What Equipment Is Used At Oil Fields?

There has been a lot of focus on oil fields in recent years, particularly related to spills and environmental impact. However, they’re still necessary to power our vehicles, heat our homes, and manufacture goods.

While we might be aware of their adverse impacts, not all of us are aware of what happens at oil fields or what equipment is used to harvest oil. Here are some of the most common equipment you’ll find at an average oil field.

Oil Drilling Rigs

When you hear about any oilfield injury on a news report, you often find that they relate to oil drilling rigs. That’s likely because they are the most commonly used equipment.

These huge rigs consist of multiple pieces of equipment and are burrowed into the subsurface of the earth. Once in there, they extract hydrocarbons, natural gas, and crude oil.

A typical rig has equipment to perform subsurface mineral deposit sampling, tunneling, drilling, and groundwater, soil, and rock testing. Typically, they also have hoisting systems, drill strings, circulating pump systems, and complex parts to work in various environments.

Oilfield Trucks

Oilfield trucks are large vehicles that oilfield employees use to transport rig equipment, workers, and extracted oil and gas. Many different oilfield trucks are available, and all can serve different purposes while having different power levels.

Swab rigs are regularly used to remove fluids from the production zones of wells. Rig workers will reverse swab rigs up to the well and lower a cable into it with a winch. Once in place, the swab rig will move the cable up and down to create bottom-hole pressure.

This pressure causes the natural resources to be pushed to the top, where oilfield workers can remove them. Oil rig workers also use winch trucks to lift and pull heavy objects and vacuum trucks to carry liquids, sludge, and solids.

Premix Tanks

Premix tanks are incredibly important equipment at the average oil rig. They typically have two or three compartments to hold, store, and mix drilling fluids. Most of the time, premix tanks require diesel or electric pumps to operate them.

Lighting Systems

Most oil rig workers might work a standard 40-hour week, but the majority of oilfield operators and companies operate 24 hours a day. This means that exceptional lighting systems can be required to ensure worksites are well-illuminated for health and safety reasons.

Traditionally, the average oil field would have up to a dozen halogen light towers with telescoping abilities up to 25 feet. These would run on diesel and could illuminate a large area.

However, more innovative light sources with LED lights have become commonplace in recent years, including lights that attach directly to the crowns of drilling rigs for nearly 200 yards of illumination.

Vacuum Fluid Retrieval Units

You typically don’t see an oil rig without a vacuum fluid retrieval unit. These units are designed to retrieve synthetic oil drilling fluids and consist of a vacuum collection tank, blower unit, and electric motor with explosion-proof properties. The motor and blower are housed in a sound-proof unit.

A broad range of equipment is used in the average oil field, and you might be surprised by how complex and technologically advanced it is for a task as important as oil drilling.

FAQ

What Is an Oil Drilling Rig and What Does It Do?

An oil drilling rig is a complex piece of machinery used to drill wells into the earth’s surface to extract hydrocarbons, natural gas, and crude oil. It includes components for sampling, drilling, hoisting, and testing various subsurface materials.

What Types of Trucks Are Used in Oil Fields?

Various types of trucks are used in oil fields, including swab rigs for removing fluids from wells, winch trucks for lifting and pulling heavy objects, and vacuum trucks for transporting liquids, sludge, and solids.

What Are Premix Tanks and Why Are They Important?

Premix tanks are used to store and mix drilling fluids at oil rigs. They typically have multiple compartments and require diesel or electric pumps to operate. They are crucial for preparing the fluids necessary for the drilling process.

How Important Is Lighting on an Oil Rig?

Lighting is vital for safety and operational efficiency on an oil rig, especially since many rigs operate 24/7. Traditional halogen light towers and newer LED lights are used to provide adequate illumination in various areas of the rig.

What Are Vacuum Fluid Retrieval Units and What Role Do They Play?

Vacuum fluid retrieval units are used to collect and manage synthetic oil drilling fluids. They consist of a vacuum collection tank, a blower unit, and an electric motor, and are essential for maintaining fluid management on the rig.

How Has Technology Improved the Equipment Used in Oil Fields?

Technology has advanced oil field equipment significantly, with innovations such as LED lighting, more efficient rigs, and advanced vacuum fluid retrieval units improving safety, efficiency, and environmental impact.

What Safety Measures Are in Place for Oil Field Equipment?

Safety measures include explosion-proof motors for equipment, rigorous testing of machinery, and adherence to safety protocols to prevent accidents and ensure the well-being of workers.