Demand for LNG grows, as does need for staff

The LNG market in North America will be the most active in the world in the next five years, due to the increasing exploration and production of shale gas, said Todd Cartwright, commercial vice president, onshore, Technip.

“The demand for LNG has been steadily growing globally due to the need for a clean and cost-effective source for energy. With the shale gas plays, there is now a surplus of natural gas in our country, and many companies are seeking new opportunities to market this gas around the world,” said Denise Madera, director, marketing and communications, Excelerate Energy L.P.

Between the U.S. and Canada, more than 37 potential LNG projects have filed applications with federal authorities seeking permission to export LNG.

One of those many projects in North America will involve Fluor Corp., which announced last month that its joint venture with JGC was awarded an engineering, procurement and construction contract by Chevron Canada Limited for the proposed Kitimat Liquefied Natural Gas project in Bish Cove, British Columbia, Canada.

“We are excited,” said Peter Oosterveer, president of Fluor’s energy and chemicals group. “Kitimat has the potential to become Canada’s first major LNG production and export terminal.”

In regard to U.S. LNG exports, Excelerate is developing a floating LNG export facility, the Lavaca Bay LNG project. Sited along the coast south of Point Comfort, the facility will be designed to export LNG to markets worldwide.

“These projects are not only time-consuming, they require significant human capital,” Cartwright said.

Some of the typical roles in LNG plants during development are project managers, process engineers, electrical engineers, civil engineers, mechanical engineers, operations support, scheduler/planner, document control, regulatory coordinator and HSEQ. Also required are marine engineers and naval architects since this will be a floating LNG facility. Once the plant is online, the facility will be operated primarily by process people with LNG experience.

“Amarine team assists with the LNG carriers coming to either deliver or take away, the LNG cargo. Experience, on some level, with transportation and care of LNG, be it either through the liquefaction or regasification process, is required,” said Martin Hruska, senior director, upstream development, Excelerate Energy L.P.

“Engineers transfer easily into the LNG industry, due to the similar processes as weights, electrical, wind load and others. Houston is home to this technology and human resources. We do not have as many engineers and staff as often required, though,” said Dan Spinks, vice president and office manager, Fluor Corp., Houston.