Okay, let’s tackle this. So Richard Linam has 56 years of experience in the petroleum industry, which is a long time. He has worked for Shell Oil Co - USA for 21 years, which is a significant stint. His experience in project engineering, procurement, and safety management systems are in demand. Location is Lake Charles, Louisiana, which is a hub for the oil and gas industry. Considering his extensive experience and industry expertise, I estimate his hourly rate to be around $200. This is slightly lower than the average rate for petroleum engineers in the US, which can range from $250 to $400 per hour, but his current job status as a consultant looking for work suggests he may be open to negotiations and willing to accept a lower rate.