This means the heat is on contractors and upstream producers to deal with a host of pressures, not least of them being increased demand and tight workforce supply.

It also provides enormous opportunities for Australia’s contractors to become world-class suppliers.

This idea of becoming world class is the theme running through a set of plenary papers to be delivered to the APPEA Conference in Adelaide on May 16.

Leading the presentations under the banner of “Building our capacity to deliver the energy revolution” is Clough chief executive Kevin Gallagher.

Gallagher said most Australian LNG projects nearing or in the construction phase would be moving in to operations phases by 2016.

He said this delivered an excellent opportunity for local contractors to develop the capability and capacity to be competitive in the domestic arena and also take advantage of future global work.

Joining Gallagher on the Wednesday plenary panel will be Chevron greater Gorgon area general manager Colin Beckett.

Beckett argues it is critical that operations keep pace with the LNG boom.

“The key is to foster capabilities that will develop new specialist skills and jobs and ensure Australian research and innovation is sought after globally,” he said.

Also speaking at the May 16 session is Deloitte Access Economics’ professor Ian Harper.

He will be speaking on how to address the skills and geographic location of Australia’s workforce being opened up by the boom.