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    1. Energy Efficiency

    Oilfield operator ProPetro Electrifying part of Hydraulic Fracturing Fleet

    Aug. 24, 2022
    Many fracturing pumps run on diesel fuel, which oilfield services firm Halliburton has estimated can cost more than $1 million in fuel expense per month
    Image credit ProPetro Holding
    Pro Petro Photo 630630545c2ae

    Oil-field services firm ProPetro Holding has signed a long-term lease agreement for two electric frac fleets as part of its fleet transition strategy.

    The new fleet uses conventional pumping equipment and proven technologies. The delivery of the frac fleet is expected in the third quarter of 2023.

    “We are in discussions with several customers regarding multi-year projects that will use these electric fleets starting as early as the third quarter of 2023,” Sam Sledge, ProPetro CEO, said in a statement. “With these more efficient fleets, we will help advance our customers’ efforts to reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions, while enhancing our company’s competitiveness and free cash flow profile. We are also excited to bolster our services and capabilities for the benefit of our customers while equipping our ProPetro teammates with the best tools to drive sustainable value creation through the ongoing multi-year upcycle."

    The lease includes an option to buy the fleet at the end of the lease term. ProPetro also plans to operate nine lower-emitting natural gas-fueled fleets operating in the second half of next year.

    Many fracturing pumps historically run on diesel fuel, which oilfield services firm Halliburton has estimated can cost more than $1 million in fuel expense per month during well completion and stimulation activities. 

    Hydraulic fracturing is a method that producers use in capturing oil and gas in deep, non-porous shale plays. They use a high-volume mix of water, sand and other elements to force openings in the formations and release the oil and gas.

    ProPetro is not alone or first in electrifying at least of its fracking fleet. Several years ago, CNX Resources utilized Evolution Well Services’ electrified fracturing fleet at its well in the Marcellus Shale.

    Midland, Texas-based ProPetro runs all of its fracturing operations in the Permian Basin of western Texas and eastern New Mexico.

    About the Author

    EnergyTech Staff

    Rod Walton is senior editor for EnergyTech.com. He has spent 14 years covering the energy industry as a newspaper and trade journalist.

    Walton formerly was energy writer and business editor at the Tulsa World. Later, he spent six years covering the electricity power sector for Pennwell and Clarion Events. He joined Endeavor and EnergyTech in November 2021.

    He can be reached at [email protected]. 

    EnergyTech is focused on the mission critical and large-scale energy users and their sustainability and resiliency goals. These include the commercial and industrial sectors, as well as the military, universities, data centers and microgrids.

    Many large-scale energy users such as Fortune 500 companies, and mission-critical users such as military bases, universities, healthcare facilities, public safety and data centers, shifting their energy priorities to reach net-zero carbon goals within the coming decades. These include plans for renewable energy power purchase agreements, but also on-site resiliency projects such as microgrids, combined heat and power, rooftop solar, energy storage, digitalization and building efficiency upgrades.