Worley Exec: Logistics is the Backbone of Pipeline Project Success

At the IPLOCA Convention in Türkiye, Worley’s Richard Allen called logistics “the backbone of pipeline projects,” stressing early planning to prevent costly delays and supply chain risks.

By Jim Watkins, European Business Development Director and Podcast Host

(P&GJ) — At the 57th Annual IPLOCA Convention in Izmir, Türkiye, Richard Allen, Director of Logistics at Worley, urged pipeline operators to prioritize logistics planning from the earliest stages of project development.

Allen, who has more than three decades of experience in operations, military service, and project forwarding, described logistics as “the backbone of pipeline projects.” He stressed that effective planning ensures the right materials arrive in the right place, at the right time, in the right condition, and at the right cost. Missing even one of these elements, he warned, can halt construction.

He emphasized that engaging logistics teams early allows operators to shape the flow of materials, secure agreements, and anticipate region-specific hurdles. Simulation models, he noted, show that unmanaged supply chains quickly lead to bottlenecks and wasted resources, while coordinated oversight reduces both risk and cost.

From customs clearance and pipe handling to environmental constraints and storage limitations, logistics touches every part of pipeline construction. Allen also highlighted the growing role of modern tools such as dynamic modeling and logistics intelligence in anticipating global disruptions — including freight spikes, canal restrictions, and cybersecurity risks.

“Logistics is not a side function,” Allen concluded. “It is the backbone of pipeline projects. If we get it right, everything else falls into place.”