Oil pumps are an important part of oil and gas infrastructure. These pumps help to transfer the oil and gas through each point of the extraction and processing process.
Pumps are used at almost every point throughout the oil extraction process. A pump is used to transfer crude oil out of the ground, to storage tanks, and then to the pipeline. They are also used to maintain pressure during the drilling process and ensure everything is done safely and properly.
Another important thing to consider about oil pumps is if they are working automatically and seamlessly. With automatic pump-off control through Reign, you can be sure your pumps are working efficiently.
Pump Jacks
Pump jacks are probably the most important pump within an oil and gas system. Most oil wells utilize a pump jack to extract crude oil from the well.
A pump jack is powered by an engine that then moves a pivoting beam up and down. The driving of the gears opens a valve that will then fill the arm of the jack as it lifts. When the oil reaches the surface, it is then purified and then transferred to a processing plant.
Each stroke from a pump jack will extract 1 to 10 gallons per stroke, with about 20 strokes per minute. The size of the jack is what determines the amount of oil that can be extracted from the ground. Size is also determined by the depth of the well and the density of the oil pocket. The larger the pump jack, the more oil it can extract per minute. The size of the jack is directly proportional to the depth of the well.
6 Types of Oil Pumps
Many types of oil pumps are used throughout the extraction process. The main purpose of every oil pump is to transfer fluids.
1.) Centrifugal Pumps
Centrifugal pumps are commonly seen in the energy industry. They use rotation (or centrifugal force) to power and discharge the fluid.
They are best used for thin fluids that flow easily. Centrifugal pumps are most often used for water injection pumps for oil and gas recovery. In addition, they are very useful to ship crude oil.
2.) Reciprocating Plunger Pumps
Reciprocating plunger pumps are extremely common in the oil and gas industry. They maintain a constant flow rate that is not affected by pressure changes.
This pump type used a routine motion of pistons and plungers to pressurize and move the fluid through the system.
All pumps should have a relief valve to ensure pressure can be alleviated. The downside of plunger pumps is that they are quite loud and require a lot of maintenance.
3.) Metering Pumps
This type of pump is used to transfer a precise amount of liquids at set periods of time. They have an extremely accurate flow rate.
The term “metering pump” refers to the process, rather than the pump type. Many metering pumps are a combination of a reciprocating pump with a plunger or a diaphragm on the end.
4.) Gear Pumps
Gear pumps are typically used to transport fluids through positive displacement. They are best used for thick, high viscosity fluids or chemical transfers.
In order to work, they use external spur gears to control and operate the internal gears. The gears do not touch using this method and can move non-lubricating fluid through the system. Internal gear pumps use a shaft-driven gear. Both types of gear pumps use fixed displacement and move the same volume of fluid for every rotation.
5.) Progressive Cavity Pumps
Progressive cavity pumps are also known as cavity pumps or eccentric screw pumps. They, like many other pump types, use positive displacement to transfer fluid.
They are best used for thick, viscous fluids and for fluids that should not be blended. Cavity pumps keep a consistent flow that is not dependent on the pressure in the system. In addition, like all pump types a relief valve is a must to avoid pressure buildup.
6.) Diaphragm Pumps
This type of oil pump may be the most versatile pump of the six. They also use positive displacement, but also utilize pressure and volume changes to operate. A better explanation of these changes is that any decrease in volume causes the pressure to increase, creating a vacuum.
Diaphragm pumps are best used when transferring high volumes of fluid. This is mostly seen in the refinery stage of the process. It is important to note that these pumps have less moving parts than other oil pumps – this means that they require less maintenance.
The downside of diaphragm pumps is that they are affected by changes in pressure, especially low pressure. This can slow down the entire operation. Because of this, diaphragm pumps should not be used to pump oil over long distances.
Oil pumps are a critical part of oil and gas infrastructure. Without them, extracting and transporting gas would not be possible. With Reign SmartPOC technology, you will save your company money by increasing the efficiency of your pumps. This technology monitors the amount of oil or gas in a tank or vessel and only runs the pump when it needs to. This not only will decrease costs, but will also improve productivity of your well.
