The Steamtug Blog

I always wanted to say that… and this past week, I had to visit Houston for meetings regarding the design of the new plant we are building here. I have never been so early into a project, and its a bit of a luxury for  me to be part of the design phase. They say everything is bigger in Texas, so how do you like my new ute? (just kidding….)

I started with Cameron LNG last Monday. Lots of paperwork to read through etc. I have been on a graphic design review for control room graphics, risk assessment study for tie ins on the existing plant, which is currently an LNG receiving terminal with vapourisers and trunk line compressors. We have to do 140 tie ins including 30 hot taps. All the plant is welded with almost no flanged joints to tie to and mostly single block isolation which does not meet our standards. So we are looking a different methods like inflatable bags. Today we started the day with a 3D plant model review. (Computer based model) Every Friday they review a part of the plant; today was acid gas removal unit. They really getting the most from our experiences on this project and outside they are still only doing civils, with not one single piece of steel lifted vertically yet! This past week, I spent Monday to Wednesday having meetings in Houston about fire and gas systems. My new buddy and fellow shift supervisor (more a superintendent position) Andre from Trinidad has a hire car and is drove me over there. He was just going to leave Sunday night and we are staying at the Marriott in Houston. But I remember in Russia when I was always dragging my Swedish buddy Petri out on adventures and I convinced Andre to go earlier on Sunday afternoon and do some tourism stuff on the way like explore the town of Orange just over the Sabine River into Texas. ( hehehe…) You know how when you join a new project and you are nervous about whether you can do what’s expected without looking like a big dummy? Well Andrea has worked in Angola with a couple of collegues who worked for me on my last project and reckons they were great operators, so I feel more confident that I can keep up with them.
Just came in after a pool party to welcome new residents to the apartment complex. Free beer and met some interesting residents working for lots of different companies. I think Andre and me were the only 2 non Americans.
It’s been an interesting first week!
American Beer
I thought Americans were ignorant bourbon drinkers who knew nothing about decent beer. But most I have found hate Budweiser, understand bitterness units, hops, ABV%, and there is a fantastic collection of beers at the supermarket. It’s like everyday is your birthday!
I saw beer with a $5 price tag. I called the boy over, and said “if this is $5, how much if I buy the whole six pack?” He rolled his eyes and said “Sir, that is the price for the whole 6!”
I’m liken it!!!!
Well, its 4th of July holiday weekend coming up this weekend. So we got Friday off this week. Yawl all yourselves a nice holiday weekend now…
Seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeya