Seneca/Ensign rigs switch to LNG for power in Marcellus

Two of GE’s Jenbacher J320 turbocharged natural gas engines are powering the first LNG-fueled drilling rigs in Pennsylvania.

To reduce environmental impact and improve the economic performance of US unconventional gas production activities, Seneca Resources Corp and Ensign Drilling have installed two GE gas engines to power the first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled drilling rigs in the Marcellus Shale. Seneca converted the power plants of two existing diesel-powered rigs to use LNG in GE’s 1-megawatt Jenbacher J320 turbocharged natural gas engines. The Jenbacher units were combined with Ensign Drilling-designed rig packages to provide the electricity needed by each rig. The J320 represents GE’s first US Environmental Protection Agency-certified technology for mobile and stationary drilling applications.

In October, Seneca Resources and Ensign Drilling converted their first rig, which is operating in Lycoming County, Pa. The second rig was converted to LNG in November and was assigned to Seneca’s Marcellus Shale gas leases in Forest, Elk, Jefferson and McKean counties.

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