drilling rig mud pump knocking sound brands

My first days as an MWD field tech I heard horror stories surrounding what is commonly referred to as “pump noise”. I quickly identified the importance of learning to properly identify this “noise”. From the way it was explained to me, this skill might prevent the company you work from losing a job with an exploration company, satisfy your supervisor or even allow you to become regarded as hero within your organization if you’ve proven yourself handy at this skill.

“Pump noise” is a reference to an instability in surface pressure created by the mud pumps on a modern drilling rig, often conflated with any pressure fluctuation at a similar frequency to pulses generated by a mud pulser, but caused by a source external to the mud pulser. This change in pressure is what stands in the way of the decoder properly understanding what the MWD tool is trying to communicate. For the better part of the first year of learning my role I wrongly assumed that all “noise” would be something audible to the human ear, but this is rarely the case.

In an ideal drilling environment surface pressure will remain steady and all pressure increases, and decreases will be gradual. This way, when the pulser valve closes(pulses), it’s easily detectable on surface by computers. Unfortunately drilling environments are rarely perfect and there are many things that can emulate a pulse thus causing poor or inaccurate data delivery to surface. The unfortunate circumstance of this means drilling operations must come to halt until data can once again be decoded on surface. This pause in the drilling process is commonly referred to at NPT or non-productive time. For those of you unfamiliar these concepts, I’ll explain some of the basics.

A mud pulser is a valve that briefly inhibits flow of drilling fluid traveling through the drill string, creating a sharp rise and fall of pressure seen on surface, also known as a “pulse”.

Depending on if the drilling fluid is being circulated in closed or open loop, it will be drawn from a tank or a plastic lined reservoir by a series(or one) mud pumps and channeled into the stand pipe, which runs up the derrick to the Kelly-hose, through the saver sub and down the drill-pipe(drill-string). Through the filter screen past an agitator or exciter, around the MWD tool, through a mud motor and out of the nozzles in the bit. At this point the fluid begins it’s journey back to the drilling rig through the annulus, past the BOP then out of the flow line and either over the shale shakers and/or back in the fluid reservoir.

Developing a firm grasp on these fundamentals were instrumental in my success as a field technician and an effective troubleshooter. As you can tell, there are a lot of components involved in this conduit which a mud pulser telemeters through. The way in which many of these components interact with the drilling fluid can suddenly change in ways that slightly create sharp changes in pressure, often referred to as “noise”. This “noise” creates difficulty for the decoder by suddenly reducing or increasing pressure in a manner that the decoder interprets a pulse. To isolate these issues, you must first acknowledge potential of their existence. I will give few examples of some of these instances below:

Suction screens on intake hoses will occasionally be too large, fail or become unfastened thus allowing large debris in the mud system. Depending on the size of debris and a little bit of luck it can end up in an area that will inhibit flow, circumstantially resulting in a sudden fluctuation of pressure.

Any solid form of drilling fluid additive, if improperly or inconsistently mixed, can restrict the flow path of the fluid resulting in pressure increase. Most notably this can happen at the pulser valve itself, but it is not the only possible outcome. Several other parts of this system can be affected as well. LCM or loss of circulation material is by far the most common additive, but the least overlooked. It’s important for an MWD technician to be aware of what’s being added into the drilling fluid regardless if LCM isn’t present. Through the years I have seen serval other improperly mixed additives cause a litany of pressure related issues.

This specifically is a term used to refer to the mud motor stator rubber deterioration, tearing into small pieces and passing through the nozzles of the bit. Brief spikes in pressure as chunks of rubber pass through one or more nozzles of the bit can often be wrongly interpreted as pulses.

Sometimes when mud is displaced or a pump suction isn’t completely submerged, tiny air bubbles are introduced into the drilling fluid. Being that air compresses and fluid does not, pulses can be significantly diminished and sometimes non-existent.

