EQT, Green Field Power Marcellus Frack Job on 100% Natural Gas
Pittsburgh Business Times
16 September 2013
Malia Spencer, Reporter
When we first met Green Field Energy Services, they were shy about
talking about who their major clients are in the Marcellus region.
Now it appears that at least one is EQT Corp.
The two companies said Monday that Green Field had successfully
completed multiple fracturing stages of an EQT (NYSE: EQT) well in
the Marcellus. What makes this unique is how the well was fracked.
Instead of using traditional frack trucks — which are 18-wheelers
outfitted with huge generators that run either on diesel or a blend
of diesel and natural gas — to achieve the horsepower needed to
stimulate a well, Green Field uses former military helicopter
turbines to create the horsepower. By using the helicopter turbines,
the job can be done entirely with natural gas from the field instead
of blending it with diesel fuel that has to be trucked in.
Also with the helicopter turbines the job can be done with half the
number of trucks.
“We are excited to be one of the first to utilize a technology that
allows us to power our equipment from one of our producing natural
gas wells,” said Steve Schlotterbeck, senior vice president and
president of EQT exploration and production, in a written statement.
“We’re continually exploring ways to minimize impact to the
environment by making our operations cleaner, greener, and more
efficient. By eliminating diesel and using 100 percent field gas,
we’re able to reduce emissions of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide,
nitrogen, and sulfur oxides; as well as decrease the amount of truck
traffic on local roads.”
Since last year, EQT has commissioned four rigs to run on natural
gas.
Malia Spencer covers energy and technology. Contact her at
mspencer@bizjournals.com or 412-208-3829.