difference between trash pump and mud pump free sample

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Successfully dewatering your pipeline, mining, excavation or industrial construction application requires knowledge of the terrain and environment you’re working in for dewatering with your industrial trash pump to flow seamlessly.

It can be a daunting task to figure out which trash pump is right to remove standing water from your jobsite. Choosing the wrong trash pump for your application can result in weak performance, or even damage to the pump’s internal components.

Before you get started with selecting the right industrial trash pump for your application, you will need to understand the difference between what is referred to as a “semi trash pump” and a trash pump.

In a nutshell, semi-trash pumps can handle smaller debris, whereas trash pumps are designed to handle larger debris. Semi-trash pumps operate similar to centrifugal pumps, but have a larger discharge opening for small debris and sentiments to pass through.

If you’re pumping water that contains larger solids, such as pebbles, stones, leaves and twigs, you will require a trash pump with a larger hose diameter.

The rule of thumb for selecting an industrial trash pump is selecting a model where the hose diameter is twice the diameter of the solids that will be passing through the unit, which is measured in inches. For example, a 3″ trash pump has the capacity to handle solids up to 1 1/2″ in diameter.

Another reason why you will need to determine the kind of terrain you’ll be operating on is because it will help you choose the material of hosing you’ll need with your trash pump.

As mentioned above, selecting the right hose size is one of the most important aspects to consider when choosing the right trash pump for your dewatering needs.

While selecting the correct size of industrial trash pump and hose, and determining the jobsite terrain are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing the right trash pump for your dewatering needs, some other important factors to take into consideration are:

Consider whether it is more cost-beneficial to rent or purchase your trash pump. Need help figuring this out? Read our blog on Should I Rent or Buy My Construction Equipment.

For dewatering applications requiring long continuous run times, choose a trash pump with self priming and long-run time capabilities when left unattended for low risk operation

By carefully taking these factors into consideration, you’ll be able to quickly, successfully and cost-effectively dewater your jobsite with zero downtime.

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Discharge Head: This is the vertical distance that you are able to pump liquid. For example, if your pump is rated for a maximum head of 18 feet, this does not mean that you are restricted to 18 feet of pipe. You can use 300 feet, so long as the final discharge point is not higher than 18 feet above the liquid being pumped.

Suction Lift: This is the vertical distance that the pump can be above the liquid source. Typically, atmospheric pressure limits vertical suction lift of pumps to 25 feet at sea level. This does not mean that you are limited to 25 feet of pipe. You could use upwards of 300 feet of suction pipe, so long as the liquid source is not lower than 25 feet below the pump center line.

Since air is thinner and heat is not dissipated easily at higher altitudes, standard motors are designed to operate below 3,300 ft. Most motors must be derated at higher altitudes. The chart below provides typical horsepower derating factor. A 3 HP motor operating at 6000 feet for example would be derated to 2.82 HP, assuming a 40 degree ambient temperature rating.

Mud recycling systems were once considered optional equipment. Environmental regulations continue to become more stringent and we must all responsibly make a contribution to protect our fragile ecosystem.

Using mud recyclers are a valuable asset to drilling contractors, as well-conditioned drilling fluid can save resources, time and money by reducing the amount of water and chemicals needed by reusing your bentonite and water. This helps maintain borehole stability with consistent mud properties through the entire circulation of the fluid and you haul off mainly the drilled solids, not the entire mud returns, including the liquid.

Drillers considering a mud recycler often ask: “Where do I start?” There are factors to consider before purchasing (or renting) a mud recycler, and, just like sizing the drill rig, sizing the recycler is equally important to your success. The following are some of the questions to ask yourself before making your purchase:

These factors are important to know so that you use a recycler that is sized to clean the mud and protect the components on the rig, pump and cleaner.

Drilling rigs are generally classified as “maxi,” “midsize” and “compact. While you can put a maxi recycler with a compact rig, it would not be advisable to do the reverse. Lesson: size accordingly.

As a general rule, size the recycler cleaning capacity to one and a half to two times the pumping volume (max gpm) of the triplex pump. HDD drillers normally run thicker fluids due to the low vertical height and long horizontal lengths of their bores; thicker fluid makes it more difficult for the shakers and cones to process (separate) the solids from the liquids. This is largely due to the natural coating ability of bentonite — It wants to encapsulate the solids and “hold on” to them. By upsizing the recycler, the solid particles have a second or third opportunity to process through the mud recycler for removal before going back to the rig.

Some mud recyclers provide an “onboard” mud pump that was sized specifically to the recycler. This enables the driller to use all available drill rig horsepower toward the rotation and push-pull of the drill pipe, thereby not “robbing” it for an onboard triplex pump.

Most recyclers today use orbital, elliptical or linear motion shakers, and each has a place in different drilling scenarios. With that being said, linear motion shakers generate high G-Forces and are especially effective in shallow formation sections where high-volume, heavy solids are encountered, and have the ability to remove the solids quickly.

