Wood Group GTS and Apex Bethel Energy Center have signed a three-year operations & maintenance (O&M) agreement for the Bethel Energy Center. Under the $12 million contract, Wood Group GTS will be responsible for care, custody and control of the facility when it begins commercial operation in 2017. Construction is soon to begin for the plant in East Texas, which will utilize compressed air energy storage (“CAES”) technology.

“We needed an O&M partner willing to work with us during the development stage of the project. In Wood Group, we found a highly experienced O&M service provider with an excellent reputation in the industry and is well respected by investors,” said Jack Farley, CEO of Apex. “Their customer-focused technical and commercial engagement made the negotiation of the service agreement very productive. Also, their ability to work within a tight schedule along with the OEM, which has minority interest in the facility, was critical to meeting our schedule.”

“As the O&M partner for APEX we are able to minimize technical and commercial risks, while incorporating a transparent and flexible contracting structure,” said Frank Avery, president of Wood Group GTS - Power Plant Services. “Our customer-focused programs, practices and procedures apply to facilities with all OEM turbine technologies and platforms, and have been honed from a solid foundation of operating experience and continuous improvement. With a risk-based approach to plant performance and availability, regulatory compliance requirements, and financial performance, we can stay aligned with our customer’s goals and objectives.”

O&M is a part of the overall products and services offered by Wood Group GTS, and are designed to maximize the return on our customers’ investments in rotating equipment technologies.