27 September 2016
Muscat: GE Oil & Gas has signed a landmark long-term, multi-million-dollar contract with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) for the provision of Progressive Cavity Pump equipment (PCP) and related services commencing in the third quarter of 2016.

This is aligned with PDO's 'In Country Value' initiative and marks the first contract awarded by PDO to GE, for providing PCP equipment and services.

PDO's 'In Country Value' strategy aims at promoting localised sourcing, developing Local Community Contractors (LCCs) and strengthening Omani talent development through training programmes.

GE Oil & Gas will sub-contract services to LCCs that will also be trained on the various aspects of PCP services. The engagement of the LCCs and sub-contracting of work to them is crucial to driving local talent development and boosting south Oman's local economy.

"The award of the integrated PCP contract to GE for the Nimr fields synergises and aligns with the integrated RRP contract for the Nimr fields previously awarded to GE. 'In Country Value' was an important feature of the negotiations and this contract is further evidence of our commitment to secure long-term sustainable economic benefits for the Sultanate," said a PDO spokesperson.

Rami Qasem, president and chief executive officer of GE Oil & Gas for Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, said: "The contract builds on our long-term partnership with PDO and underlines our commitment to investing in Oman and supporting PDO to achieve their long-term goals. The provision of advanced equipment and services will help in meeting and exceeding the average run-life of the PCP equipment, a critical component in PDO's production operations."

As part of the deal, GE Oil & Gas has joined hand with its local partner Edgo to provide a wide range of specialised equipment and ensure preventive and corrective maintenance for a number of inherited PCP systems in addition to supervising the use of these systems in well interventions. GE Oil & Gas will also provide technical training to the PDO team.

GE Oil & Gas supports its partners in Oman with a wide range of products and services including artificial lift products such as rod lift systems, automation, electrical submersible pumps, progressing cavity pumps, surface pumping systems, zenith systems, power 2 lift, pressure control systems (PC) and turbo machinery services (TMS), among others.

With an active presence in Oman since 1975 GE is a key partner in supporting the Sultanate's energy production. GE currently has 70 per cent of the RRP scope of work with PDO in the Nimr area. GE ESP technology is deployed in 230 of PDO's wells to support production. GE is also powering the three LNG trains at Oman LNG's Qalhat complex with six critical gas turbines driving the trains and six gas turbines generating power.

© Times of Oman 2016