As many of you know the downhole mud motor is what enables most drilling rigs to steer a well to a targeted location. The motor generates bit RPM by converting fluid velocity to rotor/bit RPM, otherwise known as hydraulic horsepower. Anything downhole that interacts with the bit will inevitably affect surface pressure. One of the most common is bit weight. As bit weight is increased, so does surface pressure. It’s important to note that consistent weight tends to be helpful to the decoder by increasing the amplitude of pulses, but inconsistent bit weight, depending on frequency of change, can negatively affect decoding. Bit bounce, bit bite and inconsistent weight transfer can all cause pressure oscillation resulting in poor decoding. Improper bit speed or bit type relative to a given formation are other examples of possible culprits as well.

Over time mud pump components wear to the point failure. Pump pistons(swabs), liners, valves and valve seats are all necessary components for generating stable pressure. These are the moving parts on the fluid side of the pump and the most frequent point of failure. Another possible culprit but less common is an inadequately charged pulsation dampener. Deteriorating rubber hoses anywhere in the fluid path, from the mud pump to the saver sub, such as a kelly-hose, can cause an occasional pressure oscillation.

If I could change one thing about today’s directional drilling industry, it would be eliminating the term “pump noise”. The misleading term alone has caused confusion for countless people working on a drilling rig. On the other hand, I’m happy to have learned these lessons the hard way because they seem engrained into my memory. As technology improves, so does the opportunities for MWD technology companies to provide useful solutions. Solutions to aid MWD service providers to properly isolate or overcome the challenges that lead to decoding issues. As an industry we have come a lot further from when I had started, but there is much left to be desired. I’m happy I can use my experiences by contributing to an organization capable of acknowledging and overcoming these obstacles through the development of new technology.

I recently visited a well-known copper mine that had contacted us after hearing some irregular noises coming from their brand new pump. The noises were obviously causing them some panic, especially with it being from a new pump. They were convinced the sounds were being caused by either a bearing issue or the impeller rubbing.

After arriving on site, we started up the pump again and that noise they had mentioned over the phone was very much alive and present, but after years of experience listening to equipment I was not convinced it was the impeller or the bearings. There was no knocking or rubbing sounds like you would hear if it were the impeller. The bearings weren’t making any unusual noises such as grinding and their temperatures were normal. If the bearing temperatures are in the 160-180 degrees Fahrenheit range, then it’s safe to say you likely don’t have a bearing issue.

I asked them to remove the belt guard and check the tension on the belts. (This is where I will note that the factory typically does not ship pumps with belts and sheaves installed, as was the case here. The customer was sent these items as part of the shipment and they were installed on site by the customer).

When we checked the tension of the belts on site, sure enough the belts were slack. I asked them to tighten the belts, put the belt guard back on and try again. The noise was gone and the pump has been running great ever since.

This story is a great reminder to us all. First of all, it is good policy to check the tension on your belts every 3-4 months. New belts will stretch as they run and will need to be adjusted frequently to ensure proper tension. Secondly, as was the case with this customer, noises can be caused by many factors on a pump. Sometimes if you are unsure and before spending lots of money renting equipment like cranes to lift a pump out of a sump or putting yourself through a costly downtime situation while you chase a mysterious problem, start from the top (at the belts). It could save you a ton of cash. The tool I use to measure the tension of belts is called a Gates Belt Tension gauge/tool. It comes with a paper that has a formula and chart as to how much tension should be on the belt.

If you have a pump problem you’d like me to weigh in on or any questions, I’d love to hear them. If you want me to come and check out a pump issue you’re having on site – feel free to call or email.

The 2,200-hp mud pump for offshore applications is a single-acting reciprocating triplex mud pump designed for high fluid flow rates, even at low operating speeds, and with a long stroke design. These features reduce the number of load reversals in critical components and increase the life of fluid end parts.

The pump’s critical components are strategically placed to make maintenance and inspection far easier and safer. The two-piece, quick-release piston rod lets you remove the piston without disturbing the liner, minimizing downtime when you’re replacing fluid parts.

