Ian joined National Grid ten years ago from Thames Water where he started his career in their graduate programme.  As Ian moved up the ranks he decided he wanted a more diverse role. “I was originally attracted to National Grid because of the challenge and diversity in the role they offered me”, said Ian.

Now a control room shift engineer at Grain LNG, Ian is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the terminal.  He helps ensure the effective running of the LNG importation terminal and make sure the plant meets National Grid’s strict safety requirements. 

As a shift engineer Ian works one of three shifts on a rota with the other shift engineers.  Over a typical 24 hour day at Grain LNG shift engineers like Ian perform a variety of tasks to ensure the plant is running smoothly.  Each day commences with the issuing of permits to contractors to allow them to work on the site, this is followed by a morning meeting to review the previous 24 hours, any issues to resolve and to forward plan for the day ahead.  A site walk around is then carried out to make sure all the contractors are working safely, whilst also monitoring the plant to ensure it is running smoothly.

During the afternoon time is primarily spent on predicting the gas flows down each of the gas lines and preparing permits for issuing to the contractors the next day.

The focus of the evening shift is figures.  The amount of gas that has flowed from Grain LNG into the national transmission system is measured against demand for gas and the amount of fuel used to deliver it.  It is a mathematical process but it helps to determine how efficiently and effectively Grain LNG has been running.

Ian can’t name one role he enjoys the most but says the most rewarding part of his job is the continual challenge and variety it presents.  Ian said “No two days are the same here and it is exciting to be working in a new and growing business industry like LNG importation”. 

Ian’s prediction for the future is that with the confirmation of Phase III starting soon the importation terminal will be a hive of activity and it will be an exciting time to work at Grain LNG.