The LNG plant marine operations team is using a purpose-built LNG ship bridge computer simulator to familiarise already experienced pilots with berthing ships at the new LNG terminal in Papua New Guinea.
Esso Highlands marine superintendent Tim Kelly said the simulator provided real-life scenarios for the pilots.
"Pilots have views of Caution Bay through the ‘windows' of the simulator. It looks like a real ship's bridge except that it is made up from computer images," he said.
Kelly said the bridge simulator felt and moved like a real LNG ship, with simulating tugboats and a safety patrol boat that attended to the tanker.
It also uses realistic simulated communication systems.
"Because every port is different, this simulator allows us to familiarise pilots with the types of ships and the marine terminal approach channel in Caution Bay while minimising risk," he added.
PNG Port Authority personnel will begin training on the life-size equipment in Brisbane in early 2014.
Two operations training simulators that replicate the activities of the LNG plant and Hides gas conditioning plant control rooms have been installed to build worker knowledge and skills for monitoring and controlling gas production and plant operations from a central location.
Production managers are using the simulators to build the skills of operations and maintenance trainees and to give them a working knowledge of field systems and procedures, particularly in the process and utilities areas.
Recent safety, construction, health, environment and social management activities for the PNG LNG project were reported in the December quarter's environmental and social report.
By the end of the December quarter, the total project workforce was just over 18,500, compared with almost 19,300 workers in the second quarter 2013, with the decline in worker numbers reflecting demobilisation activities at some worksites.
The focus of worker training has moved from construction-based courses to those that will help PNG workers develop skills for opportunities outside of the project.
A three-month computer training course is being offered to LNG plant and marine facilities contractor drivers to help them develop new skills or build on their existing skills.
The quarterly report confirmed contractors had continued to focus on safety training to meet project requirements.
During the quarter, more than 1000 workers commenced work-at-heights training and 150 workers participated in safety leadership and supervisor incident prevention programs.
ExxonMobil subsidiary Esso Highlands is constructing and will operate the project on behalf of Oil Search, NPCP, Santos, JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration, Mineral Resources Development Company and Petromin PNG Holdings.
The project is more than 90% complete and on schedule for the first delivery of LNG during the second half of 2014.
