Bechtel ramps up recruitment drive for Rio Grande LNG export facility mega project

The centre, located at 568 Springmart Boulevard, Suite 100, serves primarily as the recruitment centre for the project at the Port of Brownsville, which is being built by Bechtel on behalf of Texas-based energy company NextDecade, and includes a computer lab, orientation classroom, and on-site medical facility for pre-employment screenings.

Bechtel’s new Craft Professional Recuitment Centre opens. Photo: Bechtel

Situated on a 984 acre site on the banks of a deep water channel, the Rio Grande LNG facility is expected to be one of the largest gas export terminals in the world.

Last month, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) acquired a 11.7% stake in phase one of the project, which includes the first three liquification trains and agreed a 20-year supply agreement for the fourth train, which is subject to a final investment decision.

Construction of the mega project is already under way and Next Decade plans to start construction of the fourth liquification train in the second half of 2024 after the final investment decision.

City and County officials joined in the recruitment centre’s ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this week.

“The opening of the Bechtel Craft Professional Recruitment Center marks a significant milestone in our commitment to the Rio Grande Valley community and the Rio Grande LNG project,” said Bechtel’s Senior Project Manager, Scott Osborne. “This center will play a crucial role in ensuring that the project is staffed with skilled local professionals as we intensify our efforts to hire thousands of locals. Our success is a testament to the quality of our people, whose dedication and expertise drive our projects forward.”

The USA became the world’s biggest LNG supplier in 2023, ahead of Australia and Qatar as supply disruptions and sanctions linked to the Russian invasion of Ukraine created more demand for exports and drove up prices.