2015 International LNG Conference in BC: Overview

Sep 25, 2015

What are the real opportunities in LNG for suppliers, vendors and contractors here in British Columbia? We asked ourselves the same question: read on to find out why we will be attending the 2015 International LNG in BC Conference, running October 14–16 at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, BC.

The hook: quality face-to-face time with the key LNG players in BC. At the conference portion, meet provincial government, crown corporations and First Nations leaders; get a chance to field your questions and sales presentations to Canadian, North American and international industry decision-makers and investors. On the trade show floor, connect with suppliers, vendors, contractors and trade career-seekers. Because of the event’s specific focus, everyone is there to explore business, job creation and investment opportunities related to the approximately 19 active LNG project bids in BC.

What makes LNG in BC worth your money? Only the third conference since 2013, when the opportunity for a BC-based LNG industry really began to take shape, the three-day LNG in BC Conference is all about the targeted approach: it is completely focused on growing the LNG industry in the province, and the organizers describe the event as the “single best opportunity to learn about the potential of LNG in British Columbia.”

The event anticipates welcoming 1,600 delegates, including a conference portion with a field of policy and industry-leading speakers and panelists from BC and internationally. Due to its relatively modest size and targeted focus, the event really does offer a strong opportunity to build relationships with local and international government representatives, First Nations leaders, and other industry proponents and stakeholders interested in LNG opportunities in the province.

The anticipated 300-exhibitor B2B trade show features mainly suppliers, vendors and contractors either based in BC or with a significant BC presence, with a few exhibitors from elsewhere in Canada, the US and internationally.

At the time of writing, there was still time left to register for both the conference and trade show (no Early Bird rate is available at this time). For an additional fee, registrants can sign up for a pre-conference visit to an LNG extraction site in Northeast BC on October 13.

Get noticed at LNG in BC: The trade show has a strong B2B focus. As an electrical contracting business, the main opportunities will be in installation and retrofitting during the active construction phase of any LNG project, as well as long-term supply and maintenance—most likely in partnership with crown corporations like BC Hydro, or major provincial players like FortisBC.

Electrical contractors could be well positioned to promote not only the cost-effectiveness of their products and services but also innovative and environmentally friendly solutions and approaches to installation, materials, maintenance and administration. In a global industry dictated by volatile pricing, and focused on cost-effectiveness and achieving maximum efficiencies, the provincial government’s official position continues to emphasize environmental responsibility and LNG as a clean energy option. The recent Lax Kw’alaams First Nations vote to unanimously reject a $1-billion offer to greenlight a massive PETRONAS-led LNG project in Prince Rupert, and the Squamish First Nations delay of a final decision on the Woodfibre LNG project—both due to environmental concerns—highlights the possibility the same concerns will be mirrored in other projects yet to clear the regulatory process and to achieve FID (final investment decision).

Do we buy it? Yes. A 2013 independent analysis by Grant Thornton of potential employment benefits concluded that an LNG industry in BC (based on five plants constructed between 2015-2024) would create a total industry investment of $175 billion, creating up to 100,000 jobs: 58,700 direct and indirect construction jobs, 23,800 permanent direct and indirect jobs for operations, and additional induced jobs resulting from increased household income. Sounded interesting to us, so Trinity Power Rentals will be at LNG in BC, for the first year.

See you in October at the Vancouver Convention Centre, booth#: 1045. If you do attend, please drop by for a visit. We will have a team of three Temporary Power Specialists working on this event. They can address all your questions and explain how we can help you or your company plan and execute a cost-effective and reliable temporary power solution.

For a quick trade show tips refresher, check out our post from April, The Global Petroleum Show 2015: Grow Your Electrical Contracting Business

Did you miss this year’s Global Petroleum Show (GPS) in Calgary, Alberta? See our GPS recap, Highlights From The 2015 Global Petroleum Show.

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