Photo By Sgt. Jared Sollars | Lt. Col. Hugh R. McNeely (center), deputy commander of the 2nd "Black Jack" Brigade...... read more read more
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FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, Iraq —Improvement of essential services is just one of many areas that U.S. Forces focus on to bring stability to the Kirkuk province of Iraq.
Lt. Col. Hugh R. McNeely, deputy commander of the 2nd "Black Jack" Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, recently visited the Mulla Abdulah Power Plant to see how the plant would be affected by one of its suppliers of natural gas cutting back for a month to perform maintenance.
The visit was also an opportunity for McNeely to tour the facility and discuss the needs of the plant with the plant's manager, assistant manager, chief of technical engineering and chief engineer.
When asked by McNeely if the North Gas Company's reduction of gas production would affect the power plant's production of electricity, Mr. Mansor, the plant manager, replied, "We see no problems because the North Gas Company is our backup now. As long as we can continue to use A'agil Oil Field with no problem, it would be fine."
The area of concern was that a lack of fuel for the plant could cause electricity shortages in the nearest major city, Kirkuk.
"The Mulla Abdulah Power Plant is a key part of electrical power generation in Kirkuk and contributes to the Iraqi national power grid," said McNeely.
The plant was built in the 1950s and would be capable of producing 402 megawatts of electricity per day were its equipment completely functional and operating at peak efficiency. It currently has 18 turbine units - six are 10-year-old models, and the remaining 12 are 28-year-old models. Due to the limited capabilities of the equipment, the plant is currently only producing an average of 220 megawatts per day.
"Their newer turbines are sound pieces of machinery, whereas the older turbines are not as reliable," said Sgt. 1st Class Charles R. Bennett, the noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the provincial reconstruction team.
One of the plant's newer turbines is down due to rotor damage and under repair at the Dibbis Power Plant. Two of the older turbines are down permanently and being used for parts to keep the other turbines running.
"The employees at the plant are being very innovative on the upkeep of their equipment," said Bennett. "They're tooling themselves for success."
The plant employs approximately 300 people, but plant management has asked the Ministry of Oil and Electricity to allow them to employ more engineers. They have also asked for more equipment - a bucket truck, a crane and four pickup trucks - which have not yet been delivered.
| Date Taken: | 09.27.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 09.27.2009 14:41 |
| Story ID: | 39329 |
| Location: | KIRKUK, IQ |
| Web Views: | 439 |
| Downloads: | 349 |
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