EQT Corp., Pittsburgh, has launched a pilot program in which it has converted a diesel rotary rig to run on natural gas liquefied from local Marcellus gas production.
The first converted rig is operating in northern West Virginia. Pending evaluation of the pilot program, EQT hopes to convert other rigs in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
The company said it expects the rig’s fuel costs to be 40% less than diesel. It expects a 20-30% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and a fraction of the emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and particulates.
