The Australian Pipelines and Gas association has presented its APGA awards for 2019 to individuals or companies in recognition of their services to the industry.
Awards were presented across five categories including The Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Pipeline Industry Award, the Young Achievement Award, the Jeff Shepherd Construction Excellence Award, the APGA Safety Award and the APGA Environment Award.
Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Pipeline Industry Award
Industry vetran, Phil Colvin, was the recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Pipeline Industry Award.
With a career that spans over 30 years, Mr Colvin is described as tireless and selfless by colleagues. Mr Colvin has championed the development of performance-based standards and regulatory regimes which has allowed for the introduction of new technologies and approaches.
APGA Young Achievement Award
Strong competition resulted in two winners of the 2019 APGA Young Achievement Award: Brendan McGuckin from MPC Kinetic and Richard Morgan from APA Group.
The innovation, communication and leadership demonstrated by Mr McGuckin and Mr Morgan in their contribution bodes well for the next generation of the pipeline industry and were highly regarded when choosing winners for the award.
Jeff Shepherd Construction Excellence Award
President of Quanta Services Australia, Mark Bumpstead, who has championed safety and industry-led research throughout a career spanning more than four decades, was presented with the Jeff Shepherd Award for Construction Excellence.
Mr Bumpstead has been involved in the pipeline industry for more than 40 years. He has worked with gas industry clients and pipeline contractor organisations and has held management roles in both a site and corporate capacity throughout Australia, South East Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific Rim.
Beginning in field roles and working on through to executive management, he has been a leader in the planning and execution of pipeline construction. His very practical approach to problem solving, with a focus on construction excellence, is well-known in the industry.
APGA Safety Award
Import and export logistics services provider, Qube, received the APGA Safety Award for its new technology that can be operated remotely and increases the rate of loading and unloading of pipe.
As handling coated pipe can be risky for people and also for the pipes, the new technology developed by Qube has enabled the process to be undertaken without the need for humans to be nearby. Loading and unloading is also able to be done more quickly.
APGA Environment Award
APA Group was awarded 2019 APGA Environment Award for its Site Planning and Landscape Guidelines which address land use issues and improve the environmental values of the land over pipeline easements.
The Site Planning and Landscape Guidelines encourage early engagement with and involvement in the planning process so that the company can become a partner with communities to bring benefits in amenity at the same time as ensuring protection for pipelines.