When choosing a linear shaker for your mud system, look for a long runway (area of length from the front of the shaker to the end where the cuttings dump off). The longer length shaker bed allows extra time for solids to separate from the liquid, and result in drier solids leaving the mud system for disposal. You can also increase the angle of the shaker bed by five degrees to further increase the travel time of the solids.

Proper shaker screen selection enhances the results of the mud recycler, and, combined with the G-Force of the shaker, works in tandem to maximize solids dryness. In the past, shaker screens were sized by mesh size.

Before buying your recycler, do your research, talk to other drillers, decide what you need and you will be able to make the best decision for you and your company.

Example: 40 mesh screen had 40 openings per square inch of screen area. As a measurement, this left room for a lot of unknown variables, including questioning what gauge wire was used in the manufacture of the screens. The wire gauge altered the size of openings on the screen surface and resulted in changing the size of the solids that the screen could pass or “cut.”

The industry needed a consistent way to measure the “cut point” of the screens, and the API introduced the D100 designation, or D100 “cut point” using the average micron cut of the shaker screen, depending on the wire. Two examples are the CRX Oblong and UF square meshes.

Identification of particle sizes from core samples taken on each drilling location provides drillers valuable information and aids in selecting screens. Drilling contractors should carry a couple of testing tools to measure the effectiveness of a of the mud recycler while drilling. These tools are: a Marsh funnel and cup, sand content kit and mud weight scales. Taking mud samples from the return pit or possum belly before the mud is processed, the underflow and overflow of the cones and the clean mud tank help monitor the effectiveness of each component of the recycler, and the driller can make component adjustments to achieve maximum efficiency.

In addition to the shale shakers, another way to size the processing capability of the mud recycler is to look at the hydrocyclone. Depending on the size of the mud recycling system, cone size will be 4, 5, 10 or 12 in. Each size cone has a micron “cut point,” and represents the size of the smallest particle the cone can “pull.” Four- and 5-in. cones have a 20-micron “cut point,” and 10- and 12-in. cones have a 74-micron “cut point.” Smaller mud systems normally have two section tanks, with a ”dirty” tank under the scalping shaker and a “clean” tank under the mud cleaner (shaker with desilting cones), while larger systems can have three section tanks with scalping, desanding and desilting.

One hydrocyclone processes liquid at a rate of 50 gpm/ 4-in. cone, 80 gpm/ 5-in. cone, and 500 gpm/ 10-in. or 12-in. cone. Some manufacturers’ volume amount for their respective cone sizes may differ than those cited herein, but these are the most common within the industry for reference purposes.

Maintaining proper pressure is essential for the hydrocyclones to work effectively, with the normal operating pressure range for 4- and 5-in. cones of 30 to 40 psi; 10- and 12-in. cones of 23 to 35 psi. Pressure above 45 to 50 psi cause premature internal cone wear, and lower pressure down around 20 to 22 psi is a “red flag” that you better consider rebuilding the centrifugal(s) to maintain pressure in the optimum range.

Borehole returns require transport into the recycler via a “trash” pump properly sized for the job. Different pumps are available, but the three most common are: 1) submersible, 2) semi-submersible, and 3) aboveground centrifugal with a foot valve. Totally submersible pumps are generally the smallest in size, have a flooded suction to help in priming, and though the most convenient option, are usually the most expensive. Semi-submersible trash pumps still have a flooded suction, but the drive motor is not submerged into the fluid. Semi-submersible pumps work well, but are heavier, and longer than the submersible pumps.  Another option is an above ground centrifugal pump with a foot valve, and once primed, is dependable and normally used on larger recyclers for their increased volume capacities.

If your drilling crew has never operated a mud recycler, be sure that you are provided with training and try renting a unit to make sure it is the right “fit” prior to purchase. Be familiar with the maintenance requirements of your mud system; usually the owner’s manual is sufficient, but inquire if the manufacturer offers training videos, onsite or plant training sessions and — the most important — technical support.

A manufacturer should stand behind the equipment its builds so don’t settle for a warranty less than one year. Ask questions about the warranty prior to finalizing the purchase.

In an age where protection of our planet is a major concern, so should your choice of mud systems. Choose a recycler that is respectful to the environment and leaves your jobsite as clean as possible.  Do your research, talk to other drillers, decide what you need and you will be able to make the best decision for you and your company.

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Mud Pumps come in both electric and gas / diesel engine drive along with air motors. Most of these pumps for mud, trash and sludge or other high solids content liquid dewatering, honey wagon and pumper trucks. Slurry and mud pumps are often diaphragm type pumps but also include centrifugal trash and submersible non-clog styles.

