Oil Well Intervention: More Oil from your Well

With the increasing energy demands of the modern world, a lot of oil companies want to maximize the amount of oil they can get from wells. Oil wells may seem like durable and tough pieces of equipment, however they are actually a lot more delicate than people think. For example, a reduction in productivity from a well may cause its tubing to be less stable. Moreover, corrosion and wear-and-tear may reduce a well’s production. This is where an oil well intervention may be needed.

Well intervention comes in various forms to restore an oil well’s production. It comes in several forms:

The Biggest Things Ever Moved on the Road

Man has moved countless things on the road. But what if those loads were supersized? Would it be impossible for people to move cargo that weighs hundreds of tons on the road? Not with specialized heavy haul trailers around.

A space shuttle – NASA’s Space Shuttle Endeavor, the successor to the ill-fated Challenger, was transported on a heavy haul trailer 12 miles from LAX to the California Science Center in Inglewood where it stays on display today.

Facts about Concrete Batching Plants

The modern world can barely exist without concrete. It is the structure that makes up a huge portion of every construction made today. So what makes concrete so sturdy and dependable that no structure of importance (or of lesser interest) is without it?

Aggregates

Essentially, concrete is a mixture of two components: aggregates and paste. The former is the main component that determines the strength, durability, and flexibility of the concrete, whereas the former binds it all together into a solid mass. Modern aggregates include various types of components, such as gravel and stone. Cement serves as the primary paste material.

Advancements in Oil Drilling Technology

The oil industry is essentially the most demanding infrastructure today, with hundreds of other industries depending on the main or by-products the oil industry produces for these companies’ survival. Thankfully, technological advancements over the past century or so have moved in leaps and bounds, allowing oil drilling to remain one of the most efficient ways to gather fossil fuel.

What it’s like to Work as an Oil Rig Worker

Drilling rigs explore new areas to tap for oil. They operate 24/7 and whoever is working on them will most likely be moving to a new place every few months. While working on a drilling rig can be rewarding, it is not for everyone. Here are a few things one can expect:

When Your Trailer Just Needs More Wheels

When transporting heavy loads, the difference between success and failure can sometimes come down to the number of wheels on your flatbed or lowboy trailer. The greater the number of wheels on a vehicle, the better its weight distribution, so having more wheels definitely counts as an advantage when you’re tasked to haul exceptionally heavy loads.

Using Quality to Battle Increasing Building Costs

While the amount of space is finite, there will always be a constant need to build new buildings and other structures. If not to occupy available land, building is commonly done to replace or renovate an older structure.

Unfortunately, while the technologies and methods in building have advanced greatly, inflation has not made the cost of doing so any cheaper. Establishing a great structure always means investing money, and not spending the right amount may lead in a compromise in structural integrity.

Drawworks: Why the Oil Field Industry Needs Them

As technical as they may sound, various types of oil field transportation and heavy haul equipment all play vital roles in ensuring success in these industries. Drawworks is just one of the many forms of heavy duty equipment that carry a huge responsibility when it comes to drilling requirements. But what essentially are drawworks and how do they actually work?

Safety in Oilfield Sites

In any oil extraction field, it is rather easy to spot the workover rig. This large piece of machinery is attached to a trailer that is then driven by a cab to different work sites. Workover rigs are oftentimes mistaken for drilling rigs.

However, there is a notable difference. Simply put, drilling rigs are used to punch holes on the ground. Workover rigs, on the other hand, enter the picture after drilling rigs have completed their job. The latter are responsible for installing casing tools that are needed for constructing wells.

Workover rigs vary in terms of mass and horsepower, features that matter in terms of the depth requirements and job specifications. In any case, workover rigs must meet all quality standards to avoid accidents due to malfunctions. Critical parts that need repairs or replacements also deserve prompt attention.

Meanwhile, safety guidelines extend to both the equipment and its operators. Back in 2013, an oilfield worker got into an accident by mistaking a safety chain for a floor chain. The fact that he was wearing a safety helmet at the time did not at all spare him from the unfortunate event. In short, quality equipment should always go hand-in-hand with proper use in any oil extraction operation.

