Cummins, Liberty Energy team on frac platform

Cummins and Liberty Energy said they will deploy the industry’s first hydraulic fracturing platform to be powered by a natural gas variable speed, large displacement engine.

The Cummins HSK78G natural gas engine will power Liberty’s digiPrime hydraulic fracturing platform with deployment coming in the first half of 2025. The companies entered into a strategic partnership in June 2024 to jointly develop the technology for the completions services market.

“The successful development of the variable speed digiPrime pump reflects our continued commitment to innovation in pump technology that advances efficiency goals while reducing emissions,” said Ron Gusek, president and named successor to the Chief Executive Officer of Liberty. “A variable speed, direct drive platform enhances our already industry-leading digiFleet offering by combining high fuel efficiency with the ability to manage transient load and precision rate control, unrivaled in the industry.”

One of the key benefits of the HSK78G base engine that makes it inherently well suited to the well-servicing industry is its adaptability and flexibility, the companies said. The engine has a high tolerance to fluctuations in the methane content of the fuel and can operate across various gas compositions – offering customers greater flexibility on their fuel source when in the field. Furthermore, it is designed to be compatible and adapt across multiple well-servicing transmissions. This solution, with its front power take-off, will also provide customers with options to support auxiliary power needs on location when operating below peak load.

The Cummins HSK78G natural gas engine was launched in March 2019 as part of a fixed speed generator set for the power generation market. Designed to provide reliable power, regardless of the natural gas source or the operating environment, the engine reached new levels of efficiency and improved total cost of operation. The recent development effort for Liberty’s digiPrime platform leverages the already successful HSK78G platform and improves the 78L natural gas spark-ignited engine’s response time and load acceptance during operation.

The digiPrime pump, anchored by the 3,000 hp Cummins natural gas variable speed engine, is a direct drive solution with outstanding thermal efficiency. This pump configuration translates into reduced fuel costs and is one of the lowest emissions solutions in the completions market, the companies said.

Further savings can be found from the maintenance and servicing of the HSK78G variable speed engine. Projected data estimates an increase of four times the engine’s life to overhaul maintenance interval when compared to a standard diesel engine, keeping the units in the field and operating for longer. The simple mechanical drive system utilizing the HSK78G engine can also be serviced by the same mechanical technicians as diesel engines, making adoption of this technology much easier.

“We are excited for this new chapter of our relationship with Liberty, as we work together to adapt Cummins technology to enhance their service offerings,” Jenny Bush, President of Power Systems Business at Cummins, shared. “In addition to the high efficiency and reduced fuel consumption offered, the HSK78G variable speed engine will be EPA Mobile Off highway and CSA compliant. This solution, joining the portfolio of emission reduction technologies for industrial markets at Cummins, is a major step in providing products which help our customers reduce their carbon footprint without sacrificing the reliability, productivity and profitability of their operation.”