position to become the first company in the Perth Basin to produce and sell economic unconventional gas,” he said. “Unconventional oil and gas potential can be explored side by side with conventional exploration with large cost savings. “The facility is located on the doorstep of the City of Perth and its industrial satellites [and] access to the DBNGP also allows for the swapping of gas along the pipeline route from Onslow to Dampier to Bunbury.” With tight and shale gas potential alongside its conventional operations, Mr Marshall said Empire was hoping to press

forward with developments in the Perth Basin through a series of farm-ins. He said Empire had engaged Macquarie Capital Australia as a financial advisor for the across-basin farmout, covering up to 13 permits across 3.5 million acres. “Essentially there’s a lifetime’s work in this permit (EP389) alone but we are looking to accelerate that,” he said. “In the Perth Basin we have got 11 to 13 different areas of tenure and we are looking to align ourselves with a party to explore or develop both the conventional and unconventional oil and gas plays within the entire basin portfolio. “We’re looking also to do an across basin farmout of our 13 permits in the Carnarvon Basin.” Future vision According to Mr Marshall, the long term vision for Empire is to strengthen the company’s position in the Perth Basin and continue to explore its expansive acreage for further prospects, both conventional and unconventional.

Mr Marshall said he believed the company had already uncovered many of the basin’s secrets and “cracked the code” to unlocking its vast potential. According to reports from Empire, its management team has developed “an excellent interpretation of the complex petroleum systems in the basin and acquired comprehensive seismic mapping of the structural play types that enhance discovery success and reduce drilling risk”. Mr Marshall said Empire would continue to draw on and develop this knowledge as it carried out its work in the profitable basin. “The economics of even small oil and gas fields is highly profitable [and] the market for additional Perth Basin gas is in demand,” he said. “Any future discoveries of gas in the basin can be quickly marketed and the fields developed with early cash flow. “Empire will continue to promote both the conventional and unconventional potential of the Perth Basin, which remains under-drilled for conventional targets alone with a low drilling density by international standards.”

Success delivered by following through on promises SINCE its inception in 2012, MULTI-disciplinary design consultancy and construction services company Primero Group has experienced consistent organic growth; its success was recognised when it was awarded third place in the Start-up Smart Awards for the fastest growing start-up company in 2012. The company specialises in the resources and infrastructure industries, and its growth

has been a direct result of its core strength in delivering on promises to clients and producing required solutions. Primero Group director Cameron Henry said the key to success for the company had been its approach of developing a team of professionals with a common goal of “driving projects forward” for clients. “Primero's employees are well experienced in the entire project delivery

process [and come] from civil, structural, mechanical and electrical backgrounds,” Mr Henry said. “Our flexibility and diverse abilities allow us to cater for all client needs on an individual basis. “Primero’s commitment to quality, safety and performance form the company’s core values, and are the areas where we strive to achieve consistent excellence.”

Primero Group recently extended its expertise in project delivery into the oil and gas arena with the successful construction and commissioning of the Red Gully condensate and gas processing facility for Empire Oil and Gas. With its ability to offer a full suite of in-house services, Primero can deliver turnkey processing facilities to meet its clients’ unique needs, within their individual timeframes and budgets.

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COMPANIES GEARING UP

Optimum actuator solutions for all challenges A leading manufacturer of electric actuators, actuator controls and valve gearboxes for the automation of industrial valves in the oil and gas industry, AUMA has more than 50 years of experience in research and development. The oil and gas industry is a particularly complex and safety-relevant sector within plant engineering, where the highest requirements on modulating accuracy, data transfer and switch-off behaviour in emergency situations are standard features. AUMA has developed special concepts that are able to meet special challenges such as covering large distances, and the handling of actuators in systems that have potentially explosive atmospheres with high safety restrictions. Furthermore, AUMA has acquired a comprehensive know-how in the field of explosion protection. With its quality

management system, which has been certified according to IECEx ratings and its enhanced Safety Integrity Level (SIL) capability, AUMA meets all the requirements for manufacturing and selling explosion-proof products. AUMA’s K-Mass encapsulation system protects the actuator and controls in the event of a nearby fire, and is favoured on production platforms and road tunnels where the risk of fire causes substantial shutdown issues. As the Australian representative of AUMA, Barron GJM is able to assist with the selection of appropriate actuators for specific functions. Whether required for standard or tailor-made applications, safety-relevant questions or special mounting situations, the modular AUMA product range offers an optimum solution for all challenges.

AUMA’s explosion-proof multi-turn electric actuator

Meeting the challenge of Peregrino with a billion-dollar investment THE floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel Peregrino is one of the biggest and most technologically advanced oil production ships in the world. Originally a crude carrier, Peregrino’s conversion into an FPSO vessel took three years and was completed in April 2011. At a cost of more than $1 billion, it was the biggest investment Peregrino’s then owner A.P. Moller-Maersk Group had ever made in a single vessel. Peregrino has a daily production capacity of 100,000 barrels of oil, 350,000 bbl of liquid and 7.3 million standard cubic feet of gas. It has a storage capacity of 1.6 million barrels of oil, which is equivalent to 16 days of round-the-clock production. The topside consists of two identical production trains and 15 modules for crude oil separation, water treatment, chemical injection, metering, power generation, power distribution, power and process control, and accommodation for 100 staff. Peregrino was recently acquired by Norwegian company Statoil, and is permanently docked at its ultra-deep Peregrino oil field 85km off the coast of Brazil. The vessel is used to receive, process and store high viscosity oil, which is pumped from the reservoir via two wellhead platforms 5km from the vessel. The oil is 2300m below the seabed and so thick that it cannot flow without being artificially lifted by submersible pumps in the wells first, and then heated in the flowlines to give it the required flow properties; it is oil recovery and processing at its most difficult. The entire production process, from the reservoir to the wellhead platforms to the vessel, is powered and controlled by ABB’s electrical and control solution. ABB’s involvement in the front-end engineering and design of Peregrino’s conversion into an FPSO facility was

ABB's System 800xA Extended Operator Workplace control setup

extensive. Maersk FPSOs, the vessel’s previous owner, selected ABB as its partner in the bidding process for the FPSO contract, and retained ABB as the main automation contractor (MAC), and the main electrical contractor (MEC) when the contract was won. Under its MEC responsibilities, ABB supplied a complete power distribution solution for the entire production process. The solution comprises a vast array of ABB low and medium voltage products and systems that distribute power efficiently, reliably and safely throughout the FPSO and the two

wellhead platforms, all the way down to the electric submersible pumps in the production wells below the seabed. For its MAC obligations, ABB provided a fully integrated multi-system solution covering field instrumentation. The solution includes a process control system, power management system, production information management system, condition monitoring system, fire and gas system, and emergency shutdown system – all fully integrated within the same System 800xA Extended Automation platform and operating environment.

Each system is operated from a System 800xA Extended Operator Workplace (EOW-x) control room in a topside module onboard the FPSO. The solution includes two 800xA Simulators, which provide realistic and safe process simulation. The Peregrino oil field was named one of the top five offshore projects for 2011 by Offshore magazine for its ‘best use of innovation in production method, application of technology, and resolution of challenges, along with safety, environmental protection, and project execution’.

Australian risk management expert compared to global consultancies AUSTRALIAN risk management consultancy Enterprise Risk Management Solutions (ERMS) provides practical, high value risk management advice to the mining, oil and gas and power generation industries across Australia and South East Asia. From its offices in Adelaide, Brisbane and Toowoomba, ERMS assists clients to achieve their commercial objectives with minimal fuss and a high level of confidence. On a recent high-profile Australian tender for strategic to operational-level

risk management support, ERMS won the contract and was told by its client that its technical expertise was equivalent to that of much larger global consultancies. “This is remarkable and is entirely the product of an amazing team of professionals who take both professional and personal pride in enabling clients to achieve their objectives,” ERMS principal safety and risk advisor Jamie Wilson said. When working in high risk industries or on mega projects, factors such as uncertainty, demanding regulatory requirements and discrete and

interrelated risks need to be effectively managed: after all, large capital investments rely upon a degree of certainty for investment returns, and any considered effort to manage risk can go a long way to delivering optimum outcomes. ERMS is renowned for delivering incredible value through its expertise, innovation, customer focus, local knowledge and relationships. “Organisations are different and we work very hard to understand our clients’ business and objectives rather than provide an off-the-shelf solution, [and] as

a consequence we have a very high rate of contributing to customer successes,” Mr Wilson said. After analysing one potential customer’s Integrated Safe System of Work project, ERMS detailed the range of problems the client could encounter if they proceeded as outlined, and declined the opportunity to be involved. “To the customer’s credit, after they encountered many of the challenges we had foreshadowed they stopped the project and engaged us to redevelop the entire process,” Mr Wilson said.

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Reliable solutions for oil and gas A global power leader and the world’s largest independent manufacturer of diesel engines, Cummins is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service diesel and gas engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and power

generation systems. Cummins delivers the most reliable and durable four-cycle diesel and natural gas power in the world, including mechanically and electronically controlled emissions-compliant diesel engine platforms between 50 and 4000hp, and natural gas engines between 49 and 2000hp.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Cummins Inc, Cummins South Pacific has an unmatched regional service support network which comprises 37 branches, 170 authorised dealers and the award-winning Cummins Support Centre which can be contacted via hotline 24 hours a day, every day of the year for after-hours assistance and technical

advice and support. Cummins recognises that the oil and gas industry has unique needs, and is committed to delivering the right technology, products and people to meet and exceed them. Cummins has invested in this market through the delivery of more than 38 new products in the past 10 years.

Experts in the provision of vehicles for remote operations AS one of the largest suppliers of mass transit vehicles to the Australian resources sector, Iveco designs, manufactures and markets a broad range of small, medium and large buses and coaches. The company has extensive experience providing vehicles for remote operations Australia-wide, including the Gorgon

project on Barrow Island in WA and Newmont's Tanami gold mine in the Northern Territory. Iveco is the only original equipment manufacturer producing bus chassis in Australia, with its own manufacturing base in Dandenong, Victoria, where it designs and manufactures two types

of bus chassis specifically for harsh Australian operating conditions. The company also imports a further three chassis models from Iveco Europe, covering rear engine and front engine configurations. Adding to its range, Iveco recently released two new vehicles; a 4WD bus and a three-axle, high-capacity mine bus for

efficient site transport operations. Besides Australia, Iveco also operates in Europe, China, Russia, Argentina, Brazil and South Africa. With more than 4600 service outlets in over 100 countries, Iveco is committed to ensuring that technical support is available wherever its vehicles are at work.

Seamless power solutions delivered with innovative technology POWER generation is a vast industry that is consistently evolving through technology and innovation. MPower, a leading power solutions provider across Australia and New Zealand, strives to remain at the forefront of the oil and gas industry, specialising in capabilities that tick all the boxes. With more than 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, MPower has the knowledge and capabilities

to deliver integrated and seamless power solutions, including HVAC, UPS and power generators, designed and engineered to deliver dependable power where it is needed. The company’s ability to deliver innovative power systems is underpinned by an extensive portfolio of successful projects including the recent acquisition of a second contract on

the Chevron-operated Gorgon project, requiring the design, manufacture and testing of two 2.5MW generators for the Gorgon administration buildings. The contract follows an original $32 million agreement for MPower to design and manufacture a 20MW temporary power station on Barrow Island. Involvement in such projects has enabled MPower to provide standby power

systems that adhere to the strict guidelines and specific challenges put forward by the oil and gas sector; including extreme temperature, weather conditions and vessel motion, while providing reliable, safe and innovative designs. MPower is a trusted power solutions provided within the oil and gas industry. For further information, please visit the website.

Group excited to introduce groundbreaking technology to Australasia INCREASINGLY recognised as the new approach for constructing drill pads and access roads in the energy industry, Neoweb is an incredibly simple product that offers proven, spectacular results. Fieldwork Group is introducing the technology to Australasia, supported by many positive case studies from overseas. Neoweb has been used extensively throughout North America, the UK and the Middle East with huge success, ranging from projects that have subgrades with a California bearing ratio (CBR) of less than 1 per cent, to projects where access to quality aggregates is difficult or time-consuming. According to Fieldwork Group, the ability to use poor onsite infill literally saved millions of dollars that would normally have been spent on transporting aggregate and machinery operations. Neoweb uses cellular confinement technology where it is laid on top of the existing ground and in-filled with poor load bearing soils, such as common sand

or quarry waste/fines, which are often found onsite or close by. This reduces or completely removes what is often the most expensive part of conventional construction; the cut/backfill and purchase/transportation of aggregates. Neoweb provides three-dimensional support to the infill, creating a beam effect to prevent the infill from spreading laterally and is designed specifically for load bearing applications in extreme heat/freeze situations. A recent project for Gazprom in Siberia involved laying more than 2000km of access roads for transporting heavy equipment, pipe sections and drill rigs using local sandy soils as infill, eliminating the need to import aggregate. Furthermore, another project for MEG Energy in Alberta, Canada consisted of access for a drilling rig over a peat bog with a CBR averaging less than 1 per cent; the company used Neoweb and local sand for infill. Fieldwork Group is excited to introduce the groundbreaking Neoweb technology to Australasia.

Fieldwork Group is introducing the simple but highly effective Neoweb to the Australasian region

Prestigious industry award for satellite communications company A leading global provider of satellite communication services to the mining, energy and maritime sectors, ITC Global has been formally recognised for its innovative solutions in Australia. At the 22nd annual WA Information Technology and Telecommunications Awards (WAITTA) dinner hosted in Perth, ITC Global won the coveted Resources Industry Award for the BHP Billiton Iron Ore Integrated Remote Operations Centre (IROC) satellite service, which was designed and implemented in 2012. ITC Global managing director Chris

Hill said he accepted the award on behalf of the company’s team of 165 satellite communication specialists throughout the world, and the wider project team. “The recognition by our peers – other leaders in the information technology sector – is very humbling,” he said. “I’d also like to thank our partners on the IROC project, CSC Australia, who provided the broader program management, network design and integration, as well as Calibre Global who handled civil and electrical engineering, and of course the client, BHP Billiton’s

iron ore operations in Western Australia. “We are very grateful for the opportunity and proud to have contributed to a technologically advanced project of this nature for one of the world’s leading global resources companies.” ITC Global has seen marked growth in its satellite communication business in recent years, with its satellite installations now in excess of 1000 sites located throughout the world, primarily servicing remote mining, oil and gas and maritime sites. “Our satellite network offers users

seamless and reliable coverage, no matter where they are in the world,” Mr Hill said. “More and more we are being called on for both primary communications solutions and real-time, remote operations control systems as part of a systemically diverse system that incorporates high availability satellite networks and terrestrial fibre-optic systems to achieve the demanding reliability that modern extractive industries require, in order to safeguard production and general operations.”

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AUGUST 2013


Long-standing Australian business celebrates 135 years LOOKING back through the history books, it is clear Australia was a very different place in 1878 than it is today. Horse and buggies clogged the rutted dirt thoroughfares of our cities and towns, and huge sailing ships packed with supplies filled our harbours. It is into this background that James Blackwood, a Scottish marine engineer, founded the Blackwood Company in 1878 as a specialist supplier to the shipping industry and engineers in Sydney. For 135 years, Blackwoods has serviced industry. The journey began in 1908 when Blackwoods moved to larger premises in

Sussex Street, Sydney. In 1924 Blackwoods supplied the Sydney Harbour Bridge project, and in 1953 it became a public company. In 1966, the ever-expanding business moved to new premises in Lidcombe and entered the Victorian market through the acquisition of United Engineering Supplies and Victoria Berrin. The year 1970 saw the Blackwoods Export Services begin operations out of the newly opened Brisbane branch. Throughout the 1980s Blackwoods expanded to Adelaide, Perth, Darwin,

Tasmania and regional Australia and acquired Dunlop Industrial Supplies, Adair Industrial Supplies and Dent QBC. In 1984, Blackwoods (along with BBC Hardware) became part of the Howard Smith Group, and in 2001 became a member of the iconic Australian Wesfarmers Group. Today, Blackwoods is the largest Australian distributor of industrial, engineering and safety workplace needs across more than 70 locations. The Blackwoods brand and service has been proudly associated with thousands of strategic projects nationwide, over many decades, and every time the

message and promise is the same: if you see the Blackwoods logo, you know ‘all your workplace needs’ are covered. From the introduction of a world-class supply chain capability providing superior delivery performance, to the roll out of leading-edge mobile technology, Blackwoods has stayed on top by changing with and anticipating the needs of the industries and customers they are proud to have served for 135 years. Sections taken from TecTorque Winter 2013 Courtesy Alan Johnson

The Blackwood Company was founded in Sydney in 1878 and continues to meet the workplace needs of strategic projects across Australia

New confined space breathing units with ergonomic design A new ergonomic design has led to Kennards Lift and Shift’s acquisition of 26 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units that are now available for hire. At just 2.15kg, the new unit is the lightest in its class and was developed in conjunction with an osteopath. A main feature is that it has been moulded to fit the spine contour and back muscles. This adds to its increased comfort, ease of movement and reduction in wearer fatigue.

