In the world of the oil and gas industry, pressure pumping is a crucial process involving the injection of fluids into wells to enhance productivity. This unassuming hero plays a vital role in extracting valuable resources from beneath the earth’s surface.
So, let’s delve deeper and learn more about these remarkable pumps.
What is Pressure Pumping?
Pressure pumping is an advanced process of using pressurized fracturing fluid to reproduce fractures through layers of rock and pump cement into a wellbore to complete them. This specialized technique is often used to extract essential resources from low-permeability reservoirs on Earth. It involves various resources such as tight gas, shale gas, and unconventional liquids, which are difficult to recover through traditional drilling procedures.
A water booster pump is a specific type of pressure pump that increases water pressure and volume at faucets or shower heads. It provides the extra elevation needed to bring water pressure to the defined level, and it can be used in homes or commercial facilities to move water from a storage tank or throughout the building.
How does Pressure Pumping Work?
The pressure pumping process involves the use of various pumps to lift or elevate water from a lower elevation to a sufficient height. This technique allows it to flow via gravity or overcome a hydrostatic head. Pumps and lift stations are essential in scenarios where gravity cannot supply water under adequate pressure. The actual calculation of friction loss due to water flowing through pipes is crucial, and it increases as pressure rises.
Additionally, pressure changes affect fluid velocity and output, with more pressure altering the velocity of the fluid and decreasing the flow or output. Volumetric efficiency decreases as pressure increases, impacting the actual flow compared to the expected theoretical flow. These precise calculations and considerations are important for various pumping applications.
Major Uses of Pressure Pumping
Pressure pumps find diverse applications across various industries and scenarios. Some key uses include:
● Water Pumping in Remote Areas
Hydraulic ram pumps utilize hydropower to pump water from a low-pressure, high-flow-rate source to a higher elevation, making them useful in remote areas with low-head hydropower and the need to pump water to higher elevations.
● Fluid Transport and Control
Pressure pumping systems, such as regenerative turbine pumps, are commonly applied to transport volatile, hot, or cryogenic fluids, offering benefits such as low vulnerability to vapor lock and tight tolerances.
● Vacuum Pumping
Vacuum pumps, including those based on the Venturi principle, are used for various applications such as fluid contamination control, wear resistance, and fluid pumping speed in both wet and dry lubricated systems.
● Resource Extraction in the Oil and Gas Industry
Pressure washer pumping services, including hydraulic fracturing, are crucial for extracting resources from low-permeability reservoirs, contributing to increased energy production.
● Chemical and additive transfer
Peristaltic pumps are suitable for dispensing, metering, and transferring chemicals and additives in high-purity applications, such as the food, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor industries, due to their contamination-free pumping capabilities.
● Fluid Movement and Velocity Control
Centrifugal pumps are utilized to move fluids by transferring rotational energy from impellers, increasing fluid velocity and pressure, and directing it towards the pump outlet.
● Pressure Pumps for Home
In home cleaning, pressure washer pumps are powered by electric motors to accelerate water to high pressure for tasks such as cleaning outdoor surfaces, vehicles, and equipment. These pressure washer pumps are also used in home watering systems to ensure adequate water pressure for irrigation and domestic use.
3 Key Players in the Pressure Pumping Sector
Let’s take a look at three leading manufacturers in the pressure pumping field and their product offerings:
1. Schlumberger
Schlumberger, the largest oilfield services company globally, has a substantial presence in pressure pump manufacturing. It offers an array of robust, high-quality, and low-maintenance beam and hydraulic pumping systems specially designed for various well conditions and environments. These units focus on quality, ensuring almost 100% uptime over 10 years. Its hydraulic pumping units provide flexibility and automation, reduce cyclic stress, improve gas compression ratio, and minimize downtime and workovers.
2. Halliburton
Halliburton is a pioneer in the pressure pumping industry. It offers a wide range of pumping and nitrogen equipment, allowing for the selection of the right tool for the job. Their integrated nitrogen services work seamlessly with their products, allowing for the planning, design, and coordination of nitrogen and traditional services in a single call. These services include stimulation, caulking, completion, pressure testing, cementing, drill stem testing, lost circulation control, hydro-jetting, annulus insulator, and stuck drill pipe.
3. Baker Hughes
Baker Hughes is another major player in the hydraulic fracturing and pressure pumping industry. It offers a range of pumping equipment for hydraulic fracturing and well stimulation jobs. For example, its RhinoTM bi-fuel pumps reduce diesel use by up to 65%, while the GorillaTM pumps have a 2,750 HHP capacity. The GatorTM frac pumps deliver higher horsepower and flexibility, while the WolverineTM pumps deliver 2,000 HHP at pressures up to 15,000 psi, allowing for smaller operation footprints and less backup equipment.
To Conclude
Pressure pumping plays a pivotal role in the extraction and production of oil and natural gas, driving the industry’s technological advancements and operational efficiency. These pumps show the ability to lead the way with innovative solutions and global reach, shaping the future of various industries. As the industry evolves, the collaborative efforts of key players and the persistent pursuit of cutting-edge technologies will undoubtedly propel pressure pumping to new heights, meeting the growing energy demands of the world.