← Radar Projects to watch · americas

Five projects to watch.

Large projects being built in 2026–2029, with real demand for technical professionals, spread across regions and kinds. A selection — not a ranking. Follow any of them in your Radar.

Americas · Construction supervision & QA/QC

Showing 5 of 29 · Construction supervision & QA/QC, in Americas. Show all

How we check

Every project is checked by hand against at least two public sources — company newsrooms, regulators, trade press. No commercial databases.

Each card shows its sources and the date we checked them (every project in this set: on or after 2026-10-08). We re-check every month; a project that finishes or is cancelled leaves the tour.

Companies appear as sourced project facts only. Reported risks are shown as reported. The discipline lists are our own inference and say so. The small dots are other projects from public datasets — context, not checked by us.

  1. 01 / 05LNG

    Rio Grande LNG — Trains 4 and 5

    USA

    One of several US Gulf Coast LNG trains now moving from paper to steel at once.

    SizeTrain 4 and Train 5 add LNG production capacity; combined EPC contract value ~$9.1bn ($4.77bn Train 4 + $4.32bn Train 5)

    1. FID
    2. Engineering (named in the reported phase)
    3. Fabrication (named in the reported phase)
    4. Construction (named in the reported phase)
    5. Installation
    6. Commissioning

    Phase, as reported: engineering / early construction …

    Who builds it

    • NextDecade Corporation operator
    • Bechtel

    4 sources checked on 2026-10-08

    More why we watch it · key dates · all contractors · sources

    Why we watch it

    One of several US Gulf Coast LNG trains now moving from paper to steel at once — Bechtel's fully-wrapped EPC model concentrates years of engineering, procurement and construction-supervision demand into a single contractor's backlog.

    Phase in full, as reported

    engineering / early construction (as of 30 June 2026: Train 4 15.5% complete overall — 69.4% engineering, 25.4% procurement, 1.4% construction; Train 5 9.4% overall — 26.8% engineering, 19.3% procurement; Train 4 soil stabilisation done and foundation pours started for the main cryogenic rack, Train 5 soil stabilisation started early July 2026)

    Who builds it as stated by the sources

    Operator / developerNextDecade Corporation

    • NextDecadedeveloper/owner
    • BechtelEPC contractor under fully-wrapped, lump-sum turnkey contracts for Trains 4 and 5 (and the original Phase 1)

    Key dates as stated by the sources

    Train4 NTP
    9 September 2025
    Train5 NTP
    16 October 2025
    First LNG target
    First gas into the facility expected H2 2026; first LNG from Train 1 H1 2027 (Trains 1-3 already under construction; Trains 4-5 follow)

    Disciplines likely needed our inference

    • process/piping engineering
    • procurement/estimating
    • construction supervision
    • QA/QC
    • planning/project controls

    Derived by us from project kind and phase - not stated by the sources below.

    Sources checked on 2026-10-08

    1. NextDecade Executes EPC Contract with Bechtel for Train 4 at the Rio Grande LNG FacilityBechtel (company press release) · 2024-08-05
    2. NextDecade Corp - Form 10-Q - FY2026 (Q1)U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC filing) · 2026-Q1
    3. NextDecade Finalizes EPC Contract Refresh for Train 4 and Executes EPC Contract for Train 5 at the Rio Grande LNG FacilityNextDecade Corporation (investor newsroom) · 2025-10
    4. NextDecade Corp - Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 June 2026U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC filing) · 2026-07-30

    Position on the globe: 25.97°N 97.26°W. Location approximate: Port of Brownsville, Texas.

    This project on its own page - facts, sources and a summary to share.

  2. 02 / 05Naval shipbuilding

    PES Frigate — Colombian Navy strategic surface platform programme

    Colombia

    A Dutch-designed warship being built under licence in Latin America.

    Size107.5 m frigate, 14.02 m beam; largest defence vessel Colombia has built, modular construction with 52 naval steel blocks

    1. FID
    2. Engineering
    3. Fabrication (named in the reported phase)
    4. Construction
    5. Installation
    6. Commissioning

    Phase, as reported: fabrication (first steel-cutting 5 February 2026)

    Who builds it

    • Colombian Navy operator
    • COTECMAR
    • Damen Naval

    4 sources checked on 2026-10-08

    More why we watch it · key dates · all contractors · sources

    Why we watch it

    A Dutch-designed warship being built under licence in Latin America — a rare naval/shipbuilding entry showing Damen's engineering and technology-transfer model exported far outside Europe, distinct from its troubled domestic ASW-frigate and cancelled German F126 programmes.

    Who builds it as stated by the sources

    Operator / developerColombian Navy (Armada Nacional de Colombia)

    • COTECMARshipyard, local construction
    • Damen NavalSIGMA-based ship design, engineering, technical support and materials, under a contract signed with COTECMAR

    Key dates as stated by the sources

    Steel cutting
    5 February 2026
    Engine delivery
    Late 2026
    Sea trials target
    2029

    Disciplines likely needed our inference

    • naval architecture/structural engineering
    • systems integration
    • project management
    • QA/QC
    • commissioning (later phase)

    Derived by us from project kind and phase - not stated by the sources below.

