SOFE successfully deployed stand-alone snubbing units rated for 225T and truck-mounted continuous pumping and circulating units for shale play in Fuling, China. The solutions is live and has been up and running in the shale gas field for several months. In field applications, these units have performed extraordinary.

Compared to previously snubbing units in China, the first SOFE’s snubbing units rated for 225tons have made a significant breakthrough in the technological challenges of heavy load, high torque and long running period, with maximum lifting load 2250kN, maximum snubbing force 1100kN, pressure 70MPa in dynamic seal operation, and maximum turning torque 30kN.m.

Being the first truck-mounted continuous pumping and circulating unit, its maximum displacement is 1876L/min, maximum working pressure of 99.7MPa, friction-reducing rates less than 8.7L/min and friction-reducing precision ±0.5%. Innovated technologies of static mixer built-in winged baldes, pumping and circulating remotely management are problem-solving for high- molecular polymer shearing, compared to mechanically mixing system with low-efficiency, low accuracy of adding additives, and less automation.

In order to improve the capability and safety of the snubbing unit in deep shale play, SOFE has independently developed three key technologies: automatically loaded tubulars, snubbing operation well controlling and lifting PLC, and highly efficiently mixing technology, awarded 16 patents, 2 software copyrights, and 1 industry standard.

The 225tons-rated stand-alone hydraulic snubbing unit and truck-mounted continuous pumping and circulating unit with self-innovation have been put into operation in Fuling shale gas field. Equipped with hydraulic slip with large tonnage and power rotary table with large torque, the snubbing unit has run in 12 wells in total with its slip open and close for 155 thousand times. The maximum operating capacity reaches 110 tons and maximum goes to 20kN.m. The plug drilling and pumping unit has completed operation on 11 wells and run more than 1100 hours with maximum pressure up to 95MPa and maximum displacement 500L/min. The service life of the consumables has increased by 30%.