AL-32ST gas turbines for use in gas exploration

Published: 5/12/2000

Victor Chepkin, General Director of Lyulka - Saturn, has announced that his company will deliver to Gazprom thirteen 16 MWt Al-31ST gas turbines for use in gas exploration by 2001. Based on the Al-31F engine used in the Su-27 family, the more efficient engine will reduce gas consumption against a comparable power unit such as the NK-16ST by upwards of 7000 cubic metres of gas a year, accompanied by commensurate savings in other areas such as oil. Gazprom is expecting the units to payback their investment in just over three years, given the relatively low inspection rate, with the first major review at 3000 hours and long safe life of between 30,000-50,000 hours. Priced at about 75% of the equivalent $6m Western units, the units will be installed at a number of locations. Gazprom is a large buyer of such units and is undertaking similar discussions for production with Perm, for large pumping units based on the PS-90. Chepkin commented that the bureau is working with Rybinsk to produce the Al-41F engine for the fifth generation fighter and expected the first serial production to occur in 2002.

Article ID: 1761