Job Reductions Hit Southern LNG

    El Paso Corporation, the owner of the Southern LNG facility on Elba Island, confirmed Tuesday that it is cutting about 300 positions—around 6 percent of its global workforce.  El Paso spokesman Richard Wheatley says the reductions are the result of corporate wide streamlining and will have minimal effect on the Elba Island facility.  He refused to say how exactly many positions are being eliminated here, but says safety will not be compromised.  Wheatley says the reductions will come from a cross section of staff and technical positions.  As a result of the job cuts and other procedures,  El Paso expects 150 million dollars in savings in 2009-2010.
    The Elba Island liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal, which is located on the Savannah River, is currently undergoing a major expansion.  According to its website, El Paso is also proposing to construct, own and operate a new 190-mile interstate natural gas pipeline, Elba Express. With a total capacity of approximately 1.2 billion cubic feet per day, the new pipeline will increase natural gas transportation capacity from Elba Island to markets in Georgia and through the southeastern and eastern United states through interconnection with other pipelines.