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DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20251110T160000
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DTSTAMP:20260517T095452
CREATED:20251027T164902Z
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UID:5592-1762790400-1762797600@denverspe.org
SUMMARY:SPE Denver Technical Happy Hour: Completions
DESCRIPTION:Speaker: Madison Hollaway\, Low Emissions And Sustainability Lead\, Liberty Energy\nTitle: Evaluating the Transition to Natural Gas-Powered Equipment in Hydraulic Fracturing: Challenges\, Benefits\, and Feasibility Analysis. \n  \nAbstract: \n  \nThe transition to natural gas as a primary fuel source in hydraulic fracturing\noperations launched in 2013 with the introduction of dual fuel engines\,\nwhich use a blend of diesel and natural gas. This transition remains\nongoing\, marked by two fundamentally different approaches to displacing\ndiesel with natural gas. Initially\, dual fuel engines emerged as the\npioneering technology for substituting diesel with natural gas on hydraulic\nfracturing jobs. These engines are still being used and improved upon\ntoday. Subsequently\, circa 2018\, companies began developing and\ndeploying 100% natural gas-powered generation systems to drive\nelectrically powered hydraulic fracturing equipment.\nHistorically\, gas powered generation has been found exclusively in\nstationary applications. Adapting this technology to a mobile package for\nhydraulic fracturing operations has been a formidable industry-wide\nchallenge. Unlike stationary setups\, mobile deployment necessitates\nconsiderations of weight\, ambient outdoor conditions\, and the reliability of\nthe natural gas supply. Prior to equipment construction\, weight\noptimization is imperative\, as off-road mobile units are subject to state-\nspecific road weight restrictions. Compliance with axle\, king pin\, and total\nweight limits is mandatory for roadworthiness. Moreover\, the lack of control\nover outdoor ambient conditions further complicates mobile deployment.\nUnlike ambient conditions\, natural gas supply is within control of the\noperator\, though it cannot be preemptively resolved like weight\nconsiderations. Post-deployment\, natural gas quality and supply often\nemerge as predominant challenges\, highlighting their significance in mobile\ngas-powered generation for hydraulic fracturing operations. \n  \n  \nThe balance of transitioning to natural gas fueled engines\, while the natural\ngas infrastructure catches up\, has been both delicate and complex. Diesel\nhas been used as a fuel source for over 70 years in the industry and thus\nhas firmly established a robust supply chain. In contrast\, the Compressed\nNatural Gas (CNG) supply chain is in the early stages of development and\nhas consistently served as a bottleneck for deploying natural gas\ntechnologies. However\, there is a prevailing belief that the inherent benefits\nof natural gas will act as a catalyst for the evolution of the CNG supply\nchain in the years to come.\nConsidering the ongoing challenges\, it is imperative to evaluate the true\nbenefits of this transition. Assessing whether the opportunity cost\noutweighs the hurdles encountered\, both presently and in the foreseeable\nfuture\, is crucial. This paper aims to address this critical question by\nleveraging empirical data collected during the initial stages of our\norganization’s natural gas transition. Through a comprehensive analysis\, we\nexamine the tangible advantages and potential drawbacks of embracing\nnatural gas technology\, providing insights into the feasibility and\nimplications of this transition for the hydraulic fracturing industry. In this\nanalysis we will focus on Tier IV Dual Fuel engines\, Gas Reciprocating\nGenerators which produce electricity to drive electric frac pumps\, and Gas\nReciprocating Engines that mechanically drive the hydraulic pump. The\nbaseline for comparison is established using Tier II Diesel engines. Each\ntechnology will be evaluated based on multiple criteria including emissions\,\ncost savings found in both fuel purchases and operating costs\, and overall\noperational considerations. Through a combination of Original Engine\nManufacturer (OEM) data and empirical data\, this paper provides valuable\ninsights into the efficacy and feasibility of transitioning to natural gas-\nburning equipment in the context of hydraulic fracturing operations. \n  \nBio: \n  \nMadison Hollaway is the Low Emissions And Sustainability Lead at Liberty\nEnergy. Madison has held a variety of positions throughout her career in the\noil and gas industry\, with experience spanning from engineering and project\nmanagement to research and development. Madison holds a Bachelor of\nEngineering in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University. \n  \nRegister Here
URL:https://denverspe.org/event/5592/
LOCATION:Liberty Energy\, 950 17th St Suite #24\, Denver\, CO\, 80202\, United States
CATEGORIES:Study Groups,Technical
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ORGANIZER;CN="SPE Denver Section":MAILTO:denversection@spemail.org
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