WARNING: Do not use in explosive atmosphere or for pumping volatile flammable liquids. Do not throttle or restrict the discharge. Recommend short lengths of discharge hose since a diaphragm mud pump is a positive displacement type and they are not built with relief valves.

A typical centrifugal pumpis constructed of a rotary pump shaft with one or more impellers attached. As the impellers rotate in sync, the pump converts enough energy to move fluids in the desired direction.

Centrifugal pumpscan be radial or axial, with radial pumps pushing energy through downstream piping and axial pumps generating asuction liftingeffect with the impellers. Either are simple enough processes, but something could go wrong. When that does, you’ll need to troubleshoot and fix the problem.

If yourcentrifugal pumpstops working as it should, is it time to replace it or call in a professional? Neither may be necessary if you can figure out the problem and solve it independently. Here are some of the most commoncentrifugal pump problemsand solutions.

Impellers rotating in the wrong direction is a common problem withcentrifugal pumps. If the impellers turn the wrong way, they could cause severe damage to the pump. When wiring power to the pump’s motor, it’s critical to verify which way the motor turns. You can “bump start” the motor to do this.

Another common problem with these types ofcentrifugal pumpsis leakage. When materials escape the pump and create a mess, this is a serious issue. Excessive temperature, corrosion, or pressure can loosen the joints and seals, allowing fluid and debris to escape.

But there may be a simple fix. Stopping your leaky pump could be as easy as tightening the fasteners surrounding the joints. In other cases, however, you may need to replace a gasket or mechanical seal.

There is probably something wrong with your pump if it takes too long to re-prime. The most common cause of a slow re-priming pump is excessive clearance, leading to inefficiency and overheating. But other possible reasons exist as well, such as a leaking gasket, a clogged recirculation port, or a worn-out volute.

Pump seizure can happen for several reasons, including foreign objects entering the pump, low flow operation, and off-design conditions. Inspect the pump for foreign objects and debris first and then check the impellers and power source.

When you begin to see the pump vibrating too much or notice usual noises coming from the device, this could signify a serious issue. Often, vibrations and noises tell you that you have failed bearings or a foreign object stuck inside the pump.

Start with the most straightforward thing first and look for debris or foreign objects. When noises and vibrations occur together, the pump could be experiencing cavitation and may need to be examined by a professional.

Debris in your pump can create havoc with many of its parts and systems. If your pump isn’t pumping or is less efficient than you want, check for a cloggedsuction pipeor debris in the impeller.

Incentrifugal pumps, overloading occurs when the driving motor draws excess current, which results in greater than normal power consumption. Pumps should start with a minimum load with discharge valves open. If the power drawn by the pump increases too much, it may ultimately lead to tripping or overloading of the motor. Some of the most common causes of pump driver overload include:

If you notice that the pump isn’t operating efficiently anymore, meaning it’s taking too long for it to pump out fluid, some of the most common causes of this problem include the following.

If yourcentrifugal pumphas become corroded, it could be due to a chemical compatibility issue. The wetted parts of a pump can be made from a variety of materials — ceramics, metals, thermoplastics, and elastomers. The resistance of these parts to various liquids, chemicals, and temperatures will vary. So you must select a pump designed with your particular application in mind.

Centrifugal pumpsshould not feel hot to the touch. When they do, this is a sign of trouble and something you want to address immediately. There may be a blockage in the suction strainer, the recirculation port, the valve, or the open-ended discharge line. The pump will be less efficient if you ignore the issue and may eventually fail.

There is a wide range ofcentrifugal pumpsavailable that will give your operation the fluid-transfer services it needs over the long term. These are excellent, low-cost solutions for most high-capacity, low-pressure situations. But if yourcentrifugal pumpisn’t operating efficiently or at all, this list of common problems may help you troubleshoot the issue.

If you cannot troubleshoot the issue with yourcentrifugal pumpor don’t feel comfortable handling it yourself, we haveresourcesto help you. If you aren’t currently experiencing any problems with yourcentrifugal pump, then it is a great time to look intopreventative maintenance to ensure issues don’t arise in the future.

Identifying your pump is the first step in replacing it or knowing which repair parts match your pump model. Many customers call us looking to replace their pump but they’re not sure which pump model they have or even who their pump’s manufacturer is. Luckily, your pump has all this information printed on it.

To identify the model of your pump, you need to know the part number. Part numbers, also sometimes referred to as model numbers, can be found on your pump’s tag. A pump tag is a small rectangular plate that displays all the basic information about your pump. Besides a pump’s part number, pump tags can include information like the gallons per minute, total dynamic head, and max working temperature of a pump. The information included on the tag is going to depend on the manufacturer of the pump.

Different types of pumps have their tags in different places. Finding the pump tag is sometimes half the battle. They are usually located on the volute of the pump (or the main body of the pump- the part that’s not the motor). Once you find your pump’s tag, the next step is, understanding what the information on that tag means exactly. If you can’t find your pump’s tag or if the numbers have faded or are hard to read, consult your owner’s manual or other paperwork that came with your product. Most product manuals will indicate where to find the model number.

Different manufacturers label their pumps differently. For example, some of the information printed on the Grundfos tag below might not appear on another brand’s pump or it can be referred to differently. This can be confusing at first so it helps to know who your pump’s manufacturer is and how they refer to their models. Some manufacturers print their logo on the pump.

You might see another similar looking plate on your pump. This is the pump’s motor tag. The motor tag gives information about the motor attached to the pump such as volts and phases. While the pump tag is usually located on the pump’s volute, the motor tag is located on the pump’s motor.

If the tag is missing, try to locate the casting number. Casting numbers are stamped directly in the steel/iron or bronze of the pump. These numbers are a good source of information about the unit.

This is a Bell & Gossett in-line circulator pump tag. The pump tags for these B&G circulators are generally easy to spot on the volute on the pump. On this Bell & Gossett In-Line Circulator pump, we can see the part number is

This next pump is a Zoeller sewage pump. The silver tag is located on the top of the pump. This tag gives us a little more information about the pump.

Nothing in life lasts forever. Luckily PumpProducts.com stocks a wide variety of repair parts for all the most trusted brands in the industry. If you’re not sure of your pump’s manufacturer, series, model number, or can’t find the parts you’re looking for, you can1-800-429-0800 and they’ll help you identify your pump and get you the parts you need. PumpProducts.com is your pump, parts, accessories and motor one-stop-shop.

There are three types of mud pumps, depending on the type of client and the size they want. For general, mud pumps, there are three basic types of mud pumps, depending on the type of client and budget. The piston pump is another compressed mud pump, which is a pushed electric compressor mud pumps and by compressed air.@@@@@

Electric mud pumps are largely divided into three categories, among them the electric mud pumps and the semi-trash mud pumps. The piston inflated mud pumps are also classified in terms of the type of mud pumps, among them are electric mud pumps and semi-trash mud pumps. In addition, the piston inflates mud and mud pumps will be inflated by the piston, which is inflated mud pumps.

Millions of years ago, algae and plants lived in shallow seas. After dying and sinking to the seafloor, the organic material mixed with other sediments and was buried. Over millions of years under high pressure and high temperature, the remains of these organisms transformed into what we know today as fossil fuels. Coal, natural gas, and petroleum are all fossil fuels that formed under similar conditions.

Today, petroleum is found in vast underground reservoirs where ancient seas were located. Petroleum reservoirs can be found beneath land or the ocean floor. Their crude oil is extracted with giant drilling machines.

Petroleum is used to make gasoline, an important product in our everyday lives. It is also processed and part of thousands of different items, including tires, refrigerators, life jackets, and anesthetics.

When petroleum products such as gasoline are burned for energy, they release toxic gases and high amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Carbon helps regulate Earth’s atmospheric temperature, and adding to the natural balance by burning fossil fuels adversely affects our climate.

There are huge quantities of petroleum found under Earth’s surface and in tar pits that bubble to the surface. Petroleum even exists far below the deepest wells that are developed to extract it.

However, petroleum, like coal and natural gas, is a nonrenewable source of energy. It took millions of years for it to form, and when it is extracted and consumed, there is no way for us to replace it.

Oil supplies will run out. Eventually, the world will reach “peak oil,” or its highest production level. Some experts predict peak oil could come as soon as 2050. Finding alternatives to petroleum is crucial to global energy use, and is the focus of many industries.

The geological conditions that would eventually create petroleum formed millions of years ago, when plants, algae, and plankton drifted in oceans and shallow seas. These organisms sank to the seafloor at the end of their life cycle. Over time, they were buried and crushed under millions of tons of sediment and even more layers of plant debris.

Eventually, ancient seas dried up and dry basins remained, called sedimentary basins. Deep under the basin floor, the organic material was compressed between Earth’s mantle, with very high temperatures, and millions of tons of rock and sediment above. Oxygen was almost completely absent in these conditions, and the organic matter began to transform into a waxy substance called kerogen.

With more heat, time, and pressure, the kerogen underwent a process called catagenesis, and transformed into hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons are simply chemicals made up of hydrogen and carbon. Different combinations of heat and pressure can create different forms of hydrocarbons. Some other examples are coal, peat, and natural gas.

Sedimentary basins, where ancient seabeds used to lie, are key sources of petroleum. In Africa, the Niger Delta sedimentary basin covers land in Nigeria, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea. More than 500 oil deposits have been discovered in the massive Niger Delta basin, and they comprise one of the most productive oil fields in Africa.

The gasoline we use to fuel our cars, the synthetic fabrics of our backpacks and shoes, and the thousands of different useful products made from petroleum come in forms that are consistent and reliable. However, the crude oil from which these items are produced is neither consistent nor uniform.

