NEWSROOM

14 October 2024

Our Western Australia HDD team received further recognition today at the Australian Pipelines and Gas Assocation (APGA) Convention Awards ceremony!

Winner of the coveted Environment Award, the team achieved significant fresh water and emissions savings thanks to four construction initiatives as part of the installation of 3 HDD shore approaches on Barrow Island (WA):

• Change in composition of drilling fluid,
• Replacement of freshwater by seawater,
• Use of Gluon for topsoil management, and
• Recycling of water used in hydrotesting.

These initiatives not only contributed to running the project smoothly with minimal disturbance to a sensitive environment, they also illustrate our strong commitment to sustainability by delivering innovative environment solutions for the benefits of the whole HDD industry.

14 October2024

With over 25 years of experience and a track record of supervising the construction of more than 1,900 kilometers of pipelines, Doug’s dedication and leadership in the field are truly commendable. His journey from an apprentice plumber to a distinguished manager showcases his exceptional skills and commitment to excellence.

Spiecapag is incredibly proud to count Doug as part of its team. Doug is currently leading the Kurri Kurri 14″ Lateral Pipeline Project as Construction Manager, exemplifying the dedication and expertise that drive our success.

27 September 2024

PRESS RELEASE

Spiecapag selected for Marinus Link HDD Scope

Brisbane, Australia – September 27, 2024 – Spiecapag, the leading pipeline and Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) services contractor, is pleased to announce it has been selected by global cabling solutions provider Prysmian, for the Landfall HDD scope of the Marinus Link project.

The Marinus Link project will improve the electricity and telecommunications connection between Tasmania and Victoria via 345km of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables and fibre optic cables. It includes 255 km of subsea cables across the Bass Strait and 90 km of underground cables in Gippsland, Victoria.

Marinus Link will facilitate the transmission of more energy and data between Tasmania and Victoria, enabling Tasmania to import excess solar and wind energy produced in Victoria and export its hydropower later to meet peak demand interstate.

As part of the Marinus Link Project, Spiecapag will be delivering 12 shore crossings, 6 on each side of the Strait, via its HDI Lucas arm. The Victorian side of the project will be located near Waratah Bay, while the Tasmanian side will be in Heybridge, near Burnie.

“We are thrilled to partner with Prysmian and Marinus Link on this significant project,” said John Stuart-Robertson, General Manager of HDI Lucas. “Our expertise in HDD and Prysmian’s leadership in cable systems will ensure the successful delivery of the Marinus Link Project, contributing to a more sustainable and reliable energy future for Australia.”

The Marinus Link Project is jointly owned by the Australian, Tasmanian, and Victorian governments and is a critical infrastructure project aimed at enhancing energy security and supporting the transition to renewable energy sources. The first 750MW of Marinus Link will help Australia meet its net-zero emissions reduction targets by saving up to 70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by 2050.

For more information, please contact: Jason Paterson, Business Strategy & Growth Manager, jason.paterson@spiecapag.com, +61 499 499 301.

About Spiecapag: Spiecapag is a global leader in pipeline construction, associated facilities and Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD), servicing the energy, resources and utilities sectors. Over 100 years Spiecapag has built a strong expertise and track record delivering complex infrastructure projects safely, on time, and within budget. For more information, visit www.spiecapag.com.au.

About Prysmian: Prysmian is a global cabling solutions provider leading the energy transition and digital transformation. With headquarters in Milan, Italy, Prysmian operates in over 50 countries and has a rich history of innovation and excellence. For more information, visit www.prysmian.com/en.

Download PDF version of press release.

25 September 2024

Spiecapag receives IPLOCA Environment Award runner-up prize!

We are proud to announce that our Western Australia HDD team has been recognised at the IPLOCA Awards ceremony recently held in Sorrento, Italy.

