BC’s LNG workforce requirements

November 26, 2013

As the BC Government gets set to announce its LNG taxation regime, the industry players have sketched out their anticipated workforce requirements.

The natural gas sector will require 21,600 direct workers, while supporting 61,700 support workers to feed the pipeline, 41,900 indirect jobs in services during construction. All tolled 2,400 LNG terminal workers are required. Most of the jobs are in the northwest part of BC (Prince Rupert and Kitimat). The drilling activities are in the north-east.

The key features of the anticipated workforce demand:

• 57% of the jobs will be in skilled trades in 2016-17.
• The top 10 current gas field occupations: oil and gas field workers, oil and gas drilling supervisors, plant operators, truck drivers, millwrights and machinists, heavy equipment operators, primary production managers, welders, steamfitters and pipe-fitters and petroleum engineers.
• During construction the top ten anticipated jobs: steamfitters and pipefitters, labourers, welders, concrete finishers, heavy equipment operators, carpenters, truck drivers, purchasing agents, gas fitters, crane operators.
• To head off impending shortages the maximum efforts are being made to increase local talent, outside talent and to improve labour force information.
• The northern BC labour force is only 86,500.

In total 5 LNG facilities/pipelines are planned for northwest BC: LNG Canada, Kitimat LNG, Pacific Trails Pipeline, Pacific Northwest LNG and Prince Rupert LNG. Another 5 NG pipelines are in the assessment process: WCGT, Coastal Gaslink, Pacific Northern Gas, Prince Rupert GT, Fortis VI.

 

Commentary

It remains to be seen how many LNG projects and related pipelines will actually get launched. With potential jobs exceeding the entire workforce it seems likely that northern BC is set to boom. The economic activity will draw trades and construction workers from across Canada.

Sources

• a)BC Natural Gas Workforce Strategy and Action Plan- July 2013. The Committee members included the major LNG players, the BC Government, the Haisla First Nation, trade associations.



• BC Environmental Assessment Office, "LNG Projects in the BC EA Process".