Rolls-Royce has secured another Middle East order for the Avon 200, a significantly upgraded version of the highly successful industrial gas turbine.
Dubai Petroleum is upgrading a further six industrial Avon gas generators, following a previous order for four conversions. This will bring half of its current Avon fleet operating offshore Dubai on platforms in the Fateh gas field to the new standard.
The ten engines being upgraded, which were installed between 1986 and 1992, will enjoy a number of operating improvements, including a 10% increase in power, 5.3% better thermal efficiency and reduced carbon dioxide emissions, compared with current in-service Avon engines.
Tom Curley, president of the Rolls-Royce energy business, said: “The Avon 200 is a significant new product for the Rolls-Royce energy business, with the potential to extend the life of the worldwide Avon fleet of over 850 engines.”
Performance improvements will be achieved by using latest technologies from the Rolls-Royce trent and EJ200 aero engine designs, and from rig programmes currently underway to develop future technologies. The improvements include reduced fuel burn, extended times between overhaul, up from 30,000 hours to 36,000 hours, and a better mechanical design to reduce life-cycle costs.
Work on converting the engines will be carried out by the Rolls Wood Group, a 50/50 joint venture between Rolls-Royce Plc and John Wood Group Plc, at their Aberdeen facility. The first four engines have been completed and have been shipped back to Dubai Petroleum.
Keith Brady, managing director of the Rolls Wood Group, said: “We are extremely pleased that the work to undertake the conversions is being performed in Aberdeen by Rolls Wood. We have already converted six Avons for operators in Norway, Dubai and Brazil, following the successful trials of a development engine on a major gas pipeline in Canada.
“The same development engine also underwent hot weather trials in Dubai prior to the order from Dubai Petroleum.”