Effective LNG Operations Training

Vivakeanand Mahadeo , MBA, PMP, on behalf of the Capstone ITS Community

Amid discussions of the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war and its impact on energy as well as the post-pandemic period, there is a clear demand for new sources of energy.??

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) continues to play a pivotal role in the world's energy mix with growing capacity in new markets. The development of production facilities by Australia, the United States, and Qatar, coupled with the vast number of regasification facilities around the world, is reassurance that the LNG value chain is growing and will be sustained for a long time.?

In the relatively short existence of LNG, and as an offspring of the petroleum industry, prudent risk management has ensured that LNG has a relatively good safety record. With the anticipated growth of the industry, the US is expected to triple its production by 2030 from its 2019 rates. This should motivate stakeholders to increase training for LNG operators to mitigate the risk of human error associated with LNG production, storage, and handling.??

LNG production companies often do not have the human resource capacity to conduct and sustain rigid training programs, making it an economically viable option to seek external training resources.

Considered to be less competitive in terms of the cost of production of LNG than other regions, North American producers should be taking steps to prevent accidents in their facilities. Ensuring operators are well-trained to operate, start-up, shut down, and manage emergency situations will reduce the risk of accidents, and thereby curtail potential downtime, making their product more competitive internationally.??

There are various methods of delivering effective LNG training:?

1. Simulator & Scenario Training – This powerful method of training uses immersive simulations such as virtual reality (VR) environments, e-learning, quiz scenarios, and role-playing. These are used to assist employees in applying knowledge and skills to real-life situations.?
2. Instructor-Led Training – Also known as ILT, this includes any type of training that is facilitated by an instructor and may be conducted in an online environment or in a classroom setting.?
3. Computer Based & e-learning – Commonly known as CBT, is any course where all the material is delivered to the trainee via a software product installed on computers. CBTs may be delivered through a company's intranet or over the Internet as web-based training.??
4. Video-Based – Combining camera footage with text, audio, animation, and graphics gives users the ability to obtain a multisensory experience that is video-based training.??
5. Demonstration & Interactive Training – This is a type of training technique in which several steps are used to promote the learning of a new skill or the sharing of new knowledge with the active participation of trainees.??

In many cases, LNG production companies do not have the human resource capacity to conduct and sustain rigid training programs that would yield highly effective LNG operators. As such, it is considered an economically viable option to seek external training resources and third-party options. This is a highly effective method of building capacity of LNG operators without having to invest long-term in technology and LNG human resource expertise.??

As varying factors increase the demand for LNG, the industry is experiencing unparalleled growth that will be sustainable for many years to come. The processes associated with the LNG value chain are dangerous due to the physical and chemical properties of the energy source. As there is growth in the industry, there is a great need for the development and understanding of LNG processes by operators to manage and operate facilities safely to avoid the occurrence of incidents and accidents.?

One of the key methods of preserving a stellar safety standard in the industry is by effective training of operators. As LNG operators compete to be highly efficient on the global stage, it is recommended that these companies outsource training programs for their operators from specialists in the field.??