Unveiling our latest collaboration with EnQuest Energy Solutions – "Thor." 🚀 Dive into the intricate world of electric hydraulic fracturing pump trucks with this stunning, photorealistic 3-D animation meticulously crafted by our team.

In this visual journey, we take you beyond the surface of a real-life innovation. While Thor physically exists, our decision to leverage 3-D animation was driven by a desire to showcase its intricacies in ways that real-world footage can't. Witness the power of technology as we delve into each component and highlight the unique features that set this pump truck apart.

Join us on a virtual exploration of Thor, where innovation meets imagination. This animation isn't just about the equipment; it's a testament to the limitless possibilities that arise when creativity and cutting-edge technology converge.

Background

Thor was an exciting project that almost wrote itself—a perfect blend of technical innovation and compelling storytelling. The challenge was balancing real-world presence with the advantages of animation. Since Thor already exists as a physical product, why choose a fully animated video instead of live-action? The answer lay in highlighting its key benefits—quieter operation, fewer pump trucks, and greater versatility—through a controlled, visually striking medium that could seamlessly emphasize its strengths.

Pre-Production

Storytelling & Structure

The script and story phase was smooth, with the real focus being on the visuals—what tentpole scenes would drive the narrative? Rather than a generic product showcase, we structured the story around Thor’s standout features and benefits, crafting a sequence that would guide the viewer naturally through the product’s advantages.

Once we identified the key scenes, we built the narrative around them, ensuring each transition felt purposeful and engaging. The result? A visually dynamic, benefit-driven animation that showcased Thor’s impact with clarity and precision.

Concept & Scripting

The project kicked off with script development, aligning the narrative with EnQuest’s objectives. Every line was crafted for technical accuracy while keeping the flow engaging. Once the script was approved, we received CAD models of the THOR electric pumping unit directly from the client. Having these detailed models upfront was a major advantage, allowing us to move quickly into the Rapid Prototype (RP) phase. The models gave us precise structural details, helping refine camera angles and storytelling elements early on.

Storyboarding & Rapid Prototyping

To build the initial shot, we created a sequence of 3D titles in After Effects, using internal AE tools to generate animated typography that dynamically changed on screen. The next step was showcasing the THOR unit itself. For this, we leveraged Unreal Engine (UE) in the RP phase—its real-time rendering capabilities let us work seamlessly with the high-detail CAD models.

Since CAD files are typically too heavy for conventional 3D software, Unreal Engine was crucial in handling these high-polygon assets. While untextured at this stage, the models were placed in a lit environment to simulate realistic shadows and reflections, helping to establish scale and realism early on.

The RP went through multiple rounds of client feedback and internal reviews. The client played an active role, ensuring the structure and presentation matched their vision.

The voiceover script also went through refinements. The client flagged key terminology adjustments to ensure technical accuracy— for example one change was shifting the reference from "engine" to "motor" in the video. We re-recorded the narration accordingly and integrated the update into the RP.

One of the biggest refinements came during the transition scene, where THOR electric pump trucks replaced 40 diesel-powered trucks. Initially, the transition lacked impact. The client suggested adding on-screen graphics to better illustrate the efficiency gain. In response, we implemented a split-screen overlay showing a bird’s-eye comparison of the diesel and THOR pump trucks, making the 40-to-20 reduction visually clear.

Another key adjustment focused on the turning radius demonstration. The initial animation needed refinement to better highlight the impact of the removable axle. The client requested a sequence where a 5-axle trailer struggled with a tight turn, followed by a clear highlight of the THOR truck maneuvering effortlessly. We adjusted camera angles and added a red and green graphic overlays to drive home the point.

Cinematic camera movements were also integrated to emphasize the scale and efficiency of the THOR unit. To further highlight its electric nature, we created an animated title sequence where lightning bolts illuminated the THOR logo and titles reinforcing the branding. A simulated destruction sequence was also included—when the THOR metallic logo dropped onto a surface, visible cracks formed, an effect that would later be enhanced in full production.

By the final RP iteration, every client request had been implemented, ensuring the video’s structure, visuals, and messaging were fully aligned with EnQuest’s expectations before moving into full production.

