Oilfield services are companies that help with the exploration and production of oil. These include seismic testing, transport services, and directional services for horizontal drillers.
The oilfield services industry utilizes a wide range of equipment. Some everyday kit includes coiled tubing, packer manufacturers, and supply boats.
What Are Oil Field Equipment?
Oil field equipment is a series of large apparatuses that harvest oil in underground locations. It’s a major operation that requires skilled professionals to operate and maintain the equipment.
The decision to rent or purchase oilfield equipment is essential for any company that operates in the oilfield services industry. If your business is financially secure and you intend to use the equipment for an extended period, buying it instead of renting may be a more practical option.
It’s important to note that purchasing oilfield equipment requires a significant upfront investment. That said, it is often more cost-effective in the long run compared to renting, especially if you need equipment for a short period. Purchasing also allows you to sell your equipment once it’s no longer needed.
Well Drilling Equipment
Powered machines now replace the manual labor for drilling oil and water wells. These machines are known as drilling rigs.
Drills must be kept lubricated and cool so water or mud is pumped into the hole being drilled. Also, to keep debris from entering the new well and contaminating the water, a casing is put in place, which extends 20 feet above the ground.
When the job is finished, sand pumps are put in place to move the debris away from the site. These pumps consist of a grooved disk that rotates and carries any sand or other debris that makes contact with it. They are one of the most essential pieces of equipment in the industry. They are also commonly used for cleaning and maintaining tanks.
Hydraulic Fracturing Equipment
Modern high-volume hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a crucial energy-producing technique that allows fossil fuels to be extracted from impermeable rock formations. After drilling a vertical well that could extend for miles, water, sand, and chemicals are blasted into these formations under extreme pressure. This cracks the rock and lets oil and gas flow out of the well.
Fracking has fueled the United States’ oil and gas boom, leading to rising global energy production. However, the process has been linked to environmental and health risks, including contaminating drinking water and promoting climate change by releasing methane, an important greenhouse gas.
Hydraulic fracturing requires extensive oilfield equipment, including fracking pumps, data vans, blenders, and hydration units. This equipment typically arrives at drill sites on heavy trucks.
Downhole Tools
Downhole tools are used during well drilling, completion, and intervention or well workover activities to optimize productivity and maintain a continuous oil flow from the reservoir. These tools include slackline and wireline tools.
The most straightforward tool is the go-devil or sinker bar, which allows the operator to check whether there are any significant obstructions in the casing/liner before running other expensive downhole tools down the well. It consists of a handle, a sleeve with holes to allow fluid flow, and a hammer that can be run down the well on a slick line or by a trailer-mounted winch.
The global market for downhole tools is gaining momentum owing to the increasing exploration and production of unconventional hydrocarbons. Furthermore, the market is projected to experience growth during the forecast period due to the rise in drilling operations in the United States.
Well Completion Equipment
The well completion equipment market comprises technologies used for sand controlling, packing, and other purposes that turn a drilled and cased well into a producing one. During this vital phase, several actions take place, including cementing, perforating, gravel packing, and installing a production tree.
It is essential to use the right downhole tools for each completion step. These include mandrels, downhole safety valves, pumps, and chemicals. Knowing the wellbore geometry and permeability is essential to design the lower completion. This information helps to avoid well kicks and maximize production. It also provides production screens to prevent sand and debris from entering the production tubing and gauges for pressure and temperature monitoring. This data is typically stored in spreadsheets.