Queensland’s first LNG training program launched in Gladstone

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The Minister for Education, Training and Employment the Hon. John-Paul Langbroek was in Gladstone to launch ConocoPhillips’ training program to provide training for employees new to the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) industry.

The training program is a unique partnership between ConocoPhillips, one of the largest energy companies in the world and operator of the Australia Pacific LNG facility on Curtis Island, Central Queensland Institute of TAFE, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and Petroskills.

Warwick King, President of ConocoPhillips Australia East, said this was an important milestone for the Australia Pacific LNG project, and the LNG industry in Queensland.

“The LNG industry is new to Queensland, it will provide an opportunity to diversify and develop the skills in this State, and provide new avenues for local employment.

“For ConocoPhillips it is critical that we have highly skilled and well trained employees to operate the LNG facility on Curtis Island. This will ensure a smooth transition from construction to operation, and maintain our schedule to deliver first LNG cargo from Curtis Island in mid-2015.

“We are very pleased to be partnering in this project with Central Queensland Institute of TAFE who bring local training capability and infrastructure, and Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and Petroskills, who between them bring more than 40 years of oil and gas training experience to this partnership,” he said.

Mr King said one of the major challenges for the developing LNG industry is that the nearest alternative training programs are either in Perth or overseas. 

“Rather than travel abroad, our employees can now receive LNG training right here in Gladstone.

“This training program helps to support local employment and skills development, and will provide an important new career path for local people wishing to pursue a career in LNG,” Mr King said.

Mr Langbroek congratulated ConocoPhillips and Central Queensland Institute of TAFE for their partnership approach which he said would help skill workers for an emerging industry needing critical skills.

“This innovative approach to training reflects the current reforms taking place in the training industry under the Newman Government’s Great skills. Real opportunities. five-year action plan,” Mr Langbroek said.

“The government is committed to working with industry to invest in training where it is most needed and provide graduates with more meaningful job outcomes.

“I congratulate ConocoPhillips and Central Queensland Institute of TAFE for their innovation and foresight,” he said.

The ConocoPhillips Operations Technician Foundations Training Program partnership has commenced on the existing CQIT campus with the first intake of 20 operations technicians.

The program will transition into the recently announced ‘Gladstone Energy Training Centre’ facilities following its construction.

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Media Contact

Fiona McLeod
0409 087 534
Fiona.C.McLeod@conocophillips.com

About ConocoPhillips Australia

ConocoPhillips is the downstream operator of the Australia Pacific LNG facility on Curtis Island. It is currently under construction, but will require almost 175 full-time, locally based employees to manage and run the two-train facility from 2015.

ConocoPhillips is a global oil and gas exploration and production company. With extensive operations in Australia and the Timor Sea, operations and exploration projects across Western Australia, Queensland, the Northern Territory and Timor-Leste, with a focus on innovation, safety and sustainability.

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, ConocoPhillips had operations and activities in 30 countries, $55 billion in annualized revenue, $117 billion of total assets, and approximately 17,500 employees as of June 30, 2013. Production from continuing operations averaged 1,531 MBOED for the six months ended June 30, 2013, and proved reserves were 8.6 billion BOE as of Dec. 31, 2012. www.conocophillips.com.au

About PetroSkills O&M

PetroSkills O&M is a joint-venture between PetroSkills and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Polytechnic (SAIT) which delivers top quality, readily available, competency development for operations and maintenance (O&M) personnel worldwide.

PetroSkills O&M offers the petroleum industry a full suite of world-class training capabilities including established processes and curricula delivered by experienced instructors.

About Australia Pacific LNG

Australia Pacific LNG Pty Limited is an incorporated joint venture between Origin Energy Limited (37.5%), ConocoPhillips (37.5%) and Sinopec (25%). The Australia Pacific LNG project includes the development of Australia Pacific LNG’s substantial coal seam gas resources in the Surat and Bowen Basins, a 530 km transmission pipeline, and a multi-train LNG facility on Curtis Island, near Gladstone. www.aplng.com.au