GE Oil & Gas (NYSE:GE) announced today that it is providing both
technology and capital to help expedite construction of the Freeport
LNG gas liquefaction and liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project
in Southeast Texas. GE is supplying the main refrigeration compressors,
variable-speed drive electric motors and other electrical equipment for
two customized LNG liquefaction trains, each of which will produce a
base volume of 4.4 metric tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG. In addition,
GE is providing financing to support the project through
pre-construction engineering and design.
In a transformation of its energy fortunes, the shale gas boom gives the
United States the potential to become one of the globe’s largest LNG
exporters. Freeport LNG will play a vital role in maximizing the value
of this abundant and affordable shale gas, becoming the first
world-scale electric liquefied natural gas (eLNG) plant in North
America. Using GE’s electric motor driven technology has enabled
Freeport LNG to comply with strict local emissions standards and support
its ambitious LNG production and export targets.
“GE’s strong partnership and expertise have helped us address this
project’s unique challenges, quickly,” said Michael Smith, CEO of
Freeport LNG. “Through its innovative technology, financial expertise
and ability to address environmental challenges in a cost-effective
manner, GE is helping us to create the lowest air emissions and carbon
footprint in the U.S. LNG industry.”
GE will supply two liquefaction trains with an integrated solution
consisting of:
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Six centrifugal compressors.
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Six 75-megawatt (MW) synchronous electric motors including the largest
electric motor ever supplied for an LNG facility.
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Six variable speed drives (LCI technology).
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Electrical equipment such as gas insulated switchgear, MCC, harmonic
filters, e-houses and auxiliary electrical equipment.
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Integrated LNG plant and power grid modelling coordinated protection
and control development, power quality evaluation and power system
design verification studies.
The Freeport eLNG project is unique in electric power systems design and
implementation. The plant will feature all-electric drive compression
directly connected at the utility incoming transmission voltage level.
The power systems engineering study and design for Freeport uses the
deep power systems expertise of GE’s Energy Consulting team.
GE has invested heavily in its capabilities for high-powered and more
complex mechanical-electrical systems, now delivered in the eLNG sector.
GE can provide the option for LNG projects to use existing electric
power or to build their own combined-cycle power plants that can power
electric motor-driven refrigeration systems.
With its extensive investing experience in LNG and midstream, GE Energy
Financial Services was able to bring the expertise required to provide a
unique financing solution for Freeport LNG. GE Energy Financial Services
underwrote a loan and subsequently secured three additional lenders,
allowing the project to expedite equipment orders and permit approval.
“Our strong LNG expertise, manufacturing capabilities and our ability to
perform full load string tests, as well as our exacting safety
standards, set us apart with this major project,” said Rafael Santana,
CEO and President, Turbomachinery Solutions, GE Oil & Gas. “Freeport was
also impressed by our ability to adapt and upgrade our technologies to
meet their requirements. We always partner with our customers to manage
complexity, bringing to the oil and gas business GE’s experience from
other industries and helping customers to overcome oil and gas industry
challenges.”
GE will build and package the refrigeration trains in Florence, Italy
and tests will be conducted in Massa, Italy. They are due to be
delivered in Texas in 2016 and be fully operational by 2017.
CZJV—a joint venture between CB&I Inc. (NYSE:CBI) and Zachry Industrial,
Inc.—serves as the engineering, procurement and construction contractor
for the construction of Train 1 and Train 2 of Freeport LNG’s
liquefaction project.
Notes to Editors
GE has a proven track record in providing mission-critical equipment for
the LNG sector. Through continuous and reliable innovation, GE enables
its customers to meet industry challenges, from the largest LNG train
compressors to small LNG plants for remote locations.
GE also is actively involved in a number of major eLNG projects across
the U.S., providing the industry with an integrated eLNG system that
includes leading electric high-power motors, variable speed drive
systems and compressors.
GE has the largest and most complete testing capability in the industry
and is able to perform tests under actual load and pressure
conditions—including LNG and re-injection. GE’s facilities in Florence,
Massa (Italy) have a wide range of indoor and outdoor test beds for a
variety of standardized tests, as well as the capability to perform
full-load string testing, ensuring the systems can withstand the
pressures of live use. The Massa facility is equipped with sophisticated
systems for data acquisition and processing of test results. Tests can
be performed on centrifugal, axial and reciprocating compressors, steam
and gas turbines, electric motors and any combination of modules as
required by customers.
About GE
GE (NYSE:GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best
technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in
energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering,
moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For
more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.
About GE Oil & Gas
GE Oil & Gas works on the things that matter in the oil and gas
industry. In collaboration with our customers, we push the boundaries of
technology to bring energy to the world. From extraction to
transportation to end use, we address today's toughest challenges in
order to fuel the future. Follow GE Oil & Gas on Twitter @GE_OilandGas.
About Freeport LNG
Freeport LNG Expansion, L.P. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Freeport
LNG Development, L.P., which owns and operates an existing LNG
regasification terminal located near Freeport, Texas. The terminal
started commercial operation in June 2008.
Copyright Business Wire 2014