Weir Oil & Gas and the Rolls-Royce Power Systems company MTU announced they have signed an agreement to develop power systems specifically engineered for hydraulic fracturing. Weir is the leading manufacturer of hydraulic fracturing pumps, and MTU is a market leader in heavy-duty industrial diesel engines.

The system will be used for hydraulic fracking operations during the well completion stage of shale oil and gas projects.

The agreement was announced today at the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas, with the fully integrated power system expected to be available to customers in mid-2015.

The agreement outlines the companies’ plans to work together to address the market need for more reliable and continuous duty equipment. A team of engineers is concentrating on optimizing the interface of the three most critical components – the engine, transmission and fracturing pump – to truly work as one system. Further, the complete packaged power system will utilize smart controls that provide conditioned monitoring and optimized performance for the operator.

The Weir-MTU announcement builds on Weir’s innovative SPM® pumping technology and the performance of the new MTU Frac Pack, which integrates the MTU Series 4000 T95 diesel engine and the ZF 8 TX transmission.

Steve Noon, Weir Oil & Gas Divisional Managing Director, said the new relationship will utilize the best technology and service capabilities in the market to provide a total integrated offering.

“Our teams are working to develop fully integrated purpose-built power systems for fracking,” said Noon. “This innovative approach will introduce a complete package, with all components built specifically for fracking applications, integrated and optimized to work together, have longer run times and provide greater efficiencies for our customers. It is something the industry has asked for and we are determined to deliver”.

Noon added that the agreement also provides for full service and preventive maintenance of the entire power system. This will be achieved by using Weir’s market-leading service network combined with MTU’s service capability, ensuring close proximity to customers.

Dr. Michael Haidinger, Chief Sales Officer of Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said both companies have a long history of producing and supporting highly reliable and safe products specifically for use in harsh fracturing environments.

“Together we are taking a completely integrated approach to designing a pumping power system that addresses the challenges faced by frack site operators. We’ve brought our best engineering minds together to design a solution that enhances run times for the engine, transmission and pump, creating a robust system that will enhance operations. It is a new approach that offers customers one efficient supplier for such a critical system.”

The market will be updated regularly as development work on the new integrated power systems progress.

Weir Oil & Gas 

Weir Oil & Gas, a division of The Weir Group PLC, is the leading supplier of pressure pumping equipment to the North American upstream oil and gas market. The division also provides superior products and service solutions to Oil & Gas customers in production, transportation, refining and related industries. Upstream products include pressure pumping equipment & services from SPM, Mesa and Novatech. Seaboard and Mathena provide pressure control products & rental services. Downstream products include API 610 pumps & spare parts for refining and petrochemical industries from Gabbioneta. Engineered mechanical and rotating equipment repairs & upgrades, oilfield and drilling equipment repair and certification, spares parts including asset management & field services are delivered globally by Weir Oil & Gas Services. The Weir Oil & Gas division is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. Find out more at weirinaction.com.

The Weir Group is one of the world’s largest engineering companies employing more than 15,000 people and operating in 70 countries. It serves oil and gas, minerals and power end markets. Founded in 1871, Weir has more than 200 manufacturing and service facilities globally. At the heart of the Group’s strategy is a commitment to innovation, collaboration, value chain excellence and global capability. Weir’s mission is to be wherever and whenever our global energy and resource customers need us, delivering innovative products and services and becoming their trusted partner of choice.

MTU 

MTU is a brand of Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG. MTU high-speed engines and propulsion systems provide power for marine, rail, power generation, oil and gas, agriculture, mining, construction and industrial, and defense applications. The portfolio is comprised of diesel engines with up to 10,000 kilowatts (kW) power output, gas engines up to 2,530 kW and gas turbines up to 35,320 kW. MTU also offers customized electronic monitoring and control systems for its engines and propulsion systems.

Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG, based in Friedrichshafen, Germany, is a world-leading provider of high- and medium-speed diesel and gas engines, drive systems, distributed energy systems and fuel injection systems for the most demanding requirements. Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG previously operated under the name of Tognum AG. Rolls-Royce plc and Daimler AG each has a 50% shareholding in the company via a joint venture–Rolls-Royce Power Systems Holding GmbH. The company, which employs over 11,000 people, has been fully consolidated in the results of Rolls-Royce plc since January 2013.

Learn more at WeirinAction.com