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HOUSTON, TEXAS — October 28, 2009 — GE Oil & Gas’ PII Pipeline Solutions business has been awarded a multi-million U.S. dollar, six-year contract to supply Qatargas Operating Company Limited (Qatargas) with advanced pipeline integrity management services to enhance the monitoring and maintenance of the company’s liquid natural gas (LNG) network. Based in Ras Laffan City in the State of Qatar, Qatargas has nine prominent shareholders – Qatar Petroleum, ExxonMobil, Total, Mitsui, Marubeni, ConocoPhillips, Shell, Idemitsu and Cosmo Oil. Under the agreement GE Oil & Gas will build and deploy a custom pipeline integrity management system (PIMS) to drive Qatargas’ overall integrity management processes. As part of this work, GE will provide Qatargas with the associated integrity management (IM) elements, including manuals and procedures covering in-line inspection (ILI), software automation and engineering assessments. “Qatargas operates world-class LNG facilities in Qatar, and our goal is to be the world’s premier LNG company,” said Sheikh Ahmed Al Thani, Chief Operating Officer Engineering & Ventures, Qatargas. “A critical success factor in achieving that goal is the continued assurance of availability and safe operation of our pipeline networks used to transport gas and condensate from our offshore production sites to our onshore treatment facilities.” While Qatargas already has a strong pipeline integrity management program in place, the company continually works to adopt industry best practices, including the implementation of GE’s comprehensive PIMS program, Qatargas’ Sheikh Ahmed Al Thani said. Much of GE’s advance work will be performed by GE Oil & Gas’ pipeline technology centers for excellence in Cramlington, U.K. (for pipeline integrity management and integrity engineering services as well as in-line (ILI) inspection tool preparation) and in Mission, Kansas (for software management), while a dedicated project and account management team will be established in Qatar to help ensure the successful implementation of the projects for Qatargas. “We are excited to have the opportunity to continue our long-term relationship with Qatargas, which has an outstanding record of achievement in the area of pipeline integrity and maintenance,” said John Bucci, General Manager of GE Oil & Gas’ PII Pipeline Solutions, noting that the business has provided inspection services to Qatargas since 1998. While the earlier inspections covered two LNG pipelines, the new integrity management contract will cover additional offshore product lines that will rely significantly on PII Pipeline Solutions’ extensive ‘wet gas’ experience. Separate to the pipeline services contract, GE Oil & Gas’ global services business previously signed an 18-year customer service agreement to support Qatargas’ operations. GE Oil & Gas has a successful record of supporting a number of major pipeline integrity management initiatives in Qatar, Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries. About GE Oil & GasGE 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 GEGE is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company that is built to meet essential world needs. From energy, water, transportation and heal 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. For more information, contact: Nigel O’Connor |
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