September 08, 2008

Oman selects GE compressors to revive depleted gas wells

For more efficient extraction of gas from depleted wells in 4 of its gas fields, Petroleum Development Oman has turned to advanced, high pressure compression technology from GE Oil & Gas.

GE announced that it will supply 16 electric motor driven centrifugal compressors under a multi year, multi project contract valued at more than USD 250 million worth of contract. The technology will be used for high pressure injection applications in the Kauther, Saih Nihayda and Yibal gas fields of Oman.

The compressors will be manufactured at GE Oil & Gas facilities in Florence in Italy and will be shipped to Oman over the period of 2009-2015, for a total of 14 projects that will come on line between 2010 and 2016.

Mr Claudi Santiago president & CEO of GE Oil & Gas said that “For more than 3 decades, GE Oil & Gas has been dedicated to the development of state of the art technology for challenging gas injection applications, such as sustaining and improving production from depleted wells. Our experience with these types of projects worldwide was a key factor in our selection by PDO to provide compressors for upcoming projects that will help maintain the levels of gas production throughout the region."

In 2007, GE received 2 contracts from PDO to supply centrifugal compressors for projects in the Saih Rawl gas field of central Oman and the Harweel oil field of south Oman.

PDO accounts for more than 80% of Oman’s crude oil production and nearly all of its natural gas supply. It is 60% owned by the government of Oman, 34% by Shell Group, 4% by Total and 2% by Partex. Gas fields, however, are operated by PDO exclusively on behalf of the Omani government.