Project Coordination Teams work as one to drive project progress

Project Coordination Teams, comprising of representatives from both ExxonMobil and major contractors, SBM (EPC1),  TechnipFMC (EPC2) and Saipem (EPC3), meet monthly and conduct face-to-face sessions quarterly.

These teams are organized to ensure coordination at both the working and management level and include the Project Leadership Team (PLT), Safety Leadership Team (SLT) and Execution Coordination Team (ECT). All three teams met face-to-face on February 13 in Houston, Texas (hosted by Saipem), to collaborate, communicate and resolve issues on the overall project. Interface Managers/Coordinators also held a workshop to tackle outstanding interface agreements and included smaller contractors, OSI for riser hang-off

systems and ENGlobal for Universal Master Control Station.

“The PLT/SLT/ECT meeting is a great forum that gathers all contractors monthly,” explained Murrah Mayberry, Sr. Project Manager, TechnipFMC.

“It is a recurring time when all project-related matters are discussed openly and provides a unique opportunity to share and receive important project information that fellow contractors are experiencing.”

Properly managing multiple interfaces is a must on a project this large and complex. The forum’s tight control, communication and one-team approach is instrumental to the project’s success, because positive engagement means fewer delays and ensures budget targets are hit.

The meetings also promote alignment on key project milestones and help to reinforce desired behaviors and best practices to drive the project forward.

Mark Krueger, Upstream Logistics Advisor – Americas, said that team members’ commitment and the forum’s inclusive leadership had positive results. “You want to get involved, want to give your best, and want to engage with others to help the project succeed.”

Dan Rhude, ExxonMobil, had a similar reaction: “The neat thing [about Liza Phase 1 Project] is, as the project grows, it is generating a lot of excitement in the country. You can feel that excitement in these meetings, too.”