Mud pumps are reciprocation plunging pumps that are used in several drilling operations. Mud pumps are commonly employed to circulate the drilling fluid on a drilling rig. They are the important parts of any oil rig drilling operation.

Mud pumps can be divided into two categories based on the completion times of the suction and drainage in one cycle of the piston’s reciprocating motion. Mud pumps usually come in a large variety of pumping capacities and operation methods. The most preferred are triplex and quintuplex pumps. The name triplex or quintuplex refers to the number of pistons or plungers. Triplex pumps have three pistons whereas quintuplex pumps have five. However, hex pumps which have six pistons, are also being increasingly used because of their extended features and advantages. Even so, quintuplex pumps dominate the industry. The increased number of pistons results in enhanced pumping capacity and efficiency.

Despite the higher number of pistons, these pumps are not inherently complex. Quintuplex pumps have a simple design and are easy to maintain. This is also because of the evolution of technology in the drilling industry driven by the ever-increasing demand for crude oil and natural gas.

Shalepumps is based in Houston, Texas and supplies superior pumping equipment globally. We offer quality drilling mud pumps along with completion units for contractors and well service companies. Some characteristics of the drilling mud pumps provided by us are explained here.

These high-performance pumps can deliver stable fluid flow with no over-current, and pulsation. The fluid is also stirred and has a shear slurry phenomenon

The discharge pressure generated by these pumps is also irrelevant to the flow speed. The handler can adjust the displacement by a shifting mechanism or motor

When choosing a size and type of mud pump for your drilling project, there are several factors to consider. These would include not only cost and size of pump that best fits your drilling rig, but also the diameter, depth and hole conditions you are drilling through. I know that this sounds like a lot to consider, but if you are set up the right way before the job starts, you will thank me later.

Recommended practice is to maintain a minimum of 100 to 150 feet per minute of uphole velocity for drill cuttings. Larger diameter wells for irrigation, agriculture or municipalities may violate this rule, because it may not be economically feasible to pump this much mud for the job. Uphole velocity is determined by the flow rate of the mud system, diameter of the borehole and the diameter of the drill pipe. There are many tools, including handbooks, rule of thumb, slide rule calculators and now apps on your handheld device, to calculate velocity. It is always good to remember the time it takes to get the cuttings off the bottom of the well. If you are drilling at 200 feet, then a 100-foot-per-minute velocity means that it would take two minutes to get the cuttings out of the hole. This is always a good reminder of what you are drilling through and how long ago it was that you drilled it. Ground conditions and rock formations are ever changing as you go deeper. Wouldn’t it be nice if they all remained the same?

Centrifugal-style mud pumps are very popular in our industry due to their size and weight, as well as flow rate capacity for an affordable price. There are many models and brands out there, and most of them are very good value. How does a centrifugal mud pump work? The rotation of the impeller accelerates the fluid into the volute or diffuser chamber. The added energy from the acceleration increases the velocity and pressure of the fluid. These pumps are known to be very inefficient. This means that it takes more energy to increase the flow and pressure of the fluid when compared to a piston-style pump. However, you have a significant advantage in flow rates from a centrifugal pump versus a piston pump. If you are drilling deeper wells with heavier cuttings, you will be forced at some point to use a piston-style mud pump. They have much higher efficiencies in transferring the input energy into flow and pressure, therefore resulting in much higher pressure capabilities.

Piston-style mud pumps utilize a piston or plunger that travels back and forth in a chamber known as a cylinder. These pumps are also called “positive displacement” pumps because they literally push the fluid forward. This fluid builds up pressure and forces a spring-loaded valve to open and allow the fluid to escape into the discharge piping of the pump and then down the borehole. Since the expansion process is much smaller (almost insignificant) compared to a centrifugal pump, there is much lower energy loss. Plunger-style pumps can develop upwards of 15,000 psi for well treatments and hydraulic fracturing. Centrifugal pumps, in comparison, usually operate below 300 psi. If you are comparing most drilling pumps, centrifugal pumps operate from 60 to 125 psi and piston pumps operate around 150 to 300 psi. There are many exceptions and special applications for drilling, but these numbers should cover 80 percent of all equipment operating out there.

