NexTier Oilfield Solutions Inc. and Seneca Resources Company, LLC (“Seneca”), the Exploration and Production segment of National Fuel Gas Company announced the upcoming deployment of NexTier’s first electric Emerald™ fracturing system, a fully integrated electric fracturing fleet commencing in the first quarter of calendar year 2023.
Operations under the multi-year agreement are designed to deliver optimal fracturing performance while decreasing emissions, lowering fuel costs and reducing the equipment footprint.
Providing electrified completion services on Seneca well sites in the Marcellus and Utica shale plays of the Appalachian Basin, the Emerald™ fracturing system, NexTier’s integrated electric frac and wireline fleet, will receive on-site power generation from VoltaGrid LLC’s advanced power generation system featuring proven dynamic response reciprocating natural gas generators. These generators powering NexTier’s electric Emerald™ fracturing system will be fueled by natural gas produced in the field by Seneca. Each Emerald pumping unit incorporates two fully independent 3,000-HHP electric pumps on a single trailer, which produces abundant pumping power with a smaller equipment footprint than conventional diesel-powered fracturing fleets.
“NexTier is pleased to align with Seneca for the deployment of our first electric powered fleet. Our strategy of providing industry-leading natural gas-powered frac fleets benefits NexTier and our customers with a reduced emissions profile, lower fuel cost, improved safety and more efficient completions operations,” said Robert Drummond, President and Chief Executive Officer of NexTier. “This initiative demonstrates the forward thinking and alignment accomplished through our long-standing relationship with Seneca as our work together progresses from Tier 4 Dynamic Gas Blending technology to electric completions. We are excited to work hand in hand with Seneca and VoltaGrid to achieve this milestone in our Low Cost, Low Emissions journey.”
“We have closely followed innovations in hydraulic fracturing equipment and last year completed a comprehensive, real-time in-field study evaluating the emissions generated by various types of completion equipment” Justin Loweth, President of Seneca Resources, said. “The results of these field trials provided us with high quality comparative data on the emissions profile of these completion technologies, supporting our decision to select NexTier’s electric equipment that aligns with our long-term sustainability goals, which are focused on the significant reduction in methane intensity and greenhouse gas emissions from our operations.”
