Jebel Ali (Dubai)-headquartered Aggreko International Power Projects (AIPP), a dedicated business unit of the global power solutions provider Aggreko plc, has commenced work on a power agreement to support Shell Iran Offshore Ltd.'s oilfield project in Soroosh, Iran, according to the company.

The present phase of the project is being executed at Dubai's Port Rashid dry docks.

AIPP is supplying a specially- engineered 6.8 MW / 11kV power package for the project, under contract to Expro Swire Production Ltd. The power will be used to operate the various electrical submersible pumps and water injection units on board the Early Production Facility (EPF), known as ESP-1.

Owned by Expro Swire, the EPF is a jack-up drilling rig that has been specially converted for crude oil processing and is currently being fitted out at the Port Rashid dry docks in Dubai.

Once operational, ESP-1, will be located in the Soroosh oilfields, in the northern Iranian Gulf, approximately 150 kilometres West of Bushehr.

Describing the technical details of the project, an AIPP spokesperson explained: ''The 12-unit Aggreko containerised system is stacked on two levels and the module features a specially-designed exhaust system supported on a structural steel frame.

''In addition, the cooling air is vented away via specially designed ductwork to allow Aggreko generators to operate in high ambient temperatures.''

This phase of the Iranian government project commenced in June 2001 and is expected to last a minimum of two years.

AIPP will assist with the commissioning and installation of the project in Soroosh, and, upon completion, will continue to provide full operation and maintenance services for the duration of the contract.

The National Iranian Oil Company's (NIOC's) Soroosh / Nowrooz offshore project is expected to achieve early production in December this year. The agreed target level for first production is 60,000 barrels per day (bpd) and by November 2003, production from the Soroosh fields is expected to reach 190,000 bpd.

Aggreko International Power Projects was specifically formed by Aggreko to handle multi-megawatt temporary power projects, and is the world leader in providing power solutions to satisfy the most demanding needs.

Aggreko power solutions include generators, load banks, transformers, fuel tanks, cables and switchgear.

In addition, Aggreko provides comprehensive project design planning, installation, commissioning and operating services and 24-hour onsite service and maintenance support, according to the company.