Turbine technology boosts Egyptian LNG output
01 October 2008
Egyptian LNG, the Egyptian operating company for natural gas liquefaction projects, is planning an upgrade project that will increase the power output and performance of gas turbines located in Idku about 50 kilometres East of Alexandria, Egypt.
GE Oil & Gas has an agreement, valued at more than $60 million, to supply parts to upgrade 12 gas turbines and four spare modules at the LNG plant. The company will supply its Power Crystal kits, which are based on single crystal technology originally developed by GE for aircraft engines and later adapted for use on GE’s advanced, heavy duty gas turbines. The Egyptian LNG project marks the first use of the technology on power turbines for oil and gas applications.
The use of single crystal advanced alloys for high performance turbine blades enables turbine firing temperatures to be raised at least 40º F, which leads to a four percent increase in turbine power output with no increase of NOx emissions.
Power Crystal technology can enable longer mean time between maintenance inspections, up to 72,000 hours between major inspections. Customers can gain up to ten days of production over a full maintenance cycle.
“This first application of our Power Crystal technology signals the beginning of a new era for advanced heavy duty turbine upgrades in the oil and gas industry,” said Jeff Nagel, Vice President - Global Services for GE Oil & Gas. “Our Power Crystal kits can be installed during major inspections without increasing downtime and with limited impact on the entire plant process, while delivering significant improvements in gas turbine production or availability.”
Nagel added: “The development of Power Crystal technology demonstrates the tremendous power of GE businesses working together. Thanks to those synergies, and to the strong co-operation and support of Egyptian LNG in this milestone project, the oil and gas business is now able to take advantage of the
benefits previously available only in the aviation and power generation industries.’’
“Egyptian LNG has invested in GE’s gas turbines in both of its LNG trains in Idku, Egypt. Being the first to embark on such a project, we are looking forward to the opportunities for improvement made possible with the use of this new technology,” said Adnan Abidin, CEO of Egyptian LNG. “This has been made possible as a result of the good business relationship that the two companies have developed over the years,” he added. Parts for phase one of the Egyptian LNG upgrade will be shipped in 2008, with shipments for phase two in 2010-2012.
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