Crude oil is composed of hydrocarbons, which are mainly hydrogen (about 13 percent by weight) and carbon (about 85 percent). Other elements such as nitrogen (about 0.5 percent), sulfur (0.5 percent), oxygen (1 percent), and metals such as iron, nickel, and copper (less than 0.1 percent) can also be mixed in with the hydrocarbons in small amounts.

The way molecules are organized in the hydrocarbon is a result of the original composition of the algae, plants, or plankton from millions of years ago. The amount of heat and pressure the plants were exposed to also contributes to variations that are found in hydrocarbons and crude oil.

Due to this variation, crude oil that is pumped from the ground can consist of hundreds of different petroleum compounds. Light oils can contain up to 97 percent hydrocarbons, while heavier oils and bitumens might contain only 50 percent hydrocarbons and larger quantities of other elements. It is almost always necessary to refine crude oil in order to make useful products.

Oil is classified according to three main categories: the geographic location where it was drilled, its sulfur content, and its API gravity (a measure of density).

Oil is drilled all over the world. However, there are three primary sources of crude oil that set reference points for ranking and pricing other oil supplies: Brent Crude, West Texas Intermediate, and Dubai and Oman.

Brent Crude is a mixture that comes from 15 different oil fields between Scotland and Norway in the North Sea. These fields supply oil to most of Europe.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) is a lighter oil that is produced mostly in the U.S. state of Texas. It is “sweet” and “light”—considered very high quality. WTI supplies much of North America with oil.

Dubai crude, also known as Fateh or Dubai-Oman crude, is a light, sour oil that is produced in Dubai, part of the United Arab Emirates. The nearby country of Oman has recently begun producing oil. Dubai and Oman crudes are used as a reference point for pricing Persian Gulf oils that are mostly exported to Asia.

The OPEC Reference Basket is another important oil source. OPEC is the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. The OPEC Reference Basket is the average price of petroleum from OPEC’s 12 member countries: Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.

Sulfur is considered an “impurity” in petroleum. Sulfur in crude oil can corrode metal in the refining process and contribute to air pollution. Petroleum with more than 0.5 percent sulfur is called “sour,” while petroleum with less than 0.5 percent sulfur is “sweet.”

The American Petroleum Institute (API) is a trade association for businesses in the oil and natural gas industries. The API has established accepted systems of standards for a variety of oil- and gas-related products, such as gauges, pumps, and drilling machinery. The API has also established several units of measurement. The “API unit,” for instance, measures gamma radiation in a borehole (a shaft drilled into the ground).

API gravity is a measure of the density of petroleum liquid compared to water. If a petroleum liquid’s API gravity is greater than 10, it is “light,” and floats on top of water. If the API gravity is less than 10, it is “heavy,” and sinks in water.

Light oils are preferred because they have a higher yield of hydrocarbons. Heavier oils have greater concentrations of metals and sulfur, and require more refining.

Petroleum can be contained by structural traps, which are formed when massive layers of rock are bent or faulted (broken) from Earth’s shifting landmasses. Oil can also be contained by stratigraphic traps. Different strata, or layers of rock, can have different amounts of porosity. Crude oil migrates easily through a layer of sandstone, for instance, but would be trapped beneath a layer of shale.

Geologists, chemists, and engineers look for geological structures that typically trap petroleum. They use a process called “seismic reflection” to locate underground rock structures that might have trapped crude oil. During the process, a small explosion is set off. Sound waves travel underground, bounce off of the different types of rock, and return to the surface. Sensors on the ground interpret the returning sound waves to determine the underground geological layout and possibility of a petroleum reservoir.

The amount of petroleum in a reservoir is measured in barrels or tons. An oil barrel is about 42 gallons. This measurement is usually used by oil producers in the United States. Oil producers in Europe and Asia tend to measure in metric tons. There are about six to eight barrels of oil in a metric ton. The conversion is imprecise because different varieties of oil weigh different amounts, depending on the amount of impurities.

Crude oil is frequently found in reservoirs along with natural gas. In the past, natural gas was either burned or allowed to escape into the atmosphere. Now, technology has been developed to capture the natural gas and either reinject it into the well or compress it into liquid natural gas (LNG). LNG is easily transportable and has versatile uses.

In some places, petroleum bubbles to the surface of Earth. In parts of Saudi Arabia and Iraq, for instance, porous rock allows oil to seep to the surface in small ponds. However, most oil is trapped in underground oil reservoirs.

The part of a reservoir’s oil-in-place that can be extracted and refined is that reservoir’s oil reserves. The decision to invest in complex drilling operations is often made based on a site’s proven oil reserves.

Drilling in an area where oil reserves have already been found is called developmental drilling. Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, United States, has the largest oil reserves in the United States. Developmental drilling in Prudhoe Bay includes new wells and expanding extraction technology.

