CHICAGO (17 March 2015) – John Crane today announced it has signed a frame agreement for the Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) Clean Fuels Project, a modernization project that will upgrade two refineries in Kuwait. The agreement covers the full share of the mechanical seals and systems used for more than 530 critical pumps at the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery, one of the largest refineries in the Middle East. Engineering services, commissioning support and technical training are also covered under the agreement.
The agreement was signed with an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) joint venture that is managing a $4.8 billion portion of the Clean Fuels Project. The joint venture comprises JGC Corporation from Japan, and SK Engineering & Construction and GS Engineering & Construction from South Korea.
The KNPC Clean Fuels Project is a major initiative to upgrade the Mina Al-Ahmadi and Mina Abdulla refineries, with a goal of increasing combined daily production to 800,000 barrels of oil per day. The project will also improve the operating performance and energy efficiency of the refineries, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and improving the quality of hydrocarbon production to meet international environmental and marketing standards, as well as legislation requirements.
Dave Hill, John Crane’s Vice President of First Fit Sales and Projects, said: “We’re proud to be entrusted with this large project and support strengthening Kuwait’s refining sector. As a leader in energy services, we believe it is part of our responsibility to provide the advanced technology needed by our customers to improve reliability in their operations, while meeting the highest standards of commitment to the environment.”
About John Crane
John Crane www.johncrane.com is a global leader in engineered technology, supplying engineered products and services to energy services customers and other major process industries. The company designs, manufactures and services a variety of products, including mechanical seals, couplings, bearings, filtration systems and artificial lift equipment. John Crane employs about 6,900 people and has more than 230 sales and service facilities in 50 countries. Fiscal year 2014 revenues were $1.5 billion. It is part of Smiths Group www.smiths.com, a global leader in applying advanced technologies for markets in threat and contraband detection, energy, medical devices, communications and engineered components.