OREANDA-NEWS. Industries Qatar issued a statement today confirming that its fertiliser joint venture company, Qafco, has awarded a six-year, long-term service contract to Downstream Technology Solutions (DTS) business of GE Oil and Gas (NYSE:GE) to help optimize the performance of the company’s fertilizer plant in Mesaieed, Qatar. The deal covers the standard maintenance and repair 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 MT of ammonia and 5.6 million MT of urea. The actual agreement is between Qafco and GE’s joint venture with Qatar Petroleum, Al-Shaheen GE Services Company (QSC), which supports GE’s regionalization strategy of deploying capability and resources closer to its customers around the world. “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, Chief Executive. “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.”

Rami Qasem, president & CEO of GE Oil & Gas for the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, said “This agreement with Qafco further builds on our strong partnership with the organization and our long-term presence in Qatar. 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.” “Our long-term service agreement with QAFCO illustrates the many advantages that we can offer our customers in the fertilizer and other downstream industries through our collaborations with local project partners,” said Hasan Dandashly, vice president of DTS, GE Oil & Gas. “The agreement also underscores how GE’s regionalization strategy enhances the value of our products and services in Qatar and throughout the Middle East.”