1. Training in Oil & Gas Production for BP Technical Interns
Section 11 – Pumping Units
Looking at the various types and
designs of pumping units and their
applications in fluid production.
2. Training in Oil & Gas Production for BP Technical Interns
Background
In the early years of the oil patch either a
special pumping rig similar to a cable
drilling rig (or the cable drilling rig that
was used to drill the well) was used to
pump a well. This one rig did the work
of a pumping unit, a service rig, and a
workover rig.
3. Training in Oil & Gas Production for BP Technical Interns
More background
The modern pumping units are based on
the design of the cable drilling and
pumping rigs.
All have a walking beam supported near
the middle by a sampson post and a
pitman that connects one end of the
beam to an eccentric (a crank system).
4. Training in Oil & Gas Production for BP Technical Interns
Even more background
The very first pumping units were so much
like a standard pumping rig, that they had
no horse’s head or counterbalance weights.
During the early 1920s gear boxes were
added to these early pumping units and a
pumping revolution began.
5. Training in Oil & Gas Production for BP Technical Interns
Pumping unit components
base
horses
head
sampson
post
walking
beam
equalizer
pitman
gearbox
and support
counter
balance
weights
ladder
skid
6. Training in Oil & Gas Production for BP Technical Interns
Pumping unit lubrication
saddle
bearing
assembly
Equalizer
bearing
Pitman
bearing
wrist pin
bearings
gear box
7. Training in Oil & Gas Production for BP Technical Interns
Beam balanced units
Inexpensive.
Durable.
Low maintenance.
Typically used for
shallow production.
Class 1 lever.
8. Training in Oil & Gas Production for BP Technical Interns
Crank balanced units
Called conventional units.
Very durable.
Extremely versatile.
Cost effective.
Low maintenance.
Increase counter-balance
by extending weights
further out on cranks.
9. Training in Oil & Gas Production for BP Technical Interns
Lufkin Mark II units
Phased counter-balance.
Lower peak torque.
Slower up stroke.
Faster down stroke.
Class 3 lever.
Increase counter-balance
by extending weights
further out on cranks.
10. Training in Oil & Gas Production for BP Technical Interns
Air balanced units
Lighter than other units.
More portable.
Very accurate counter-
balance adjustment.
Requires compressing
system for air.
High maintenance.
11. Training in Oil & Gas Production for BP Technical Interns
Reverse units
Alternative design as far
as geometry.
Very durable.
Lower torque.
Low maintenance.
Increase counter-balance
by extending weights
further out on cranks.
12. Training in Oil & Gas Production for BP Technical Interns
Other units
Slant hole units
Foldable units.
Low profile units
Portable trailer mounted units
13. Training in Oil & Gas Production for BP Technical Interns
Pumping unit gearboxes
Double or single reduction.
Herringbone or helical gears.
Check fluid level periodically.
Replace fluid regularly.
Following manufacturers specs on
lubricants.
Lubricant specs change with
temperature.
14. Training in Oil & Gas Production for BP Technical Interns
Signs of a problem
Any unusual noise coming from the gearbox.
Gearbox fluid appears milky looking.
Loose wrist pin in a crank.
Any unusual noise coming from a bearing
assembly. (Squeaking, rattling, chattering)
Increase play or movement in any bearing.
Bearing fails to take grease.
Bearing fails to retain grease.
15. Training in Oil & Gas Production for BP Technical Interns
More pumping units
This unique rainbow
painted pumping unit
is made in Russia
and has a stroke of
up to 3 meters.
16. Training in Oil & Gas Production for BP Technical Interns
This product was funded by a grant awarded under the President’s High
Growth Job Training Initiative as implemented by the US
Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.
The Information contained in this product was created by a
grantee organization and does not necessarily reflect the official
position of the US Department of Labor. All references to non-
governmental companies or organizations, their services,
products, or resources are offered for informational purposes and
should not be construed as an endorsement by the Department of
Labor. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it
and is intended for individual organizational, non-commercial use
only.