Factors to Consider for Mobile Concrete Plants

The ready mixed concrete manufacturing industry yields an estimated $30 billion in product value, according to the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA). If you want to be part of this lucrative sector, you may want to consider operating mobile concrete plants. By using the right equipment and methods in keeping with regulations, you can generate a healthy and steady income stream.

Securing permits

Aside from acquiring the standard business authorizations, you have to obtain special permits from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Since concrete batching produces gas emissions, it is regulated to limit harmful effects on the environment. Make sure that the materials and equipment you use are in line with EPA standards

Maintaining consistency

Your business can only be successful if your products are of excellent quality. Construction companies want only suitable materials for their projects, and you can expect them to be repeat clients only if you sell high-grade concrete. Make sure that you use equipment specified for ready mixed concrete production. Look for heavy haul trailers that allow you to transport and maintain the quality of your heavy machines and products.

Employing professionals

You also need to maintain a competent team of professionals. Highly skilled people should operate your equipment and supervise your manufacturing and delivery processes. These individuals can contribute immensely to the success of your mobile concrete plant business.

Producing Blast-Resistant Concrete

If you travel to Normandy in France, you'll still see the remains of the German bunkers used in the failed attempt to hold the beaches during D-Day. On another note, the bunker deep inside the Cheyenne Mountains is designed to withstand a nuclear blast equivalent to 1,875 Hiroshima bombs. What makes both structures tough enough to withstand the test of time?

Part of the secret lies in the quality of the concrete used. This simple mixture of cement, water, rocks, sand, and air creates a composite material known to be not only long-lasting but tough. Provided that the right mix is achieved, buildings can benefit from the strength and endurance of this material, which has been around since Roman times.

To avoid miscalculating concrete mixes, contractors normally set up concrete batch plants on site. These massive mixing systems provide cement trucks with the right concrete mix for various applications. As there's no universally accepted recipe, the task of achieving the right mix still falls upon the operator. The system will, however, take into account calculations like the water/cement ratio.

The mixture is then loaded onto a cement truck at the distribution station. Thereafter, the truck will keep the mix fluid until it reaches the site, where it will be casted onto the framework.

Land-Based Drilling Still Dominant

The Gulf Coast accounts for a tenth of total U.S. oil production. However, America's status as a major oil producer can also be attributed to its land basins.

The largest concentration of oil and gas fields can be found in three major areas. The first one, the Appalachian basin, stretches from the southern coasts of Lakes Erie and Ontario all the way to the southern edge of Kentucky. The other two areas can be found within Texas, with one stretching from the Mexico-U.S. border to the tip of Alabama.

The immense activity in these fields is fueled by the simplicity of land-based drilling. The rigs used at these sites are smaller than most oil rigs, but they're easy to set up and operate. Such a rig may be no larger than a house, helping prospectors save on construction and maintenance costs. In addition, looking for oil on land doesn't require a system as complex as a drillship.

That said, a simple land-based rig is complex in its own right. After all, this system consists of various parts and equipment working together to establish new wells in response to increasing demand for fossil fuel. For instance, the drawworks controls the depth of the drill bit and pulls it out when the drilling rig hits jackpot.

Safety Reminders When Squeezing Cement

There are many reasons why squeezing cement may be necessary. Although the reasons are different, the safety protocols remain the same. Regardless of where you are in your career as a workover rig worker, a refresher course on safety is a good thing. With that in mind, here are a few safety reminders to remember when working:

Pressure Buildup

When squeezing cement, the primary concern is the immense pressure the process generates, as the added pressure could ruin equipment. Ideally, one person should be dedicated to monitoring the pressure at all times. You should also make sure that all connections and equipment ratings have been tested properly, so as to avoid equipment failure and damage.

Personal Protective Equipment

The cement pumped into the well is an extreme irritant, so make sure that you are outfitted with the proper personal protective equipment. The less skin exposed, the better. In particular, you should prioritize wraparound goggles when squeezing cement, as getting cement in the eyes could cause permanent damage.

It takes both a personal and collective effort to keep your colleagues and yourself safe when working. Do your part by adhering to the safety reminders above, and don’t be afraid to remind your co-workers if you notice that they are not complying.

