Well Services refer to a department in any petroleum company that handles things related to existing wells. Most companies prefer having shared services for all or some of their assets since it allows them to pool the resources and talent for managing the well.
Sometimes, well servicing also encompasses suppliers and the wells department of the operating company. Even if an oil or gas well is fully functional, it can start experiencing problems at any time.
Therefore, a well services department has to be always in action to take care of these issues. The department consists of a team with a supervisor. These people are well-trained for everything from coiled tubing to wellhead maintenance.
The services this department provides are called well servicing. Thus, they need well servicing engines for efficient performance and operation.
What Are Well Servicing Engines?
Well Servicing engines are the engines used by the wells department of any petroleum company for different operations, including:
- Acidizing units
- Hydraulic power units
- Kill mud pumps
- Workover rigs
- Pressure pumping
- Blending
- Cementing units
These engines are equipped with Tier 4 technology because they’re top of the line in most cases. They must be robust enough to meet the industry’s requirements but also not emit an abundance of emissions, keeping the environment pollution-free.
Since well servicing operations are quite demanding in terms of reliability, power, and performance, the department needs engines that can meet the tough requirements.
In most cases, these engines have diesel-hydraulic drive applications to ensure efficient performance. Manufacturers also include emissions-reducing technologies in these engines, including rail injection and exhaust gas recirculation.
Therefore, these engines are in line with the Tier 4 emission standards dictated by the EPA. Here are some broad characteristics of all well servicing engines:
- Durability: Well servicing engines are reliable and durable since they can be required at any time. They must be able to withstand extreme conditions since that’s where they’re mostly used.
- Low Operational Costs: Moreover, manufacturers use modern technologies to ensure low fuel consumption by well servicing engines.
- Compact Design: While some well servicing engines are installed into existing equipment, others become a part of new applications. In both cases, the design must be compact.
- Efficient: The efficiency of a well servicing engine is not just shown by its quality of work but also by the reduction in harmful emissions.
Overview Of A Well Servicing Engine
Currently, there are many manufacturers making and supplying well servicing engines globally. All engines manufactured by these companies have different specifications and are specialized for different functions.
However, all engines have a certain power and torque. Plus, they have a certain level of certification as per the EPA’s standards. For instance, let’s take a look at the QSL9 engine from Cummins.
The engine has 250-400 horsepower with a torque of 1200-1200 lb-ft. It can be used for multiple applications, such as agriculture, the oil and gas industry, construction, mining, rail engines, and well servicing. Moreover, it has Tier 4 standards certification.
Importance Of Tier 4 Certification
The US Environmental Protection Agency planned on making all generators and engines emission-free – or near-zero-emissions in the real sense.
In simple words, it means manufacturers should incorporate certain technologies in their engines that lower the emissions of harmful gases in the air. Besides having lower emissions, these engines should also have higher efficiency.
Basically, they use less fuel to do more work while producing little to no emissions, such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxide.
Features Of A Well Servicing Engine
Although all well servicing engines are made different, they have the same base technology. Here are some features you’ll find in high-end engines, such as the one from Cummins discussed above.
- Electronic Controls: Most engines have an Electronic Control Module that controls different operations such as the air intake and the aftertreatment. Since it’s fully integrated, it allows the engine to optimize performance.
- High-Pressure Fuel System: A high-pressure fuel system further increases the efficiency of the engine since it lowers fuel consumption and raises power output. Moreover, this fuel system also lowers the vibration and noise produced by an engine.
- Air System: Some well servicing engines have a flat profile, making airflow easier. Plus, such systems have a longer interval for filter change and offer better protection.
- Low Emission Systems: To stay in line with the Tier 4 standards, well servicing engines need to have low emission systems. Many of these systems have aftertreatment technologies that are engineered to improve performance without raising emissions.
- Exhaust Gas Recirculation: It’s one of the technologies using which manufacturers lower their carbon footprint. Exhaust gas recirculation lowers operational costs while improving fuel efficiency. As a result, there are lesser greenhouse emissions.
- Compactness: Many well servicing engines experience space constraints during installation. Therefore, they must have a compact size and shape. Owing to this, the manufacturers can add aftertreatment technologies in several configurations, such as vertical, horizontal, and switchback.
Choosing Well Servicing Engines
Well servicing engines are not only expensive but also have a complex installation. Thus, it’s crucial to entirely determine your needs before investing in such an engine.
Make sure the engine you choose follows Tier 4 standards. Fortunately, most manufacturers around the world are working on near-zero emissions, so it wouldn’t be hard to find such an engine.
More importantly, the manufacturers should offer full-time global support since it’s integral for the smooth functioning of well servicing engines. Some companies also have distributors for their engines’ parts in different locations worldwide.
It’s better to purchase well servicing engines from such companies, especially if you’re working overseas.
Conclusion
Well servicing engines are robust machines that are used in different equipment, such as air compressors, wheel leaders, excavators, air compressors, and heavy forklifts. Therefore, they must be well-made enough to perform their job well.
Moreover, these engines should be in accordance with the Tier 4 standards to minimize emissions and avoid air pollution. While most companies are eventually getting closer to near-zero emissions, the process is still underway.
Therefore, it’s important to choose a manufacturer with a keen focus on lowering emissions as the EPA has mandated all generators and engines to be Tier 4.
