Paper: BETTER UNDERSTANDING THE MAXIMUM TORQUE POTENTIAL OF PUMPING UNIT GEAR REDUCERS

This paper discusses several studies undertaken by Mobil's Bakersfield, California, operating unit to better understand the operating limits of oilfield pumping unit gear reducers. Theoretic information was secured from several manufactures, both domestic and foreign, about gear reducer, gear and bearing life expectations. Limited testing was conducted in an effort to validate four manufactures' claims. Inspections were also conducted on about 200 pumping units to gain a wider information base on gear reducer operating life. From these data it was determined that some manufacturers' information could be proven while others could not. A compilation of the theoretical information was developed and reports were distributed that provide Mobil with the ability to more accurately determine the maximum allowable operating limits for several brands of pumping units.