Cummins, Liberty Energy Unveil Industry-First Gas-Powered Fracking System

Cummins’ natural gas variable-speed engine will power Liberty Energy’s digiPrime hydraulic fracturing platform, and the solution will be deployed before June 2025. The partnership improved the HSK78G natural gas engine’s response time and load acceptance during operation, offering reliable power, increased efficiency, and lower operational costs for the digiPrime fracking platform.

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

The new digiPrime pump platform is powered by Cummins’ 3,000 hp variable-speed engine, providing a direct-drive solution with significant thermal efficiency. This industry-first design offers lower fuel costs and among the lowest emissions profile within the completions market.

About the HSK78G

The Cummins engine was launched in March 2019 under a fixed-speed generator set portfolio for the power generation market, but the HSK78G base engine’s primary benefits for the well-servicing industry are adaptability and flexibility. It can tolerate methane content fluctuations in its fuel and uses various gas compositions, delivering flexibility in the field. With adaptability across multiple well-servicing transmissions and front power take-off, the engine provides supports auxiliary power needs when operating below peak load.

HSK78G natural gas engine; image credits: Cummins

"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," said Jenny Bush, President of Power Systems Business at Cummins. “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 step in providing products which help our customers reduce their carbon footprint without sacrificing the reliability, productivity, and profitability of their operation.”

The HSK78G engine offers additional savings regarding maintenance and servicing:

• Data estimates four times increase in engine life prior to its overhaul maintenance interval
• Compared to a conventional diesel engine, this engine can operate for longer periods in the field
• Its mechanical drive system can be serviced by technicians that work on diesel engines, improving technological adoption

More Cummins News

In early December 2023, Cummins Arabia formed a business alliance with Sullivan Palatek Asia (SPA) to introduce diesel-driven portable air compressors in the United Arab Emirates market. The exclusive distribution of SPA’s portable air compressor will be managed by Cummins Arabia, as per the agreement. The alliance will introduce a number of SPA products to the MEA/GCC markets, including the DOF1750H portable oil-free compressor and other models tailored to regional demands.

SPA’s portfolio contains a range of compressors designed to withstand harsh operating conditions in the Middle East, and Cummins Arabia will deploy its sales and service network to distribute the product. A majority of the SPA diesel-driven compressors are powered by Cummins engines, allowing Cummins Arabia to perform end-to-end support for the compressor and the engine while eliminating the need for a third-party service.