Represented on stage by John Stuart-Robertson (middle), General Manager of HDI Lucas, Spiecapag’s HDD brand, the team received the Environment Award runner-up prize for contributing to significant fresh water and emissions savings via four construction initiatives:

• Drilling fluid
• Seawater replacement
• Topsoil management
• Hydrotest recycling

Overall, the project team estimated a freshwater saving of 427ML (or 171 Olympic swimming pools), and a reduction of 1,683 tonnes of emissions from transport and production (equivalent to taking 365 cars off the road for a year), for the delivery of 3 landfalls on Barrow Island (WA).

These initiatives not only contributed to run the project smoothly with minimal disturbance to a sensitive environment, but also offer new innovative environmental solutions to the HDD Industry.

9 August 2024

Spiecapag hosts its first Health & Safety Summit

Spiecapag Australia proudly hosted its inaugural Health & Safety Summit in Kurri Kurri (NSW) this week, bringing together both our seasoned leaders and emerging talents for a full day dedicated to advancing our health and safety practices.

The summit was a fantastic opportunity for staff from both the field and head office to reflect on our past achievements, assess our current practices, and set ambitious goals for the future — all through the lens of health and safety.

As part of the Summit, head office representatives as well as leaders from our other projects in Australia and Papua New Guinea, had the chance to get their boots dirty and visit the Kurri Kurri Lateral and Storage pipelines Project.

­­­The Kurri Kurri Lateral and Storage pipelines project is a key piece of infrastructure aimed at supporting Snowy Hydro’s Hunter Power Station project. As part of this project, Spiecapag is currently delivering the construction of a 21km long 14” transmission pipeline connecting the power station to the existing Sydney to Newcastle pipeline, and a 42” high-pressure storage pipeline providing firm supply during peak demand periods or when renewable sources are not available.

The visit was a great opportunity to see first-hand the incredible workmanship that goes into building such an important project.

11 July 2024

Horizontal Directional Drilling, a key solution for the development of offshore wind in Australasia

Great turn out at the AuWE Conference and Exhibition in Melbourne! The two-day event, dedicated to the Wind Energy industry, was an excellent opportunity to hear from both regulators and developers about the opportunities and challenges the industry is facing around environment concerns and community engagement.

These issues are very familiar to the Spiecapag and HDI Lucas teams, who have been delivering pipelines, ducts and conduits in both environmentally and residentially sensitive areas for decades. By avoiding extensive excavation, our Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) trenchless technique preserves the natural landscape and prevents disruption to marine life and coastal communities, making it an ideal choice to seamlessly connect offshore wind farms to the power grid.

Following in the footstep of its sister company, HDI – HORIZONTAL DRILLING INTERNATIONAL in Europe, HDI Lucas is ready to contribute to the development of offshore wind farms in the Australasia region!

For further information or if you would like to discuss your project with our team, please contact John Stuart-Robertson, john.stuart-robertson@spiecapag.com, or Jason Paterson, jason.paterson@spiecapag.com.

3 July 2024

Jansz-Io team reaches significant milestone!

Congrats to our Jansz-Io team on Barrow Island (WA) who achieved a significant milestone! After several months of planning (and 3 cyclone alerts!), the team finalised the installation of 560m of DN630 HDPE casing which enabled the successful pull-in of the offshore umbilical with assistance from Spiecapag. This was the first of three shore approaches for Chevron Australia.

As Principal Contractor, Spiecapag has been heavily involved in the design engineering, construction engineering, procurement and all construction phases. It included the managing of the civil subcontractor, as well as the interfacing with offshore marine HDD support, and offshore marine cable installation teams.

2 June 2024

Spiecapag wins Best Fundraising Team at the Brisbane Marathon Festival!

Thanks to our volunteers, the Spiecapag team collectively walked or ran 223.4km and raised $22,544 for the Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF) as part of the 2024 Brisbane Marathon Festival. A feat also made possible thanks to the enthusiastic support of our sponsors UEA Group, Pipeline Plant Hire, Austrack Equipment Pty Ltd, LandPartners, AHA Boring Pty Ltd, CNC Project Management, CST Hire and PSSS.

