Qarn Alam Power Plant

13 September 2012

The 266MW power facility was built to support oil extraction in Oman’s central region

Qarn Alam specifications
Name Qarn Alam
Facility type Power plant 
Location Qarn Alam, Oman
Facility owner Petroleum Development Oman (PDO)
Commissioning date 2004
EPC contractorsAl-Hassan Engineering Company SAOG (AHEC) Bharat Heavy Electricals
Capacity 266MW
UnitsThree gas turbines supplied by Bharat Heavy Electricals
Source: MEED O&M

Facility overview

Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) employs a range of enhanced oil recovery measures designed to increase oil production output in Oman, including water flooding, and gas and steam injection. These measures have raised the demand for power generation in the field. PDO established a power plant at Qarn Alam in the sultanate’s central region to support the extraction of oil from adjacent fields.

The original location of the power plant was shifted from Yibal to Qarn Alam so the facility could access the steam generated by heat recovery steam generators for the Qarn Alam Steam project.

A consortium of Al-Hassan and Bharat Heavy Electricals constructed the facility. The power plant houses three gas turbines that have been supplied by Bharat Heavy Electricals. It currently produces 266MW of electricity.

Shutdowns

The plant’s most recent shutdown involved gas turbine 3 (GT 3 F9E), which underwent a hot gas path inspection in 23-26 March 2012. The schedule of future shutdowns is as follows:

  • Gas turbine 1 (GT 1 6FA) – combustion inspection, 10-19 October 2012
  • Gas turbine 1 (GT 1 6FA) – combustion inspection, 27 November- 6 December 2013
  • Gas turbine 2 (GT 2 6FA) – major inspection, 1 March-1 April 2013
  • Gas turbine 3 (GT 3 F9E) – combustion inspection, 8-17 April 2013

Procurement policies

Services that are deemed not part of the company’s core business activity, or for which there is a fluctuating requirement in terms of specialist skills or equipment shall be considered for contracting out. PDO undergoes a proper prequalification and bidding process, wherein the company issues a maintenance contract tender. The company with the lowest bid is appointed as the maintenance contractor.

Contacts

For the latest contract opportunities at Qarn Alam Power Plant: www.pdo.co.om

Saif Mansoor, Controls Engineer, Petroleum Development Oman (PDO)

Tel: (+968) 2 467 8111

MEED O&M

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