The restriction of putting a piston-style mud pump onto drilling rigs has always been the physical size and weight to provide adequate flow and pressure to your drilling fluid. Because of this, the industry needed a new solution to this age-old issue.

As the senior design engineer for Ingersoll-Rand’s Deephole Drilling Business Unit, I had the distinct pleasure of working with him and incorporating his Centerline Mud Pump into our drilling rig platforms.

In the late ’90s — and perhaps even earlier —  Ingersoll-Rand had tried several times to develop a hydraulic-driven mud pump that would last an acceptable life- and duty-cycle for a well drilling contractor. With all of our resources and design wisdom, we were unable to solve this problem. Not only did Miller provide a solution, thus saving the size and weight of a typical gear-driven mud pump, he also provided a new offering — a mono-cylinder mud pump. This double-acting piston pump provided as much mud flow and pressure as a standard 5 X 6 duplex pump with incredible size and weight savings.

The true innovation was providing the well driller a solution for their mud pump requirements that was the right size and weight to integrate into both existing and new drilling rigs. Regardless of drill rig manufacturer and hydraulic system design, Centerline has provided a mud pump integration on hundreds of customer’s drilling rigs. Both mono-cylinder and duplex-cylinder pumps can fit nicely on the deck, across the frame or even be configured for under-deck mounting. This would not be possible with conventional mud pump designs.

Centerline stuck with their original design through all of the typical trials and tribulations that come with a new product integration. Over the course of the first several years, Miller found out that even the best of the highest quality hydraulic cylinders, valves and seals were not truly what they were represented to be. He then set off on an endeavor to bring everything in-house and began manufacturing all of his own components, including hydraulic valves. This gave him complete control over the quality of components that go into the finished product.

The second generation design for the Centerline Mud Pump is expected later this year, and I believe it will be a true game changer for this industry. It also will open up the application to many other industries that require a heavier-duty cycle for a piston pump application.

The article presents selected technical issues relating to drilling performed by a drillship, one type of drilling rigs. Basic problems encountered in the main function of such rigs − drilling a well − are failures of mud pumps. The authors investigate these pumps in operational conditions, aiming at development of a system for monitoring the technical condition of these pumps. Work on a diagnostic system is in progress that will permit to predict the condition of mud pump valves well in…Expand

American Augers mud pumps are standardstand-alone, self-powered machines thatare the perfect accessories to use with mudmotors, large reamers or whenever moremud volume is needed down hole.* Optional Quiet Pak for optimum noise reduction controlP-600 and P-750 Mud Pumps• allow the operator to get enoughflow to keep the bore flushed cleanof cuttings• are designed with a compact skidmounting and provide a smallfootprint that are ideal for mostdrilling environments.• are compatible with any drill brandmaking them suitable for contractorsoperating a variety of sizes, makesand models of drilling equipment.www.AmericanAugers.com

P-600Mud PumpTypical Flow Rates for Popular Size Mud MotorsBe sure to allow enough extra mud flow to flood the boreMUD MOTOR SIZEFLOW RATE/MINUTEInches Millimeters U.S. Gallons Liters3 3/8 85.72 30 - 120 113.6 - 454.23 1/2 88.9 75 - 160 283.9 - 605.74 3/4 120.6 100 - 250 378.5 - 946.46 3/4 171.4 300 - 600 1,136 - 2,271

What Type of Contractor Should Use aMud Pump?• Users of drilling equipment withpumping capacities of 25 U.S.Gallons (95 L)/minute or largerregardless of soil type or conditions.• Drillers typically making bores thatare greater than 6 1/2 in. (165 mm)diameter and more than 200 ft.(61 m) long.• Owners of mud motors for rockdrilling applications.• Operators in areas where muddisposal is expensive or restricted.Both the P-600 and the P-750should be considered when workingin rock formations where the operatingdrill"s on-board mud pump has fluidlimitedcapacities and cannot produceenough pressure to drive the mud motor.www.AmericanAugers.com

MUD MOTOR SIZEP-750Mud PumpTypical Flow Rates for Popular Size Mud MotorsBe sure to allow enough extra mud flow to flood the boreFLOW RATE/MINUTEInches Millimeters U.S. Gallons Liters3 3/8 85.72 30 - 120 113.6 - 454.23 1/2 88.9 75 - 160 283.9 - 605.74 3/4 120.6 100 - 250 378.5 - 946.46 3/4 171.4 300 - 600 1,136 - 2,2718 203.2 400 - 900 1,514 - 3,407

P-600PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONSPower TrainEngine:Caterpillar ® C-15 Tier III Diesel* Tier III or Tier 4i determined by country of purchaseFuel Capacity: 300 U.S. Gallons (1,136 L)Rating:475 HP (354 kW)Transmission: Eaton-FRO-16210B, 10 speedMaximum Speed: 2100 RPMClutch:15 1 /2 in. (394 mm) twin diskNoise Rating: 1 meter distance 104 dB(A)3 meter distance 95 dB(A)Battery:(2) Deka 908DMF 12V, 1450 CCAPumpPump Design:Maximum Pressure:Rated Capacity:Bore x Stroke:Tri-Plex 600GPM1,505 psi (104 bar)600 U.S. Gallons* (2,067 L)/minute6 x 6 in. (152.4 x 152.4 mm)* Note: Pump capacity will vary depending on the overall mud weight,drilling fluid mixture/content and working elevationControlsRemote Controls:Instruments:Mud pump throttle, Mud pump start/stop,clutch actuator, horn remoteDigital mud flow meter (gallons/liters per minute)DimensionsLength: 20 ft. (6.096 m)Height: 9 ft. (2.7 m)Width: 8 ft. (2.49 m)WeightTotal Weight:29,800 lbs. (13,520 kg) estimated39,600 lbs. (17,962 kg) with sound enclosureAccessoriesPulsation dampener on inlet and discharge(2) 25 ft. (7.6 m) suction hoses with 6 in. (152.4 mm)kamlock fittings(2) 25 ft. (7.6 m) discharge hoses with 3 in. (76.2 mm)NPT hammer unionsLiner wash system with supply tank(2) 24 volt work lights* Note: All product performance specifications,components, weights, dimensions and otherrelated information is subject to change withoutnotice from the manufacturer.

P-750PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONSPower TrainEngine:Caterpillar ® C-18 Tier III Diesel* Tier III or Tier 4i determined by country of purchaseFuel Capacity: 300 U.S. Gallons (1,136 L)Rating:600 HP (447 kW)Transmission: Eaton-RTLO-22918B, 10 speedMaximum Speed: 2100 RPMClutch:15 1 /2 in. (394 mm) twin diskNoise Rating: 1 meter distance 104 dB(A)3 meter distance 95 dB(A)Battery:(2) Deka 908DMF 12V, 1450 CCAPumpPump Design:Maximum Pressure:Rated Capacity:Bore x Stroke:Quintiplex, piston and liner1,500 psi (103 bar)750 U.S. Gallons* (2,839 L)/minute5 1 /2 x 7 7 /8 in. (139.7 x 200 mm)* Note: Pump capacity will vary depending on the overall mud weight,drilling fluid mixture/content and working elevationControlsRemote Controls:Instruments:Mud pump throttle, Mud pump start/stop,clutch actuator, horn remoteDigital mud flow meter (gallons/liters per minute)DimensionsLength: 25 ft. 6 in. (7.8 m)Height: 10 ft. 3 in. (3.12 m)Width: 8 ft. (2.49 m)WeightTotal Weight:47,800 lbs. (21,680 kg)AccessoriesPulsation dampener on inlet and discharge(2) 25 ft. (7.6 m) suction hoses with 6 in. (152.4 mm)kamlock fittings4 in. (102 mm) NPT hammer union discharge connectionLiner wash system with supply tank(2) 24 volt work lights* Note: All product performance specifications,components, weights, dimensions and otherrelated information is subject to change withoutnotice from the manufacturer.

AMERICAN AUGERSThe American Augers line of underground construction equipment is second-to-none.• Auger Boring Machines• Maxi-Rig & Mid-Size Directional Drills• Oil & Gas Drilling Rigs• Mud Pump & Cleaning Systems• Product Tooling & AccessoriesAmerican Augers products are manufactured at the company’s 241,000 square-foot facility in West Salem, Ohio,in the heart of Amish country between Columbus and Cleveland.Since the founding of American Augers in 1970, there has never been a change in the company’s core value:having products developed by a can-do work force that focuses on mechanical, technological and customer-baseddesign improvements. Our goal is to always exceed customer expectations by providing products that are not acost of doing business, but an Investment in Success.Did You Know? American Augers was the first HDD manufacturer to eliminate chain and utilize a rack andpinion carriage design which is now the industry standard. Our rack and pinion drive provides smoother carriagemovement, more precise operating control, long system life and no complicated parts.American Augers machines are supported through a dedicated parts and technical service department. We are hereto help whenever you need us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, emergency or not.www.AmericanAugers.comEnvironmental CommitmentAmerican Augers is committed to manufacturing equipment that helps to preserve the sanctity of the globalenvironment, and has done so by reducing noise and/or emissions outputs, and emphasizing the fact that ourtrenchless technology equipment requires little or no open cutting, which has very minimal impacts on naturalsurfaces, features, or habitats.1212

Drilling consumables such as mud pump systems and their components can drastically increase your uptime while reducing costs and health/safety/environmental (HSE) risks. To support your drilling needs, Forum’s patented P-Quip® mud pump system offers a single-source solution that integrates high-quality fluid end components for maximum longevity and performance.

With more than 20 years of successful operation in severe environments, P-Quip offers a proven track record for the lowest cost of ownership in the industry. As part of our commitment to quality, our mud pump parts use patented Banded Bore™ technology that significantly reduces stress concentrations and leads to longer module life.

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Manufactured to withstand the toughest drilling and environmental conditions, our K-Series triplex mud pumps are ideal for all drilling applications. This legacy product features a balanced forged-steel crankshaft and Southwest Oilfield Products ‘L” Shaped modules which is essential to minimize wear, noise, and operating vibrations. These attributes are essential when drilling deeper high pressure formations, long laterals and when handling corrosive or abrasive fluids and slurries.

Every American Block triplex mud pump is manufactured and fully load tested before leaving our manufacturing campus, and is available in sizes ranging from 800 HP to 2200 HP. The American Block K1600 HP Mud Pump is also available in a 2000 HP up-grade version, when more HP is needed in the same 1600 HP footprint.

Cavitation is an undesirable condition that reduces pump efficiency and leads to excessive wear and damage to pump components. Factors that can contribute to cavitation, such as fluid velocity and pressure, can sometimes be attributed to an inadequate mud system design and/or the diminishing performance of the mud pump’s feed system.

When a mud pump has entered full cavitation, rig crews and field service technicians will see the equipment shaking and hear the pump “knocking,” which typically sounds like marbles and stones being thrown around inside the equipment. However, the process of cavitation starts long before audible signs reveal themselves – hence the name “the silent killer.”

Mild cavitation begins to occur when the mud pump is starved for fluid. While the pump itself may not be making noise, damage is still being done to the internal components of the fluid end. In the early stages, cavitation can damage a pump’s module, piston and valve assembly.

The imperceptible but intense shock waves generated by cavitation travel directly from the fluid end to the pump’s power end, causing premature vibrational damage to the crosshead slides. The vibrations are then passed onto the shaft, bull gear and into the main bearings.

If not corrected, the vibrations caused by cavitation will work their way directly to critical power end components, which will result in the premature failure of the mud pump. A busted mud pump means expensive downtime and repair costs.