Recognised with the Highest Overall Fundraising Team prize, the team was handed its achievement certificate on stage by the Deek (aka Rob de Castella AO MBE). Former world champion marathon runner, and founder of the IMF, Rob de Castella shared some of the accomplishments of the organisation – from sending 5 participants to the New York Marathon in 2010 to 132 graduates finishing a major international marathon, including NY, Boston, Tokyo, London, Paris and Berlin, and completing a compulsory education in Health & Leadership. On the day, the IMF was the second biggest team with 95 participants coming from all over the country!

Rob also dropped in at the Spiecapag Tent and shared a few words of wisdom with the team, which can also translate to the workplace, i.e. “when you feel a little bit of discomfort, you know that you’re on track, because when things are coasting, when things are too easy, then you’re never going to get the best out of yourself”.

Special shout to our Managing Director, John Walsh, who was the only one running the Marathon and came first of his category with 3h08 minutes!

31 May 2024

VINCI’s Safety Day(s): spotlight on people & machinery interaction

This week, Spiecapag, HDI Lucas, MOSA JV, and the broader VINCI Construction family proudly participated in the 2024 Safety Day(s) global campaign for the 11th consecutive year. From May 27th to June 1st, our teams were invited to focus on the critical interaction between people and machinery.

Across our projects and offices, interactive activities highlighted exclusion zones and blind spots around common plant and equipment used in our projects. Those activities encouraged individuals to rethink their interactions with mobile plant and equipment, ensuring they avoid the “line of fire, and understand equipment blind spots. More than 500 staff participated, and a few quiz winners took home some exciting LEGO Technic sets!

Spiecapag, HDI Lucas and MOSA JV are committed to maintaining the highest safety standards across all our projects. By participating in initiatives like Safety Day(s), we continually strive to improve our safety culture and practices, ensuring the well-being of our teams worldwide.

16 April 2024

Spiecapag gains momentum on the Kurri Kurri Pipeline Project

Drawing on its experience as a leading pipelines contractor globally, Spiecapag has mobilised teams and equipment to construct the Kurri Kurri Lateral Pipeline Project for APA Group, near Newcastle – approximately 150km north of Sydney.

Officially awarded on July 20th last year, the project consists of two main pipelines – a 14-inch high-pressure transmission pipeline, 20 kilometres long, and a 42-inch Gas Storage pipeline, 24 kilometres long. These buried pipelines will connect the Hunter Power Project at Kurri Kurri to the existing Jemena Sydney to Newcastle pipeline, which will provide dispatchable firmed capacity to supplement Snowy Hydro’s renewable electricity generation portfolio.

Construction works commenced in October 2023, and work across both pipelines is well underway. About 8 km of the 14” pipe is already buried, and reinstatement is already in progress, while trenching and welding continues further on the line. On the 42” storage section, stringing and bending are well advanced, and the welding – using Serimax STX08 STT automated system, a first in Australia – has recently started.

Set to employ over 350 people, the project is providing many business and employment opportunities to the local community, as well as bringing experienced international pipeline personnel into the team.

View the article here: IPLOCA Newsletter | Issue 99 | June 2024 (p16)

27 February 2024

Spiecapag announces it participation to Sydney Water Infrastructure Pipeline & Supply Chain Expo 2024

Spiecapag and HDI Lucas will be present at the Sydney Water Infrastructure Pipeline & Supply Chain Expo 2024 in March 13.

Spiecapag and HDI Lucas have long been active in the water sector. One of our most recent projects, the Mardi to Warnervale Pipeline Project in NSW, delivered in a joint venture with our sister company Seymour Whyte, included the construction of a 9km 1,000mm diameter HDPE pipeline from the Mardi Water Treatment Plant to Sparks Road in Warnervale. The route crossed road reserves, council land, private properties and sensitive environmental areas and therefore demanded the use of trenchless technology solutions. HDI Lucas accepted the challenge and successfully installed two 700m+ large diameter HDD crossings at critical locations.

