GE recently broke ground on its new GE Global Research Center in Oklahoma City, a hub for global oil and gas innovation. Scheduled to open next year, the Center is part of GE’s three-year effort to triple R&D investment in the oil and gas industry.
Focused on accelerating mid- to later-stage oil and gas technologies, the Oil & Gas Technology Center will capitalize on its close proximity to GE customers and to an important oil and gas producing region. The Center will focus on solutions related to production systems, well construction, water use optimization, CO2 solutions and energy systems, and will draw on the company’s cross-business expertise to drive breakthroughs in the oil and gas space. The facility is expected to open in mid-2015 and will employ 130 people.
Lorenzo Simonelli, president and CEO, GE Oil & Gas said, “GE is committed to leading the unconventional resource revolution and technology is the core of how we will win in this space. Through increased R&D investment, the creation of tech hubs, like Oklahoma City and Rio de Janeiro, and new partnership models, we are getting closer to our customers and bringing best-in-class technologies to market quicker. This approach is helping our customers be more efficient and productive and delivering growth for GE. ”
GE’s new Oil & Gas Technology Center will attract oil and gas industry influencers from all around the globe and also serve as a focal point for building new working relationships with the State’s great university network, including the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, University of Tulsa and Oklahoma City University.
GE has already announced plans to partner with Oklahoma City-based Devon Energy Corp. to accelerate the development and testing of products in the field to enhance the performance and economics of unconventional oil and gas projects. Through this partnership, GE will collaborate with Devon Energy on driving technology advancements for artificial lift systems used for increasing the flow of liquids from production wells, advanced drilling technologies and water treatment solutions.
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin spoke at the groundbreaking and said, “Over the past three years, we have worked hard to create more jobs and opportunities for Oklahoma families by strengthening our state’s economy. We’ve also worked to enhance Oklahoma’s reputation as a national leader in energy production and energy-related research. The addition of GE’s new Oil & Gas Technology Center in downtown Oklahoma City is a major victory in that effort.”
