A favorable outlook is seen for energy-related projectopportunities, according to engineering, procurement and construction company executive Ed Gore, speaking today [Wednesday, Oct. 18] in the opening keynote session of the 28th annual Breakbulk Americas conference and exhibition, hosted by Port Houston, which has drawn more than 4,000 registrants to the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. Gore, who recently transitioned from vice president of marketing and business development at Houston-based Bechtel Oil, Gas & Chemicals Inc., to leading a Bechtel joint venture in Kazakhstan, said the recent uptick in global gross domestic product puts EPC companies in “quite a favorable position.” “GDP really influences all the markets we’re involved in – oil, gas and chemicals,” Gore said. Many Bechtel clients are now looking to gas-related projects rather than oil opportunities, Gore said, commenting, “Gas is the new oil for some of our customers.” The abundant supply of affordable gas also is driving a rise in U.S. petrochemical projects, Gore said. Comprehensive coverage of Breakbulk Americas in words and photos is slated to appear in the Nov. 13 edition of AJOT.