This week marked another exciting milestone in the many uses of clean-burning natural gas, with separate announcements and events from two Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) member companies, Green Filed Energy Services and Range Resources Corp.
On Wednesday Green Field Energy Services – an oilfield services company that uses natural gas to power hydraulic fracturing operations – celebrated the opening of its Monessen, Pa. regional office Wednesday, which translates into new jobs, enhanced air-quality, and an “asset to the city” and to our entire region. And that same day, Range unveiled its new fleet of 180 factory-engineered compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles. These CNG-powered trucks “enhance our national security, our economy and our environment” all while utilizing homegrown energy.
Here’s what they’re saying about these job-creating natural gas announcements:
GREEN FIELD ENERGY SERVICES PROVIDING LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES
- Green Field “Providing Job Opportunities in an Area That Needs Them”: Green Field touts itself as being the only company in the world that uses turbine-driven fracking pumps that can function using 100 percent natural gas. It also takes pride in living up to its name, green – saying it operates while using lower emissions and requires a smaller pad at well sites. … Green Field is making its Pennsylvania debut in the heart of the bountiful Marcellus Shale, seizing an opportunity while providing job opportunities in an area that needs them. … “We’ve lost a lot of industry, and this will be a first step in bringing industry back,” the mayor said. “The business that Green Field Energy does and the employees it hires have to be assets to Monessen.” … “One of our commitments is investing in local communities, and Green Field is committed to that,” said Joy Ruff, community outreach manager for the Marcellus Shale Coalition. … Rep. Ted Harhai, D-Monessen, who praised Green Field for having “a uniquely environmental-friendly way of fracking.” … “This is the type of thing that our community needs to grow,” Smith said. “We thank Green Field for hiring local people and wish you the best of luck. (Washington Observer-Reporter, 8/8/13)
Greenfield executives and local officials celebrate
yesterday’s Monessen office opening.
- Monessen Mayor: Green Field Energy a Welcomed “Asset to the City”: Green Field is bringing the city a clean energy technology company that employs 80 people – with growth on the horizon. … They don’t need to thank Monessen for welcoming them, we need to thank them for choosing Monessen.” State Rep. R. Ted Harhai, D-Monessen, turned to Broussard and exclaimed, “Welcome, welcome, welcome! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” … Green Field has grown since its inception in early 2012 with 60 employees. It now employs more than 500 people … Broussard said the company brings “a unique technology that puts us above all of our customers.” … The pumps can run on diesel, compressed natural gas, liquid natural gas, propane, kerosene and jet fuel. But field gas is most prominently used – and the most green fuel for the pumps, Broussard said. The turbine engine burns all of the fuel, leaving no emissions, he said. (Pittsburgh Tribune Review, 8/8/13)
- Natural Gas Company Transforms Monessen into Hub for Jobs, Growth: The company, which has an emphasis on its fracturing service line, came into the Pennsylvania market about two months ago through an agreement with a major oil and gas operator in the region, said Andrew Ward … “There are many other companies that do the work we do, but we are the only ones using turbines,” he said. “These engines run on 100 percent natural gas.” … Since coming to town, the company has grown to 77 people at the Monessen facility, with about 50 of those hired from southwestern Pennsylvania, Ward said. … Companywide, Green Field has been growing a lot in the last two years, going from 75 employees to 500 since it started rolling out it turbine fracking line, Ward said. (Pittsburgh Business Times, 8/7/13)
RANGE LEVERAGES LOCALLY PRODUCED, CLEAN-BURNING CNG
- Range Rolls Out Largest Single Order of Factory CNG Pickups: The biggest natural gas producer in the region’s Marcellus Shale play rolled out its commitment to the gas as a transportation fuel Wednesday, showing a sea of new pickups that will use compressed natural gas in daily service in the area. … The latest vehicle purchases from Chevrolet and Chrysler, which make Range’s fleet nearly 100 percent fueled by natural gas, help it to reduce emissions while using locally produced natural gas. … in addition to the environmental benefits of driving vehicles with cleaner-burning engines, the company estimates that the payback for the investment is approximately two years. … Mark Karney, alternative fuels director for GM’s fleet and commercial division…said GM would be bringing more natural gas vehicles to market in the near future. According to Karney, natural gas vehicles appeal to companies because they can save between 40 and 50 percent in daily operating costs while producing between 20 and 30 percent fewer emissions than gasoline models. (Washington Observer-Reporter, 8/8/13)
Range Resources unveils its new compressed natural gas fleet.
- “Range Resources is all-in on CNG vehicles”: When discussions began at Range Resources about rolling out a fleet of compressed natural gas vehicles, the talks always included everyone from the board on down, said John Applegath, vice president, southern Marcellus Shale division… Range worked with both Chrysler and General Motors, and committed to making a truck order big enough to anchor the manufacturing. As a result, Range has 180 CNG vehicles, split evenly between Chevy Silverado and Dodge Ram trucks. … Dan Lapato, deputy director in the office of external affairs for the state Department of Environmental Protection, said conversions such as this will help the region reduce air emissions and fight air quality nonattainment. (Pittsburgh Business Times, 8/7/13)
- “Range Resources Purchases 180 Natural Gas Vehicles”: Range Resources Corp. has purchased 180 natural gas powered vehicles to serve operations in Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and other states. … The vehicles cost more than conventional ones but since compressed natural gas sells for about half the price of gasoline, Range says the fuel savings will pay back the cost in about two years. The CNG vehicles also emit less pollution. Mark Karney, the Alternative Fuels Director for General Motors, says the company expects demand for CNG vehicles to grow as more vehicle styles are offered. Range says about 100 of the CNG vehicles are located in Pennsylvania. (Associated Press, 8/7/13)
Range’s Chrylser and GM CNG pick-ups.
- CNG Enhances Air Quality, Provides Cost Savings: One-hundred of the CNG vehicles are being used to serve Range’s growing southwestern Pennsylvania operations. … “Both GM and Chrysler Group deserve a tremendous amount of credit for providing natural-gas-powered transportation options direct from the factory, and we’re proud to have partnered with them on this exciting project,” commented Ray Walker, Range’s chief operating officer. Walker has also converted his personal vehicle to run on CNG. … Range’s order of factory-engineered CNG vehicles is the largest single commercial fleet order for both Chrysler Group and GM. (NGT News, 8/7/13)
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