Apr 24 2008
Siemens Energy opened one of the world's biggest test centers for large compressor trains for use in the oil and gas industry. At a cost of around EUR100 million, the mega test center in Duisburg, Germany, is currently Siemens' biggest single investment in Europe.
"By building this new test center, Siemens is demonstrating its commitment to Germany as an industrial location with an excellently trained and skilled workforce," said Frank Stieler, CEO of the Siemens Oil & Gas Division. What is more, the 180-meter-long, 40-meter-wide and 35-meter-high test center strengthens Siemens' position as one of the leading suppliers on the growing oil and gas market, Stieler added.
The rapidly increasing demand for oil and gas is driving the trend towards bigger and bigger compressor trains (made up of a compressor with mechanical or electrical drive). Going forward, oil and natural gas are going to be extracted at more and more remote locations and under more and more difficult conditions. In addition to the large-scale construction of new pipelines, liquefaction of natural gas for delivery by tanker to the consumer countries is becoming more and more important. As a result, there is a growing demand for bigger and bigger compressor trains for liquefying natural gas. The same applies to processes for converting natural gas into clean liquid fuels, and also in the petrochemical industry.
The new mega test center for the assembly and testing of large compressor trains weighing up to 700 tons each caters precisely to this trend. With its state-of-the-art technology and huge dimensions, it is at the cutting edge in any international comparison: for example because it enables up to six compressor trains to be tested at the same time. A direct link between the test center and the heavy-loads crane in the nearby shipping port affords further logistical advantages and creates ideal conditions for transporting the machines to and from the test site.
The Siemens location in Duisburg-Hochfeld has been the world headquarters of Siemens' Oil and Gas business since January 2008. "This puts Duisburg on a par with other oil and gas metropolises like Houston, Kuala Lumpur and Abu Dhabi. With more than 80 years of experience in compressor construction at the Duisburg location, Siemens can assure its customers in the oil and gas industry supreme quality and reliability," said Stieler. Siemens Energy employs around 2,500 people in its Duisburg manufacturing plant, including 700 highly qualified engineers. Thanks to a very highly trained and top-notch workforce, Stieler emphasized, Germany and especially the state of North-Rhine Westphalia, where Duisburg is located, enjoyed a decisive competitive advantage in any international comparison.
Posted April 23rd,2008