QCLNG Maintenance Contract Goes to GE, Australia

QGC Pty Limited has awarded a US$620 million maintenance contract to GE Oil & Gas Australia Pty Ltd to support carbon-efficient turbines and other equipment at the Queensland Curtis LNG plant near Gladstone.

The QCLNG Project will be the first liquefied natural gas facility in the world to operate the new GE-manufactured low-emission turbines, which require less fuel than older models.

Under the 22-year contract, GE will provide maintenance support for the plant’s 15 turbines and 28 centrifugal compressors, gearboxes, generators and other equipment.

Use of the turbines will result in the QCLNG plant having 27% less greenhouse emissions than the original design.

All the turbines and compressors, which range up to 620 tonnes, have been delivered for installation on Curtis Island.

Five GE staff will initially be based in Gladstone to do testing, inspections and maintenance, and planned shutdowns will be managed by mechanical and electrical specialists.

BG Group Chief Executive Chris Finlayson said the contract was the Group’s biggest single maintenance agreement.

“As construction of the QCLNG Project passes the half-way mark we are increasing our focus on how we are going to operate the facilities safely and efficiently in the decades ahead,” Mr Finlayson said.

“BG Group is committed to reducing emissions through advanced, proven technologies and design.

“Using GE’s technology will contribute to the QCLNG plant being one of the most emissions-efficient facilities of its kind in the world.

“Liquefied natural gas has an important role to play in the management of global greenhouse gas emissions.

“When used as a substitute for coal, particularly in developing economies, liquefied natural gas from the QCLNG Project could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 35%.”

The QCLNG Project is on schedule for first LNG in 2014.

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LNG World News Staff, March 19, 2013