Jim Willis
Editor & Publisher, Marcellus Drilling News (MDN)

Range Resources has announced it’s electric and it’s not talking about dance moves but, rather, fracking and stimulating natural gas well production.

Last November MDN told you that Range Resources was testing an all-electric fracking fleet at the Ziolkowski Pad in Allegheny County. The results are in and Range likes what it sees. The company has signed on with U.S. Well Services to continue using “electric fracking.”

What’s the difference between traditional and electric fracking? Traditional fracking uses diesel-fueled engines to produce electricity to power pressure pumps for hydraulic fracturing operations. Electric fracking uses natural gas from the well pad to power turbines to create electricity. Different type of “engine” and different fuel.

Electric fracking fleets are roughly half the size of traditional diesel fleets–and a whole lot quieter, with far fewer emissions:

Comparison of Clean Fleet® NOx emissions to diesel engines measured by independent test

As it turns out, electric fracking fleets are cheaper too, according to Range:

The all-electric fracking fleet that Range Resources Corp. was testing at an Allegheny County well site is now under contract.

Range, a top 10 natural gas producer nationwide, announced Wednesday that it has partnered with U.S. Well Services Inc. for its Clean Fleet technology. The contract states the agreement will run on a “dedicated basis into 2021,” meaning at least one year.

“This new fleet is 100% powered by our own natural gas,” said Mark Windle, spokesman for Range, which is based in Fort Worth, Texas, and has regional headquarters at Southpointe.

In recent months, the driller has been trying out this technology at the Ziolkowski Pad in Imperial. Electric fracking is a fairly new innovation, one that is being hailed as more cost effective and less intrusive environmentally than the diesel-powered systems usually employed for hydraulic fracturing – or fracking. Range Resources said it saved more than $2 million in fuel costs at the first two pads where it used the electric fleets.

CNX Corp. last year became the first oil and gas company in the Appalachian Basin go all electric at a well site, and estimated that it cut fuel costs by 80%, increased fracking efficiency by 30% and requires a 60% smaller footprint.

Jeff Ventura, chief executive officer and president of Range Resources, said in a statement: “(This) state-of-the-art fleet will help support our peer-leading emission reductions goals, realize significant fuel savings and reduce associated sound levels, all while utilizing clean-burning natural gas to power our operations.”

The official press release from U.S. Well Services:

U.S. Well Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: USWS) today announced it has executed a contract to provide electric hydraulic fracturing services for Range Resources Corp. (NYSE: RRC) using its next-generation Clean Fleet® technology, which runs on electric power generated by natural gas turbine generators on the wellsite. Under the terms of the agreement, U.S. Well Services will support Range Resources in the development of its Appalachian asset base on a dedicated basis into 2021.

Joel Broussard, U.S. Well Services’ President and Chief Executive Officer commented, “We are excited to partner with Range Resources. The Company is a best-in-class E&P operator with a proven track record of success, and U.S. Well Services looks forward to deploying our revolutionary electric fracturing technology to assist them in their development plans. This contract demonstrates both organizations’ dedication to operational excellence and environmental stewardship.”

“Range has a record of deploying innovative technologies and solutions across our operations,” said Jeff Ventura, Range Resources CEO & President. “U.S. Well Services’ state-of-the-art fleet will help support our peer-leading emission reductions goals, realize significant fuel savings and reduce associated sound levels, all while utilizing clean-burning natural gas to power our operations.”

“Our Clean Fleet® technology is changing the hydraulic fracturing industry, enabling significant fuel cost savings, improved operating efficiencies and reduced carbon emissions for our customers. We are enthusiastic about the prospect of sharing these benefits with Range Resources,” concluded Mr. Broussard.

About Clean Fleet® technology
Clean Fleet® technology operations are cleaner, quieter, safer, and more accommodating to neighboring communities.

Our patented Clean Fleet® technology significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and dramatically decreases sound pollution, while also reducing fuel costs as much as 90%. These reductions are achieved by replacing all conventional diesel engines and diesel fuel with electric motors powered by natural gas generators.

U.S. Well Services illustration of their equipment; the first fully electric, fully mobile well stimulation system powered by natural gas in the industry.

U.S. Well Services, Inc. is a leading provider of hydraulic fracturing services and a market leader in electric fracture stimulation. The Company’s patented electric frac technology provides one of the first fully electric, mobile well stimulation systems powered by locally-supplied natural gas, including field gas sourced directly from the wellhead. The Company’s electric frac technology dramatically decreases emissions and sound pollution while generating exceptional operational efficiencies, including significant customer fuel cost savings versus conventional diesel fleets.

CNX Resources converted all of their drilling rigs to electric fracking last year. CNX uses Evolution Well Services, headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, to provide its e-fracking rigs. Evolution recently announced another (unnamed) major player is using its technology too.

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