Update On Electric Fracking -- Bizjournals -- August 22, 2019

Updates

August 26, 2019: a minor update over at Rigzone. Doesn't say much except in the Permian more talk of e-fracking to save money.

Original Post 

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... a pioneer among Marcellus Shale wells in the use of a new, more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly way to frac gas.

Canonsburg-based CNX has signed a three-year contract to use Evolution Well Services’ all-electric frac fleet, which is used in the hydraulic fracturing process and includes a natural gas-fired engine to run the machinery and a turbine that pumps sand and water to bring gas up out of the ground.

CNX is the first producer in the Appalachian basin to use an all-electric frac fleet, and the Richhill well is one of the first to use the new equipment.

Traditionally, hydraulic fracturing is a complicated, energy and labor-intensive process, one that requires engines that have lots of horsepower, a multitude of pipes and constant attention by workers to make sure it’s going right.

But walk around Richhill 13, or any of CNX’s other all-electric frac operations, and you’ll notice how quiet it is. That’s because instead of using diesel fuel and diesel engines to run the equipment, Evolution uses natural gas produced on site to fuel the jet engine-like turbines that power the fracking operation. Natural gas not only is plentifully available at the site, but it also removes from the roads the constant flow of diesel trucks to keep the 24/7 operation running.

Remember: electricity demand will surge in the Bakken over the next 20 years.