What is a Hydraulic Power Unit for drilling rigs?
What is a Hydraulic Power Unit for drilling rigs?
HPU (Hydraulic Power Unit) for oil drilling is the core component of drilling equipment, providing power for the hydraulic system and driving key equipment such as blowout preventers, winches, and top drives.
Classification of Hydraulic power units
1. Classification by power source
Electric Hydraulic Power Unit (Electric HPU)
Uses electric motor to drive the hydraulic pump, suitable for land drilling platforms or fixed facilities with stable power supply.
Advantages: low noise, simple maintenance, environmental protection.
Disadvantages: dependence on the power grid, limited field operations.
Diesel Engine Hydraulic Power Unit (Diesel HPU)
Driven by a diesel engine, it is suitable for field drilling or offshore platforms without power supply.
Advantages: self-sufficiency and strong mobility.
Disadvantages: loud noise, high emissions, and regular fuel replenishment is required.
Pneumatic/Gas HPU
Driven by natural gas or compressed air, it is commonly found in natural gas fields or specific industrial environments.
Advantages: On-site gas resources can be used.
Disadvantages: Limited power and narrow application scenarios.
2. Classification by hydraulic system type
Open-loop system (Open-loop HPU)
Hydraulic oil is output from the oil tank through the pump and returns to the oil tank after work is performed.
Application: General blowout preventer control, auxiliary equipment.
Features: Simple structure, good heat dissipation, but low efficiency.
Closed-loop system (Closed-loop HPU)
Hydraulic oil circulates between the pump and the actuator, and does not need to be frequently returned to the oil tank.
Application: Top drive and winch systems with high-precision control.
Features: High efficiency and fast response, but complex system and high cost.
3. Classification by use
BOP Control Unit
Designed for well control equipment (such as gate blowout preventers and annular blowout preventers), it must meet API 16D standards and have high reliability and rapid response capabilities.
Features: often equipped with redundant pump groups and accumulators, and supports remote control.
Drilling Equipment Hydraulic Unit (Drilling HPU)
Provides power for top drives, drawworks, iron roughnecks, etc., and needs to adapt to high-frequency start-stop and variable load conditions.
Features: multi-pump combination, adjustable pressure and flow.
Auxiliary Hydraulic Unit (Auxiliary HPU)
Used for auxiliary equipment such as wellhead tools and hydraulic tongs, with low power.
4. Classification by mobility
Fixed Hydraulic Power Unit
Installed on the base of the drilling rig or a fixed platform for long-term operations.
Features: large-capacity fuel tank, high power output.
Mobile hydraulic power unit (Skid-mounted/Trailer HPU)
Integrated on a trailer or skid, easy to relocate, suitable for exploration wells or temporary operations.
Features: compact design, with anti-vibration measures.
5. Classification by control method
Manual control HPU
Directly operated by valves and switches, low cost but poor accuracy.
Electronic control HPU
Adopt PLC or microprocessor control to achieve automatic pressure/flow regulation.
Remote control HPU
Supports wireless or wired remote control, suitable for hazardous areas (such as deep-sea drilling).
6. Special environment adaptability
Explosion-proof HPU
Used in flammable and explosive environments (such as offshore platforms, high-sulfur oil fields), in accordance with ATEX or IECEx standards.
Low-temperature HPU
Equipped with heaters and low-temperature hydraulic oil, suitable for polar or cold regions.
High-pressure HPU
The working pressure can reach more than 70MPa, used for ultra-deep wells or special tools.
Key factors for selection
Power demand: Calculate flow and pressure according to load.
Environmental conditions: temperature, humidity, explosion-proof grade.
Reliability requirements: redundant design, fault self-diagnosis.
Compliance: API 16D, ISO 13628 and other standards.
The design of oil drilling HPU needs to take into account efficiency, safety and adaptability, and the type and configuration need to be flexibly selected under different working conditions.
Supplier of Hydraulic Power Units
Sino MechanicalEquipment provides various types of oil drilling and well repair equipment, such as: Hydraulic Power Unit, Hydraulic Cylinders, hydraulic power tongs, casing Elevator / Spiders, etc. Located in Shengli Oilfield, the second largest oilfield in China, it has rich experience in oil drilling equipment supply and drilling services.
