How long have you been with AmSpec, and what brought you to the LNG and testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) industry?
I’ve been with AmSpec for a little over three years now, and I’ve been in the LNG inspection and testing industry for 18 years. I began my career as a field inspector in Baltimore, MD, performing surveys at the Cove Point LNG terminal and later at Elba Island. In 2014, I joined BG Group as their Loss Control Superintendent based in Singapore, responsible for all LNG loss control activities in the Asia Pacific region. In 2016, after BG’s merger with Shell, I relocated to Houston as part of Shell’s LNG Pacesetter team, where I advised the global Commercial and Shipping teams in the Houston, Dubai, and Singapore offices on LNG quality and measurement-related issues. Throughout my career, I’ve attended hundreds of cargo operations at more than twenty LNG terminals in eight different countries and played an integral role in the commissioning of export operations at the Queensland LNG plant in Australia and the Elba Island facility in the US.
What does your role as LNG manager for North America involve day-to-day?
Most days, I assist with technical questions from clients and build calculation tools.
What do clients in the LNG sector care most about when they work with AmSpec?
Trust, communication, and accuracy. They need to trust us to be their eyes and ears during the cargo operation and keep them informed at all times. And the information we provide needs to be 100% accurate and indisputable.
What’s a project or moment in your career here that you’re proud of?
Assisting with the commissioning of export operations at Elba Island. I still feel tremendous pride that the processes and documentation I helped create, alongside the wonderful team at the terminal, are in use to this day.
What’s changed most in LNG testing and inspection since you started?
The growth of LNG production here in the US, the speed of which still continues to amaze me. I started working in the industry when there was only a small handful of import terminals bringing in just a few vessels a month, and now we’re the biggest producer in the world with new plants coming online every year.
What do you wish more people understood about the LNG business?
The impact of the measurement and testing procedures for custody transfers, particularly the energy calculations, which are not entirely standardized across the industry and can impact the final quantity delivered by thousands of MMBtus, depending on which standards and formulas are agreed upon in the commercial contract. Having a clear, concise, and unambiguous M&T schedule – one that conforms to industry standards and is fair to both parties – is the surest and safest way to eliminate problems before they happen and avoid undue losses and disputes.
Who or what has shaped how you approach your work?
I’ve been fortunate enough to have had great managers and mentors throughout my career. They showed me how to be a leader who listens to and supports his team, working together toward a common goal.
Outside of work, what are you into?
I enjoy fishing and spending relaxing weekends at my hunting camp. And college football (Roll Tide!).
Any advice for someone starting out in this field?
It’s a great industry, and this is an exciting time to get in, so keep at it, ask questions of those around you with more experience, and learn as much as possible. Knowledge is power, and you never know what kind of doors it will open for you down the road.
Tea or coffee, and what’s your order?
Honestly, neither. I’d prefer a smoothie any day.