First use of LNG to power fracturing pumps

The group successfully completed more than 60 fracturing stages using pumps that were powered exclusively by liquefied natural gas (LNG). 

The hydraulic fracturing was conducted on a series of wells located in the Eagle Ford Shale play in South Texas.

Rick Fontova, president of Green Field Energy Services, said: “We continue to push the envelope in the use of gas as a fuel source in pressure pumping.  This application is yet another step closer to our soon-to-be-realised vision of using field gas to power our Turbine Frac Pumps.”

This application is yet another step closer to our soon-to-be-realised vision of using field gas to power our Turbine Frac Pumps

Green Field had up to four Turbine Fracturing Pump (TFP) units operating during each frac stage, and each TFP consistently pumped five barrels per minute at a pressure of 7,500 pounds per square inch. 

The news follows an announcement earlier this year that the company was able to demonstrate operation a frac pump using field gas.

The GFES Turbine Frac Pump was rigged up to a production well in the Granite Wash Field located in the Texas Panhandle and powered by natural gas produced in the field.

According to the company, typical fracturing rates and pressures were achieved in a simulated frac job, while maximising fuel economy and maintaining full pump performance.

The field hook-up took natural gas from a producing well on the same location 150 feet from the Frac Pump, routed it through the field production units, through a GFES Natural Gas Conditioning Unit, then directly to the Turbine Frac Pump.

The Turbine Frac Pump then pumped fluid from one frac tank to another, allowing the company to measure rates, pressures and other important operations metrics.