Halliburton develops new dual-fuel technology to power fracturing treatments

US-based Halliburton, along with partners Apache and Caterpillar, has developed a new dual-fuel technology to power pumping equipment deployed in fracturing treatments using a combination of natural gas and diesel.

The company said the dual-fuel technology uses 12 pumps with a 24,000 horsepower and is one of the largest scale dual-fuel projects in the oil and gas industry.

Halliburton developed the solution by converting pumping equipment used in large-scale fracturing spread to a dual-fuel system. It also uses natural gas which is more efficient and cleaner burning than diesel alone.

In collaboration with its supplier Caterpillar, Halliburton converted its new Q-10 pumps to duel fuel with a safe and efficient technology, to accommodate high-quality liquefied or compressed natural gas.

During the process, Caterpillar deployed its dynamic gas blending (DGB) engine technology to power Halliburton’s huge pumps.
In addition, Halliburton also worked with Linde North America to set up safe and efficient gas distribution system and supply of the liquefied natural gas required for this project.

Halliburton Completion and Production Division senior vice president Marc Edwards said that it is expected that in near future these DGB engines will be retrofitted to efficiently burn available on-site conditioned field gas and allow operators to save additional fuel transport costs.

Apache executive vice president and chief technology officer Mike Bahorich said that the company used clean-burning energy source in its operations with low cost.

"Taking advantage of natural gas can lead to cost savings for the industry and for energy consumers, new jobs and a cleaner environment – it’s time for us to use this resource to its full potential," added Bahorich.

In 2010, Halliburton started its Frac of the Future technology to address the necessity of reducing wellsite footprints, improving environmental performance, lowering supply chain costs and increasing the reliability of the equipment on site.

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Image: GraniteWash in Oklahoma, US. Photo: Courtesy of Apache.