GE Oil & Gas Awarded $400M Contract For Gorgon, One Of The World's Largest Natural Gas Projects
GE Oil & Gas recently announced it has been awarded a competitive bid, worth over $400M, to deploy advanced liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology for the development of Gorgon, one of the world's largest untapped natural gas fields, which also features the world's largest ever carbon-dioxide (CO2) sequestration technology project.
Claudi Santiago, President and CEO of GE Oil & Gas said: "I am delighted that GE Oil & Gas has been selected by Chevron to deliver this technologically complex project which will deliver cleaner energy on an unprecedented scale. The contract consolidates our global LNG technology leadership position and our competitive edge in pioneering CO2 sequestration applications. Gorgon demonstrates our customer commitment to Innovation Now solutions based on safe and reliable technology transfer and our partnership role in milestone projects shaping the future of world energy".
GE will supply Chevron with equipment to fulfill Gorgon's LNG production and CO2 sequestration, as follows:
- Three (3) Main Refrigerant Compression Trains required for Gorgon's production of 15 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) LNG – equating to three shipments a week leaving Gorgon's purpose-built LNG loading jetty; and,
- Six (6) Compression Trains required to drive Gorgon's pioneering carbon dioxide sequestration (C02) project, the world's largest - injecting up to four times more carbon dioxide than any other project worldwide.
Cleaner Natural Gas Vital to Fuelling Global Economic Growth
According to the Energy Information Administration, between now and 2030 global energy consumption is projected to increase by 44 percent with oil and gas, along with coal, continuing to meet the largest part of that demand.
The demand for natural gas – the cleanest burning fossil fuel, which plays a vital role in balancing economic growth and environmental responsibilities – is expected to grow by more than 67 percent by 2030.
The Gorgon Project's estimated economic life is at least 40 years from the time of start-up. In addition to natural gas supply for domestic Australian use, Gorgon is critical to meeting Asia's growing need for cleaner energy. To date the Gorgon partners have signed sale and purchase agreements for LNG export into Japan and South Korea, the world's two largest LNG import markets, as well as India and China.
Globally, the net impact of using Gorgon LNG will result in about 45 million tonnes less greenhouse gas emissions, when compared with coal. That's equivalent to taking around two-thirds of all Australian vehicles off the road.
GE Innovation Now Technology Makes The Difference
The Gorgon natural gas fields are located at Barrow Island, around 130km off Western Australia. Gas will be extracted and delivered via subsea and underground pipelines to gas treatment and liquefaction facilities on Barrow Island's south east coast.
Three (3), 5-MTPA GE Main Refrigerant Compression Trains, each comprising two GE Frame-7 Gas Turbines plus advanced technology liquefaction compressors, will be utilized for the production of liquefied natural gas by chilling to –160°C, ready for shipping, before re-gasification and pipeline transportation for use by domestic and industrial customers.
Prior to liquefaction carbon dioxide (CO2) will be stripped out and injected into the depleted natural gas wells 1,300-meters deep to ensure its safe storage and the reduction of emissions. Six (6) surface operating, 15 MW electric-motor driven GE Compression Trains will be deployed.
The GE Main Refrigerant Compression Trains and the GE Compression Trains for CO2 sequestration will be manufactured and tested in Florence and Massa, Italy, then shipped in 2011 and 2012.
Contract Consolidates GE's Strategic Role in Gorgon
Today's award further strengthens GE Oil & Gas' strategic role in the Gorgon project. In May 2008 GE Oil & Gas' Drilling and Production business was awarded a five (5) year frame agreement to supply subsea equipment and support services for Gorgon. The scope of that contract includes the supply of VetcoGray manifolds, pipeline termination structures, pipeline end terminations, trees with subsea control modules, wellheads, production control systems, system integration testing, installation and operations support.
About Gorgon
Chevron Australia Pty Limited (with 50 percent interest) operates the Gorgon Project in joint venture with the Australian subsidiaries of ExxonMobil and Shell (each with 25 percent interest). The green light for the Gorgon Project was achieved after the granting of production licenses and final Australian state development approval on September 14, 2009. The project is estimated to cost approximately AUD$43 billion for the first phase of development, with first gas planned for 2014. For more information, visit www.gorgon.com.au
About GE Oil & Gas
GE Oil & Gas is a world leader in advanced technology equipment and services for all segments of the oil and gas industry, from drilling and production, LNG, pipelines and storage to industrial power generation, refining and petrochemicals. We also provide pipeline integrity solutions, including inspection and data management. As part of our 'Innovation Now' customer focus and commitment, GE Oil & Gas leverages technological innovation from other GE businesses, such as aviation and healthcare, to continuously improve oil and gas industry performance and productivity. GE Oil & Gas employs more than 12,000 people worldwide and operates in over 100 countries. For more iformation, visit www.ge.com/oilandgas.
About GE
GE is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company that is built to meet essential world needs. From energy, water, transportation and health, to access to money and information, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.ge.com. GE is Imagination at Work.
SOURCE: GE Oil & Gas