US-based GE Oil & Gas has signed a partnership agreement with Iraq’s Oil Ministry that includes reducing gas flaring and the establishment of a new data monitoring centre.

The partnership will “strengthen the performance of the nation’s energy sector by providing advanced equipment, technology upgrades, maintenance of the ministry’s fleet and ensuring knowledge transfer, skills development and local jobs”, GE said.

GE will set up the country’s first monitoring and diagnostics centre that will analyse big data from sensors embedded in the ministry’s equipment to increase efficiency.

GE and the ministry will also work to reduce gas flaring and use it for power generation. This could translate to more than 200 megawatts per site and recovery of several thousand barrels a day of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

The partnership agreement was signed at the Oil Ministry at a ceremony attended by Deputy Oil Minister Fayadh Nima and Rami Qasem, CEO of GE Oil & Gas for the Middle East, North Africa & Turkey.