Contract brings total to 16 GE Oil & Gas ICL units sold since introduction in 2007
HOUSTON, TEXAS -- September 15, 2009 -- GE Oil & Gas has today announced that it has signed an agreement with Storengy, a GDF Suez Group company dedicated to the underground storage of natural gas, to supply four Integrated Compressor Line (ICL) units for the expansion of two facilities in France.
GE will provide one ICL unit for the Céré La Ronde site near Tours and three units for the Saint Illiers site near Paris. The ICL units will be shipped from GE Oil & Gas facilities in Le Creusot, France at the end of 2010, and will be installed at the project sites in mid-2011.
Both projects are part of Storengy's program to meet the emerging needs of the European natural gas market.
Jean-Marc Guyot, Chief Operating Officer, Storengy said: "GE's ICL technology will deliver obvious performance, efficiency and environmental impact benefits to Storengy. In addition to these factors, we selected GE because of the company's commitment to fast delivery and installation."
Claudi Santiago, president and CEO, GE Oil & Gas commented: "We're delighted to be supporting Storengy on these important projects and also with the industry's response to our ICL technology, which is now supporting compression projects in Germany, Austria and France."
About Storengy
Storengy is a GDF SUEZ company dedicated to the underground storage of natural gas. Created on31 December 2008, Storengy operates in France and abroad, in particular in the United Kingdom and in Germany. With over 900 employees, Storengy is in charge of all new storage-related pursuits, planning, development, installation and operating activities, as well as the commercialisation of services directly or indirectly pertaining to natural gas storage. Storengy 's objective is to strengthen its position among the five worldwide leaders in storage.
About GE's ICL Technology
Designed to meet growing operational and environmental challenges faced by compression plant operators, GE's ICL technology features an integrated system that combines three proven technologies: centrifugal compression, active magnetic bearings and high-speed electric motors. Driven by electricity rather than gas, ICL units save energy and avoid associated CO2 emissions. Almost all external auxiliary systems have been dispensed with: ICL units operate without a gearbox, lube oil system, shaft seals and external cooling system. Consequently, the lifetime maintenance cost is 40 % lower than that of a conventional system.
Using an average 8-megawatt ICL rather than a comparable-sized gas turbine-driven compressor can reduce CO2 emissions by 60% or more. Since the use of oil for the lubrication of bearings or other parts is not required, 30,000 liters of oil is saved over the lifetime of an ICL compressor. The ICL's electrical motor is also much quieter than a conventional compressor and gas turbine drive.
The application, which is ideal for storage, fuel gas and export gas operations, and transportation pipelines, is available in a power range of up to 15 MW and is capable of delivering high pressure ratios and operating over a broad range of conditions.
GE's first commercial ICL unit has been tested and recently made its commercial debut at the Etzel Gas-Lager natural gas storage facility in Germany. ICL technology has received certification as a GE ecomagination product. Ecomagination is GE's corporate-wide commitment to address the need for cleaner, more efficient sources of energy, reduced emissions and abundant sources of clean water.
About GE Oil & Gas
GE Oil & Gas (www.ge.com/oilandgas) 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.
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 the company's Web site at http://www.ge.com. GE is Imagination at Work.
Ken Darling
Masto Public Relations
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1-518-786-6488
Sara Hassett
GE Oil & Gas
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+39-055-423-3361
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