2011 IPLOCA Convenes In Beijing

Karl Trauner, outgoing president of the International Pipeline and Offshore Contractors Association (IPLOCA) and Managing Director of HABAU, welcomed more thanr 600 delegates to Beijing, for the 45th annual convention. This first IPLOCA convention to be held in China was an opportunity to develop business relationships not only with other members but with clients and partners in the region. Participants were also invited to attend the China International Pipeline Expo which followed the convention.

Although Trauner was already involved in the pipeline industry - working on the Trans-Austria-Gas pipeline as a university student - he began his career at HABAU and spent the next 32 years working on civil engineering projects before getting more involved in the pipeline sector and becoming managing director of the Austrian company. Trauner largely credits the contacts and friendships he developed at IPLOCA meetings and conventions for the company’s recent industry acquisitions.

Trauner told P&GJ that his goal as president of IPLOCA was to elevate the “IPLOCA brand” in the industry through its members’ efforts in H&S, training and technology. Although optimistic about the coming years, particularly in light of increased projections of gas industry investments, Trauner regrets the lack of active participation from a number of IPLOCA’s members. “The association’s success depends on the commitment of our members,” Trauner stated. In an effort to encourage more member participation, the board decided that all member companies will be required to submit their H&S statistics as a condition to attending next year’s convention in Istanbul.

The Open General Meeting started with a presentation about a sixteenth century construction project. David Spindler, an independent historian, presented the history and dispelled some of myths concerning the Great Wall. Other presentations included Professor Michael Economides, the author of “The Color of Oil,” who discussed his views on geopolitics and its impact on the industry; and Torstein Indrebo, Secretary General of the International Gas Union, looked toward natural gas as part of the future energy solution.

Qingxun Chen, vice president of China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau (CPP), pointed out that China’s pipeline construction is expected to peak in the next 10 years with 54,000 km expected within the next five years, specifically large-diameter and high-grade steel pipes, LNG and offshore projects. Chen said that offshore pipeline pipelines installed in China now measure only 300km but will increase to 1,500 km when three current deepwater projects are completed.

More than $20,000 was raised for charity by the lottery for a car sponsored by Volvo Construction Equipment and Renault Trucks to benefit HOPE’87, Trauner’s chosen charity this year.