General Atomics

SAN DIEGO, CA, 20 June 2016 - General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today that it has received an order for an 18 module Gulftronic™ Electrostatic Separator for installation at the Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company SAOC (Orpic) Sohar refinery in the Sultanate of Oman.  The Gulftronic system will replace an existing mechanical filtration system installed in 2008 at Orpic's Sohar refinery in order to meet the plant's operational demand.

"We are very pleased to be working with the team at Orpic to deliver a solution that will replace the existing filtration system," stated Dr. Vivek Lall, vice president, Global Commercial Strategic Development at GA-EMS. "Our shared goal is to help Orpic reduce maintenance costs and downtime, and to meet their requirements for oil clarity and increased production capacity to maximize the refinery's revenue potential."

Modern refineries rely on Residual Fluidized Catalytic Crackers (RFCC) to convert heavy crude oil into gas products. The conversion process creates slurry oil/decant oil, a by-product containing catalyst fines. Through a unique electrostatic process, Gulftronic separators capture and remove all solids from the process stream, resulting in higher value clarified oil products, less downstream contamination, and significantly reduced maintenance requirements.

"Mechanical filtration systems allow fine particles to escape capture, causing blockages, build up in the filters, and a higher incidence of contamination, all of which results in increased downtime and elevated maintenance costs," continued Dr. Lall. "Gulftronic electrostatic separators provide clarity below 100 parts per million, and are impervious to fouling, helping refineries improve yields and profit margins."

Kamil Al Shanfari, General Manager, Sohar Refinery, Orpic, said, "Orpic is one of the largest and most rapidly growing business in the Middle East Oil Industry. Our strategic growth projects (Sohar Refinery Improvement Project (SRIP), Muscat Sohar Product Pipeline (MSPP) and Liwa Plastics Industries Complex (LPIC)) is in line with our plan to add value to the oil and gas molecules produced in Oman – focusing on a higher standard of efficiency, lower costs, minimizing safety and security hazards, reducing environmental impacts, and serving the Sultanate with pride."

He further continued, "With the installation of the Gulftronic Electrostatic Separator, we are confident that we will be able to process more high value products, reduce maintenance costs and thereby expand our business into the future by further maximizing the value of Omani crude oil. We are happy to partner with General Atomics who we believe will help us achieve this."

About General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) Group is a global leader in the research, design, and manufacture of first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. GA-EMS' history of research, development and technology innovation has led to an expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions supporting aviation, missile defense, power and energy, and processing and monitoring applications for critical defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide.

About Orpic

Orpic (Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company SAOC) is one of Oman's largest companies and one of the most rapidly growing businesses in the Middle East oil industry.  Orpic's Refineries in Sohar and Muscat, as well as the Aromatics and Polypropylene Plants in Sohar, provide fuel, chemicals, plastics, and other petroleum products, to Oman and to the world.  To continue to meet the needs of Oman, and international markets, Orpic is undertaking three strategic growth projects known as [Muscat Sohar Product Pipeline (MSPP), Sohar Refinery Improvement Project (SRIP) and Liwa Plastics Industries Complex (LPIC)], in line with the company's strategy to add value to the Oil and Gas resources of Oman. For more information, please visit www.orpic.om

For further information contact:

Meghan Ehlke
Strategic Communications Manager
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems
(858) 964-7058
Meghan.Ehlke@ga.com

Shaima Al Aufi
Manager Corporate Communications
Orpic
+968 22106380
shaima.alaufi@orpic.com

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems Gulftronic™ Electrostatic Separator