Breaking the Mold ...
the making of the Atlantic LNG Project

The first liquefied natural gas plant to be build in the Atlantic Basin in nearly two decades, the Atlantic LNG project is most noted for its ability to challenge what was previously considered to be the norm throughout the natural gas industry, says company chairman Martin Houston.

From the technical specifications to the financing arrangements, the Atlantic LNG project broke the mold in all spheres of the industry. Innovation and safety were the watchwords as the plant went through its construction phase followed by the commencement of production activities in 1999.

"What was being challenged was the mystique about LNG technology, that in order to be viable, LNG plants must be large with increasing sophistication and complexity. In addition there was the view that only a few companies had the necessary technical expertise to undertake LNG projects," says Houston.

"The reality as we saw it, was that a LNG plant is based on the same fundamental principles and processes that are used in any domestic refrigerator or air condition unit. Of course the scale of the operation pushed equipment design to the limit and a great deal of attention was given to safety and detailed design issues. But compared to many other industries today, the technology is straight forward and had been proven for many years," he added.

"With this in mind, the overarching design philosophy for the A-LNG plant was to keep it simple, providing the necessary safety and reliability features in as cost effective a manner as possible."

After the project agreements were signed in 1996, initial work started in June of that year. A total of 13 million man hours were spent constructing the plant with only three minor lost time accidents (LTA) occurring. In 1998 a total of 8 million man hours were completed with no LTAs. A sparkling achievement by any standard, notes Houston.

He said plans are already being made to expand the existing facility by adding two additional trains to the production line. The scope of the project is a two train expansion with train two coming on line in 2002 and the third train in 2003.

The sponsors of the project see the proposed expansion as offering a range of benefits to the various interest groups. As well as generating significant employment opportunities - more than 3,000 at peak construction. In addition, as the market size and opportunities grow, a stimulus will be provided for new exploration to expand the country's reserves.

The growing gas industry around Pt Lisas as well as the needs of the Atlantic LNG project, has led to dramatic increases in the potential demand for natural gas in Trinidad and Tobago. The exploration stimulus arising from these developments may even encourage exploration of many of Trinidad's yet undeveloped north coast marine fields that have been fallow for almost 30 years, adds Houston.

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