Fueling 100% Gas-Powered Pressure Pumping: Your Most Common Questions Answered

Natural gas mechanical system trailer
of

One of the biggest shifts in wellsite power over the past decade has been the move to embrace natural gas as a fuel source. E&Ps are increasingly specifying the use of fully gas‑powered solutions on-site to help reduce fuel costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Oilfield service companies must adapt to such changes, and understanding the latest technologies available to satisfy shifting priorities is crucial to remain competitive. Some oil and gas companies’ most common questions regarding adopting a 100% natural gas-powered system are addressed below.

Q: How have completion power solutions evolved over the past decade, and what’s continuing to drive change?
Approximately a decade ago, nearly all North American fleets operated on diesel. As low cost natural gas became more abundant in the field, dual fuel solutions quickly found favor– followed by electric fleets (eFleets) to maximize gas usage. As gas burning operations have matured, the industry is now shifting from simply attempting to burn natural gas to focusing on how to burn the least amount of natural gas to complete a job. This change is driving interest in highly efficient natural gas-powered solutions such as the Caterpillar Gas Mechanical System (GMS).

Q: Many bids now require 100% natural‑gas powered hydraulic fracturing operations. How is that affecting oilfield service companies?
Oilfield service providers must have assets capable of burning 100% natural gas, which requires owning eFleets powered by natural gas reciprocating engines, natural gas turbines, or assets such as the GMS. This stipulation is driving providers to invest in new technology to remain competitive and deliver the best product possible to their E&P customers.

Q: How does the GMS impact site logistics and operations?
Rated at 3,600 hp, the GMS is one of the most power dense natural gas engine systems available. One GMS unit can perform the work of two Tier 4, 2,500 hp v-12, dual fuel engines. This decreases the physical footprint on-site and truck transport needs to simplify logistics, labor costs and improve rig-up, rig-down time.

Q: How does the gms help E&Ps achieve sustainability goals?
The emissions produced by the power needed to perform hydraulic fracturing comprise the largest percentage of GHG emissions on a frac site. By utilizing the GMS, GHG emissions can be improved 10-15% compared to an eFleet, driving impactful gains towards E&Ps’ published sustainability goals. The GMS not only lowers GHG emissions but also reduces the amount of fuel consumed which ultimately provides E&Ps more sellable product.

Q: What does field data reveal about the GMS’ impact on horsepower, reliability, GHG emissions and costs?
Early results align with expectations: site‑level GHG emissions reductions of approximately 10% to 15% when compared to e-fleets and roughly 15% improved fuel consumption when contrasted with Tier 4 dynamic gas blending systems (DGB). The GMS has shown to lower fuel use by 10% to 45%, depending on the power source (reciprocating or turbine) when contrasted with e-fleets. Oilfield companies also experience reliability benefits from running fewer total units as well as operating a streamlined setup.

Q: Does the GMS provide fuel flexibility?
The GMS can operate on a range of gas qualities while maintaining high performance. Oilfield companies can utilize field gas or compressed natural gas (CNG).

Q: How does high power density impact operations?
Higher power density enables oilfield companies to use fewer trailers. This can be especially valuable in geographies known for smaller frac pads, such as the Northeast. Operating fewer trailers helps lower fuel consumption and related GHG emissions.

The Next Revolution in Completions

The industry demands solutions that deliver results without disrupting or unnecessarily complicating field operations. The 100% natural gas-powered GMS helps keep oilfield companies competitive while meeting evolving industry demands. It’s a holistic power system that combats rising fuel costs, simplifies operations without changing the site footprint and lowers GHG emissions in energy-intensive applications.

Products

Your Business

Finance

Support

Company

News

Buying Tools

Caterpillar Brands

  • US-English
  • © 2025 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved.