New thinking

The International Pipeline and Offshore Contractors Association (IPLOCA) was formed in Paris in 1966 by companies active in the international pipeline construction industry. These companies recognised that they shared many common interests and problems, which could most effectively be addressed through the establishment of an industry association.

Today, with more than 250 members from all corners of the globe, IPLOCA embraces every discipline associated with this dynamic industry, both on and offshore. Members include the major international pipeline and offshore contractors as well as their subcontractors. The associate members represent the suppliers of products, equipments and services offered to our industry.

While, for the most part, the aims of the Association today remain the same as they were when laid down in Paris in 1966, the industry itself has grown and changed significantly in 40 years. Similarly, IPLOCA is changing to ensure that it continues to advance the growth of the industry and that it supports and represents those working within it.

Significant changes

The most significant changes since 1966 have been the realisation of successful strategies for health, safety and the environment, which are fundamental to any responsible business and, in particular, to an industry where men and machines work so closely together.

Pipeline owners are increasingly looking to contractors as indispensable partners, rather than rivals or opponents, and they work closely to maximise the benefits of various technological changes in pipeline engineering and construction.

IPLOCA is establishing new committees – made up not only of contractors, but also owners, engineers and suppliers – to pursue the issues crucial to all. This is a significant development for IPLOCA and some of its customers.

Health and safety

IPLOCA believes that safety, health and protection of the environment are the responsibility of all and that greater cooperation between pipeline owners, engineers, and the contractors will maximize the progress in this area.

IPLOCA is bringing the pipeline owners, engineers and contractors together to establish essential standards for safety planning and procedures. The entire industry – each and every worker, manager and owner – should be working under common standards. The greater the familiarity with the requirements, the more likely it is that these will be part of everyday practice – a reflex reaction. And the easier these standards are to implement, the greater is the likelihood of them being followed.

Environmental management

Environmental management is more complicated than safety management, because the physical circumstances vary so much from project to project. Nevertheless, standardisation of processes will make for better familiarity and greater application, and therefore better results. IPLOCA is working to facilitate this area and highlights best practices through an award given at its annual conference.

Changing from adversaries to partners

The size and importance of some of the pipeline projects are such that the owners are necessarily focused on the result. This means, however, that the emphasis of the pipeline owners is on getting projects built efficiently, on time and to budget, rather than on the contract and the contractual issues that have plagued many projects for too many years.

The contractors would say it is the owner that sets the mood for contract development and who has the opportunity to improve contracting relationships. Indeed, many owners are focusing closely on this area. IPLOCA is working to promote this shift from the parties seeing themselves as adversaries, to being partners in the process of achieving the desired result. Improvement in these relationships is often closely connected with the appropriate allocation of risk management to the party best equipped to manage and mitigate the risks.

To achieve this, on major projects, the construction partner needs to be brought into the discussion some time during the front end engineering design (FEED). This is a radical shift in thinking and not all owners, engineers and contractors can get their heads around how this will work during the contracting process. IPLOCA is working hard to help them do so.

IPLOCA’s legendary conventions

Many lasting friendships and business relationships have been formed at IPLOCA’s conventions. The conventions have been, and continue to be, a great opportunity to relax and socialise, but this year’s sold out convention in Barcelona includes 20 technical presentations. Among the topics included are mine clearing, technical discussions of welding, pipe-coating, cold water distribution, safety culture, and safety behavior, among others.

IPLOCA’s goals for 2007 and beyond are to provide global advocacy and leadership in the pipeline construction industry, focusing on industry growth through best business practices and an emphasis on safety and the protection of the environment.