Modify mud pump operation to reduce maintenance. [Method to reduce abrasion in well-drilling mud pumps]

Journal Article · Thu Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1993 · World Oil; (United States)

OSTI ID:6128897

Miller, J E ^[1]

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1. White Rock Engineering, Inc., Dallas, TX (United States)

The following proposal is based heavily on exponential wear' functions. By simply slowing the main pump down to half rated speed and compensating with the other standby' pump at the same speed, each pump contributes an equal share of required output. This results in remarkable parts life increase, approaching well over twice that of conventional two pump standby' operations (one running and one standby) on typical rig systems. The corresponding reduction in mechanical maintenance is worth noting considering that, presently, the cost of pump parts may reach about $1 million over the life of two drilling rig mud pumps. A single pump operated at reduced speed exhibits enormous parts life increase, but a second pump is needed to make up required output. Even though the number of parts is doubled there is still a relevant economic benefit from increasing parts life.

• OSTI ID: 6128897
• Journal Information: World Oil; (United States), Vol. 214:7; ISSN 0043-8790
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
02 PETROLEUM
03 NATURAL GAS
DRILLING EQUIPMENT
ABRASION
PUMPS
SERVICE LIFE
WEAR RESISTANCE
CIRCULATING SYSTEMS
DRILLING FLUIDS
EFFICIENCY
MAINTENANCE
OPERATION
OPTIMIZATION
PUMPING
WEAR
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
LIFETIME
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
422000* - Engineering- Mining & Underground Engineering- (1980-)
020300 - Petroleum- Drilling & Production
030300 - Natural Gas- Drilling
Production
& Processing