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First-of-its-kind technology collaboration will extend maintenance intervals of QAFCO's gas turbines
GE Oil & Gas Downstream Technology Solutions to mark region's first installation of 32K Extendor that will reduce downtime, and increase unit availability and operational efficiency
QAFCO is the world's largest single-site producer of ammonia and urea
Doha, Qatar: GE Oil & Gas (NYSE: GE) today announced that its Downstream Technology Solutions (DTS) business has been awarded a 15-year technical development partnership agreement by Qatar Fertiliser Company (QAFCO).
In this strategic agreement, DTS will bring GE Oil & Gas competencies to mark the first regional installation of its advanced 32 K Extendor Combustion System that will enable QAFCO to strengthen the operational efficiency of its gas turbines.
GE Oil & Gas will supply the parts for the project with the first installation set for 2017, while modification, repair and field services will be provided through Qatar-based experts.
GE Oil & Gas has an installed base of six FR6 gas turbines, 31 centrifugal compressors, 16 steam turbines and 16 pumps across QAFCO plants. The agreement will help in scaling-up the operational efficiency of the gas turbines, adding to improved plant operations and higher levels of productivity.
Khalifa A Al Sowaidi, CEO of QAFCO, said: "We seek advanced solutions and on-ground support to strengthen efficiency and optimize resource use across our plants. To achieve consistently high levels of productivity, it is important that we extend maintenance intervals through proven technology. GE Oil & Gas has been a long-term partner, and with the new solution that is implemented at QAFCO for the first time in the region, we also gain from the localized expertize and support that GE brings."
Rami Qasem, President & CEO of GE Oil & Gas for the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, said: "Installing the first Extendor Combustion Supply kit in the region at QAFCO demonstrates our commitment to deliver the best-in-class technology solution and underlines the long-term partnership between GE and QAFCO which extends for 40 years. The comprehensive upgrade, repairing and maintenance, led by our Qatar-based team, will support QAFCO by significantly reducing the combustion component wear & tear of the turbines and increasing the meantime between maintenance."
The new agreement builds on earlier long-term service contract signed between GE Oil & Gas DTS and QAFCO to optimize the performance of its plant in Mesaieed last year, further underlining GE's localization commitment.
Qatar is one of the important markets of GE in the Middle East region, where the company has been playing a key role in energy infrastructure development including power, water and oil & gas for nearly four decades. The Qatar Service Center of GE Oil & Gas in Ras Laffan is a center of excellence that serves as a technology hub for the region.
Today, through three offices and over 300 employees, GE serves the energy, water technologies and healthcare businesses, which contribute to the overall economic and social growth of the country.
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About QAFCO:
QAFCO was founded in 1969 as a joint venture between the Government of Qatar and a number of foreign shareholders. The country's first large-scale venture in the petrochemical sector, QAFCO was established with a view to diversify the economy and utilize the nation's enormous gas reserve. After successfully implementing several expansion projects over the past three decades, the Company has evolved into a world-class fertiliser producer. QAFCO is now owned 75% by Industries Qatar (IQ) and 25% by Yara Netherland.
With a sizable annual production capacity of 3.8 million MT of ammonia and 5.6 million MT of urea from, QAFCO is now the world's largest single-site producer of ammonia & urea and thereby made Qatar the world's fourth largest urea producer. This enabled Qatar to be a key player in the global fertilizer market and the largest exporter of urea in the world with about 15% share of the world urea supply.
Gulf Formaldehyde Company
The Gulf Formaldehyde Company (GFC) was created in 2003 and began operations in 2004. The GFC plants A&B are designed to produce 82 tons per day of Urea Formaldehyde (UFC-85), a viscous liquid with 60% formaldehyde, 25% urea and 15% of water. Eighty percent of the UFC-85 produced is consumed by QAFCO and is used as an anti-caking agent in the production of urea.
Qatar Melamine Company:
QAFCO has utilized its expertise in fertilizer plant operations to operate and manage a production plant of premium grade Melamine. The plant has design capacity to produce 60,000MT of Melamine annually. This is one of the largest plants in the region. www.qafco.com
About GE:
GE (NYSE: GE) is the world's Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the "GE Store," through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.ge.com
About GE Oil & Gas:
GE Oil & Gas works on the things that matter in the oil and gas industry. In collaboration with our customers, we push the boundaries of technology to bring energy to the world. From extraction to transportation to end use, we address today's toughest challenges in order to fuel the future. www.geoilandgas.com. Follow GE Oil & Gas on Twitter @GE_OilandGas
Contact:
Stephen McCallion
GE Oil & Gas Communications MENAT Leader
+9714 8991777
stephen.mccallion@ge.com
For more information, please contact:
Caroline Wehbeh
Contact:GE Communications Leader, North Africa
+9714 4296318
caroline.wehbeh@ge.com
Kelly Home/Nivine William
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
+9714 4507 600
kelly.home@bm.com / nivine.william@bm.com
© Press Release 2016
