Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a process used in nine out of 10 natural gas wells in the United States, where millions of gallons of water, sand and chemicals are pumped underground to break apart rock and release gas. These materials are injected at high pressure down and across into horizontally drilled wells as far as 10,000 feet below the surface. The pressurized mixture causes the rock layer to crack. These fissures are held open by the sand particles or other viscous materials so that natural gas from the shale can flow up to the well.

Pressure transmitters play a critical role in the hydraulic fracturing process to monitor pressure at different stages in remote data monitoring vehicles including fracturing pumps, blending units and storage tanks.

NOSHOK offers a portfolio of pressure measurement solutions which are ideal for these applications, providing extreme high pressure ranges and exceptional accuracy for pump protection and control operations.

These transmitters are available in explosion-proof and intrinsically safe versions with G1B or G1/2B connections, offering a flush diaphragm connection that protects against plugging. These configurations are designed for measuring viscous fluids and are ideal for measuring pressure when fluid is pumped down the well.

An alternative option is available using a standard NOSHOK transmitter with NPT connection. Any standard NOSHOK NPT transmitter with internal diaphragm can be assembled with a Type 20 front flush welded diaphragm seal to convert from an internal diaphragm to a flush Diaphragm. This package requires a very small footprint and protects against plugging in viscous media applications such as sand, drilling mud etc.