GE Aviation

EVENDALE, OH - Four LM2500+ aeroderivative gas turbines have been selected by Interconnector (UK) Limited, London, England, to drive compressors for a new pipeline that will run from Bacton, England to Zeebrugge, Belgium. The gas turbines, which will be packaged by Nuovo Pignone, Florence, Italy, are scheduled for an October 1998 start-up. The LM2500+ gas turbines will be equipped with GE Marine & Industrial Engines' (M&I) two-stage high-speed power turbines (HSPT) and Dry Low Emissions (DLE) combustion systems. The LM2500+s will drive Thermodyn compressors for which Nuovo Pignone will provide the driver packages. "This is a strategic win for GE because Interconnector's Executive Board of Directors, which comprise nine major international energy companies, supported the LM2500+ technology. This positions M&I well for future projects in this region," said Rick Felini, M&I's regional director for sales and market development. The Interconnector project will link the UK with continental gas transmission systems. A compression terminal at Bacton in Norfolk will transmit up to 20 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year to a reception facility in Zeebrugge. The initial intention is to export gas from the UK, but there is a provision for reverse flow to meet market demands. The Interconnector partners are: British Gas (40%), BP (10%), Conoco (10%), Eif (10%), Gazprom (10%), Distrigaz (5%), Ruhrgas (5%), Amerada Hess (5%) and National Power (5%). The HSPT for the LM2500+ was designed and is manufactured for M&I by Nuovo Pignone. The HSPT provides continuous operation over the range of speed from 3050 rpm to 6400 rpm, and allows for greater than 40% gas turbine efficiency at the 40,200 shaft horsepower design rating at ISO conditions. The LM2500+s for the Interconnector project will be manufactured by M&I at its Evendale, OH, facility. GE M&I is part of GE Aircraft Engines and is headquartered in Evendale. M&I is the world's largest designer, developer and manufacturer of aeroderivative gas turbines for a variety of power generation, gas compression and commercial and military marine propulsion applications. Contact: Lela R. Katzman
Full Spectrum Communications
email: fsclela@nycap.rr.com