Utility Power for Onshore Drilling Rigs: An Application Guide

Drilling rig equipment has been driven by electric motors since the 1960s with power supplied from diesel engine driven generators. Rig technology has evolved since then, incorporating automation and Adjustable Speed Drives (ASD), yet, due to the mobile and often remote nature of drilling, diesel gen-sets remain the primary source of rig electrical power even though power supplied by a utility is typically more cost effective. Connecting to utility power can realize many benefits including reduction in energy cost, site emissions, noise pollution, and truck traffic; however, this may not be practical in all locations. This paper seeks to identify key barriers to utilizing utility power for drilling, provide tools for determining if a utility is a suitable source, identify the major benefits of utilizing utility power relative to diesel, and review initial findings from implementation of utility power for drilling at a well site.