Tasmanian Gas Pipeline

The current owner of the TPG, Palisade TGP Pty Ltd, renewed Zinfra’s field services contract in February 2014 for 5 years with a 3 year extension option. “Zinfra has managed the pipeline awareness program very well with a low level of third party interference over the life of the TGP, compared to other pipelines around Australasia,” says Barry Parsons, General Manager of the TPG.

Zinfra’s ongoing challenge for this contract is:  can it be managed differently, more efficiently and cheaper?  Not only are we always looking to improve our management of the TPG, we have done so with an incredible safety record: no LTIs, MTIs or fatalities for over 12 years.

Many of our employees have been involved with the TGP for this entire period, bringing an intimate knowledge and experience to the asset owner.  Barry Parsons commented, “Zinfra has performed the field services role on TGP very well. The field services staff are passionate about the TGP and this is reflected in the stability of the Zinfra staff with very little turnover in recent years.”

Zinfra’s scope of work is the provision of operation, maintenance and inspection services to TGP.  The recently executed contract now has Zinfra managing the control room contract with Jemena directly as a subcontract to the primary field services contract with Palisade.

Palisade relies on Zinfra to:

• Manage, conduct and report on all routine testing, maintenance and repair services in relation to the TGP

• Supervise all planned maintenance in relation to the TGP including third party contractors to perform major inspections such as pigging, cathodic protection and DCVG surveys and pressure vessel inspections

• Monitor and report on safety, environmental, reliability of service, functionality and operational performance of the TGP

• Physically manage and maintain all pipeline related properties, rights of way, easements and facilities

• Implement the minor capital expenditure program related to maintenance on existing assets including installation of new and replacement assets in line with the approved Asset Management Plan

• Field response in the event of unplanned events or equipment breakdown and other emergencies in accordance with Incident Management Plan and Emergency Response Action Plan

• Maintain and operate a computerised maintenance management system as provided by, and in accordance with the instructions of, the asset owner

• Land management (environment and heritage) – liaison with land owners and local councils to annually review land usage plans, in accordance with the TGP pipeline awareness land management policy

• Manage field response for all Dial Before You Dig enquiries

• Participate in any health, safety, HAZOP, HAZID, CHAZOP, JHA and other pipeline awareness and  public consultation briefings as required.