    Sources checked on 2026-10-08

    1. COTECMAR and Damen to build frigate for Colombian NavyDamen (company newsroom) · 2024-08-12
    2. COTECMAR Shipyard Starts Construction of First PES Frigate for Colombian NavyNaval News · 2026-02-05
    3. Colombian Navy awards contract to COTECMAR for first PES frigate, ocean patrol vessel, and logistic support shipJanes · 2022-11-30
    4. El presidente de Colombia visita Cotecmar y conoce sus capacidades de construcción navalInfodefensa · 2026-09-22

    Position on the globe: 10.40°N 75.55°W. Location approximate: COTECMAR shipyard, Cartagena, Colombia.

    This project on its own page - facts, sources and a summary to share.

  3. 03 / 05Offshore wind

    Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW)

    USA

    The largest offshore wind farm under construction in the US.

    Size2.6 GW, 176 turbines, 3 offshore substations

    1. FID
    2. Engineering
    3. Fabrication
    4. Construction
    5. Installation (named in the reported phase)
    6. Commissioning

    Phase, as reported: installation …

    Who builds it

    • Dominion Energy operator
    • Siemens Gamesa
    • Ørsted

    Reported risk A Bureau of Ocean Energy Management stop-work order (December 2025) halted construction…

    6 sources checked on 2026-10-08

    More why we watch it · key dates · all contractors · sources

    Why we watch it

    The largest offshore wind farm under construction in the US, and a live example of political/regulatory risk hitting an in-progress project — a case study for how fast schedules and crew mobilisation can move when a stop-work order lands and lifts within weeks.

    Phase in full, as reported

    installation (approx. 81% complete as of 31 July 2026; 31 turbines installed and 32nd underway; first power to the grid March 2026; two of three offshore substations commissioned)

    Reported risk in full, as reported

    A Bureau of Ocean Energy Management stop-work order (December 2025) halted construction; work resumed in January 2026 after a US District Court preliminary injunction, and Interior let the deadline to appeal lapse (April 2026). Project cost rose by an estimated $228 million because of the stoppage; Dominion's budget now stands at $11.65bn (up from $11.4bn) and completion has slipped to end-2027, citing contingency for weather, vessel maintenance, loadout and extended jacking.

    Who builds it as stated by the sources

    Operator / developerDominion Energy

    • Dominion Energydeveloper/owner
    • Siemens Gamesaturbine supplier — 176 x SG 14-222 DD, 14.6 MW turbines
    • Ørstedreported installer of turbine components on monopile foundations (per Windtech International/Siemens Gamesa reporting on the commercial-scale project)

    Key dates as stated by the sources

    Construction start
    November 2023
    Startup target
    Final (176th) turbine expected to be installed by end of 2027 (previously early 2027); third offshore substation to be commissioned by end of 2026
    First power
    23 March 2026

    Disciplines likely needed our inference

    • foundation/T&I engineering
    • cable engineering
    • marine construction supervision
    • commissioning
    • HSE

    Derived by us from project kind and phase - not stated by the sources below.

  4. 04 / 05Deepwater FPSO

    FPSO Jaguar — Whiptail development, Stabroek Block

    Guyana

    A brand-new deepwater FPSO hull and topsides being built and commissioned from scratch.

    Size250,000 bopd oil, 540 MMcfd associated gas treatment, 300,000 bpd water injection; ~2 MMbbl storage

    1. FID
    2. Engineering
    3. Fabrication
    4. Construction
    5. Installation (named in the reported phase)
    6. Commissioning

    Phase, as reported: integration / installation …

    Who builds it

    • ExxonMobil operator
    • SBM Offshore

    6 sources checked on 2026-10-08

    More why we watch it · key dates · all contractors · sources

    Why we watch it

    A brand-new deepwater FPSO hull and topsides being built and commissioned from scratch, on the standardised Fast4Ward programme SBM now repeats project after project — steady multi-year demand for FPSO engineering, hook-up/commissioning and offshore installation crews.

    Phase in full, as reported

    integration / installation (FPSO: topsides fabrication nearing completion, all process modules lifted onboard, integration and commissioning progressing — SBM reports >50%-<75% complete at H1 2026; subsea SURF installation underway since July 2026, scheduled through end-2026)

    Who builds it as stated by the sources

    Operator / developerExxonMobil (Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd.), operator of Stabroek Block on behalf of the Guyana/ExxonMobil/Hess/CNOOC co-venture

    • ExxonMobiloperator / field developer
    • SBM OffshoreFPSO design, construction and (lease/operate) contractor for Jaguar, under its Fast4Ward standardised-hull programme

    Key dates as stated by the sources

    FID or award
    Contract awarded/firmed up 2024 (ExxonMobil FID on Whiptail, SBM contract)
    Startup target
    First production targeted end of 2027 (per Offshore/World Oil reporting, 2026)

    Disciplines likely needed our inference

    • topsides/piping engineering
    • E&I supervision
    • hook-up & commissioning
    • marine/offshore installation
    • HSE
    • project controls/planning

    Derived by us from project kind and phase - not stated by the sources below.

