Focus Will Be On Oil And Gas Customers In Sub-Sahara Africa
FLORENCE, ITALY (March 25, 2004) --- GE Energy's oil and gas division is opening a regional training center in Nigeria that will feature technology information, training and technical assistance for customers in Nigeria and the surrounding regions. It is the first GE facility of its type in Sub-Sahara Africa.
Construction has been completed on a new, four-story building located in the industrial zone of Port Harcourt City, Rivers State, Nigeria. GE Energy's oil and gas operations, including its pipeline inspections segment, will use the top two floors of the new structure for a training and technical assistance center and business office, while other GE units including GE Water Technologies also will have a presence in the center.
"Through the new center, we are developing a learning environment that provides information about technologies of interest to our customers in Nigeria as well as other surrounding regions," said Adewale Audifferen, Managing Director of GE Energy's oil and gas operations in Nigeria. "One of the key objectives will be to transfer information and provide technical assistance and training to local customers to create a local, self-sustaining business structure and increase GE presence in the country."
The center will include two fully equipped classrooms where training sessions can be held, a gas turbine control panel simulator, and other instructional materials. Plans also call for the center to include a training workshop with machined cut-outs of component parts and other displays designed to instruct visitors about the operational features of GE equipment for oil and gas applications.
The center will be fully operational by July 2004 and it is expected to serve international and national oil and LNG production companies, local energy utility authorities, and energy sector business/industrial managers. It will offer standard training packages for GE Energy equipment, customized training for operation and maintenance personnel, and leadership and management courses.
GE Energy's oil and gas operations are based in Florence, Italy, the home of Nuovo Pignone, a long-time global leader in gas compression and turbo generation products. GE acquired Nuovo Pignone in 1994 and since then has continued to expand its oil and gas portfolio by acquiring or developing partnerships with other technology and experience leaders in the industry.
About GE Energy
Sara Hassett
GE Oil & Gas
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