On 13th December 2005, Dr Leonardo Atencio, Dean of the University of Zulia in Maracaibo, officially opened a new gas turbine performance test facility that is the result of a partnership between the University and Wood Group Gas Turbines (Venezuela) Ltd (WGGTV).

The test facility, which is located within the University’s School of Engineering, is mutually beneficial for both parties. For WGGTV, having in-country testing capability means it can offer enhanced local support for the 35 Alstom TA1750 gas turbines it maintains for Petroleós de Venezuela SA (PDVSA), Venezuela’s national oil company, under a long term contract with SIMCO, a Wood Group-led consortium responsible for operating and maintaining 15 water injection platforms for PDVSA on Lake Maracaibo. Likewise, the University benefits by being able to offer its engineering students the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience of rotating equipment during engine testing.

Oscar Romero, President of WGGTV, said: "The University of Zulia was our number one choice for a partner in this project, due to its reputation for academic proficiency in turbomachinery. We are delighted they accepted this challenge to work with us."

Dr Atencio commented: "Our agreement with Wood Group has definitely passed the test, and we are pleased to be associated with them in this academic partnership."

WGGTV has already successfully completed its first TA performance test in the new facility.