The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has certified two of GE's Waukesha natural gas engines for mobile, non-road applications. These high-horsepower units are primarily aimed at the oil and gas drilling and oil field production markets.
‘The VHP L7044GSI-EPA and L5794GSI-EPA Waukesha gas engines can be easily exchanged with existing rig power generation drivers, almost to the point that they're 'plug and play,'’ says Fred Stow, director of sales for Waukesha-Pearce Industries, the authorized distributor of GE's Waukesha gas engines. ‘And it offers great cost advantages of natural gas versus diesel and dual fuel.’
Patterson-UTI Drilling has already replaced existing diesel systems with three VHP L7044GSI gas engines at a well site in Harrison County, W.Va. GE is also working with the company to replace additional diesel units in other locations in Ohio and Colorado.
GE notes that its Waukesha gas engines can run on different fuels, such as dry field gas, pipeline gas, propane and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