Directional drilling involves drilling vertically to a known source of oil, then veering the drill bit at an angle to access additional resources. Accusations of directional drilling led to the first Gulf War in 1991. Iraq accused Kuwait of using directional drilling techniques to extract oil from Iraqi oil reservoirs near the Kuwaiti border. Iraq subsequently invaded Kuwait, an act which drew international attention and intervention. After the war, the border between Iraq and Kuwait was redrawn, with the reservoirs now belonging to Kuwait.

As the drill bit rotates and cuts through the earth, small pieces of rock are chipped off. A powerful flow of air is pumped down the center of the hollow drill, and comes out through the bottom of the drill bit. The air then rushes back toward the surface, carrying with it tiny chunks of rock. Geologists on site can study these pieces of pulverized rock to determine the different rock strata the drill encounters.

When the drill hits oil, some of the oil naturally rises from the ground, moving from an area of high pressure to low pressure. This immediate release of oil can be a “gusher,” shooting dozens of meters into the air, one of the most dramatic extraction activities. It is also one of the most dangerous, and a piece of equipment called a blowout preventer redistributes pressure to stop such a gusher.

Pumps are used to extract oil. Most oil rigs have two sets of pumps: mud pumps and extraction pumps. “Mud” is the drilling fluid used to create boreholes for extracting oil and natural gas. Mud pumps circulate drilling fluid.

The petroleum industry uses a wide variety of extraction pumps. Which pump to use depends on the geography, quality, and position of the oil reservoir. Submersible pumps, for example, are submerged directly into the fluid. A gas pump, also called a bubble pump, uses compressed air to force the petroleum to the surface or well.

One of the most familiar types of extraction pumps is the pumpjack, the upper part of a piston pump. Pumpjacks are nicknamed “thirsty birds” or “nodding donkeys” for their controlled, regular dipping motion. A crank moves the large, hammer-shaped pumpjack up and down. Far below the surface, the motion of the pumpjack moves a hollow piston up and down, constantly carrying petroleum back to the surface or well.

Even after pumping, the vast majority (up to 90 percent) of the oil can remain tightly trapped in the underground reservoir. Other methods are necessary to extract this petroleum, a process called secondary recovery. Vacuuming the extra oil out was a method used in the 1800s and early 20th century, but it captured only thinner oil components, and left behind great stores of heavy oil.

Water flooding was discovered by accident. In the 1870s, oil producers in Pennsylvania noticed that abandoned oil wells were accumulating rainwater and groundwater. The weight of the water in the boreholes forced oil out of the reservoirs and into nearby wells, increasing their production. Oil producers soon began intentionally flooding wells as a way to extract more oil.

The most prevalent secondary recovery method today is gas drive. During this process, a well is intentionally drilled deeper than the oil reservoir. The deeper well hits a natural gas reservoir, and the high-pressure gas rises, forcing the oil out of its reservoir.

Offshore drilling platforms are some of the largest manmade structures in the world. They often include housing accommodations for people who work on the platform, as well as docking facilities and a helicopter landing pad to transport workers.

The platform can either be tethered to the ocean floor and float, or can be a rigid structure that is fixed to the bottom of the ocean, sea, or lake with concrete or steel legs.

The Hibernia platform, 315 kilometers (196 miles) off Canada’s eastern shore in the North Atlantic, is one of the world’s largest oil platforms. More than 70 people work on the platform, in three-week shifts. The platform is 111 meters (364 feet) tall and is anchored to the ocean floor. About 450,000 tons of solid ballast were added to give it additional stability. The platform can store up to 1.3 million barrels of oil. In total, Hibernia weighs 1.2 million tons! However, the platform is still vulnerable to the crushing weight and strength of icebergs. Its edges are serrated and sharp to withstand the impact of sea ice or icebergs.

Oil platforms can cause enormous environmental disasters. Problems with the drilling equipment can cause the oil to explode out of the well and into the ocean. Repairing the well hundreds of meters below the ocean is extremely difficult, expensive, and slow. Millions of barrels of oil can spill into the ocean before the well is plugged.

When oil spills in the ocean, it floats on the water and wreaks havoc on the animal population. One of its most devastating effects is on birds. Oil destroys the waterproofing abilities of feathers, and birds are not insulated against the cold ocean water. Thousands can die of hypothermia. Fish and marine mammals, too, are threatened by oil spills. The dark shadows cast by oil spills can look like food. Oil can damage animals’ internal organs and be even more toxic to animals higher up in the food chain, a process called bioaccumulation.

A massive oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico, the Deepwater Horizon, exploded in 2010. This was the largest accidental marine oil spill in history. Eleven platform workers died, and more than four million barrels of oil gushed into the Gulf of Mexico. More than 40,000 barrels flowed into the ocean every day. Eight national parks were threatened, the economies of communities along the Gulf Coast were threatened as the tourism and fishing industries declined, and more than 6,000 animals died.