Kennards Lift and Shift has experienced an increase in demand for these units across a range of industry sectors, for staff that operate in potentially hazardous confined space environments. The units have flame-retardant polyester webbing with wrap-around harnesses, adjustable padded shoulder straps and padded waistband that feature large buckles to enable easy operation with gloved hands. The straps allow the wearer

to move more freely while performing overhead tasks or climbing ladders. “The units are ideally suited for use by emergency services as well as planned maintenance works and plant shutdowns, underground and open cut mining operations and maintenance inspections of sewer mains and access tunnels,” said Kennards Lift and Shift general manager Andrew Lambert. Mr Lambert said the SCBA units could be used for assessing storage tanks and

transport containers of volatile products at petrochemical plants and oil and gas refineries. Kennards Lift and Shift has an extensive range of confined space and height safety products and accessories at its hire centres in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne (two outlets), Sydney, Brisbane and Townsville. Kennards Lift and Shift is a specialist business of Kennards Hire. Enquires are welcome via the ‘contact us’ link on the website.

Annual Queensland conference and exhibition has something for everyone WHEN the Queensland Gas Conference and Exhibition (QGCE) returns to Brisbane on 10 September it will present the industry’s latest productivity innovations. Queensland’s gas industry has experienced a rapid rate of change and ingenuity as projects move toward LNG

export in 2015, with a correspondingly fast pace of product development. In the 12 months since the last QGCE, the industry has increasingly focussed on productivity, safety, environment and efficiency. In response to this, the emphasis among exhibitors and displays at QGCE

2013 will be all about innovation; how the very latest processes, systems, services and products can really meet LNG’s demands for productivity and efficiency gains. QGCE has something for everyone along Queensland’s CSG-LNG supply chain, with new products and services covering

drilling and exploration, safety, digital integration, liquefaction technology, waste and water management. QGCE 2013 online registration is now open. For more information visit the website and pre-register for an opportunity to gain a quicker entrance to the exhibition.

Supplying power distribution projects with short lead times and attention to detail IN addition to electrical cables and aerial conductors, Cables Australia is a leading distributor of steel poles and hardware for power distribution projects in the resources and oil and gas industries. Cables Australia has supplied major projects including the Kentz gas conditioning plant in Papua New Guinea; the Yurralyi Maya power station, Christmas Creek mine, and Western Turner Syncline in WA; and the Agbaou Gold project in Cote D’Ivoire (the Ivory Coast), West Africa.

By offering competitive pricing and the shortest possible lead time, backed by reliable service, Cables Australia has carved a niche in the market. “In this industry, good service is still highly regarded and we’ve found that small details, such as sending regular production and shipping schedules, goes a long way in helping clients keep track of long lead time items which can affect site mobilisation requirements,” Cables Australia business development manager Kate Bickley said. “We are able to offer competitive

pricing by keeping overheads low and stock to a minimum, focussing instead on made-to-order specialty high voltage or nylon jacketed cables and aerial conductors.” The team at Cables Australia understands how important quality products are to the industry. In conjunction with its manufacturing partners, the company has sought and received Lloyds Certification for its manufacturing facility, and guarantees all products meet relevant Australian and international standards.

Cables Australia offers a cost-effective alternative for cable procurement



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Understanding health, safety and environment for effective spill response DURING the last 15 years, the role of ‘environment co-ordinator’ has become increasingly common in the Australian oil and gas sector. The role offers benefits for the environmental, social and financial bottom line of many companies, and goes a long way to resolving the conflict between identifying where environmental responsibility ends and safety begins. The obvious example of this conflict is a diesel spill: on a sealed walkway the spill is a slip hazard, while on unsealed ground

or near drains it is an environmental hazard; in other conditions, a spill may be a fire hazard. The overriding challenge for stakeholders is to determine a course of action to be taken prior to an incident, through broad scope contingency planning. It is only through understanding the wider impact of spills and proper planning that an organisation can demonstrate due diligence. Since 1983, Spill Station Australia has

helped all levels of Australian industry and government successfully meet the challenges of an ever-evolving workplace. The company operates with a belief that positive outcomes are best achieved by coming to terms with the relationships between health, safety and environment. To assist in achieving positive outcomes, the Spill Station Australia team of accredited auditors visits sites and conducts spill risk assessments to evaluate its clients’ spill

response capabilities, and provides recommendations to minimise the potential damage of a spill. To ensure pathways to compliance are as smooth as possible, Spill Station Australia provides spill response training to educate its clients as to how best to manage a spill quickly and effectively. It also offers complete spill equipment maintenance programs, to ensure clients are equipped to respond should a spill incident occur.

Queensland conference dedicated to technology, safety and the environment COMPILING the key ingredients of a successful integrity program for a CSG-LNG asset requires a deep and intuitive understanding of the operational, technical and human aspects of a project. With the increased focus on technological advancements, safety and environmental management across the sector’s developing assets, the Queensland Gas Conference and Exhibition (QGCE) has dedicated most of the conference’s

first day to the exploration and discussion of issues related to integrity management and process safety. A panel discussion with Origin Energy’s Paul Sugis and Oil Search’s Bevan Boocock will look into the management of maintenance and integrity programs from a risk-based perspective and share the technical strategies that can assist in highlighting risk and avoiding incidents. The discussion will also delve into the

advantages of an integrated approach to safety and integrity management for enhanced decision making. Later on day one of the conference, Nepean Power’s Dean Kirkwood will explore the human side of integrity management with an emergency management presentation that will demonstrate how to minimise the impact of emergencies in high risk environments by looking at a series of events in the US

coal mining industry in the past decade. The events in the US highlighted a number of commonalities in all emergency management scenarios that have practical lessons for the Australian CSG-LNG sector, and Mr Kirkwood’s presentation will explore these. The 2013 QGCE will take place on 10 and 11 September at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Online registration for the event is now open.

Commitment to quality and customer satisfaction shines spotlight on calibrations company WITH commitment to customer satisfaction its number one priority, HK Calibrations offers expert instrument calibration and repair services for all instrument types, including test and measurement instruments. The company was formed in 2006 to provide a higher level of service in all aspects of professional certified calibration. Its commitment to quality, combined with extensive experience in the calibration

industry, has ensured the continued growth and success of the business. HK Calibrations recently moved its Perth-based premises to a new facility in Malaga, allowing it to provide a single, centralised point of contact for its WA customers, who can now have their instruments calibrated in one place rather than sending them to the eastern states. Along with promoting the WA economy, the enhanced facility in Malaga has

Optimum drilling performance possible with specific methods MANAGED pressure (MP) and underbalanced (UB) drilling remain the best ways to optimise drilling performance and maximise oil and gas production in almost all situations, according to Multi Phase Drilling Solutions (MPDS). Increased bit life and the rate of penetration, together with the greatly reduced risk of loss circulation and differential sticking, can streamline drilling times by reducing non-productive time.

Potential productivity is also enhanced due to the reduced formation damage and the improved identification and evaluation that come with MP/UB drilling; while the reduction/elimination of expensive drilling fluids reduces costs in addition to the environmental impact. According to MPDS, the benefits provided by this technology will make MP/ UB drilling the preferred method for CSG and shale gas producers moving forward.

Expert communications systems triumph in challenging environments THE primary difference between a site being ‘isolated’ and ‘remote’ is its ability to be connected to the rest of the world. Nixon Communications is an expert provider of communications technology and carrier links – it allows any project, anywhere in Australia to keep talking business. Nixon's combination of technological excellence and willingness to go the distance has seen the company build many long-term relationships since it began operations in Gladstone in 1977. To date, Nixon has assisted on many remote area projects, including the Alice to Darwin Rail (ADRAIL) project; the Longford to Sydney Pipeline (EGP); the Burnett Dam project; the MesaA rail project; the Millstream Link road upgrade; the Ayre Highway upgrade; BHP Billiton's RGP5 project; Fortescue Metals Group's Solomon rail spur project; and Rio Tinto's Hope Downs 4 project. Nixon is often one of the first contractors on site at a project, setting up communications technology that is essential for project operation, and for worker safety and

well-being in remote locations. “Our Communications Center is mobilised first off, at a new camp that is usually still in early stages of construction. Within a few hours of being on site we can provide full internet and telephone services via satellite so people can stay in touch with the rest of the world – from a safety perspective this is critical,” Nixon construction communications manager Shawn Purkis said. “The comms centre also provides satellite TV, so personnel have something to do at night, and a small ten-booth internet café that is open for use by any one on site; this, along with WiFi hotspots, allows people to stay in touch with family and friends.” Nixon’s quality systems are third-party accredited to AS/NZ ISO 9001:2008 standards, and its capabilities allows it to deliver complete services, from design through to supply, installation and maintenance. For effective, reliable and technologically-advanced communications solutions for projects across Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon islands, Nixon is the clear choice.

assisted HK Calibrations in maintaining its commitment to an unmatched service turnaround time. The company offers a full spectrum of calibration services: electronic and electrical; pressure gauges; hard gauges; flow measurement; telecommunication; weighing and temperature; gas monitoring; dumpy levels; surveying equipment; and occupational health and safety. “Extensive metrology experience is

applied to every calibration we perform, and our strict adherence to our quality registrations assures [clients] of complete compliance to the standards that affect your industry,” an HK Calibrations representative said. HK Calibrations holds NATA accreditation for electronic measurements (ISO/IEC 17025 – 2005), and its quality management system is maintained to SAI Global ISO 9001:2000 standards.

