Every Bechtel project on Trinidad delivers a big benefit for the community—jobs. During construction on the Atlantic liquefied natural gas facility, the company employed more than 5,000 workers, nearly all Trinidadians.
Local suppliers also benefit. During the construction of Train 1, Bechtel spent $155 million on Trinidad-produced rebar, asphalt, pipe, steel, and even reclaimed dirt used to extend Point Fortin’s footprint into the Caribbean Sea. That figure increased to $210 million during Trains 2 and 3 and reached $250 million for Train 4.
“Spending that much money creates a lot of goodwill,” says Project Controls Manager Tom Kondziolka. “But it pays off for us too because when the materials we need don’t have to be shipped thousands of miles, it cuts inventory and transportation costs and eliminates delays caused by parts that don’t arrive on time.”
A less tangible but equally important benefit for Trinidad is Bechtel’s obsession with safety. “Our safety record is known across the island,” says Kondziolka. “As a result, workers are asking other employers to institute Bechtel standards.”
