SKF and GE Oil & Gas sign collaboration agreement to develop use of active magnetic bearing applications

Collaboration agreement widens scope of use for active magnetic bearings for turbomachinery within the oil and gas sector

SKF and GE Oil & Gas have signed a non-exclusive, licence-based collaboration agreement, aimed at further developing the use of active magnetic bearing technologies within the oil and gas sector.

As part of the agreement, GE Oil & Gas will make use of SKF’s leading magnetic bearing technologies from front-end engineering design to installation, testing and service to customers. The partnership also provides the basis for future collaboration, to widen the scope of applications of active magnetic bearings into other GE Oil & Gas turbomachinery, such as steam and gas turbines.

Victoria van Camp, President, Business and Product Development at SKF, says: “SKF’s active magnetic bearing technology has already enabled a number of breakthroughs within the oil and gas sector. Through this agreement, we are strengthening our technology leadership and enhancing our relationship with GE Oil & Gas. We are also implementing a new business model, which will ensure that we widen the scope of applications for these technologies.”

Luca Maria Rossi, General Manager for Turbomachinery Solutions Product Management, GE Oil & Gas, says: “Active magnetic bearings bring relevant benefits in terms of reliability, maintenance needs and performance in our compressor technology. Through this strategic agreement, we will be able to provide our customers more optimized solutions with GE as a unique point of contact for the entire machinery and auxiliaries. SKF will bring the know-how and core expertise, while GE Oil & Gas brings the scale, process and service capabilities in order to better serve oil and gas operators.”