Key to securing the future water needs of the Central Coast community, the new infrastructure also enhanced bulk water transfers between the Central Coast and the Hunter Region, enabling better planning for future water resourcing and helping both regions better manage potential future drought conditions.

View the Mardi to Warnervale Pipeline Project video here: tinyurl.com/y88kynpr

13 December 2023

Pipeliner of choice

A leader in pipeline construction contracting and horizontal directional drilling, Spiecapag has been operating in Australia for 40 years. Delve into four decades of Australasian pipeline projects with John Walsh, Managing Director of Spiecapag Australia, in the December issue of APAC Outlook.

View full article (p98-109) here: APAC Outlook Magazine | Issue 65 | December 2023

9 November 2023

Boots on the ground for the Kurri Kurri Lateral Pipeline

Spiecapag is proud to partner with APA Group for the construction of the Kurri Kurri Lateral Pipeline. The project consists of two main (buried) pipelines, a 14-inch medium pressure transmission pipeline 20-kilometre long – linking the Hunter Power Project to the existing Sydney to Newcastle pipeline, and a 42-inch Gas Bottle Storage pipeline 24-kilometre long. The pipeline will include electric compressors to minimise its operational emissions.

Early works, including access track construction works commenced in October 2023, with the project set to employ around 350 people. The project has already seen success in providing supplier and employment opportunities to local residents and businesses.

25 October 2023

20th anniversary of the SEA Gas Port Campbell to Adelaide Pipeline

Twenty years ago, the Spie Capag and AJ Lucas teams were in the trenches nearing the completion of the SEA Gas Port Campbell to Adelaide Pipeline. As the 20th anniversary of the pipeline commissioning is looming, we have excavated a great video from our archives for all to reminisce and enjoy!

Since 1969 South Australia’s sole gas supply came from the Moomba gas field in the state’s North, a critical resource generating 70% of the state’s electricity. With the Moomba reserves expected to be depleted by 2010, an alternative gas supply was essential.

The SEA Gas pipeline was conceived to provide this alternative, delivering natural gas from new fields off the Victorian coast. With initial planning complete, SEA Gas called for expressions of interest in October 2001 and shortlisted 4 potential partners to engineer, design and construct the pipeline. In May 2002, SEA Gas announced their choice: Spie Capag-Lucas, a joint venture between pipeline giant Spie Capag and AJ Lucas.

As an EPC contractor, Spie Capag-Lucas were responsible for every element: detailed engineering, procurement, construction, testing and commissioning. They also had to liaise with hundreds of landowners, 2 State governments and dozens of local authorities. The pipeline was to be delivered within 19 months and luckily, the pipeline was commissioned and online just days before an incident at Moomba cut the original supply line to Adelaide.

In Brief:
Length: 687km – traversing from Port Campbell in Southwest Victoria to Pelican Point in South Australia.
Diameter: for approximately half of this length the PCA consists of twin 14” diameter pipes with the remainder being single 18” diameter pipe.
Compression: 2 compressor stations located on the PCA; one at Coomandook, in SA, and the other at Miakite, in Victoria.

View the Project video here: (10) FLASHBACK | Construction of the SEA Gas Port Campbell to Adelaide pipeline – YouTube

19 October 2023

John Stuart-Robertson named APGA’s new President

After a busy 4 days at the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association (APGA) annual Convention and Exhibition in Perth, our very own John Stuart-Robertson, Managing Director of HDI Lucas, was appointed as the new President of the APGA for the next 2 years.

John has been active within APGA for over 20 years, initially as a simple member attending networking events. As years went by, John got involved in various committees and eventually joined the board 8 years ago, continuing the legacy of Andy Lukas and Kevin Lester from Lucas, who respectively became President in 1998 and 2008.

The APGA is a platform for industry engagement, collaboration and collegiality, federating contractors, engineers, suppliers and assets owners. Via its various forums, such as the Women, Suppliers or Young Pipeliners Forums, and via its events, APGA facilitates networking and knowledge sharing. The work APGA members do together on key industry issues is critical. Spiecapag’s team is involved in various committees including the Health, Safety & Environment, Contractors, and Research & Standards committees. Committees work on guidelines, standards and policies. They are regularly consulted by government at multiple levels.

