Pumping units are used to extract oil from wells in oil fields. Reciprocating piston pumps are commonly used. The head of the device swings up and down to create pressure. Personnel inspect and maintain the units. Companies offer a range of designs and support for their products.
A pumping unit is equipment used to extract petroleum products from a well in an oil field. Reciprocating piston pumps are commonly used for this purpose and many people associate the distinctive ‘nodding donkey’, as it is sometimes known, with the oil industry. Numerous companies manufacture pumping units, typically offering a range of designs and styles so that people can select the model that best suits their uses.
While popular culture often describes oil wells as “spouts,” shooting columns of liquid oil for gripping, in real oil fields, the process works a little differently. It is usually necessary to use a pump to bring the contents to the surface, as oil is highly viscous and slow moving, often arriving in very small pockets. A pumping unit is used to provide access, bringing a constant supply of oil until a well runs dry and no longer produces.
In the simple reciprocating piston pumping unit, the head of the device swings up and down, creating pressure inside the well to extract the oil. Multiple units can be connected to a single well, and an oil field can house hundreds of them, all operating over single areas to extract as much oil as possible. Companies that develop oil fields need to factor in the cost of installing and maintaining pumping units when considering the expense of making the field usable. If deposits are limited, it may be too expensive to work in the field successfully.
Personnel working in oilfields are responsible for periodically inspecting each pumping unit, checking for problems such as leaks and failed components. They may temporarily shut down production on a well to repair or replace a malfunctioning pumping unit, and units needing repair may be sent to another site for maintenance, depending on how the oil company is organized. This work also includes emergency shutdowns for fires and other emergencies where the oilfield could become dangerous.
When selecting pump units, people can choose between units of various heights and can select a variety of pump types. Some are designed for particular applications, such as use in oil fields where members of the public may protest if very tall, highly visible pumping units are deployed. Companies can also supply parts for their equipment and can offer support in some cases, with specially trained technicians to install and maintain their products.
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