Summary

Panelists: David Madero, Ralph Wijnholds, Dharma Wikewickreme

The pipeline industry is a technology driven industry. As mentioned by Michelle Unger (ROSEN) in a recent interview: “My final ‘hope’ is that our industry will realize that people are a key part of our technologies. Good technologies are no use without good people. The future will see fantastic technologies: we have to ensure we also have fantastic people. The future may well see ‘people’ as being the weak link in our industry”. The panel will discuss the need for competent can qualified personnel in the context of a changing Mexican Pipeline industry.

Biography: Michelle Unger, MEng. Msc. CertHE. FHEA.

Michelle is the Head of the Group Business Line 'Education Systems and Services' for the ROSEN Group, and is based in the UK.
She has over 20 years’ experience: her early career involved pipeline integrity consultancy, but her more recent experience is in technical training, learning, education, and competence development.
Michelle is a Visiting Lecturer at Newcastle University in the UK, and was a member of the development team of the MSc in Subsea Engineering and Management at Newcastle University. She was also the Program Director of the Distance Learning MSc in Pipeline Integrity Management at Northumbria University in the UK, which was awarded the ASME Global Pipeline Award in 2014.
Michelle is a Civil Engineer with a Masters in Pipeline Hydraulics. She has a PgC in Academic Practice from Newcastle University, and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Summary

CEPA’s Integrity First® program is designed to help pipeline companies share and implement leading practices, keeping pipelines safe and communities protected. CEPA members committed to a zero incidents. Or, as CEPA puts it: “We do not compete on safety. Only by working together can we ensure our actions lead to measurable improvement”. The speaker will elaborate on the importance of building trust in the industry and the needs to be truly committed to industry collaboration.

Biography

With more than 30 years of experience in the domestic and international energy business, Chris Bloomer leads the industry association that represents Canada’s transmission pipeline companies, which operate 134,000 kilometres of pipeline in Canada and the United States.

Prior to being appointed President and CEO of CEPA in 2015, Chris spent three years as CEO and Director at Connacher Oil and Gas Ltd. Chris has also held other senior executive roles across a range of domestic and international energy businesses, including Shell Canada, Petrobank Energy and Resources, Castle Energy, Talon Resources and Korn/Ferry.  

Chris has a degree in Geoscience and is a member of The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA).
 

Workshops

a) Geotechbical Considerations for Design, Construction and Monitoring and Pipelines - Dr. Dharma Wijewickcreme (English)

b) Risk Assessment - Pedro Guillen (Spanish)

c) Pipeline Defect Assessment - Oscar Martinez (Spanish)

Workshops

a) ILI Technology an d System Selection - Christopher De Leon (Spanish)

b) Corrosion Control - Jozef Soltis (English)

c) Developing Staff in Changing Industry - Michelle Unger, Bouke van Riel (English)

Summary

As industries changes so do regulations, codes and standards evolve. API will provide an overview of the framework of codes and standards for the Energy sector, present their view on top policy issues and latest developments with a focus on Oil & Gas.

Biography

Stuart Saulters has been involved in the oil and gas industry for almost 9 years.  After graduating from Mississippi State University with a Civil Engineering degree, he began working as a Design Engineer at Chevron’s Pascagoula, Mississippi Refinery.  At this location, he worked in the Sulfur Recovery Unit, as well as the Blending and Shipping operating area.  After 4 years in the downstream sector, Stuart transferred to work as a Facility Engineer at Chevron’s production facilities in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.  His focus, while working in the upstream sector, was with operation and maintenance of production equipment.  Stuart accepted a job as a Pipeline Policy Advisor with API in August 2014.  Since then, he has supported several industry groups.  Additionally, he advises API colleagues on pipeline policy.

Summary

Wrapping-up the day the speaker will focus on “intent” and what essential questions and (or) choices companies need to make with regards to their integrity decisions (“do we want to take integrity to the next level?”).

Biography

Professor Phil Hopkins is an independent consultant, specialising in pipeline engineering consultancy and training, with his own company: Phil Hopkins Ltd. He was previously Executive Director of the pipeline engineering company Penspen Limited., UK, Managing Director of the pipeline engineering consultants, Andrew Palmer and Associates (APA), UK., and a Business Manager in the Research and Technology Division of British Gas. He was a Professorial Fellow and Visiting Professor at Newcastle University, UK, and is currently a Visiting Professor at Northumbria University, UK.