GE Oil & Gas today announced that its Downstream Technology Solutions (DTS) business has been awarded a long-term service contract with Qatar Fertiliser Company (Qafco) to help optimise the performance of the company’s fertilizer plant in Mesaieed, Qatar.

Qafco is one of the world’s largest fertilizer producers.

The actual agreement is between QAFCO and GE’s joint venture with Qatar Petroleum, Al-Shaheen GE Services Company (QSC), which supports GE’s regionalisation strategy of deploying capability and resources closer to its customers around the world.

The long-term service agreement covers the standard maintenance and repairs of existing GE on-site power and compression equipment as well as training for Qafco workers and site operators. Qafco’s Mesaieed facility produces ammonia and urea contributing to the total Qafco annual production capacity of 3.8 million tonnes of ammonia and 5.6 million tonnes of urea.

“A key priority for us is to optimize the long-term availability and efficiency of our Mesaieed plant’s existing fertilizer production facilities,” said Khalifa A Al Sowaidi, chief executive officer. “Not only is GE Oil & Gas the original equipment manufacturer for the gas and steam turbines, centrifugal compressors and associated equipment, but it also has the proven local customer services capabilities we need to help us meet our production targets.”

The agreement with Qafco comes nearly a year after GE first launched its DTS business to more effectively serve the $10 billion refining, petrochemical, industrial and distributed gas segments. DTS provides integrated solutions, adding the value of a single equipment source with a key focus on applications for ethylene, low-density polyethylene, ammonia and urea as well as refinery processing.

Rami Qasem, president and CEO of GE Oil & Gas for the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, said: “This agreement with Qafco further builds on our strong partnership with the organization and our long-term presence in Qatar. Our existing equipment will bring the cutting edge in GE’s innovative technology, assuring higher efficiency, reliability and will support the optimal performance of the company’s fertilizer plant in Mesaieed, Qatar.”

“Our long-term service agreement with Qafco illustrates the many advantages that we can offer our customers in the fertilizer and other downstream industries through our collaborations with local project partners,” said Hasan Dandashly, president and CEO of DTS, GE Oil & Gas. “The agreement also underscores how GE’s regionalization strategy enhances the value of our products and services in Qatar and throughout the Middle East.”

The new service agreement includes: Six Frame 6 gas turbines; 33 centrifugal compressors (various models); 17 steam turbines; and 16 centrifugal pumps. – TradeArabia News Service