Decarbonisation Technology August 2025 Issue

Figure 2 NovaLT16 gas turbine

Figure 3 NovaLT16 in a trailer-mounted configuration

Technology breakthrough Using associated gas as a field fuel source is a well-known practice for providing power to operations, especially in remote or difficult- to-reach locations that lack a grid connection or natural gas pipeline. A variety of vendors have developed technologies for local electrical power generation, including internal combustion engines and gas turbines, which can handle the compositional variability common in associated gas streams. Flare gases can be extremely variable in terms of composition and flow rates. A typical flare gas composition can exhibit significant variability and usually includes methane, especially if the flare is associated with oil or gas production. Heavier hydrocarbons, such as ethane, propane, and butane, can be found in very variable percentages, particularly in facilities processing natural gas. Hydrogen sulphide can be found in flares associated with oil and gas extraction, as it is a common impurity in crude oil and natural gas. CO2 and carbon monoxide can be present in some occurrences. Understanding and managing these sources of variability is crucial for effective environmental management, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency. Flare gases can then be very rich or very lean, and considering their composition, they can present technological aspects to be addressed when burned in a gas turbine. Advances in fuel flexibility NovaLT16, part of Baker Hughes’ portfolio of turbomachinery products, is a light industrial turbine (see Figure 2 ). It can be deployed in

either mechanical drive or power generation applications, and it is the most efficient gas turbine in its power range (10-18 MW). It features a single-row annular combustion system for low emissions and wide fuel flexibility, paired with the highest efficiency over the entire power range, thanks to variable- geometry low-pressure turbine nozzles technology. NovaLT16 can burn a wide variety of natural gas compositions, including those with high content of inert gases and heavy hydrocarbons, such as flare gases. It can also burn any mixture of hydrogen and natural gas up to 100% hydrogen. The gas turbine can run on most of the gas fuel solutions available on the market today, providing a wide range of backup solutions. Additionally, it can operate with liquid fuels that include biodiesel and diesel, which add an extra element of reliability and redundancy to avoid operational disruptions. Flare to power for electric fracking Trailer-mounted gas turbines (see Figure 3 ) provide various benefits that enable the switch from diesel-driven to electric-driven pumps. Some of the benefits for the operator and/or pressure pumping company include simplifying or often eliminating diesel truck logistics, reducing the footprint at site, handling excess gas, and on-site capability to reduce flaring or venting. Additionally, these turbines contribute to overall emissions reduction and require less maintenance intervals, resulting in reliability in the pressure pumping operation. Due to the high focus on reducing venting