The contract will last for 22 years and cover maintenance support for the plant’s 15 GE-designed turbines and 28 centrifugal compressors, gearboxes, generators and other equipment.

Five GE staff will be based in Gladstone to oversee the maintenance and inspection, with planned shutdowns to be managed by mechanical and electrical specialists.

Maintenance activities on the power turbines and compressors will take place at GE Oil and Gas’ facilities in Jandakot, Western Australia, and in Italy.

GE will be using remote monitoring and diagnostics, and says that it has the ability to predict and prevent any maintenance issues before they arise.

BG Group told media today that the GE-designed turbines would result in the plant putting out 27% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than the original design.

All the turbines and compressors have arrived on Curtis Island for installation.

On hand during the announcement, BG Group chief executive Chris Finlayson said the contract was the single largest maintenance agreement handed out to date from the group.

“As construction of the QCLNG project passes the half-way mark we are increasing our focus on how we are going to operate the facilities safely and efficiently in the decades ahead,” he said.

“BG Group is committed to reducing emissions through advanced, proven technologies and design.”

GE has been on somewhat of a roll this month, having secured a $330 million 16-year service extension contract at the Sakhalin-2 oil and gas project previously.

The company also entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Sakhalin provincial government to work together to develop power generation projects to meet Sakhalin Island’s future needs.

The MoU covers a range of GE technology options, including aeroderivative gas turbines, gas engines, coal gasification and wind power.

The service contract extension covers four GE Frame 7EA gas turbines that drive the process trains for Sakhalin’s LNG plant – the first of its kind in Russia – and five GE Frame 5 gas turbines that are used for electricity production at the site.