Qatar’s QAFCO taps GE for downstream services

GE Oil & Gas today announced its downstream technology solutions (DTS) business has been awarded a long-term service contract with Qatar Fertiliser Co. (Qafco) to help optimize the performance of the company’s fertilizer plant in Mesaieed, Qatar. 

The actual agreement is between QAFCO and GE’s joint venture with Qatar Petroleum, Al-Shaheen GE Services Co. (QSC), which supports GE’s regionalization strategy of deploying capability and resources closer to its customers around the world.

The long-term service agreement covers the standard maintenance and repairs of existing GE on-site power and compression equipment as well as training for QAFCO workers and site operators. 

QAFCO’s Mesaieed facility produces ammonia and urea, contributing to the total QAFCO annual production capacity of 3.8 million tpy of ammonia and 5.6 million tpy of urea.

 “A key priority for us is to optimize the long-term availability and efficiency of our Mesaieed plant’s existing fertilizer production facilities,” said Mr. Khalifa A Al Sowaidi, CEO.  “Not only is GE Oil & Gas the original equipment manufacturer for the gas and steam turbines, centrifugal compressors and associated equipment, but it also has the proven local customer services capabilities we need to help us meet our production targets.”

The agreement with QAFCO comes nearly a year after GE first launched its DTS business to more effectively serve the $10 billion refining, petrochemical, industrial and distributed gas segments.

DTS provides integrated solutions, adding the value of a single equipment source with a key focus on applications for ethylene, low-density polyethylene, ammonia and urea as well as refinery processing.

”This agreement with QAFCO further builds on our strong partnership with the organization and our long-term presence in Qatar," said Rami Qasem, CEO of GE Oil & Gas for the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey region. "Our existing equipment will bring the cutting edge in GE’s innovative technology, assuring higher efficiency, reliability and will support the optimal performance of the company’s fertilizer plant in Mesaieed, Qatar.”