Foster Wheeler Awarded Gasification Complex Expansion Contract

Foster Wheeler Ltd's Milan-based subsidiary Foster Wheeler Italiana S.p.A., part of its Global Engineering and Construction Group, has been awarded a contract by ERG Raffinerie Mediterranee (ERGMED) for engineering, procurement assistance and construction management services for the expansion of the integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) complex at ERGMED's Priolo refinery in Sicily.

Foster Wheeler, in a joint venture, designed and built the original IGCC plant, which transforms refinery residues into synthesis gas, which is burned to produce more than 550 megawatts of electricity. Completed in 2000, this was the first IGCC plant in the world to use asphalt as a feedstock, and has since demonstrated excellent reliability and performance.

As part of the expansion of the IGCC complex, a third gasifier will be added. The new gasifier will use gasification technology licensed by General Electric, which company acquired the Texaco technology used in the two existing gasifiers.

Associated facilities will be added to the existing gasifiers and new pressure swing absorption and membrane packages will be installed in order to produce 20,000 nominal cubic meters per hour of hydrogen. With the addition of the third train, the total gasification capacity will be 146.5 tonnes per hour. The project is expected to reach mechanical completion by the second quarter of 2009.

"We are extremely pleased to be awarded this project," said Marco Moresco, chief executive officer of Foster Wheeler's Italian operating unit. "This award allows us to continue to build on our excellent and long-standing relationship with ERG and to consolidate our position as a leading player in gasification technology and IGCC plant design."

"We have awarded this important project, a key investment for the ERG Group, to Foster Wheeler because its expertise in gasification technology and its management capabilities are renowned worldwide," said Prof. Giuseppe Gatti, president, ERG Power & Gas.

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Posted 18/04/07

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