The APGA has always been very strong in supporting Research & Standards, and so particularly as the energy sector transitions to net-zero emissions. As part of Future Fuels, a government funded Cooperative Research Committee (CRC), APGA will contribute to setting up new safe standards for energy transportation, in particular related to hydrogen.

15 September 2023

John Rutherford is the 2023 Jeff Pace Young Person of the Year!

John Rutherford, Deputy Project Manager on the Jansz-Io Project, is the winner of the 2023 Jeff Pace Young Person of the Year Award announced last night at the Australasian Society for Trenchless Technology (ASTT) Gala Dinner! The Spiecapag Australia and HDI Lucas’ Teams couldn’t be prouder.

Since graduating from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical & Materials Engineering) in 2018, John has progressed from Project Engineer to Project Manager on many of the most complex and challenging trenchless projects delivered in the region. This includes the installation of multiple outfall pipelines in Papua New Guinea such as the Lihir Iskabd Tailing Pipeline.

1 July 2023

Spiecapag celebrates 100 years!

Growing from installing 10km of high-pressure pipeline from a gas field in the 1920s to becoming a leading global contractor in pipelines and associated facilities, Spiecapag is celebrating 100 years of contructing gas pipeline in 2023.

The Australian Pipeliner sat down with Spiecapag Managing Director, John Walsh, to talk about the significant milestones over the past 100 years, the changing landscape of the industry and where the company is heading.

View full article (p16-17) here: The Australian Pipeliner Magazine | Issue 198 | July 2023

1 March 2021

Mardi to Warnervale to completion

Spiecapag Managing Director John Walsh says the company is approaching practical completion of the Mardi to Warnervale Project on the New South Wales Central Coast. Much of Spiecapag’s reputation has been built on cross country and complex steel pipeline jobs, but the company is proving its versatility with the construction of this HDPE water pipeline.

View full article (p40-41) here: The Australian Pipeliner Magazine | Issue 185 | March 2021

12 February 2020

Contract Award Mardi to Warnervale

Central Coast Council has awarded the contract for construction of the Mardi to Warnervale Pipeline to joint venture partners Spiecapag Australia and Seymour Whyte. The nine-kilometre pipeline is one of the NSW region’s most significant infrastructure projects and will boost water supply to Central Coast’s rapidly growing northern suburbs and improve water security for the entire region.

John Walsh, Spiecapag’s Managing Director, noted “We look forward to successfully delivering this project for Central Coast Council, and to working alongside our sister company, Seymour Whyte. It’s a great opportunity to demonstrate how the capability and strength of the VINCI Construction group can deliver value for local communities. We look forward to building a collaborative approach with the Central Coast Council, alongside Seymour Whyte as our JV partner”.

Steve Lambert, Seymour Whyte’s General Manager – Southern, said, “This is a very important contract for us as it will be the first pipeline contract delivered solely by a VINCI Construction companies joint venture; and demonstrates our continued growth in the strategic water infrastructure sector.”

30 April 2019

Tuas Shore Crossing completed

Our team has completed two cable landfalls as part of a significant reclamation project undertaken by JTC Corporation at the Tuas Western Coast in Singapore. The two 700m shore approaches (250mm OD Casing) were installed 45m deep beyond the proposed dredging zone. Project works included all required support activities; construction and maintenance of launch pit and work area; provision and transportation of consumables, material and equipment.

Following these crossings, crews will be heading to New Zealand for a major project in Auckland in May 2019.

20 August 2018

Spiecapag donates to charity Mates in Construction

Spiecapag staff has presented a cheque to Mates in Construction for the funds raised by the Spiecapag team as part of the 2018 Brisbane Marathon Festival. A special thanks to all of the sponsors who dug deep for a great Aussie cause.