Lucas director Andy Lukas has won the award for Outstanding Contribution to the Australian pipeline industry at the 2009 Australian Pipeline Industry Association Convention and Exhibition held in Cairns, Queensland.

Following his graduation from the University of NSW in 1967 with a bachelor of engineering, Mr Lukas completed an MBA at the University of Tulsa in the United States in 1970. He returned to Australia in 1970 and, in 1973, set up the Australian and New Zealand operations of Williams Brothers. In 1975, Andy joined AJ Lucas as project manager with subsequent roles as general manager, managing director and currently as executive director.

Mr Lukas introduced horizontal directional drilling (HDD) in Australia in 1991, when he built his own rig to complete a project in Sydney. Under his guidance, a number of world records have been set for the longest HDD crossing, longest HDD application for sewer to grade and longest in-seam coal seam gas drainage hole.

In a career that has spanned 39 years and is ‘still going strong’, Mr Lukas has been on the board of the International Pipeline and Offshore Contractors Association (IPLOCA) since 2004. In 2007, he became the first Australian to serve as President of IPLOCA. Mr Lukas has also been the longest-serving APIA board member, serving from 1995 to 2008, including a term as president in 1998–99.

“This award is a fitting recognition for a man who has made an outstanding contribution to the Australian pipeline industry over a significant period of time. Andy has become an industry stalwart by always endeavouring to think outside the square and challenge conventional thinking and his ability to force others to think differently is incredible,” outgoing APIA president Ashley Kellett said.

“He is always available to provide wise advice, strong support and mentoring – and robust comment if need be. These characteristics of Andy’s approach are most important to the long term excellence of the industry.”