The Al Rushaid Group, based in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, and Flowserve Corp of Dallas, USA, have ratified an agreement to build the largest original equipment manufacture (OEM) pump repair, manufacturing and training facility in the Middle East.

Construction of the 20,500 sq m complex to be located at the Al Rushaid Oil Field Centre in Dhahran, will commence this month (July).  It is expected to be fully operational in October 2007.
The Al Rushaid/Flowserve pump facility will comprise two units: a 17,500 sq m Quick Response Centre (QRC) and a 3,000 sq m (32,290 sq ft) hydraulics-training centre.  Total cost of this joint project will be approximately $14 million.  It will employ more than 100 people and be fully compliant with the Saudi government’s Saudisation requirements.
Designed specifically to support Aramco, Sabic, SEC, SWCC and other major companies within the kingdom and the surrounding Arabian Gulf countries, the QRC will have the capability to address the service and repair needs of all pump products regardless of original manufacture.  Among its capabilities will be pump manufacturing, pump set packaging, parts manufacturing and a full range of pump improvement and engineered services. Field services along with installation and commissioning will also be provided.
A key component of the QRC will be the region’s largest, most capable hydraulics test bed.  Certified testing to API and international standards will be available for both horizontal and vertical pumps (including high-pressure applications) to more than 5,965 kW (8,000 hp).  This will cover approximately 90 per cent of the region’s installed base.  The test bed will allow end users to verify equipment performance or diagnose and correct problems. Upgrades to existing pumps can also be recommended to improve efficiency and reliability.
 Another unique feature of the Al Rushaid/Flowserve development will be the Middle East’s first hydraulics training centre.  This 3,000 sq m unit will have state-of-the-art classrooms along with static and dynamic laboratories.  Courses of study will be comprehensive, covering basic hydraulics theory through advanced maintenance and repair and technical services.  The training centre is being fully funded by the Al Rushaid Group and will be a duplicate of the Flowserve Learning Centre located at its Dallas headquarters.
Sheikh Abdullah Al Rushaid, chairman, Al Rushaid Group, stated: “This joint venture will bring both extraordinary capabilities and benefits to our customers in petroleum-related industries and in the chemical processing and power generation sectors.  To have this extent of pump service/repair, testing and training is truly an essential component in the growth of our most important industries. We expect nothing but positives in this and future endeavors with Flowserve.”  He added that technical training for Saudi youth was a social and national obligation to which the Al Rushaid Group was committed.
Speaking on behalf of Flowserve Corp, its CEO Lewis Kling, remarked: “This new QRC provides us with a solid foundation to serve and support our Middle Eastern customers and their equipment needs.  We strongly feel this QRC will enable customers to more sharply focus on their core production activities while outsourcing pump maintenance to a competent OEM.  The Arabian Gulf Region is a critically important geographical market for Flowserve as evidenced by this commitment and we are most pleased to partner with the Al Rushaid Group to make this a reality.”
The Al Rushaid Group of Companies is an international organisation which provides a diverse range of engineering and contracting services, facilities, and products, including but not limited to oil and gas, petrochemical, chemical processing and power generation industries. These services include design, engineering, construction and procurement as well as project management and maintenance for entire plant operations, storage tanks, and high-quality prestigious buildings. Also offered are environment services and development of ports and terminals.  It is ranked ninth among the top 100 Saudi companies.
Flowserve Corp is one of the world’s leading providers of fluid motion and control products and services. Operating in 56 countries, it produces engineered and industrial pumps, seals and valves as well as a range of related flow management services.