GE Oil & Gas today announced that Total will install two of GE's ecomagination qualified single-stage Integrated Compressor Line (ICL) units to help boost natural gas development in Bolivia. This contract is the first order in Latin America for GE's advanced ICL compressor technology as well as with Total.

Total will use two single-stage ICL units for a new compressor station at the Incahuasi project in the Ipati-Aquio Block, a key new onshore project that will enhance natural gas development in Bolivia. The Incahuasi project is part of the Bolivian government's strategy to boost its natural gas reserves and comply with export contracts with Brazil and Argentina.

"The choice of this technology compared to conventional compressor equipment fully corresponds to TOTAL's strategy of deploying integrated high-speed induction motor-driven compressor technology for upstream applications, whenever this is feasible, as it brings greater operational and environmental benefits, which is the case for our Incahuasi development activities," said Bernard Quoix, head of TOTAL E&P Rotating Machinery.

Jointly developed by GE Power Conversion and GE Oil & Gas, GE's ICL compressor technology is driven by a high-speed electric motor rather than a gas turbine. As a result, it generates zero emissions, offering crucial environmental benefits over conventional compressors.

With these two units in Latin America, GE now has sold 26 ICL units globally. The ICL orders reflect a growing shift to natural gas from other fuel sources, a trend that is expected to continue in the coming decades as natural gas is expected to account for 26 percent of the world's primary energy supply by 2025.

"TOTAL selected our electric motor-driven compressors instead of using small gas turbines as the drivers based on operational benefits such as lower emissions, reliability and installation cost savings. We are pleased the first installation in Latin America of our ICL units will be for TOTAL's Bolivian project," said João Geraldo Ferreira, president and CEO for GE Oil & Gas Latin America.