Offshore oil platforms can also act as artificial reefs. They provide a surface (substrate) for algae, coral, oysters, and barnacles. This artificial reef can attract fish and marine mammals, and create a thriving ecosystem.

Until the 1980s, oil platforms were deconstructed and removed from the oceans, and the metal was sold as scrap. In 1986, the National Marine Fisheries Association developed the Rigs-to-Reefs Program. Now, oil platforms are either toppled (by underwater explosion), removed and towed to a new location, or partially deconstructed. This allows the marine life to continue flourishing on the artificial reef that had provided habitats for decades.

The environmental impact of the Rigs-to-Reefs Program is still being studied. Oil platforms left underwater can pose dangers to ships and divers. Fishing boats have had their nets caught in the platforms, and there are concerns about safety regulations of the abandoned structures.

Environmentalists argue that oil companies should be held accountable to the commitment they originally agreed upon, which was to restore the seabed to its original condition. By leaving the platforms in the ocean, oil companies are excused from fulfilling this agreement, and there is concern this could set a precedent for other companies that want to dispose of their metal or machinery in the oceans.

Crude oil does not always have to be extracted through deep drilling. If it does not encounter rocky obstacles underground, it can seep all the way to the surface and bubble above ground. Bitumen is a form of petroleum that is black, extremely sticky, and sometimes rises to Earth’s surface.

In its natural state, bitumen is typically mixed with “oil sands” or “tar sands,” which makes it extremely difficult to extract and an unconventional source of oil. Only about 20 percent of the world’s reserves of bitumen are above ground and can be surface mined.

Unfortunately, because bitumen contains high amounts of sulfur and heavy metals, extracting and refining it is both costly and harmful to the environment. Producing bitumen into useful products releases 12 percent more carbon emissions than processing conventional oil.

Bitumen is about the consistency of cold molasses, and powerful hot steam has to be pumped into the well in order to melt the bitumen to extract it. Large quantities of water are then used to separate the bitumen from sand and clay. This process depletes nearby water supplies. Releasing the treated water back into the environment can further contaminate the remaining water supply.

However, we depend on bitumen for its unique properties: about 85 percent of the bitumen extracted is used to make asphalt to pave and patch our roads. A small percentage is used for roofing and other products.

Most of the world’s tar sands are in the eastern part of Alberta, Canada, in the Athabasca Oil Sands. Other major reserves are in the North Caspian Basin of Kazahkstan and Siberia, Russia.

The Athabasca Oil Sands are the fourth-largest reserves of oil in the world. Unfortunately, the bitumen reserves are located beneath part of the boreal forest, also called the taiga. This makes extraction both difficult and environmentally dangerous.

The taiga circles the Northern Hemisphere just below the frozen tundra, spanning more than 5 million square kilometers (two million square miles), mostly in Canada, Russia, and Scandinavia. It accounts for almost one-third of all of the forested land on the planet.

The taiga is sometimes called the “lungs of the planet” because it filters tons of water and oxygen through the leaves and needles of its trees every day. Every spring, the boreal forest releases immense amounts of oxygen into the atmosphere and keeps our air clean. It is home to a mosaic of plant and animal life, all of which depend on the mature trees, mosses, and lichen of the boreal biome.

Surface mines are estimated to only take up 0.2 percent of Canada’s boreal forest. About 80 percent of Canada’s oil sands can be accessed through drilling, and 20 percent by surface mining.

Crude oil comes out of the ground with impurities, from sulfur to sand. These components have to be separated. This is done by heating the crude oil in a distillation tower that has trays and temperatures set at different levels. Oil’s hydrocarbons and metals have different boiling temperatures, and when the oil is heated, vapors from the different elements rise to different levels of the tower before condensing back into a liquid on the tiered trays.

Propane, kerosene, and other components condense on different tiers of the tower, and can be individually collected. They are transported by pipeline, ocean vessels, and trucks to different locations, to either be used directly or further processed.

The earliest known oil wells were drilled in China as early as 350 C.E. The wells were drilled almost 244 meters (800 feet) deep using strong bamboo bits. The oil was extracted and transported through bamboo pipelines. It was burned as a heating fuel and industrial component. Chinese engineers burned petroleum to evaporate brine and produce salt.

On the west coast of North America, Indigenous people used bitumen as an adhesive to make canoes and baskets water-tight, and as a binder for creating ceremonial decorations and tools.

The modern oil industry was established in the 1850s. The first well was drilled in Poland in 1853, and the technology spread to other countries and was improved.

The Industrial Revolution created a vast new opportunity for the use of petroleum. Machinery powered by steam engines quickly became too slow, small-scale, and expensive. Petroleum-based fuel was in demand. The invention of the mass-produced automobile in the early 20th century further increased demand for petroleum.

