An oil pump jack, also known as a nodding donkey or horsehead pump, is a common sight in many oil fields around the world. It is a mechanical device that is used to extract crude oil from underground wells. Here is a brief overview of how an oil pump jack works:
Motor and gearbox: The oil pump jack is powered by an electric motor or a gas engine that drives a gearbox. The gearbox reduces the rotational speed of the motor and increases the torque to power the pump jack.
Walking beam: The gearbox is connected to a walking beam, which is a long, pivoting metal arm that is mounted on a fulcrum. The walking beam is connected to the horsehead or the rod of the oil well.
Sucker rod: The sucker rod is a long, slender metal rod that is attached to the walking beam at one end and to the piston at the other end. As the walking beam moves up and down, it pushes and pulls the sucker rod, which in turn moves the piston up and down inside the oil well.
Pumping unit: The piston is connected to a pumping unit, which is a mechanical device that pumps oil from the well. The pumping unit consists of a series of valves and cylinders that work together to lift the oil to the surface.
Oil storage tank: The oil that is pumped to the surface is stored in an oil storage tank, where it is measured, tested, and transported to refineries for processing.
The oil pump jack is a simple, reliable, and cost-effective method of extracting crude oil from underground wells. Although it has been around for over a century, it remains a key component of the modern oil industry. Despite the emergence of new technologies, the pump jack is likely to remain a familiar sight in oil fields for many years to come.