Mud pumps are equipments that control and run the hydraulics on a well site. The drilling operation and any other fluid injection operation are not at all possible without the mud pumps. They are equally important as any other equipment in the petroleum industry like casing, BOP, etc. needed to develop a field for healthy oil production. They serve the following functions:
- They are used to pump any fluid into the wellbore required at any time either during drilling or production.
- They overcome the major pressure losses occurring during the circulation of fluids.
- The mud pumps can work over wide pressure ranges occurring inside the wellbore
There has always been a need of oil & gas companies to invest in the mud pumps market as the mud pumps are mandatory for any drilling or injection process. Therefore, the mud pumps are always in need by the oil & gas companies. The mud pumps market is estimated to be valued at XX USD and is expected to grow at a CAGR of XX % with a significant surge in the forecast period.
Mud pumps have the following advantages over any other pumping equipment:
- High efficiency
- No priming needed
- Can deliver water at high pressure
- Continuous rate of discharge
There are two types pf mud pumps used on the rigs:
- Positive Displacement Pumps: Positive displacement type pumps are reciprocating pistons used to deliver the high volumes and high pressures required to circulate mud through the drillstring and up the annulus. The two types of positive displacement pumps used are:
- Triplex Pumps: These pumps have three cylinders and are single acting pumps (i.e. pump on the up-stroke only). They are mostly used in offshore areas. They are considerably lighter, give smooth discharge and is very easy to handle.
- Duplex Pumps: Duplex pumps are the most commonly used pumps in the oil & gas industry. They have two cylinders and are double acting pumps (i.e. pump on both up- and down-stroke only). They are efficient than triplex pumps.
- Centrifugal Pumps: These pumps are low pressure pumps but pump a very high volume. They pump fluid by converting the rotational kinetic energy to hydrodynamic energy of the fluid flow.
A combination of both the positive displacement pumps and centrifugal pumps is present on a drilling rig. When drilling large diameter hole near surface both pumps are connected in parallel to produce high flow rates. The control over pressures during drilling is very much dependent on the mud pumps. Hence, it is very important to select and monitor the pump stroke at which the pump is running. The detailed configuration and working of each type of mud pump is included in our exclusive report.
As discussed, mud pumps are one of the most important equipment on a wellsite. Thus, with increasing drilling or injection operations, the mud pumps market is also being driven. In addition to this, other key market drivers include the cost efficiency provided by the mud pumps, the technical performance and the ability to handle diverse pressure ranges occurring with increase in wellbore depth. The major restraining factors include the hesitation of companies to drill new wells owing to oil price crisis, the large sizes of mud pumps occupying a large area of the rig floor, etc. The opportunities in the market lie in reducing the size of the mud pumps without hampering its performance, increasing the durability of a pump, etc.
As discussed, mud pumps are one of the most important equipment on a wellsite. Thus, with increasing drilling or injection operations, the mud pumps market is also being driven. In addition to this, other key market drivers include the cost efficiency provided by the mud pumps, the technical performance and the ability to handle diverse pressure ranges occurring with increase in wellbore depth. The major restraining factors include the hesitation of companies to drill new wells owing to oil price crisis, the large sizes of mud pumps occupying a large area of the rig floor, etc. The opportunities in the market lie in reducing the size of the mud pumps without hampering its performance, increasing the durability of a pump, etc.