When Tourmaline, a large Canadian energy exploration and production company, wanted to reduce the emissions from its existing rich- and lean-burn Waukesha VHP fleet, it turned to INNIO Group’s Waukesha reUp Remanufacturing Program to upgrade its engines to the VHP Series Five. Through the reUp process, INNIO Group upgraded 29 engines (1,500–1,900 hp) across multiple locations in British Columbia and Alberta, resulting in more horsepower and lower emissions for Tourmaline.
INNIO Group’s Waukesha reUp Remanufacturing Program upgrades engines for more horsepower and lower emissions without using additional floor space. It offers complete engines, blocks, and parts, with a core exchange program that allows customers to return core Series Two and Series Four engines for like-new Series Five engines. The engines are disassembled, cleaned, and inspected using advanced technology and are backed by the Waukesha Service team’s rigorous testing and more than 115 years of experience.
After conducting a thorough review of performance needs, emission requirements, and existing conditions, cross-functional teams from Tourmaline and INNIO Group determined that 29 engines in the fleet would benefit from the upgrades. Through the reUp process, INNIO Group upgraded all 1,500-1,900 horsepower engines. The installation went smoothly, with the entire Waukesha team working together to ensure the 29 engines were delivered on time. Tourmaline already has ordered an additional 18 engines.
Advantages of VHP Series Five
The reUp provides Tourmaline with the benefits of the VHP Series Five engines:
- Lower emissions, including methane (CH4) intensity, with delivery of up to 85% lower CH4 and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and up to 10% lower CO2 emissions than other engines in its category
- Fuel flexibility to operate on nearly any fuel, from field gas and propane to commercial-quality natural gas without pre-treatment
- High performance, even in extreme heat with up to 120°F (49°C) ambient capability before derate
- Readily available factory-direct technical support and parts commonality across the VHP product series
Five steps of the reUp process
The reUp process involves disassembling the engine, cleaning, inspecting, reassembling and testing the parts:
- Disassembly and cleaning: Skilled personnel disassemble and clean all engine parts to eliminate and remove elements that can hide flaws.
- Inspection: The Waukesha team carefully inspects and thoroughly tests all engines and parts. Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) dimensions and tolerances are used to ensure specifications are met.
- Machine and assembly: Skilled assemblers follow exact standards and specifications from the most current engineering drawings when remanufacturing parts. The reUp process replaces all worn parts that do not meet Waukesha strict requirements with new OEM parts.
- Testing: Every engine and part that leaves the factory undergoes a comprehensive check. The Waukesha team records and stores each test electronically to ensure quality control.
- Painting, packing, and shipping: The Waukesha team paints or preserves engines and parts, and packages them carefully to protect them from the elements and enable their installation directly out of the box.
NGIF Emissions Testing Centre press conference
In July 2024, Alberta’s Minister of Environment held a press conference announcing a $15 million investment in the NGIF Emissions Testing Centre (ETC) Program. Tourmaline invited Waukesha representatives to attend the press announcement, making INNIO Group one of only nine companies invited, and highlighting the strong commitment of both Tourmaline and INNIO Group to reduce emissions.
The NGIF ETC program, established in 2021, fosters collaboration between industry, academia, and government to validate technologies designed to measure, monitor, and reduce methane emissions. The program offers complimentary simulated testing facilities at the University of Calgary, live testing facilities at Tourmaline and Perpetual Energy, and commercialization support through NGIF Accelerator.
We are proud to work with Tourmaline on this project, which has provided them with more horsepower and lower emissions. The Waukesha reUp program is an excellent way for companies to quickly upgrade their engines, blocks, and parts with a solution that benefits them…and the environment.