Although that seems like an impossibly high amount, the uses for petroleum have expanded to almost every area of life. Petroleum makes our lives easy in many ways. In many countries, including the U.S., the oil industry provides millions jobs, from surveyors and platform workers to geologists and engineers.

The United States consumes more oil than any other country. In 2011, the U.S. consumed more than 19 million barrels of oil every day. This is more than all of the oil consumed in Latin America (8.5 million) and Eastern Europe and Eurasia (5.5 million) combined.

Petroleum is an ingredient in thousands of everyday items. The gasoline that we depend on for transportation to school, work, or vacation comes from crude oil. A barrel of petroleum produces about 72 liters (19 gallons) of gasoline, and is used by people all over the world to power cars, boats, jets, and scooters.

Diesel-powered generators are used in many remote homes, schools, and hospitals. During emergencies, when the power grid is interrupted, diesel generators save lives by providing electricity to hospitals, apartment complexes, schools, and other buildings that would otherwise be cold and “in the dark.”

Petroleum is also used in liquid products such as nail polish, rubbing alcohol, and ammonia. Petroleum is found in recreational items as diverse as surfboards, footballs and basketballs, bicycle tires, golf bags, tents, cameras, and fishing lures.

Petroleum is also contained in more essential items such as artificial limbs, water pipes, and vitamin capsules. In our homes, we are surrounded by and depend on products that contain petroleum. House paint, trash bags, roofing, shoes, telephones, hair curlers, and even crayons contain refined petroleum.

Carbon, an essential element on Earth, makes up about 85 percent of the hydrocarbons in petroleum. Carbon constantly cycles between the water, land, and atmosphere.

Carbon is absorbed by plants and is part of every living organism as it moves through the food web. Carbon is naturally released through volcanoes, soil erosion, and evaporation. When carbon is released into the atmosphere, it absorbs and retains heat, regulating Earth’s temperature and making our planet habitable.

Not all of the carbon on Earth is involved in the carbon cycle above ground. Vast quantities of it are sequestered, or stored, underground, in the form of fossil fuels and in the soil. This sequestered carbon is necessary because it keeps Earth’s “carbon budget” balanced.

However, that budget is falling out of balance. Since the Industrial Revolution, fossil fuels have been aggressively extracted and burned for energy or fuel. This releases the carbon that has been sequestered underground, and upsets the carbon budget. This affects the quality of our air, water, and overall climate.

The taiga, for example, sequesters vast amounts of carbon in its trees and below the forest floor. Drilling for natural resources not only releases the carbon stored in the fossil fuels, but also the carbon stored in the forest itself.

Oil is a major component of modern civilization. In developing countries, access to affordable energy can empower citizens and lead to higher quality of life. Petroleum provides transportation fuel, is a part of many chemicals and medicines, and is used to make crucial items such as heart valves, contact lenses, and bandages. Oil reserves attract outside investment and are important for improving countries’ overall economy.

However, a developing country’s access to oil can also affect the power relationship between a government and its people. In some countries, having access to oil can lead government to be less democratic—a situation nicknamed a “petro-dictatorship.” Russia, Nigeria, and Iran have all been accused of having petro-authoritarian regimes.

Oil is a nonrenewable resource, and the world’s oil reserves will not always be enough to provide for the world’s demand for petroleum. Peak oil is the point when the oil industry is extracting the maximum possible amount of petroleum. After peak oil, petroleum production will only decrease. After peak oil, there will be a decline in production and a rise in costs for the remaining supply.

Measuring peak oil uses the reserves-to-production ratio (RPR). This ratio compares the amount of proven oil reserves to the current extraction rate. The reserves-to-production ratio is expressed in years. The RPR is different for every oil rig and every oil-producing area. Oil-producing regions that are also major consumers of oil have a lower RPR than oil producers with low levels of consumption.

Individuals, industries, and organizations are increasingly concerned with peak oil and environmental consequences of petroleum extraction. Alternatives to oil are being developed in some areas, and governments and organizations are encouraging citizens to change their habits so we do not rely so heavily on oil.

Algae is also a potentially enormous source of energy. Algae oil (so-called “green crude”) can be converted into a biofuel. Algae grows extremely quickly and takes up a fraction of the space used by other biofuel feedstocks. About 38,849 square kilometers (15,000 square miles) of algae—less than half the size of the U.S. state of Maine—would provide enough biofuel to replace all of the U.S.’s petroleum needs. Algae absorbs pollution, releases oxygen, and does not require freshwater.

The country of Sweden has made it a priority to drastically reduce its dependence on oil and other fossil fuel energy by 2020. Experts in agriculture, science, industry, forestry, and energy have come together to develop sources of sustainable energy, including geothermal heat pumps, wind farms, wave and solar energy, and domestic biofuel for hybrid vehicles. Changes in society’s habits, such as increasing public transportation and video-conferencing for businesses, are also part of the plan to decrease oil use.