GE in the Middle East has a strong focus on infrastructure development and tackling major challenges such as cleaner energy and water scarcity. It has established its presence in the region especially in relation to gas flaring reduction.

The Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership estimates that at least 150 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas is flared or wasted every year out of which, the Middle East and North Africa account for 50 bcm with obvious environmental consequences.

Kamel said: “GE Energy has a long track record of working with governments and national and international oil and gas companies on gas flaring reduction. We have executed several projects and gained good knowledge of this high-specialty sector and obtained solid experience in identifying, structuring and developing power generation projects based on gas flaring reduction.”

GE Energy currently has more than 325 Jenbacher gas engines installed in 15 countries producing up to 470 Mega-Watts (MW) through capturing associated petroleum gas and using it as feedstock for power generation.

The Jenbacher gas engines in addition have enabled companies to generate electricity and heating on-site sparing the cost of diesel deliveries to remote areas.  In addition, the engines provide an excellent way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, resulting from the consumption of diesel fuel.

According to satellite data released by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) in August 2009, there has been a significant decline in gas flaring in the Middle East from countries such as Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Syria and the UAE.

“With climate change mitigation now high on the agenda of many national governments, we are seeing increasing commitment from governments to reduce gas flaring,” said Kamel. “At the same time, a number of national oil and gas companies working in emerging markets have set quantifiable targets for gas flaring reduction as they are becoming more efficient in managing their natural resources through utilizing gas flaring in order to achieve additional economical benefits.”
 
GE’s presentation at the Gas Flaring Reduction Day at the Gas Arabia Summit 2011 in Oman focuses on various operational, economic and environmental benefits of using Jenbacher gas engines for generating power through utilizing gas flare. A number of case studies from different parts of the world will also be presented to demonstrate how these projects are actually done in the field under different site conditions.

The Gas Arabia Summit 2011 will take place in Muscat from Dec. 11–14, 2011.