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AUGUST 2013

Oil & Gas Contractors

Full scope of services provided the world over AS one of the world’s largest integrated oil and gas services groups, ASCO offers a complete range of onshore and offshore services through its global network of specialist companies. Individually, this means ASCO has some of the most highly regarded practitioners in their respective fields. Collectively, it means much more – that ASCO is one of the most forward thinking, integrated logistics companies in the world today. Although ASCO is a global company, it has never forgotten its roots. The key to its

growth and continued success has been, and always will be, its people. That’s why ASCO works hard to provide them with the tools and incentives they need to be successful, for whichever of its companies they work for, and wherever they are in the world. With operations in Australia, Canada, the Caspian, Holland, India, Norway, Oman, Singapore, Trinidad, the UK and the US, ASCO operates in more oil and gas regions than any other comparable specialist oil and gas services company. Employing more than 2000 people worldwide, it is a truly

international organisation. In Australia ASCO was recently awarded the contract to develop and operate the new state-of-the-art Marine Supply Base in Darwin, where it already operates two logistics supply bases. Furthermore, the company offers its clients hub-and-spoke capability for the receipt, storage and transportation of equipment from Perth, Karratha and Broome (WA) through to Darwin and beyond. As part of its growth strategy into complementary oil and gas services, ASCO

recently acquired the analytical software company ONIQUA, which is based in Brisbane with offices in Perth, and global operations in the US, Chile and South Africa. ONIQUA works with asset intensive organisations to optimise their maintenance, repair and operations activities using analytics software and services. ASCO will exhibit at the South East Asia Australia Offshore Conference between 10 and 12 September, at stand 65 at the Darwin Convention Centre.

New models and latest technology for hire offers benefits to contractors RENTING Cat heavy plant equipment provides contractors with the flexibility to meet varying job demands, and the performance and productivity needed to complete jobs as efficiently and safely as possible. Along with motor graders, large excavators such as the Cat 336E, 329D and 349D are popular rental machines for pipeline work, suitable for customers who require reliability and high production in bulk earthmoving applications or the capability to lift heavy pipes or structures. Part of the new E Series range, the Cat 336E hydraulic excavator is powered by a C9.3 ACERT engine,

which provides exceptional power and fuel efficiency for consistently high performance. Hydraulic horsepower for the 336E increased from the previous series’ output due to pump and other system improvements, translating into the new E Series moving more material in less time. The 336E uses a high-pressure system to tackle the toughest of work in short order. A one piece, back-to-back cast block main control valve features resized and reshaped oil passages to improve efficiency and serviceability. Stackable auxiliary valve attachments mount on top of the main valve, allowing

for auxiliary hydraulic lines and valve configurations to be simplified for greater reliability. The operator station contributes to productivity by providing maximum space, wider visibility and adjustable joystick consoles for individual preferences. The 336E hydraulic excavator can be rented from The Cat Rental Store, ready to start work with rippers and hammers or any other attachments required for the project. In conjunction with newer models and the latest machine technology, the most productive and reliable equipment

The Cat 336E is suitable for customers that need reliability and high production for bulk earthmoving or heavy lifting

reaches the job site ready to start working. Hastings Deering, Cat dealer for Queensland and the Northern Territory, has a broad range of high quality Cat equipment for rent through The Cat Rental Store with excellent availability for daily, weekly and long-term rentals, along with on-site delivery and competitive rates. Cat Rental Stores are in 13 locations, including Toowoomba and Gladstone, allowing Hastings Deering to offer pipeline contractors the benefit of a large equipment inventory with an exceptional level of skilled support.

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DRILLING EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES

Decades of industry support behind safety-focussed drill specialist FOR more than 30 years Tasman Oil Tools has supported the Australian drilling industry, providing services to a large number of major oil and gas exploration, drilling and service companies. Since Tasman Oil Tools was acquired by Northbridge Industrial Services in 2010, the company has undergone a number of changes in quality, health, safety, environment and staff; allowing it to work directly with major operators on high-profile projects, supplying high torque drill strings and tools, mud management systems, handling, bottom hole assembly and pressure control equipment. The company has the capacity to handle large connection make up/breakouts, whilst its custom-built pressure test bay, robotic welding system for hard-banding drill pipe and hard-facing stabilisers and Shibaura grinder improve service offerings at its Perth facility. Tasman Oil Tools has also recently signed an agency agreement with leading industry machine shop Sharpe Engineering to support the company’s eastern clients by

Tasman Oil Tools general manager Neil Killoh, left, receiving the IFAP-CGU 2012 Safe Way Gold Achiever and six months Lost Time Injury Free award

providing local inventory and machining services. Sharpe has facilities in Brisbane and Roma, Queensland.

The company is dedicated to providing leadership in quality and occupational safety, health and environment to its clients and other

industry sectors, proven through its integrated management system which is implemented in all Tasman Australia facilities. In December 2011, Tasman Oil Tools was accredited with ISO certification in quality, occupational health, safety and environment and in September 2012 was recognised and awarded with a highly prized industry accolade for excellence in workplace health and safety: the Safe Way Gold Achiever and Lost Time Injury award. The company is now working to obtain NATA accreditation for pipes, hoses, valves and fittings (hydrostatic pressure tests) and pressure measuring devices (gauges, transducers and recorders), scheduled for completion at the end of this year. Tasman Oil Tools is also proud to be one of the participating companies in Stand Together for Safety for 2013, introduced by the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA). The company is based in the Perth suburb of Bassendean and has operations in three further locations across Australia: Darwin, Roma and Brisbane.

Drilling technology increasing productivity while lowering costs AUSTRALIAN owned Dilong Drilling Services specialises in the supply, service and hire of quality drilling products for the resources industry. The company has more than 25 years of experience and operates from a large, fully equipped warehouse and workshop facility in Brisbane.

Dilong Drilling Services supplies drill bits, rotary bits, and down-hole drilling products from reputable brands such as Halco, Infinity, Glinik, Sandvik and Scorpion Oil Tools. The Halco Dominator 880 Deep-Well (DOM880DW) hammer is specifically designed for drilling deep holes under a head of water. A one-piece top adapter with a

non-return valve makes the hammer easy to maintain, and its wide body diameter allows for increased piston weight and therefore, improved performance. Through the use of diamond button bits the DOM880DW hammer drills to 2500m-plus with an average rate of penetration of up to 45m per hour, as

experienced in recent drilling for shale gas in North Queensland in quartzite. Equipment such as the DOM880DW hammer has been used in the US shale gas market for many years, and offers the potential to increase productivity while lowering costs in both shale gas and CSG drilling.

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DRILLING EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES

Innovative solutions and a commitment to client needs drives hire company THROUGH its combination of industry-leading knowledge and expertise, Tango Hire provides Australia’s broadest range of specialist onshore oil and gas support. The company specialises in services that reduce production costs and environmental footprint while improving well site safety and productivity. Tango Hire provides a wide range of

tank containers and associated services for handling bulk chemicals and liquids; tanks containers for sale or hire; chemical and bulk storage solutions; portable and transportable tanks; and stainless steel and food grade ISO tanks. Tango Hire utilises innovative engineering practices to create custom designed products that meet the individual needs of its clients.

New personal protective equipment range launched to Australian Standards DURING the last century, Red Wing has built an extensive network of long-standing distribution partners in more than 1000 countries. This global reach, combined with strategically located distribution hubs, manufacturing facilities and fabric sourcing enables Red Wing to offer worldwide service, from Australia, Asia and Africa to the Americas and Europe. This universal coverage takes the pressure off personal protective equipment safety managers and keeps employees productive and safe. Red Wing’s workwear and footwear is compliant to global safety standards for flame resistance. The company recently launched a new range of footwear, garments and accessories compliant to Australian Standards. All boots come with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty, and meet

European ISO EN safety ratings. The new deluxe lightweight Flashguard Coverall is inherently flame resistant and equipped with non-sparking spiral zips. The Large Offshore Bag, Small Offshore Bag and Red Wing Backpack are all made from ballistic nylon. The heavy-duty offshore bags are ideal for egress to helicopter bays, and feature multiple side zip compartments. Using superior craftsmanship, Red Wing’s footwear and garments are designed as much for style and comfort as they are for safety and durability. To ensure maximum day-to-day performance, the company tests each product twice: once in its own facility, and then by independent labs for global safety standard compliance. NOV Wilson is proud to be the national distributor of Red Wing safety gear in Australia.