    Sources checked on 2026-10-08

    1. SBM Offshore Awarded Contracts for ExxonMobil Guyana's FPSO JaguarSBM Offshore (company newsroom) · 2024
    2. SBM Offshore to build FPSO Jaguar for ExxonMobil's Whiptail oil and gas project offshore GuyanaWorld Oil · 2024-04-18
    3. Offshore installation begins for Whiptail project's subsea systemBrazil Energy Insight (trade press) · 2026-07-29
    4. SBM Offshore Half Year 2026 EarningsSBM Offshore (company newsroom / half-year report PDF) · 2026-08-06
    5. Seatrium 1H2026 Results presentation (order book project table)Seatrium Limited (SGX filing) · 2026-07-31
    6. ExxonMobil lets SIMOPS management platform for WhiptailOil & Gas Journal · 2026-08-04

    Position on the globe: 9.50°N 57.00°W. Location approximate: Whiptail is the 6th Stabroek Block development, ~200 km offshore Guyana; exact FPSO mooring point not published in sources checked — coordinate is a Stabroek Block-area estimate.

    This project on its own page - facts, sources and a summary to share.

  5. 05 / 05Deepwater FPSO

    FPSO Gato do Mato (Shell) — Orca development

    Brazil

    A Shell pre-salt FPSO in hull integration and topsides fabrication across Japanese and Chinese yards.

    Size120,000 b/d FPSO; first oil 2029

    1. FID
    2. Engineering
    3. Fabrication
    4. Construction (named in the reported phase)
    5. Installation
    6. Commissioning

    Phase, as reported: hull construction/integration …

    Who builds it

    • Shell Brasil operator
    • MODEC
    • SOFEC
    • Sumitomo Heavy Industries Marine & Engineering
    • more under “More”

    5 sources checked on 2026-10-08

    More why we watch it · key dates · all contractors · sources

    Why we watch it

    A Shell pre-salt FPSO in hull integration and topsides fabrication across Japanese and Chinese yards; delivery, installation and start-up targeted for 2029, then a 20-year MODEC O&M contract.

    Phase in full, as reported

    hull construction/integration (forward hull left Japan for China July 2026), topsides fabrication

    Who builds it as stated by the sources

    Operator / developerShell Brasil

    • Shell Brasiloperator (50%) and FPSO owner; partners Ecopetrol (30%) and KUFPEC (20%, acquired from Shell in Feb 2026, completion expected by end-2026 subject to approvals); PPSA manages the production sharing contract
    • MODECFPSO purchase and sales agreement (design of hull and all topsides facilities) plus 20-year operations and maintenance contract (March 2025); multi-yard build with Sumitomo Heavy Industries (Yokosuka, forward hull) and COSCO Qidong (aft hull, integration)
    • SOFEC (MODEC group)spread mooring system
    • Sumitomo Heavy Industries Marine & Engineeringforward hull block construction, Yokosuka (steel cut June 2025; block sailed to China July 2026)
    • COSCO Qidong Shipyardaft hull block (steel strike Oct 2025) and hull integration

    Key dates as stated by the sources

    FID
    March 2025
    Modec contracts
    2025-03-25
    Forward hull steel cut
    June 2025
    Aft hull steel strike
    October 2025
    Forward hull sailaway to china
    July 2026
    First oil target
    2029

    Disciplines likely needed our inference

    • FPSO hull and topsides engineers
    • yard construction supervision and QA/QC
    • mooring and marine engineers
    • commissioning and start-up engineers
    • FPSO operations and maintenance staff

    Derived by us from project kind and phase - not stated by the sources below.

    Sources checked on 2026-10-08

    1. MODEC Inks Purchase And Sales Agreement and Secures Operations and Maintenance Contract for Shell's Gato do Mato FPSO ProjectMODEC (company newsroom) · 2025-03-25
    2. MODEC: Pieces of Shell's Brazil-bound FPSO puzzle continue to slide into placeOffshore Energy · 2025-10-06
    3. MODEC Advances Construction of Brazil-Bound Gato do Mato FPSOBrazil Energy Insight · 2026-07-02
    4. Shell divests partial interest in Orca project offshore BrazilOffshore Magazine · 2026-02-04
    5. Forward Section of MODEC's Next Generation Hull for FPSO Gato do Mato Departs for Integration at China YardMODEC (company newsroom) · 2026-07-02

    Position on the globe: 24.80°S 43.20°W. Location approximate: Santos Basin pre-salt, ~200 km south of Rio de Janeiro, water depth ~2,000 m.

    This project on its own page - facts, sources and a summary to share.