The oil production process involves the use of special downhole equipment, which is based on the so-called rocking machines. This is a type of surface drive mechanism that operators control during the operation of the wells. As a rule, an oil rocking chair is based on the operation of plunger pumps providing the function of an extractive infrastructure.
Purpose of oil pumping units
The most common sucker rod pump drive is designed for pile mining. With the help of this unit, users develop wells in permafrost. Oil and gas equipment in the form of rocking chairs with one-arm balancers is also popular. Such machines are used as an individual drive in oil production.
In essence, any oil-producing infrastructure is focused on raising the resource. The general principle of equipment operation can be compared with the function of a syringe, which in this case is provided by sucker rod pumps. Also, as an obligatory element, the oil rocking chair is equipped with columns from compression pipes. It is through these channels that the rise and transmission of oil is realized.
Rocking Oil Production Process
The technological organization of the production process is divided into several stages. Work begins with drilling a well, the depth of which can reach several kilometers. Typically, 1,500-meter openings are developed, and 4,000-meter wells are the record holders. Next, casing pipes are installed, which become the basis of the oil production infrastructure. The activator in this system will be the pump. To understand the principle of its action, it is necessary to understand how the oil pump works in the general structure of the pipeline. It performs the function of a drive mechanism, due to which reciprocating actions are performed. Rocking chairs operate on a cyclical basis, allowing oil to concentrate around the well to ensure efficient pumping. In addition, this principle of maintenance minimizes wear on the parts of the installation.
Oil rocking device
The machine is mounted on a special concrete base in the form of a foundation. There is also a rack, platform and control station for the operator. After completion of work on the organization of the platform, a balancer is placed, balanced by a special head, to which a rope suspension is also connected. To ensure power impact, the oil rocking chair is equipped with a gearbox and an electric motor. The latter may be located under the platform, but due to the high risk of operating this configuration, such placement is extremely rare.
As for the gearbox, it is connected to the balancer by means of a crank mechanism. This ligament is designed to convert the rotational action of the shaft into a reciprocating function. Noteworthy is the task of the control station. As a rule, its basis is formed by a boxed complex with electrical equipment. Without fail, a manual mechanical brake is installed next to the control relay.
Varieties
Despite the similar principle of working with the oil resource, various modifications are presented in the family of pumping units. As already noted, the classic balancing machine, which provides for the rear fixing of the connecting rod, as well as a gearbox connected to the frame with a balancer, is considered the most popular. But there is an alternative to this equipment. This is a hydraulic sucker rod pump, which is mounted on the upper flange of the borehole fittings. Its features and advantages include the elimination of the need to install a foundation pillow. This difference is of great importance when it comes to developing wells in permafrost zones. There are other features of hydraulic installations. In particular, they suggest the implementation of stepless length adjustment, which makes it possible to more accurately select the operating modes of the equipment.
Characteristics of rocking machines
Technologists analyze a wide range of technical and operational parameters that provide the basis for the choice of a machine. In particular, the rod load, stroke length, gearbox dimensions, torque, swing frequency range, etc. are evaluated.
One of the main characteristics of rocking machines is the power of the electric motor. So, typical oil pumps cope with their functions on condition that a force of 20-25 kW is applied. A deeper analysis of the parameters also involves taking into account the type of belt, pulley diameters and features of the brake system. At the same time, in addition to operational operating capabilities, it is necessary to keep in mind the overall parameters that make possible the fundamental installation of a particular machine in certain conditions. Again, a typical installation may have a length of 7 m and a width of about 2-2.5 m. The mass usually exceeds 10 tons.
How is the oil rocking chair serviced?
To work with rocking machines, designers provide special mechanisms. For example, for servicing the traverse with a balancer, a special platform with drive systems is mounted. Operators can control the parameters of the detachable support of the balancing head integrated into the installation body. The kinematic diagram of the drive system provides optimal head movement and, if necessary, can be configured for quick downward movement. At the same time, it is important to separate directly the functions of the operators and the personnel who technically service the oil pumps during operation. If the former are involved in the regulation of oil recovery, the latter monitor the performance of mechanisms from the point of view of maintaining their function within the tolerance of peak loads.
Conclusion
Rocking machine manufacturers regularly offer new technological solutions to support the oil production process, but serious revisions of existing concepts have not yet been discussed. The fact is that oil and gas equipment is expensive and many customers are reluctant to change their fleet. Nevertheless, a partial update of significantly obsolete components still occurs. There is also a tendency to move from balancing machines to more advanced hydraulic ones. This is due precisely to the desire to optimize the existing infrastructure. As a result, oil producing companies reduce the costs of organizing and operating equipment, but at the same time they do not lower the quality of the target product.