GE Oil & Gas (NYSE: GE) has actually completed the very first six high-efficiency gas compression trains produced in Saudi Arabia, which will be offered Phase I of Saudi Aramco's Master Gas System growth job in the Kingdom.

These 6 compression trains, which have been fully produced in your area at the GE Manufacturing & Technology Center (GEMTEC) in Dammam, belong to a multi-million dollar contract to supply 18 high-efficiency gas compression trains, each consisting of an aeroderivative gas turbine driving a centrifugal compressor. This year, six more trains will be produced at GEMTEC as part of Phase II.

The aeroderivative gas turbine (PGT25) elements have actually been developed considering many years of experience gotten by GE in the field by heavy duty gas turbines and axial/centrifugal compression. The aerodynamic blading was planned with the primary objective of obtaining very high efficiency at both design and reduced speeds.

This is the first time that high-efficiency compression trains have been manufactured in Saudi Arabia at a center where 70 percent of the labor force are Saudi nationals. As part of this program, GE Oil & Gas has actually qualified a network of Saudi-based suppliers for Saudi and worldwide GE markets. This is a presentation of GE's commitment to Saudi Aramco's IKTVA program (In Kingdom Total Value Add) goals to localize 70 percent of Saudi Aramco spending in the Kingdom by 2021.

Rami Qasem, President & CEO, GE Oil & Gas, Middle East, North Africa & Turkey (MENAT), said: "GE Oil & Gas positions a very strong concentrate on localization. Today we're celebrating the first high-efficiency compression trains assembled in your area, which represents a key turning point in our initiatives dealing with Saudi Aramco's IKTVA program. How we are performing this job underpins our dedication to establishing the Saudi economy through task production, knowledge transfer and supporting regional sourcing.".

Supporting the Kingdom's vision to increase domestic manufacturing and exports, GE Oil & Gas is also expanding its manufacturing facility at the MODON website in Dammam 2nd Industrial City to act as a center for the supply of 'Made in Saudi' Pressure Control devices for Saudi and regional markets. The very first stage of this expansion, which enhanced the center to 10,500 square meters, was inaugurated in late 2015 by GE Oil & Gas President & CEO Lorenzo Simonelli in the presence of Amin Nasser, President & CEO, Saudi Aramco; Rami Qasem, President & CEO, GE Oil & Gas, MENAT, and other senior officials.

With a presence of over 80 years, 3 offices and seven facilities, Saudi Arabia represents the largest GE labor force in the Middle East with over 1,600 workers driving the Aviation, Healthcare, Oil & Gas, Power & Water and Transportation businesses. GE is concentrated on taking its work into the next industrial era with technological options that produce financial and social value to the nation and its individuals.