A pump jack is used to extract oil from wells with low production levels. It consists of a long beam moved by an external power source, and can run on generators or central power supplies. Production can be adjusted in response to changes in oil prices and other factors. Once extracted, the oil is moved into containers for shipping and eventual treatment.
A pump jack is a device used in oil production when the pressure inside a well is not sufficient to force the oil to the surface. The pump jack is performed to physically extract the oil for use. Pump jacks have historically been used on wells with low production levels and can be seen dotting the landscape in many regions where oil wells have been dug. The distinctive appearance of the pump jack has become iconic and these devices are often used as symbols of the oil and gas industry, including on some company logos.
Known by names like ‘nodding donkey’, ‘grasshopper pump’ and ‘thirsty bird’, the pump jack consists of a long beam moved by an external power source. As the beam end rises and falls, the weighted end plunges in and out of the well to extract the oil. The other end is connected to a pulley system which is connected to the power source, providing continuous movement of the pump jack while it is on.
The same basic mechanics can also be seen in the design of some hand-pumped wells, with a human serving as the power source. Pump jacks can run on generators and central power supplies. In large oil fields, pump jacks can be linked together along a power connection to access a central source of energy. Field workers maintain the devices, lubricating them and replacing worn parts.
These devices may not necessarily work full time. Production can be adjusted in response to changes in oil prices and other factors, and some wells also need to rest to get oil levels high enough that they can be reached with a pump. Typically, the pump jack extracts a solution of oil and salt water, along with other impurities, and if a well is overworked, the level will drop below the pump’s capacity. The ability to adjust production levels with a pump jack allows field operators to control how much oil is being extracted and when.
Once extracted from the ground with a pump jack, the oil can be moved into containers for shipping and eventual treatment. In the treatment process, impurities will be removed and the oil will be classified and subjected to a series of refining processes to produce different oil and gas products. The grade of the oil depends on a number of factors, with higher quality oils generally being more valuable.
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