Production (Full Production / FP)

Design & Animation

With RP approval secured, full production began with CAD model optimization. The original model included thousands of individual parts, which we consolidated into 10–20 core elements. The CAD files also lacked essential components like cables and hoses, which we manually modeled and integrated.

For texturing, we used Substance Painter to achieve a high level of realism. Given that the THOR unit would be featured in both close-ups and wide shots, textures were built in 4K resolution and mapped using UDIMs to maintain detail. Decals, labels, and industrial markings were meticulously placed based on reference images from EnQuest, ensuring a faithful digital recreation of the real-world unit. The final look maintained a factory-new appearance—clean, polished surfaces with no excessive wear—matching EnQuest’s branding preference.

Animation Techniques & Environment Design

To place the THOR unit in a realistic setting, we designed a warehouse environment with high contrast to make the metallic surfaces pop.

A major sequence involved a large-scale fracking site, showcasing how THOR pump trucks could replace traditional diesel units. This required assembling an industrial layout that included wellheads, manifolds, frac tanks, and pipelines. Leveraging our previous oil and gas experience, we reused and refined existing 3D assets, streamlining production without compromising accuracy. Extensive research ensured the fracking pad layout was realistic, with precise equipment placement.

Another critical animation focused on the THOR unit’s removable axle feature. To clearly demonstrate its maneuverability, we created a top-down sequence where the THOR truck executed a tight turn. Overlaid graphics illustrated the axle removal process and the resulting turning radius improvement. 

During FP, we transitioned from Unreal Engine to Cinema 4D with Redshift for rendering. While UE was ideal for the RP phase, Cinema 4D gave us greater control over lighting, shading, and photorealistic rendering, making it the better tool for final production. The rendering pipeline was optimized to balance quality and efficiency, ensuring high-fidelity visuals while keeping the project on schedule.

Post-Production & Delivery

Final Compositing & Color Grading

In post-production, all rendered sequences were brought into After Effects for compositing. The final THOR title sequence was enhanced with additional lightning effects, reinforcing the electric-powered theme. The destruction simulation received dust and smoke overlays, amplifying its impact.

To ground the animation in reality, we incorporated a live-action drone shot of the actual THOR unit at EnQuest’s facility. This seamless transition between CG and real-world footage added credibility and showcased the product in real-world conditions.

Final Audio Mix & Enhancements

Subtle sound design brought the animation to life—electric hums and impact sounds were layered in for a more immersive experience. Lightning effects were synced with electrical crackles, reinforcing THOR’s energy-efficient nature. 

Final Edits & Optimization

Throughout production, client feedback was integrated at key stages. Refinements included additional tractor color adjustments to match EnQuest’s branding and tweaks to on-screen text to clarify technical specs. A final color grade ensured consistency across all visuals, and the video was delivered in multiple formats optimized for different viewing platforms.

To maximize usability, we prepared multiple output formats, including high-resolution versions for presentations and compressed versions for online use. Final deliverables included the full animation and high-quality rendered images of the THOR unit for marketing campaigns.

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Transcript:

Co-developed with fracturing services providers, Thor was specifically designed to address your ESG targets and meet your operational efficiency goals—all while producing zero emissions and a fraction of the noise of conventional diesel driven systems.

Thor is a full 5,000-horsepower electric pump solution on a single trailer, which decreases footprint on location and cuts the number of pumps needed in half.

The trailer features three permanent axles and one removable axle, which makes it easier to maneuver on location and results in less wear-and-tear and maintenance costs.

The Thor electric pump system meets a standard power rating of 13.8 [KV], which facilitates future microgrid connected solutions and cuts down on cable size and weight making it easier to rig up in the field.

With no transmission required, Thor cuts down on repair and maintenance costs. And because it’s an electric-powered solution, operators can apply torque at engine speeds as low as 1 RPM, providing infinite control over pumping rate and pressure.

In addition to the emissions and efficiency benefits, the Thor system has almost no noise, making it the ideal solution for operating on location without disrupting nearby neighborhoods, schools, or businesses.

With thoughtful design and game-changing capabilities, the Thor electric pump system is throwing the hammer down on ESG friendly fracturing solutions, making it the first choice for oil and gas operators that require a reduced emissions profile at lower costs.