Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Operator Spotlight

Liquifying natural gas at terminals allows Canada’s vast natural gas resources to be loaded onto ships for transport so that it can be safely exported without pipelines. A Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Operator looks after all of the pipes, pumps, processing units and control panels involved in the liquefaction and transportation process to make sure everything is running smoothly.

What a typical day looks like:

LNG Operators monitor, operate and maintain everything in a natural gas liquification plant and loading facility. Their duties will change depending on what area of the facility they are responsible for. For example, they may be in a central control room monitoring and optimizing physical and chemical processes for several processing units from a computer screen, or they could be optimizing the optimizing the screen selection on shale shakers or mud cleaners.

Regardless of their tasks, they are constantly monitoring process indicators, instruments, gauges, and meters to detect and report any possible problems. From pipes to pumps to processing units, these professionals make sure that each piece is working properly, working efficiently, and working as planned. They also complete daily paperwork to keep a record of their work and any maintenance or servicing jobs they completed.

LNG Operators can often be found outside in the elements, working long shifts in all weather conditions. They are exposed to a variety of worksite hazards and place a high value on creating a safe work environment.

The kinds of problems LNG Operators solve at work:

LNG is a specialized oil and gas activity that involves many complex systems and processes. LNG Operators monitor all these systems and processes throughout their shift and watch for changes in temperature, pressure, and product flow rate. They make necessary changes to ensure everything is running as outlined in the facilities process and maintenance schedules. If there is a problem that can occur during an LNG process, it’s a problem for a LNG Operator.

Skills used most on the job:

The common denominator between LNG Operator positions are mechanical and mathematical abilities: they need to be able to fix mechanical equipment and make on-the-fly estimates on temperature, flow-rate, and pressure to be able to identify when there is a problem. Operators move through the ranks with smarts, muscle and other skills. Every position requires critical thinking and continuous learning.