As the construction phase for the Curtis Island LNG projects winds up, local businesses are being schooled on how to diversify in order to gain work in the second phase of the gas boom.
A two-day workshop with LNG specialists was held in Gladstone last week, aiming to show companies what they need to know about the next stage of the LNG cycle.
The program explained how service companies could adapt, implement changes and develop specialised services to the industry.
Gladstone Engineering Alliance projects officer Robeya vander Walt said the workshop was a great tools for companies.
"Delegates will understand the differences between existing client companies, identify specific opportunities within their companies, outline a strategy to match client expectations and needs, engage with LNG operators and acquire cluster knowledge to amass enough resources and competencies to sustain a competitive advantage," she said.
It is estimated total of $65 billion has been invested in the gas in Queensland since it started gaining momentum since 2008.
And with a further 18,000 CSG wells expected to be drilled in the next 20 years, the boom is far from over.
In a speech at a gas conference in Texas last week, BG Group Australian chairman, Catherin Tanna, said investment and spend in the sector was set to increase.
“In the next two decades the natural gas industry will lift Queensland’s real gross domestic product by an average of $25 billion a year, provide 20,000 long-term jobs and generate up to $275 billion in royalties and taxes,” she said.
Tanna said local Queensland businesses would play a vital role in keeping the industry serviced.
“Enterprising businesses will continue to have many opportunities to get involved as the industry seeks a deeper service industry and streamlines its operations,” she said.
“We will require everything from maintenance and catering to engineering design, construction and enhanced information and control systems.”
BG Group’s QCLNG facility is set to be the first of three $70 billion LNG projects being built in Queensland to come into production.
Once all three of the plants are up and running, Queensland’s 25.3 million tonnes of production a year will be equivalent to 5 per cent of global supply.