FREE: Siemens Has Big Plans for Dresser-Rand

Lennart Nilsson, head of Technology for the new Dresser- Rand business within Siemens Power and Gas, discusses the company’s plans to integrate D-R into Siemens, and what the turbomachinery sector can expect.

What is the plan for integration of Dresser-Rand into Siemens?

With the acquisition of D-R, Siemens strengthened its footprint in the global oil & gas industry by offering a much broader range of products and solutions to a larger and more attractive client base including unconventional oil & gas and offshore oil & gas.

D-R complements Siemens portfolio with comprehensive high-speed rotating equipment solutions and state-of-the-art compressor technology. This equipment is used in areas such as high-pressure field injection and oil recovery, gas liquefaction, gas transmission and refinery processes. The combination of Siemens’ and D-R’s global service network and competences will enable better responsiveness and service execution.

What does D-R add to Siemens?

The D-R portfolio includes Datum compressor technology with its modular design and high efficiency for many applications. There are also reciprocating compressors, gas and diesel reciprocating engines up to 2 MW (Guascor), Gimpel steam turbine protection valves, the LNGo natural gas liquefaction system (micro LNG up to 20,000 gallons per day) and Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) solutions for bulk energy storage which is an enabling technology for renewables such as wind and solar.

How will areas of overlap be reconciled?

There are technology overlaps between the Siemens and Dresser-Rand product portfolios. Both companies have single-shaft turbo compressors, steam and gas turbines, and related services.

Our objective is to deliver the best solution to our clients, thus we will look at our portfolio and combine the best-ofthe- best to provide a compelling value proposition. This can be a compressor train consisting of a D-R legacy compressor such as a Datum compressor driven by an industrial aeroderivative gas turbine, or a Siemens integrally geared turbocompressor driven by a steam turbine.

As a result of the acquisition, we have two turbocompressor lines within our business, the Datum compressor line and the Siemens compressor line. These product lines apply different technologies such as stage and rotor designs.

We also have different solutions for a seal-less compressor technology reflected in the STC-ECO and the Datum Integrated Compression System (ICS). D-R developed a very compact CO2 compressor known as the Datum S compressor, whereas Siemens uses high efficient STC-GVs (gear-type compressors) supporting different market requirements. So there are areas where we have to identify the best technology, allowing us to provide the best value proposition for our clients.

What service areas overlap?

D-R has the largest installed base of the classes of equipment it manufactures. It also has the industry’s largest associated aftermarket parts and services business and the most extensive network of service and support centers.

Aftermarket parts and services consist of support solutions for the existing population of installed equipment. This includes engineering, manufacturing, project management, installation, commissioning, start-up and other field services, repairs, overhauls, refurbishment, sales and administrative support.

The aging installed base of equipment is increasing demand for aftermarket parts and services, revamps and upgrades. Growth in aftermarket revenue is also being driven by increased outsourcing by clients of equipment maintenance and operations.

High-speed rotating equipment is typically mission-critical to the operating assets of the end users. Those assets run continuously and, therefore, generally require parts and servicing regardless of changes in economic activity, new equipment cycles or commodity prices.

Please highlight D-R products that will be assets to Siemens in oil and gas. I would call attention to the Datum centrifugal compressor and reciprocating compressors.

The Datum compressor is especially suitable for high-pressure injection applications (pressure >1,000 bar.) Reciprocating compressors cover the smaller volume flows which can be found in unconventional oil & gas, micro LNG applications or refineries. Also for upstream demands where turbocompressors cannot be applied because the flow is too small or the required discharge pressure is too high, a reciprocating compressor is a good solution and might be used to complete an offshore package solution of Siemens.