GE to supply turbo-expander compressors for milestone GTL project in Qatar

GE's contract with Chiyoda Corporation of Japan, the engineering firm for the gas treatment plant, calls for the supply of two FR60 turbo-expander compressors and spare parts. The 10-megawatt machines will be manufactured at GE Oil & Gas facilities in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and are the largest frame size expander compressors ordered from that facility to date this year. The units will be shipped to the project site in April of 2008 and installation will begin in June of 2008.

This contract follows the announcement last September that GE Oil & Gas will supply six Frame 6B gas turbines, equipped with dual fuel IGCC (integrated gasification combined-cycle) combustion systems for the Pearl GTL project, which is located in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar.

Being developed by Qatar Shell GTL Ltd., the project is designed to produce a total of 140,000 barrels per day of synthetic fuels and chemicals. Phase one is scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2010 and phase two a year later, with each phase producing 70,000 barrels per day.

The Pearl GTL project includes the development of offshore natural gas resources in Qatar's North Field, transporting and processing the gas to extract natural gas liquids and ethane, and the conversion of the remaining gas into clean liquid hydrocarbon products.

"The Pearl GTL project is a cornerstone of Qatar's growing contribution to the world's GTL industry, and we are very pleased that our technology continues to be selected for such an important effort,"

said Mohammad Ayoub, Operations Leader and Region General Manager - Middle East for GE Oil & Gas.

With its vast natural gas resources, Qatar is regarded as one of the world's best locations for the development of the GTL industry. The GTL process involves the conversion of natural gas into synthetic crude oil and other hydrocarbon products. Alternative fuels such as GTL provide new fuel energy sources, strong environmental benefits, a reduction in petroleum dependence, and diversity of supply sources.

GTL offers an attractive option for countries seeking to develop and distribute their natural gas resources worldwide. GTL can be shipped in traditional tankers, while liquefied natural gas (LNG) requires special tankers to contain the super-cooled product and maintain it in stable form until it can be delivered and re-converted into gas.