Happy new year pipers!

From a piping point of view, it has to be said that quite a few pipers out there will be happy to see the back of 2009, but what does 2010 have in store?

We are all hopefull that the Global Credit Crises is abating, and that projects will start up again.

I don't think it's going to pick up overnight, but any recovery in the industry would be welcomed now.

It's time to get pipers back piping!!!

Any thoughts or comments?

Anton

Anton ...AMEN Brother!!!

I had posted something similar on the piping desigers group on "LinkedIn" and got a bit of debate going ..... I've cut and pasted below ......
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What does 2010 have in store for pipers?
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Don
Unless the Socialists, with their project killing agenda are forced out, looks like a replay of 2009 to me! Sorry to have to say that, but I left my rose colored glasses at home.
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Angel
Well, for me it appear to will be lightly better than past year. The economical crisis is decreasing (of course, little by little) and oil price is climbing up, lightly too, so oil & gas projects wiil be a good business. But repeat, it will not be a spectacular nor normal year, only lightly better than 2009.
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Tony
I have to agree with Don! Although i'm working again (after 8 months out of work), there are virtually no other options for me to consider.
There are rumours here in the North East of the UK that some "Big projects" are about to kick off soon, but nothing more than rumours at the moment.
Personally, im not expecting the situation to change for most of 2009.
And lets be honest, the Uk has virtually no manufacturing base of it's own left now, so we will be one of the last in the developed world to fully recover from this Depression.
Sorry Anton, but you did ask!! )
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Anton
Tony,
You're right, I did ask .... and your comment is exactly what I expected to hear, although it's not what we would like to hear!
I think we're all hoping for something to change.
I'm back in work myself - in Derby, UK .... not ideal with the family in Dublin, but hey, it's work!
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Don
Just like Tony said Anton, there are rumors of some "big projects". I have been waiting for one since last October HaHa!. Really! It's Ras Tenura, but nothings really begun to move on it. I'm wondering if it will.
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Shayne
Tony,
The market here in Houston is getting worse everyday. All of the major EPC companies are letting people go weekly. We don't see a change anytime soon.
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Chris
On Ras Tanura Air Energi have several Process Engineers and other disciplines normally follow on form this. I dont however see it creating a big demand in the market until a few big projects land at once.
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Ken
Cold weather, high price of oil, high demand for plastics are good
More regulation, not open areas for drilling, low consumer demand are bad
As these things go so will jobs...
But will the jobs be in "western" nations or "the outsource" nations?
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Denny
Most of the jobs/contract that you read about are being executed in other country's. Read the fine print. And it's all because the BIG E & C Co's we grew up with in this business went oversea's about 15 years ago and opened up "high-value" engineering centers within Companies that they own 10%, or more, of. These companies are where your drawings went to for drafting, (India, Mexico, ect...) thus teaching those citizens in other country's how to do what we have learned through the years. They still don't know how to do it as good as we do, but they're learning. And they cost,, WAY less per hour.

Like I said, read the fine print when reading about all of these "contracts" being signed. Look at where the execution of the contracts are being done. Most of them are NOT in the "good-ole-US of A".

Another Linkedin comment:

Larry

Interesting question what does 2010 bring for pipers? Well, I have been one of the fortunate ones who has been employed all thru 2009, but it is about to end. I hear all around the industry that most jobs are winding down including mine probably by the end of March. As far as the Nukes go, I really don't see any immediate staffing on these projects until maybe late to end of 2010 or maybe into 2011 for pipers. Most companies and utilities domestic wise are putting the brakes on to see what's down the road. We see more permits being extended so as not to finish engineering quicker. Also, utilities are sitting back and contemplating whether or not to go ahead with the Nukes. The NRC is also complicating things also by not expediting go aheads on projects. I really believe we are still in a pickle. China seems to be the only ones with no cash flow problems and will continue to build, but now that they have gotten the technology from us on the first couple that Stone and Webster/Shaw has designed they will more than likely design their own without our help. Not good for the American PDS piper. We are really in trouble if this trend continues. The South Koreans are designing the United Arab Republic reactors. Not too good for us. Please someone tell me I am wrong and if you know of anything else going on?
Larry (Senior PDS piping designer since 1985)