A major U.S. microturbine maker has found a new niche market for its onsite combined heat-and-power generating systems. Los Angeles-based Capstone Turbine Corp. is finding rapid growth for its products in the oil and gas patch.

Capstone recently received another 3 MW order from an undisclosed operator in the Eagle Ford Shale. Capstone’s regional distributor, Horizon Power Systems (Pumps and Service), secured the order with an independent exploration and production company.

Earlier this year, following robust interest in the Eagle Ford Shale play (see Shale Daily, Jan. 7), Capstone moved more into the Marcellus Shale, announcing last week that it has orders for 4.2 MW of the small turbines from multiple oil and gas operators in the Marcellus.

Capstone said its Mid-Atlantic distributor, E-Finity, has secured orders from both new and existing customers totaling more than 35 turbines, which will be used throughout the remote areas of the Marcellus. The turbines are to be installed in early 2012.

Capstone’s Jim Crouse, executive vice president for marketing, said his firm’s sales globally to oil and gas companies are at “a record pace.” Orders are picking up worldwide in the oil and gas patch, according to Crouse.