Stuff to secure on Lowboys

Heavy haul trailers such as the so-called “lowboy” models are often a boon to companies seeking transport of a large volume of materials. As their name implies, the main cargo bed is already machined to be more aligned with the trailer wheels’ axles, allowing for a lower center of gravity. Some sellers have models of between 55 tons to 60 tons. The design helps in the ease of loading, but the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has limited the types of materials that can be loaded onto lowboys. Here are a couple of them:

Vehicles

A lowboy trailer may have space for at least one vehicle, whether it’s an automobile, van, or light truck, as long as they each weigh no more than 10,000 pounds. However, if each vehicle’s weight is above the specified limit, especially for heavy machines, extra care is needed to secure it well. Machines with articulated parts, such as backhoes and cranes, should be locked down to prevent movement in transit.

Pipes

Pipes on low-boys provide a spiffy challenge for transport crews. When several pipes are bundled together on the bed, they must be adequately tied down to prevent them from rolling while in transit. The tie-downs must have an aggregate working load limit that is equal to at least half the total weight of all pipes.

Lowboy trailers provide adequate stability for materials during road transit. Proper stowage will add to the stability.

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What are Concrete Batch Plants?

Colloquially known as concrete mixing plants, these are the places where concrete is manufactured. The process involved in creating concrete is called batching, hence the name, which is comprised of cement being mixed with coarse aggregate (graded crush) and fine aggregate (sand, particularly pit sand), as well as with water.

There are two main types of concrete batch plants, namely the ready-mix and central mix ones. Ready-mix plants involve the combination of all abovementioned ingredients, with the exception of water. Here, the so-called “dry” mixture will be loaded onto a ready mix or concrete transport truck and dispatched to the site where mixing is required. Afterwards, water will then be added to the dry mixture during the actual journey to the mixing site.

On the other hand, central mix plants are a bit of a contrast – in here, either all or some of the dry ingredients will be combined. Then, water will also be added while the mixture is still held in the central location. Afterwards, the now-wet mixture is transported to the subsequent mixing site.

Nowadays, it’s not all about traditional methods as computers are now prevalent and ever-present in batch plants. A vast majority of these plants are now equipped with an array of computers to guide the concrete processing, allowing for a faster, more accurate mixing of ingredients.

Parts of an Oil Drilling Rig

Offshore oil drilling rigs stand as massive structures usually found in the middle of a vast sea without any land mass around. These giants pump petroleum from off the ground for processing and transport to refineries, where oil is refined for various purposes. Here are some of the most essential parts of the drill rig:

Drawworks

Drawworks (or draw-works) refers to the hoisting mechanism that raises and lowers traveling blocks for the rig. Modern drawworks are made up of five components: the motor, reduction gear, drums, main brake, and auxiliary brake. They can either be powered by a DC or AC motor, or connected directly to external diesel engines via metal belts.

Drill Line and String

The drill line is the sturdy wire rope that is threaded and reeved through blocks, and is used to facilitate the lowering and raising of the main drill string in and out of the wellbore. The string on the other hand, is a column of drill pipes that transmits fluid and torque into the drill bit. Its other components include the bottom hole assembly and transition pipe.

Derrick

The derrick is the machine that’s responsible for lifting the entire rig’s drill mechanism. It can either be a tower or a guyed mast that’s hinged freely at the bottom. The oil derrick also contains the mechanism for turning the drill bit into the hole or wellbore.

Common Pointers on Batch Plant Maintenance

A concrete batch plant is an asset to the construction industry. Whether you have a ready-mix or central-mix affair, the plant will be there when you need to generate a fresh supply of concrete for various uses. However, even big machines like them break down from time to time, warranting maintenance solutions to keep them running. There are a number of cardinal points to consider.

First, you must draft a schedule for maintenance operations at the plant. The work will entail checking the plant from top to bottom, including inspections of the air system and filters, bearings, and the belts. The inspections themselves should be logged down for future reference.

Any loose bearings should be replaced immediately so as not to disrupt operations at the plant; the new blades must also be properly lubricated. The batching blades must be secure in their fittings while any liquid transfer pipes are to be drained of fluid and cleaned after every use.

When you purchase the batch plant, consult your seller about purchasing a stock of spare parts and storing them on site. You can arrange for new supplies later on. The move enables immediate action on emergency repairs with what you have on hand.

Preventive maintenance of the concrete batch plant is what will save your business in the long run. It will also save you a lot of money in the process.