Washouts are one of the leading causes of module failure and take place when the high-pressure fluid cuts through the module’s surface and damages a sealing surface. These unexpected failures are expensive and can lead to a minimum of eight hours of rig downtime for module replacement.

To stop cavitation before it starts, install and tune high-speed pressure sensors on the mud suction line set to sound an alarm if the pressure falls below 30 psi.

Although the pump may not be knocking loudly when cavitation first presents, regular inspections by a properly trained field technician may be able to detect moderate vibrations and slight knocking sounds.

Gardner Denver offers Pump University, a mobile classroom that travels to facilities and/or drilling rigs and trains rig crews on best practices for pumping equipment maintenance.

Severe cavitation will drastically decrease module life and will eventually lead to catastrophic pump failure. Along with downtime and repair costs, the failure of the drilling pump can also cause damage to the suction and discharge piping.

When a mud pump has entered full cavitation, rig crews and field service technicians will see the equipment shaking and hear the pump ‘knocking’… However, the process of cavitation starts long before audible signs reveal themselves – hence the name ‘the silent killer.’In 2017, a leading North American drilling contractor was encountering chronic mud system issues on multiple rigs. The contractor engaged in more than 25 premature module washes in one year and suffered a major power-end failure.

Gardner Denver’s engineering team spent time on the contractor’s rigs, observing the pumps during operation and surveying the mud system’s design and configuration.

The engineering team discovered that the suction systems were undersized, feed lines were too small and there was no dampening on the suction side of the pump.

Following the implementation of these recommendations, the contractor saw significant performance improvements from the drilling pumps. Consumables life was extended significantly, and module washes were reduced by nearly 85%.

Although pump age does not affect its susceptibility to cavitation, the age of the rig can. An older rig’s mud systems may not be equipped for the way pumps are run today – at maximum horsepower.

It may be impractical to flush system piping during drilling operations. However, strainer screens should be checked daily to remove any debris or other flow restrictions.

Houston, Texas -- To eliminate equipment compatibility issues and the prospect of additional spare-parts inventories for drilling contractors, the LeTourneau Ellis Williams Company (LEWCO) can factory-equip its heavy-duty W-Series and general-duty WH-Series mud pumps with virtually any major brand of fluid end module. Customers not specifying a particular brand receive LEWCO"s standard one-piece or two-piece fluid end modules made of quenched and tempered forged steel, featuring "off the shelf" expendables readily available from domestic and international sources.

LEWCO mud pumps are in-house manufactured. For maximum quality assurance -- with job-ready performance verified in advance -- every pump is tested under full load prior to shipment, in the company"s fully equipped, million-dollar "mud pump laboratory." LEWCO pumps provide input ratings of 300 to 3,000 horsepower (224 kW to 2,237 kW) and deep-drilling discharge pressures as great as 7,500 pounds per square inch (527 kg/cm2). Their premium components include a pressurized lubrication system that force-feeds lubricant to all power-end bearings including upper and lower crosshead slides; a balanced forged steel crankshaft that reduces noise and vibration and helps extend component life throughout the pump; and a robust frame of double-wall, welded-steel, mounted on a heavy-duty oilfield skid.

The LeTourneau Ellis Williams Company builds high-performance mud pumps for oil and gas drilling (on land and offshore), petroleum production and processing, well-servicing, and horizontal directional drilling; as well as ancillary drilling products including pulsation dampeners; drawworks; rotary tables, transmissions, and drives; and swivels. Located in Houston, Texas, LEWCO is a wholly owned subsidiary of LeTourneau Incorporated, a leading manufacturer of self-elevating offshore drilling rigs, forestry equipment, and wheel loaders.

For more information, contact the LEWCO Sales Department at 6500 Brittmoore Road, Houston, TX 77241-1343; telephone 1-888-MUD-PUMP (683-7867), fax 713-856-5341; e-mail pumps@lewco-equip.com. Or visit www.lewco-equip.com.