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LABORATORY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES

Attention to detail and expertise cornerstones of emission testing company EMISSIONS testing is an integral component of environmental compliance for many installations in the oil and gas industry, and non-compliance can have a lasting impact on a company’s environmental reputation, brand and finance. Although NATA accreditation is an important factor in assessing suppliers of emissions testing services, it does not guarantee a quality outcome. Key questions – such as whether safety is an integral part of the testing company’s culture and if field staff have practical knowledge of site safety systems – are often not considered. The testing company should be willing to problem-solve and share knowledge, in addition to providing the resources and flexibility to respond to plant breakdowns and re-scheduled sampling campaigns. Emissions Testing Consultants (ETC) has extensive oil and gas expertise and understands the inherent challenges, issues and regulatory framework associated with the industry. It is vitally important to bring together expertise and the expectation of industry clients to ensure a successful monitoring campaign, and ETC offers far more than just NATA accreditation through its attention to detail. Emission Testing Consultants offers its clients much more than just NATA accredited testing services

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ASSET MANAGEMENT

Bridging the gap between quality standards and individual service levels AUSTRALIAN business Asset Management Inspection Services (AMIS) is registered to ISO 9001, ISO 17020, AS 4801 and AS 18001, and was formed in 2005 to close the gap between quality standards and individual service levels in the technical inspection industry. AMIS is a diverse and dynamic global technical services company that is highly experienced in catering to the LNG and CSG sectors. The company is dedicated to achieving results through personalised service and superior, seamless solutions. "Our goal is to consistently offer premium services at competitive prices and to ensure client solutions evolve and adapt as businesses grow and develop," AMIS founder and managing director Kevin Arnott said. The company’s services include quality assurance; quality control; supplier/source inspection and expediting; in-service inspection; pressure equipment, storage tank, and boiler inspections; welding and materials consulting; CraneSafe assessments; quality management services; auditing; and technical staffing. AMIS operates with an emphasis on quality, safety, the environment, professionalism and ethical behaviour, and is committed to the development of effective, ongoing business strategies to optimise solutions. Its broad resource base allows the company to provide a timely, cost-effective support framework for procurement activities, as well as construction and maintenance projects. AMIS’ diverse and wide-ranging resources, along with its multi-lingual technical specialists and associates, allow the company to support clients virtually anywhere in the world.

AMIS is dedicated to achieving results through personalised service and superior, seamless solutions



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ASSET MANAGEMENT

Reducing corrosion costs with industry-best practice THE total annual cost of corrosion in oil and gas production is estimated to be $1.372 billion. For 23 years, private independent corrosion engineering consultancy Extrin has assisted clients in reducing their corrosion related costs in a logical, pragmatic manner in accordance with industry-best practices. With increased operating costs, dynamic economic environments and aging plant and equipment, the implementation or optimisation of an asset integrity program to extend the service life of key equipment may seem challenging, but it is invaluable; asset integrity management is regarded as a critical business aspect by many best-practice organisations. In the July 2013 edition of bimonthly publication Corrosion & Materials, Extrin’s article ‘Setting up a corrosion management system’ outlined the key benefits of asset integrity programs. According to the article, benefits include reportable risk reduction; optimisation of asset life from an economic, functional and safety viewpoint; identification of potential problems and deterioration mechanisms; assistance in prioritisation and management; knowledge of industry-best practice; and the capacity to demonstrate due diligence and duty of care. Extrin is a WA-owned company committed to providing unbiased professional advice and innovative, cost-effective solutions. Its strategies

A basic representation of the issue capture control optimisation cycle

are tailored to clients’ individual requirements, through comprehensive client consultation and feedback.

Extrin has proven experience in a diverse range of corrosion engineering services such as specialised failure

analysis, certified coating inspection, and cathodic protection design across multiple industry sectors, including oil and gas.

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AUGUST 2013

HEAT EXCHANGE

Enhancing a reputation for innovative and advanced product designs A leader in heat transfer and combustion solutions, Uniquip Engineering continues to build on its reputation for innovative and advanced product designs by harnessing its resources to become a multi-product company. Uniquip’s products, such as pressure vessels, heat transfer, combustion and flare gas systems, and fluid handling equipment, are used extensively throughout a number of industries including oil processing, natural gas, LNG, liquefied petroleum gas, fertiliser production, petrochemical production, mineral processing, and floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO). The company’s services cover simulation, design, fabrication, project management, testing, installation and commissioning. From its head office in Malaysia, Uniquip supplies high-tech packaged chemical process plant, equipment and turnkey process systems to serve the requirements of the oil and gas, refining, petrochemical, mining, power, water and general process industries in Australasia, South East Asia, India and the Middle East. By applying its greenfield expertise to the front-end phase of a project, Uniquip is able to maximise customer investment return by providing custom engineered solutions for the most technically challenging process designs.

For equipment that is already in use, Uniquip offers a range of brownfield services including debottlenecking and upgrade studies, and process audits. The company has fabrication facilities in Newcastle (NSW) and Kuala Lumpur, and is accredited to the ISO 9001:2008 standard. Uniquip carries out design and selection in-house or in conjunction with associated companies.

A hot oil heater supplied by Uniquip Engineering for Shell Todd Oil Services in New Zealand



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HEAT EXCHANGE

Talented workforce behind company with nearly a century in business AUSTRALIAN based heat exchangers, pressure vessels and process equipment manufacturer W.E. Smith Engineering will celebrate its 91st year in business this year. The company was started in Sydney in 1922, before relocating to Coffs Harbour in 1969, and services customers in both domestic and international markets. Within its archives are records spanning many decades for equipment installed and serviced within power stations, minerals processing plants, oil and gas facilities, and petrochemical and renewable energy projects. W.E. Smith general manager Steve Gothard said the success and growth of the company was due to its talented and reliable workforce. “The experience of this company and its employees represents many hundreds of years of combined service with several key personnel having worked continuously with the firm for over 30 years,” he said. Mr Gothard explained that the company had a solid customer base for new and refurbished equipment and was contracted to supply many global engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) projects and other major projects while experiencing a steady growth in site services and installations. “Having our clients regularly come to us asking us to be more than just a supplier of equipment, it was a natural progression to enhance our design and manufacturing

W.E. Smith Engineering delivering a propane propylene splitter column for Lyondell Basell Australia’s polypropylene plant

capabilities and include site refurbishment; therefore offering complete turnkey solutions,” Mr Gothard said.

W.E. Smith Engineering deals with major global EPC companies and engineering houses seeking design

specification, installation, commissioning and support services throughout the project lifecycle.

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AUGUST 2013

PIPES & PIPELINES

Pipeline route selection and design highly complex A new pipeline involves a myriad of considerations, such as whether to use the most direct route or established infrastructure corridors, and whether it will run through extreme conditions or very remote regions. Each decision has different impacts for route selection and design. “From planning perspective, co-locating services in a single corridor makes sense,” said Daly International senior town planner Vesna Eftimovska. Principal engineer of Daly International’s subsidiary Woolacotts Consulting Engineers, Stephen Branch said that from a maintenance perspective, co-location also increased risk. While terrain used to strongly influence route selection, new technology including GPS and thrust boring allows pipelines to

be built virtually anywhere. “We can build pipelines in places we’d never consider 20 years ago,” said Mr Branch. He explained that major issues were often caused by ground conditions such as contamination, weak or tough ground, services locations, or uncovering indigenous artefacts during construction. Mr Branch said ground movement was also a factor in mining regions. “This is where a multi-disciplined consultant can add real value,” Ms Eftimovska said. “With all the disciplines under one roof, the engineer works side-by-side with the planner and property consultant. “While selecting the route or designing the pipeline, they’re constantly working through the various tradeoffs.”

Daly International senior town planner Vesna Eftimovska with national design manager Chris Taylor

Family business expands Australia’s pipeline flange and valve capacity ESTABLISHED in 1954 to provide services to the petrochemical and mining industries, Caman Engineering is now Australia’s largest independent valve and pipeline flange stockist and manufacturer, with factories in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Caman is in the process of building new larger premises for its Sydney operation, which it expects to be completed in early 2014. The expansion will include 80 per cent more warehouse storage space and an increased manufacturing area with new CNC machines to reduce in-house machining

and drilling times by 30 per cent. Caman is a family-owned company, with the same family who began the business still involved in its daily operations. The business was built on the premise of customer service, and its dedication to meeting client needs has played a large role in its success. Every effort is made by Caman’s staff to not only meet but exceed customer expectations, with high quality products delivered in line with required project completion dates. The company’s experienced sales team is entirely customer-oriented and dedicated to providing the best expertise, advice and

customer service in the industry. Caman manufactures pipeline flanges from locally produced plate and forgings, and also stocks imported flanges. It also became a leading Australian manufacturer of heat exchanger tubesheets and baffle plates after investing heavily in state-of-the-art computer-operated drilling machinery. Caman is an approved manufacturer and supplier of pipeline flanges and heat exchanger components to all the oil and petrochemical companies operating in Australia. It is accredited to comply with Quality Assurance Standard ISO 9001 and is

accredited to PED by Lloyds. Some of the more specific products the company supplies and manufactures include pipeline flanges up to 2700mm diameter; tubesheets and baffle plates; spectacle blinds, dished ends, spacers and spade blinds; test blinds and industrial valves; orifice plates and flanges; nozzles and long weld necks; and CNC machining of special flanges. Caman also provides 24-hour emergency breakdown machining and supply services. Caman’s sales team welcomes enquiries and will happily assist with requests for information.



