Editorial

摘要

For a considerable time, headlines around the world have been focussing on the economic situation and the immense difficulties the downturn has imposed on individuals and companies in many industrial sectors. There is no denying the fact that huge changes are under way, and the world as a whole is having to readjust to the new regime that these changes are introducing. Many might therefore see this as a poor choice of time at which to launch a new industry publication. The hydrocarbons' pipeline industry is, however, particularly buoyant currently, and forecasts for the next five years are tremendously positive for both on- and offshore pipeline construction. Fuelled, of course, by the world's burgeoning need for energy, gas pipeline projects have never been of greater significance, and are focussing on transporting reserves from more technically-challenging areas than ever before. Oil, too, is in high demand, and requires transport over longer distances and through terrain of increasing complexity and environmental sensitivity.