Gorgon gas workers are jet-set for jobs

Australian companies have won more than a third of the work available in the Gorgon liquefied natural gas venture off the northwest if the country. While the operation is good news for Gorgon, the Chevron Corporation and its associated partners, it also highlights the beginning of a number of opportunities for Australian oil recruitment sectors.

Australian Gas Developments

The Chevron Corporation is the second largest energy producer in the United States. As part of their plans for global expansion, they have turned their attentions to Australia, naming it as the "centerpiece" of their operations. Already, they have given Gorgon an advance of US$43billion to begin the necessary work. Chef Executive Officer, John Watson, predicts that Chevron will spend approximately US$20billion on Australian "goods and services" over the next five years. In addition, there are hints that this operation could be just one of many. With the Asian market showing an increase in demand for cleaner fuels, there are more than a dozen further liquefied natural gas projects planned in Australia alone. While the money that will be spent will obviously have a positive effect on the Australian economy, there are other positive ramifications to be considered.

Effects on Australia's Workforce

Those looking for oil jobs and gas jobs in Australia can expect to see a marked increase in the number of vacancies by the end of 2010. Gorgon has already generated over 3,000 oil and gas jobs in its bid to begin exporting liquefied natural gas by the year 2014. Chevron itself has already created 1,800 jobs and expects to employ a further 700 people by the end of the year. Many of these oil jobs and gas jobs will be long-term positions, offering Australians the chance to forge oil careers and gas careers as Chevron continues to expand. Chevron estimates that Australian contractors alone have gained more than US$7billion in Gorgon orders. There can be little doubt that Chevron is taking a long, hard look at Australia's importance to their worldwide plans.

Evidence to support the supposition that Chevron has long-term plans for Australia is found in the fact that Chevron has signed a six-year contract with Cobham, an Australian aviation company. This deal, worth US$170million, is for the company to fly workers in and out of the gas field, which is located on the Barrow Island Nature Reserve. Because Barrow Island has such a sensitive environment, Chevron has chartered two RJ100 aircraft and three BAe 146s to carry workers to and from their work. These aircraft produce 15% less harmful waste than comparable aircraft, underlining not only Chevron's commitment to the environment, but also its commitment to Australia over a long period of time.

The prediction that Chevron will create more than 700 gas jobs and oil jobs in less than seven months is only the tip of the iceberg. As operations increase and expand, there will be greater need for upstream and downstream jobs in this project. While the short-term future has produced some pleasant surprises for Australia's oil and gas workers, the future looks even more promising.