GE AEROSPACE 
By - GE Technology Playing a Major Role in Developing one of World's Largest LNG Projects
- Recent Tests Featured Compressor with Record-Breaking Power Output
- Gorgon to Help Meet Growing World Demand for Natural Gas
FLORENCE, ITALY-January 30, 2011-GE Oil & Gas (NYSE: GE) has
successfully completed tests on the first of three liquefied
natural gas (LNG) compressor trains being supplied for the
development of Gorgon, one of the world's largest untapped
natural gas fields, off the coast of Australia. GE is
providing a wide range of LNG and subsea technology for
Gorgon, which will produce 15 million metric tons per year of
LNG and is the world's largest carbon dioxide (CO2)
sequestration project.
Both performance and full-load tests on the mixed refrigerant
and propane LNG compressor trains were carried out recently
at GE's facility in Massa, Italy.
While MR train includes a FR7 Gas Turbine plus a centrifugal
compressor and a 24-megawatt (MW) electric motor, PR train is
composed by a FR7 GT plus the propane compressor (63-MW rated
power), the HP MR compressor and a 24-MW electric motor.
The low pressure mixed refrigerant compressor has the highest
worldwide power per single casing ever produced, with a rated
power of more than 93 MW. During internal tests, the unit
reached power output higher than 115 MW.
This large-power, horizontally split compressor has a large
design pressure (43bar-a) combined with a large internal
diameter that make it a leading technology in the industry.
Hydro testing of the casing was carried out at 65+ bar-a (1.5
times the design pressure). The large impellers used in this
machine are specifically developed for the range of flows and
mach of the mixed refrigerant duty and are able to guarantee
top operability and efficiency as confirmed by the full-load
string test results.
"The tests were carried out as planned and the units met all
the contractual requirements and acceptance criteria," said
Riccardo Procacci, general manager, applied technology for GE
Oil & Gas. "Everything went smoothly with no issues. The test
was completed four months ahead of the contractual delivery
date of the units, and the compressor performance exceeded
our expectations."
The propane train composition is 20+ meter long equipped with
two compressors body: a horizontally spitted compressor with
internal diameter greater than 3 meters and two sidestreams
plus barrel compressor for high pressure mixed refrigerant
process.
Compressor performances showed huge extra efficiency in
particular on last section.
The LNG compressor train tests follow GE's successful testing
in August of the first of six CO2 reinjection trains being
developed for Gorgon. The project is designed to minimize CO2
emissions by injecting 2,420 tons per day of CO2 to the
wellhead, up to four times more CO2 than any other project
worldwide.
In the last two years, GE Oil & Gas has received contracts
totaling more than $1 billion to supply three LNG compressor
trains, five Frame 9 turbo generators, six CO2 compressor
reinjection trains, subsea equipment and services for Gorgon,
which is the largest of several LNG projects in the region
that are tapping into a rising demand for LNG in Asia.
The project includes the subsea development of the Greater
Gorgonnatural gas fields located about 130 kilometers off the
northwest coast of Western Australia in water depths of 200
to 1,300 meters. The fields will be linked via subsea and
underground pipelines to gas treatment and liquefaction
facilities on Barrow Island, where the GE LNG compression
equipment will be installed.
"We're very excited about our role in this technologically
complex project, which will help to meet the world's growing
need for natural gas," said John Lammas, vice president of
engineering and technology leader for GE Oil & Gas. "Gorgon
demonstrates our continuing commitment to developing and
deploying advanced technology solutions for milestone
projects that are shaping the future of world energy."
According to the Energy Information Administration, oil and
gas will continue to meet much of the world's energy needs
for the foreseeable future. The demand for natural gas-the
cleanest burning fossil fuel, which plays a vital role in
balancing economic growth and environmental responsibility-is
expected to grow by more than 67 percent by 2030.
Globally, the net impact of using Gorgon LNG is expected to
result in about 45 fewer tons of greenhouse gas emissions,
when compared with coal. That is the equivalent of taking
about two-thirds of all Australian vehicles off the road.
The Gorgon project is a joint venture that includes the
Australian subsidiaries of Chevron (47 percent), ExxonMobil
(25 percent), Shell (25 percent), Osaka Gas (1.25 percent),
Tokyo Gas (1 percent) and Chubu Electric (0.417 percent). The
Greater Gorgon gas fields are estimated to contain about 40
trillion cubic feet of gas, comprising Australia's largest
known gas resources.
The Gorgon project underscores the growing role that GE Oil &
Gas is playing in the development of Western Australia's LNG
sector. GE recently announced that it will supply two
customized LNG refrigeration trains for the Chevron-operated
Wheatstone Project, located 12 kilometers west of Onslow.
For Gorgon project, all materials, goods and equipment
undergo a rigorous inspection and assessment process. This
ensures that Australian quarantine requirements are fully
satisfied.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people
and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges.
Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation
and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world.
Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information,
visit the company's website at www.ge.com.
GE also serves the energy sector by providing technology and
service solutions that are based on a commitment to quality
and innovation. The company continues to invest in new
technology solutions and grow through strategic acquisitions
to strengthen its local presence and better serve customers
around the world. The businesses that comprise GE Energy-GE Power & Water, GE
Energy Management and GE Oil & Gas-work together with more
than 90,000 global employees and 2010 revenues of $38
billion, to provide integrated product and service solutions
in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil,
natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as
water, wind, solar and biogas; as well as other alternative
fuels andnew grid modernization technologies to meet 21st
century energy needs.
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