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PIPES & PIPELINES

The global partner for pipeline construction solutions FOR the right equipment on a pipeline construction project, PipeLine Machinery International (PLM) has the solution. New to the fleet in 2013 is the latest innovation in a low ground pressure carrier – the PANTHER T8. The PANTHER T8 combines the proven capabilities of the Cat C7 ACERT engine model with industry expertise in off-road vehicles by PRINOTH. Built with a widened chassis to accept virtually all implements without any modifications, PLM makes the PANTHER T8 available in three applications: crane with flat bed and removable aluminum side panels; dump box and a welding package that provides continuous powered welding with an engineered hydraulic slewing canopy. The PANTHER T8 has a payload of 16,000lb (7257kg) and a ground pressure of 4.09 psi fully loaded. Together with a strong pull ratio, these features allow the PANTHER T8 to access a pipeline construction site even if the terrain is difficult, without damage to the environment. The height of the carrier allows operators to reach the deck area easily, without having to climb in. The steering wheel feature ensures a safe grip and optimal precision and control. From building access roads to pipeline installation, the PANTHER T8 will help complete jobs quickly, safely and economically.

The PANTHER T8 has the highest payload in its class

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AUGUST 2013

PIPES & PIPELINES

No-fuss pipe rehabilitation lifts company to the top of the pack SERVICING Australia and New Zealand, Nuflow is rapidly gaining recognition for its trenchless repair capabilities and cost-effective role pipe rehabilitation. Utilising its Blueline and Redline technologies, Nuflow can repair sewer and stormwater lines, fire suppression and sprinkler systems, water mains, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning

and gas pipes without any excavation. Nuflow offers solutions to almost every pipe problem without the disruption, time or cost of digging up pipe networks and destroying surfaces, resulting in no rectification works. The company is being increasingly utilised for prevention work on pipes as this provides a guarantee that no problem will occur in the future.

Three unique businesses come together to push company toward excellence THE Bend-Tech Group started as a small family-run company more than 28 years ago, providing quality bending, curving and general metal fabrication services, and quickly grew into one of the most respected and sought after suppliers in the steel processing and fabrication industry. The recent integration of three unique businesses – Bend-Tech Engineering, All Tuff Products and All Tuff Lighting – gave the group a platform to continue to excel and develop. Bend-Tech’s offering now includes safety systems, engineering solutions and steel supplies, with a team that offers unrivalled experience and expertise. To reduce the risks associated with working at heights or in controlled access areas, Bend-Tech engineered a range of

products that includes handrails, safety rails and work platforms. The company also offers a range of certified work stands, racks and materials handling solutions that ensure safe working loads are handled correctly on site. Through the All Tuff Lighting range the group caters for vehicle, machine, site and emergency lighting requirements, from work lamps, driving lights and LED lamps through to a range of remote area lights and intrinsically safe lights that allow employees to work anywhere without a generator. “With safety paramount to every operation, we have realigned our businesses to make being safer even easier for our customers” Bend-Tech Group managing director Jim Fawkes said.



CONFERENCE & FUNCTION CENTRES

Strategic location for flexible and professional conference venue AN ideal choice for corporate functions, the Technology Park Adelaide Conference Centre provides a contemporary environment for corporate meetings, functions and conferences. Situated 20 minutes north of the Adelaide CBD in Mawson Lakes, the Technology Park Adelaide Conference Centre offers a range of modern function spaces supported by high-quality customer service, and the latest in digital projection and audio.

The centre’s flexible design can accommodate a range of events, from small meetings to conferences for up to 200 guests, and offers a combination of indoor and outdoor function areas, full catering, fully licensed bar and complimentary guest parking adjacent to the building. With a strong customer focus, the centre’s event coordinators work with clients through all stages of planning, delivery and post-event reviews, to

The Technology Park Adelaide Conference Centre is a modern environment for corporate events

Flexible venues ideal to host any corporate occasion WHETHER looking for a small boardroom or a convention centre that caters for 1000 delegates, the Esplanade Hotel Fremantle – by Rydges has it all. Just 20 minutes from Perth’s CBD and 30 minutes from the Perth domestic and international airports, the hotel’s flexible venues are ideal for conferences, workshops, meetings, exhibitions,

banquets, balls and more. Visitors to the Esplanade Hotel Fremantle – by Rydges can enjoy four-and-a-half star accommodation, resort-style facilities including two restaurants and a bar, and the harbourside attractions of Fremantle. Companies that sign up to the hotel’s free Priority Guest Rewards program can save up to 20 per cent on hotel stays.

The Southern Cross Gala Ballroom at the Esplanade Hotel Fremantle - by Rydges is ideal for conferences and exhibitions, gala dinners and themed incentives

ensure a highly professional experience. The Technology Park Adelaide Conference Centre has three large conference rooms, available in a number of room formats adjacent to the large atrium within Innovation House. The Atrium area is suitable for exhibitions, vehicle displays, trade shows and networking events. The purpose-built venue offers businesses the ideal space for workshops, training or any corporate function.

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CONFERENCE & FUNCTION CENTRES

Riverside suites made famous by flexibility and attention to detail THE four-and-a-half star international Esplanade River Suites was recently acquired by Narada Hotel Investments, and will be renamed to include the exclusive Narada brand which is

recognised as among the top 100 hotel groups in the world. Directly opposite the Swan River, Esplanade River Suites is only 4km from the Perth CBD and features 101 guest

rooms and apartments, all with spa baths. It is also equipped with the historic Pagoda Restaurant and Bar, conferencing space for up to 250 delegates, a heated pool, a fitness centre, a sauna, and free street parking.

Famous for its flexible service and attention to detail, Esplanade River Suites caters to all tastes and budgets with day delegate packages starting from $65 per person.

The historic Pagoda Restaurant and Bar at Esplanade River Suites

Venue offers event options and stylish accommodation close to Adelaide CBD WITH its extensive range of facilities, Westminster School in South Australia is an ideal venue for conferences, conventions, meetings, and other special events during the school’s holiday periods.

Just 20 minutes from Adelaide Airport and the CBD, Westminster provides large auditorium seating for 800 delegates, and tiered theatre seating for 170 delegates. Its David Jarman function room can comfortably host 140 delegates at a sit

down lunch or dinner, or 220 delegates at a cocktail style occasion. The professional West Events team can assist with the planning and management of an event to ensure it runs seamlessly. Westminster offers an outstanding

catering service with menus that can be tailored to suit each event. The campus has stylish accommodation in single rooms, twin rooms, and three bedroom units, and is equipped with high speed wireless internet.

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Splurge

Don’t let winter’s cold weather dampen the mood – Courtney Pearson gets cosy with some tasty winter warmers

