Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has won two separate contracts for a total of four industrial RB211 gas turbine packages valued at over $80m, to help with the development of an oil field project in the Middle East and the transmission of natural gas in Slovakia.
Two of the sets, RB211-G62 models, will be at the heart of a Total Oil Company power project at an oil production facility in the Middle East, generating electricity to provide power to satisfy the needs of the facility. The fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce aeroderivative gas turbines will also support Total’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the region by using the associated gas from the oil field, gas currently flared, as fuel for the engines.
The Slovak gas utility Slovensky plynarensky priemysel (SPP), has ordered the other two gas turbines, RB211-GT61 dry low emissions (DLE) models, for installation at their Velké Zlievce compressor station. These will join three units at Velké Kapusany and two at Jablonov nad Tumou that were installed in 1997 and which have already recorded nearly a quarter of million hours of operation. Last year Eustream, a transmission system operator 100% owned by SPP, delivered 66bn/m³ of gas, enough energy for 41 million standard size UK homes for one year.
The 44,000 horsepower sets will replace older ageing gas turbines to handle the anticipated future growth in gas movements through the pipelines. They will also provide an exceptional reduction of exhaust emissions allowing the units to meet the country’s strict environmental limits.
Tony Ruegger, Rolls-Royce, executive vice president, oil and gas, said: “We are delighted to receive these orders from well-established existing customers. The Total contract brings with it a new territory for the RB211 where oil production and gas utilization are vital for the country’s economic growth. In Slovakia we appreciate how important the Eustream operation is to the Slovak economy and the RB211 units ensure that the pipelines operate 24 hours a day when required, transporting valuable gas from Russia to customers throughout much of Europe.”
Antoine Jourdain, chairman of the board of directors of Eustream said: “Replacing old gas turbines with the new Rolls-Royce turbo sets is in line with the long-term priorities of Eustream, to consistently increase the reliability and safety of gas transmission in the European market. In addition, new technologies minimize environmental impact of our activities and fully comply with strict emission limits.”
Rolls-Royce will manufacture the industrial RB211s at its Montreal, Canada, facility and the centrifugal gas compressors for the Eustream project will be built at its Mount Vernon, Ohio, factory in the US. Assembly of the complete gas turbine packages will also take place at Mount Vernon. Eustream will place the new compressor sets into operation in the second half of 2013 while the two Total turbines will enter service in mid 2012.