Transnet Limited of Johannesburg, the owner and operator of South Africa’s strategic petroleum and gas pipeline infrastructure, has selected GE Oil and Gas to supply electric motor-driven pump packages for a new, multi-product pipeline that will play a key role in supporting the country’s economic growth.

The new pipeline will stretch from Durban harbor to Johannesburg and will supply diesel, petrol and jet fuel for inland markets that currently have limited refining capacity. To meet the country’s immediate and future demands, this will be a fast-track project; commissioning of the first sections of the pipeline is scheduled to begin in mid 2010.

“The new multi-product pipeline project will increase both the capacity and flexibility of Transnet’s existing pipeline network to the Gauteng Province. By investing in this asset, Transnet will fulfill its strategic role of ensuring the security of critical energy supplies (in the form of refined petroleum products) to the Gauteng Province,” said Carlos Galego, NMPP Project Director of Transnet.

Marking its largest project in South Africa to date, GE Oil and Gas will supply 19 pumps with variable frequency drives, chillers and lube oil systems to be installed at five stations along the route of the pipeline. GE will utilize a consolidated high efficiency pump design to maximize reliability. In addition, only two types of hydraulic systems will be used for the 19 pumps, for greater interchangeability of spare parts.

“This is a significant project for both Transnet and the government of South Africa, supporting Transnet’s strategy to revitalize and extend the country’s infrastructure,” said Joe Mastrangelo, Vice President – Turbomachinery for GE Oil and Gas. “GE‘s experience with pipeline projects around the world and strong synergies with key sub-vendors has enabled us to build a proven track record when it comes to supplying complete pump package solutions for some of the world’s largest pipelines.“

“We were able to secure this contract by committing to meet the project’s key challenges: tight delivery deadlines, energy efficiency and cost constraints,” said Daniele Scenarelli, GE Oil and Gas Region Sales Executive for Sub Saharan Africa, based in Cape Town.

The pumps for the Transnet project will be centrifugal pumps designed for high efficiency and a high degree of fluid dynamic optimization. They will be capable of meeting a broad range of operating requirements for the pipeline over the estimated next 20 to 30 year operating life of the pipeline.

More than 17,000 GE centrifugal pumps are installed around the world for process, refinery, water injection, oil pipeline, boiler feed and water cooling applications. These pumps are fully compliant with API 610-ISO 13709 industry standards and meet the most severe service requirements, including continuous service with high mean time before failure (MTBF).

GE Oil and Gas high efficiency pumps are produced in Bari, Italy, using advanced design criteria and manufacturing technologies. They have been installed with virtually every type of industrial driver including electric motors, gas and steam turbines and diesel and gas engines; and have reached significant performance milestones such as 14,500 KW/stage and 7,500 rpm.

Transnet Pipelines, the pipeline operating division of Transnet Limited, owns and operates 3,000 kilometers of strategic petroleum and gas pipelines in South Africa, traversing five provinces. Pipelines play an important role in ensuring the secure supply of refined petroleum products to the inland industrial hub of South Africa, which has limited refining capacity.

About GE Oil and Gas
GE Oil and Gas (www.ge.com/oilandgas) is a world leader in advanced technology equipment and services for all segments of the oil and gas industry, offering complete solutions for production, LNG, pipelines, storage, industrial power generation, refineries, and petrochemicals. It also provides pipeline integrity solutions including software and asset management. With its acquisition of VetcoGray and Hydril Pressure Control, GE Oil and Gas now offers additional products, systems and services for drilling, completion and production within onshore, offshore and subsea applications.

About GE
GE is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company that is built to meet essential world needs. From energy, water, transportation and health to access to money and information, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.ge.com. GE is Imagination at Work.