New technology to bring hundreds of jobs to Sheet Harbour
Cylinders to transport compressed natural gas
GUYSBOROUGH - A new method of transporting natural gas by ship and tractor trailer is good news for the Sheet Harbour area. A new 100,000 sq. ft. facility to be built in the Sheet Harbour Industrial Park this fall is where Atlantic Steelworks plans to build fibre-reinforced plastic pressure cylinders for Trans Ocean Gas of St. John's, NL.
Carl Nelson, president of Atlantic Steelworks in Sheet Harbour, says he is thrilled to be able to provide training and job opportunities to people in his home community. Atlantic Steelworks will begin full-scale testing of the new cylinders this fall in order to get the required certification to begin manufacturing. He expects to have 100 new people on staff by the end of 2007, eventually growing to 400 employees, at which time a second building would need to be constructed.
"The beauty of it is we can do it here and train people for good jobs," he said during an interview with The Journal Monday. " That's what I'm excited about...This is my home."
In a news release from Trans Ocean Gas last week, the company said pressurized natural gas is an alternative to expensive LNG for the storage and transportation of natural gas. It is high density liquefied natural gas made from combining low temperatures with relatively low pressures. Trans Ocean Gas recently filed for patents for the new technology. The cylinders themselves will be about 40' long and 3' in diameter. Atlantic Steelworks has had a three-year relationship with Trans Ocean Gas.
Nelson says the company's workforce will be diverse, varying from specialized skills to general labour. "I think it's going to be good for the whole shore."
For Nelson, this new project is the light at the end of the tunnel. He started in the oil and gas industry in the early 70s and has ridden the ups and downs. He said in the 1980s they had as many as 450 people working in Sheet Harbour.
"It's been a long road...You just have to keep your nose down and keep working."
The announcement has been enthusiastically received in Sheet Harbour and Nelson says he is already getting calls and emails from people looking for work. He expects an open house or community meeting will take place in late August to provide more details on upcoming hiring needs.
Sheet Harbour and Area Chamber of Commerce president Tom McInnis said the business community welcomes the news.
"It appears to me that this (Trans Ocean Gas) is a solid outfit with the ability to produce this product, which is unique in the world," said McInnis. For the local community, McInnis said he's impressed by the quality jobs and training opportunities the company plans to bring to the community.
"The wages appear to be excellent," he said. "It appears that individuals will be able to be trained here and be paid a reasonable salary with all the fringe benefits people can ask for, including pensions.
"If all goes well, you'll have a great deal of activity in this community."
Central Nova MP Peter MacKay issued a release Monday welcoming the announcement. "It is great news for the people and businesses of Sheet Harbour. The entire area of Sheet Harbour has vast potential and this is another step in the right direction for economic growth on the Eastern shore," said MacKay. "We welcome Trans Ocean Gas and president Steve Campbell to our community and look forward to a long and successful working relationship."