Lifestyle & Products Inside-out warmth Aside from being the perfect match to hearty winter meals, if the word of a doctor is anything to go by a glass of red wine can also bring with it some health benefits. London researchers found that cabernet sauvignon was the most effective wine at protecting against heart disease. The cabernet sauvignon grape is the second most widely planted red wine grape in Australia. It is best paired with fatty red meats such as lamb or steak, to calm the tannins on the palate, and as the wine ages it becomes easier to match with foods. Nestled in the heart of WA’s Margaret River wine region is the Moss Wood winery, one of Australia’s finest producers of cabernet sauvignon and a number of other varietals. From the road Moss Wood, owned by winemakers Clare and Keith Mugford, is as unassuming as ever; passersby would barely know it’s there, but it is home to one of Australia’s most renowned drops. Moss Wood’s 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon is lauded as the winery’s best, with a score of 96 from James Halliday and a 10 out of 10 vintage rating. The iconic wine comprises cabernet sauvignon grapes (93 per cent) in addition to cabernet franc (3 per cent) and petit verdot (4 per cent) for an added layer of complexity. On the nose, the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon is mulberries, blackberries, violets and a touch of earthiness while the palate is deep and rich, reminiscent of cassis, mulberry, chocolate and coffee. A powerful red, the wine peaked in about 2011 but is expected to remain excellent for many years. At good wine merchants, a bottle will set wine lovers back about $200. Dark delight As with wine, the differences between cheap chocolate and its high quality counterpart are immediately noticeable. From grainy, stodgy chocolate found on supermarket sale shelves to top-of-the-range blends, it’s not hard to see why a decent block of chocolate can make or break a meal. A study by Monash University found that a piece of dark chocolate per day was beneficial to participants’ health: research found that regular, moderate dark chocolate consumption lowered blood pressure and cholesterol. Aside from its apparent health benefits, dark chocolate is a delicious end to dinner on a cold winter night, and when paired with a glass of good red wine it’s certainly not the worst way to warm up. Instead of reaching for fatty cheese to pair with a cheeky red or white, a piece of wine-matched dark chocolate is a sweeter, delicious alternative. Brix chocolate is specifically blended to complement wine, with four different strengths – milk, smooth dark, medium dark and extra dark – to suit every type of tipple from champagne to shiraz. Brix’s blends are created using Ghanaian chocolate, famous for its red fruit tone, blended with high quality confectionery chocolate. Brix chocolate can be bought across Australia. If chocolate for wine is too decadent, Bahen & Co chocolate is another option. All of its bars are crafted with 70 per cent cacao and feature a diverse range of flavours from Madagascan and Brazilian sourced cacao beans to its house blend

mixed with almonds, olive oil and sea salt. The company delivers free Australia-wide from its base in Margaret River, WA. Five 75g bars will cost chocolate connoisseurs $50, while a pack of 20 costs $150. Game on Few things are as cosy and comforting as a hearty winter roast, but if traditional lamb, beef, pork or chicken feels repetitive it may be time to try something new. The idea of cooking game such as quail, spatchcock or duck is enough to make most people leave the kitchen – most game has a reputation for being difficult to prepare. Despite their stigma, small game such as quail, spatchcock or duck isn’t that difficult: any cook, regardless of prowess (or lack of) in the kitchen, can create a delicious meal using these small birds. Quail was originally common in French cooking, but it has gained popularity and now regularly appears on menus throughout the world. It can be cooked in a number of ways, but roasted quail is a good substitute for the typical Sunday roast lamb. The bird can be coated in spices, such as Chinese five spice, garlic and rosemary or paprika, and generally only takes about 15 to 20 minutes to roast. However, for those feeling more adventurous or patient, dishes such as lemon risotto-stuffed quail with figs and fennel are delicious ideas to change up the kitchen routine. Duck is very popular in restaurants, but there is no reason that cooking duck at home has to be an ordeal. Crispy-skinned roast duck only takes about 45 minutes and can be served with red wine and sides such as parsnip puree, poached pears or sea salt roasted potatoes. Game can be sourced from the Game Farm, which has distributors across Australia and recipes on its website www.gamefarm.com.au. Funky funghi Although they might not look like much, truffles are black gold in the kitchen. With an aroma and taste that is unlike anything else, the intoxicating truffle can be described as peppery, nutty, garlicky or similar to a mushroom; the taste lingers long after a meal has ended. Truffles are the fruiting body of a fungus that grows on tree roots beneath the soil. They need a warm summer and cold winter to ripen and are found by trained dogs that detect the truffles’ scent. The black perigord truffle is commonly used by chefs across the world. Once cut, a mature black perigord truffle has a dense black inside with white veins throughout. When used as part of a recipe, only a small amount of truffle is needed to transform an ordinary meal into a delicious culinary experience. However, preparation is the key and the longer the food is infused with the fungus, the tastier it becomes. According to The Truffle Book author Gareth Renowden, “a steak with truffle sauce becomes more meaty, eggs are transformed into a gourmet item and every aspect of the meal becomes more satisfying”. Australian truffles are grown in all states but the Northern Territory. Fresh truffles are available to buy online through websites such as The Wine and Truffle Company and gourmet food stores.



Escapes FAMED for its exotic culture, summery climate, sophisticated cuisine and elegant language, Spain is a traditional favourite for travellers wanting to experience the spectacular landscapes and culture of Southern Europe. Bordered by France, Portugal and the vast turquoise shores of the Mediterranean, the nature of Spain’s geographic location ensures a fusion of outside influences. Madrid and Barcelona are the first choices on many tourists’ hit-list, but the less-explored wider country provides a unique and perhaps more authentic holiday choice. A rustic and colourful experience of the constitutional monarchy of Spain, outside the boundaries of its bustling and vivacious – albeit highly touristy – major city centres is spectacular. Andalusia Encompassing the most southerly tip of the Iberian Peninsula in Spain’s far south, Andalusia is an autonomous community in segregation from the rest of the country and its residents maintain their own officially recognised nationality. The state is divided into eight provinces; the most populous regions including Cádiz, Granada, Jaén, Málaga and Seville. Though reportedly less affluent than its northern counterparts, Andalusia maintains a rich cultural identity, embodying many of Spain’s most internationally celebrated cultural and gastronomic attractions. There is much variation in climate across Andalusia’s relatively small borders, encompassing Spain’s southerly mountain ranges, the Sierra Morena and the Baetic System, and the wide oceanscapes of the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Though Andalusia has several city bases dotted throughout its many municipalities, it also holds much rugged, natural appeal: curving roads framed by sandy beaches extend into a scenic countryside of dried grasslands, rocky mountain-sides, cerulean lakes and sprawling fields of sunflowers. Andalusian housing typically provides spacious and authentic accommodation for travellers. Characterised by humble, white-washed exteriors that stand out against the bright blue sky, the Andalusian architecture movement is an experience in itself, including pretty alfresco quadrangles with arched patios accented by climbing bougainvilleas, brightly coloured mosaic motifs within polished marble and stone, and winding timber stairwells that leave a central hollow for full building views. Arcos de la Frontera A small town within the greater Andalusian province of Cádiz, Arcos is a charming and historic town perched on the eastern bank of the Guadalete River. Its old town is a photographer’s dream, composed of a labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets that run across the steep surface of the township and offer 360 degree views. Arcos is an untouched slice of Spanish culture. Its history stretches back to the 11th century, though much of its most prized architecture dates between the 15th and 18th centuries. Visitors are impressed by the town’s Castillo de Arcos – a 15th century Gothic-inspired castle – and Iglesia Parroquial de Santa María de la Asunción, the Church of Santa María, in the main town square. Cafes line the narrow roads, where locals can people-watch while dining alfresco on tapas and red wine. The local plat du jour is baby snails: elegantly presented in a coupe cocktail glass, Arcos snails are served in a warm, herbed broth and sucked directly

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A feast for the senses, Jane Goldsmith explores the delights of southern Spain

from the shell as a main accompaniment to an afternoon drink, in a manner similar to popcorn or peanuts. Cádiz Following the Guadalete River, some 70km southeast of Arcos is the capital and namesake of the province, Cádiz. Distinctly more city-like in nature, Cádiz is a port town surrounded by ocean on a geographic anomaly: a narrow slice of land, jutting from the mainland into the Atlantic. The oldest continuously inhabited city in Spain and a member of the Most Ancient European Towns Network, Cádiz is the origin of some of Spain’s most famous cuisines. Tapas form the basis of Cádiz’s gastronomy, with the main meal typically eaten in the early afternoon and accompanied by a Tinto de Verano: a refreshing wine drink spritzed with soda or fruit juice. Jamón Ibérico, a dry-cured Iberian ham, is a speciality of Andalusian cuisine enjoyed with popularity throughout Cádiz. Great salted legs of Jamón are displayed in butchers across the town, ready to be hand-sliced with a long and delicate carving knife. Manchego cheese, while not originating from Andalusia, provides a deliciously buttery accompaniment to Jamón, often consumed with crusty bread or baby baguette biscuits and a deep bowl of freshly pressed olive oil. Seafood is similarly an essential element of Cádiz’s cuisine, with its geographic location providing an ample supply of exotic sea life. The Bay of Cádiz famously contains white shrimp, delicious when fried in hot olive oil. Fresh prawns, anchovies and marinated baby squid and cuttlefish also comprise typical Cádiz antipasti. True to Spain’s famously relaxed working mentality, Cádiz locals are particularly fond of siesta. Taken shortly after the midday meal, siesta is a period of sleep after the indulgences of lunchtime tapas, particularly across the hot summer months. Most services, shopping outlets and restaurants in Cádiz close during

Andalusia is home to a scenic countryside of historic townships, rugged grasslands and freshwater lakes siesta hours and re-open in the late afternoon. An adaptive lifestyle choice, siesta pushes the town’s most productive hours into the evening, creating a vivacious city atmosphere into the late night. Seville Seville is the fourth largest city in Spain and contains three famously beautiful World Heritage-listed buildings: the Alcázar palace complex, Seville Cathedral and the Archivo General de Indias (General Archive of the Indies). Arguably the most cosmopolitan of Andalusia’s cities, Seville maintains an unrivalled reputation for its night life and expansive shopping districts. The city effectively straddles two personas as a historic town within the hype of the 21st century, with an eclectic combination of heritage architecture and quaint, horse-drawn carriages riding the cobblestone streets alongside the eye-catching, avant-garde buildings of recent decades. As Andalusia’s capital, Seville is within easy distance of the region’s many cultural

The port town Cádiz is surro unded by the Atlan tic Ocean

attractions. Nearby town Jerez de la Frontera specialises in rich sherries, including the intensely sweet and dark dessert apéritif Pedro Ximénez, which is popularly enjoyed in Seville as an accompaniment to food and widely used in Andalusian cooking. Gazpacho, a tomato and vegetable soup served cold with a little cream, is also common as a light and refreshing meal. Perhaps Spain’s most famous cultural export, Flamenco dance and music maintains a proud legacy in select areas across Andalusia. A passionate and heavily rhythmic folk music, Flamenco displays the country’s famously curvaceous women in brightly coloured outfits, moving to intricate acoustic guitar interludes and hand-clapping. Flamenco shows take place nightly as an authentic activity of the Andalusian region and are popular among visitors to Seville. For those wanting to experience genuine Spanish culture within a balmy Mediterranean climate, Andalusia is an ideal choice. It will impress visitors with its rugged beauty, vivacious historic towns and inherent exotic identity. Visit www.andalucia.org for more information.

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A day in the life

For Gardline environmental manager Dr Dan McClary, being a marine scientist means so much more than the popular misconception of chasing dolphins and whales – it is a challenging and rewarding career. Dr McClary talks to Jaimee Conn about the importance of understanding how industry interacts with marine environments and how best to promote sustainable, responsible environmental management

Q. What does your role involve? A. There are three major strands to my role here in Australia. First, I look after the environmental science team, so a reasonable portion of my role is devoted to team leadership and management. That includes all the hum-drum administrative tasks like approving timesheets, leave and expense claims, but also the more interesting role of mentoring junior staff. I get a real charge out of seeing people grow professionally and encourage my team to challenge me as much as I challenge them. The second major strand relates to my role as one of the key principal scientists within the Environmental division of Gardline globally. On that basis I am responsible for ensuring technical excellence of our deliverables and in providing top-quality advice to our clients. As I have been in the consulting game for a few years now and have a technical specialisation in biosecurity (invasive marine species) management, it also means that I still have the opportunity to get my hands wet – typically working internationally to intercept marine pests prior to their arrival in a country but also in providing biosecurity management advice and services within Australia. The final significant part of my role deals with business development for our varied environmental services, including geophysics and the whole range of environmental sampling and related consulting services. Q.

What made you want to be a scientist?

A.

It all came down to being curious about how living things actually ‘worked.’ I guess I understood early on that people could make some pretty complicated machines (typically using even more complicated machines), so was always intrigued by how simple, natural forces could shape really complicated things like animals and plants. When I was younger I was told over and over not to be a biologist (or even worse, a marine biologist) as there were no jobs. Unfortunately one of my first paid jobs was working aboard a coastal ferry boat in eastern Canada and that was it – I was hooked by the sea. From then it was just a matter of how I could combine my interests, so marine biology was a natural fit for me. I believed that if I was good enough I would find a job despite what I was told, and though I have a few more grey hairs because of it, I have managed to turn it into a pretty good career.

Q. How did you begin your career in the environmental industry? A. Initially, I planned on pursuing a career in academia and had marine science teaching positions in Canada and then in New Zealand. I enjoyed the teaching and research aspect of academia but found that I was frustrated by spending my time doing a lot of talking about environmental protection and not much actual ‘doing.’ A job as a marine environmental consultant came along in Auckland in the late 90s, so I put

to support biosecurity clearance into Australia. Where vessels do not meet the standard, I will work with the clients to develop specific intervention protocols to achieve the necessary low risk status. This work is frequently required at late notice, so it is not unheard of for me to arrive at work planning to spend a day in the office, only to get a call and be on a flight to Singapore in the afternoon.

Q. What are the challenges of your profession?

Dr Dan McClary said no two days as Gardline’s environmental manager and principal scientist are the same

my money where my mouth was, leapt from the ivory tower and have not looked back. I moved to Australia in 2010 as part of the massive investment that was happening in the marine environmental monitoring industry. Very soon it became apparent that the level of personnel investment in nearshore coastal monitoring by large and small consultancies was not going to be sustainable. I was very pleased to be approached by Gardline, with their deepwater focus, to lead their environmental business in the region. The opportunity to work with such a highly skilled, multidisciplinary team was just too good to pass up.

Q. What qualifications are required for someone in your job position? A. Generally speaking, a master’s degree (or equivalent) in science is required to get a start in a role in marine science. I hear many young biologists stating that they feel they should get a doctorate as well, but that is not absolutely necessary. Having an advanced degree shows not only that you can be technically proficient in a chosen field, but also that you have the passion, determination and drive to see a tough project through to completion. The important thing then is to have not only a willingness to work hard (it is more than a nine-to-five job and at the start not all that well remunerated) but most of all, have a passion for what you are doing. Q. How does your work relate to the offshore oil and gas industry, and why is it so important? A. My role is focussed on providing environmental support to the industry. Part of any industry’s social licence to operate includes ensuring that the impacts of that industry are within reasonable, socially acceptable limits. I think it is important to note that everything we do virtually every minute of our lives has an effect on the environment – we are part of

that environment, we are not separate from it. My goal is to help industry minimise or at least manage its negative effects and achieve or maintain that social licence, without which they cannot operate. That may be through providing environmental advice, managing marine invasive species onboard vessels, or simply by smoothing the regulatory path in some way.

Q. What would be a typical workday for you? A. Part of what I love about my job is that no two days are alike, so defining a typical day is tough. When office-based, I cycle and use public transit to commute. The 35 minute train ride provides a perfect opportunity to clear away and prioritise the night’s emails – having our head office in the UK means that there are always things to attend to first thing in the morning. Staff meetings and development, a bit of project management or technical oversight and business development are generally the main tasks when in the office. I also attend appropriate conferences and business meetings in Perth and other centres to help market our services. The day seems to accelerate from late morning until suddenly it is 6 to 6.30pm when I head for home. I live aboard a sailboat in Perth so the ocean is always a big part of my life. I will often do a bit of work (reviewing reports, emails etc) in the evening and on weekends as well – having team members in the field means always being on-call to respond to their requests. Being a technical specialist also means that I get away from the office on occasion and get my hands dirty. This is vital to keeping current in the field, particularly one as dynamic as biosecurity. This work typically involves travelling to shipyards or to ships at anchor and inspecting their wetted surfaces for the presence of invasive marine pests. I will inspect vessels and if I consider that they pose a low risk of translocating marine pests, can provide the necessary technical documentation

Do you know someone who could be profiled in this section? Send suggestions to [email protected]

A. Working in a dynamic environment such as the ocean is by its nature challenging. The marine environment is very hard on people and the equipment they operate, so being able to keep on top of this is important. The downstream consequence of this is that it can also be a real challenge to manage client expectations, particularly those that do not typically work at sea or understand just how tough it is out there. It may sound self-evident, but sampling the seabed in 2000m of water is not just a matter of ‘scaling up’ shallow water operations. Q. What do you like best about your work? A. K.C. Irving, the founder of an oil company in eastern Canada, once said “I like to see the wheels turn”, and that phrase has always stuck with me. I like to see that the ‘ecological wheels’ can turn in concert with the wheels of industry and I get a real buzz out of it when we can get the two of those working together. Being able to facilitate that work by, say, giving a low-risk vessel a green light to work in Australia following a successful marine pest inspection is very satisfying. Q. Is there a highlight from your career so far that you would like to share? A. That is a tough question – I have a great job and love (almost) every minute of it. The travel is great (although very hard on family) and has afforded me the opportunity to see and work in some amazing places but two big highlights spring to mind. I recruited a young and somewhat reluctant consultant nearly a decade ago; over several years as her direct supervisor I watched, and like to think, helped her grow into someone that effectively and very successfully took over my position as senior marine scientist after I left my previous employer. I think that sort of thing is the biggest complement a mentor-manager can get. The second big professional highlight would have to be contributing towards the on-time installation of a major piece of infrastructure on Australia’s North West Shelf by helping the client effectively manage their critical path biosecurity risks. In doing so we also managed to keep a number of potentially invasive and environmentally/ economically damaging marine species out of Australia, so to my mind it was a win-win situation. Overall there has never (or rarely) been a dull moment.