Oil & Gas Pumps and Fluid Handling Solutions
AxFlow supplies engineered oil and gas pumps for upstream production, offshore platforms, terminals, refineries and petrochemical processing. Our pump range supports duties including crude oil transfer, produced water handling, chemical injection, closed drains, recovered oil, fuel transfer, cooling water and process circulation.
Oil and gas applications can involve volatile hydrocarbons, high pressures, extreme temperatures, corrosive chemicals, abrasive solids and hazardous operating areas. Selecting the correct pump technology is therefore essential for safe containment, reliable operation and reduced lifecycle costs.
AxFlow has more than 50 years of experience supplying pumps to the offshore, oil and petrochemical sectors, including equipment designed to API standards and for hazardous-area applications.
What Are Oil and Gas Pumps?
Oil and gas pumps are industrial pumps used to transfer liquid hydrocarbons, water, chemicals, slurries and other process fluids throughout upstream, midstream and downstream operations.
Typical pumped liquids include:
- Crude oil and condensate
- Diesel, fuel oil and lubricating oil
- Produced water
- Methanol and monoethylene glycol
- Corrosion and scale inhibitors
- Slops and recovered oil
- Drilling and process fluids
- Cooling water and thermal oils
- Liquefied hydrocarbons
Pumps move liquids within oil and gas operations. Natural gas in its vapour phase is normally handled by compressors rather than pumps; API standards distinguish between centrifugal pumps and equipment designed for gas compression.
Oil and Gas Pump Applications
Crude Oil and Hydrocarbon Transfer
Crude oil, condensate and refined hydrocarbon transfer duties vary significantly in viscosity, temperature, vapour pressure and flow rate.
Centrifugal pumps are commonly selected for continuous, high-flow transfer of lower-viscosity hydrocarbons. Positive displacement pumps are often preferred for viscous crude oil, fuel oil, bitumen and applications requiring a more consistent flow as system pressure changes.
Chemical Injection
Chemical injection pumps deliver controlled quantities of treatment chemicals into oil, gas or water process streams. Typical chemicals include:
- Corrosion inhibitors
- Scale inhibitors
- Methanol
- Monoethylene glycol
- Biocides
- Demulsifiers
- Oxygen scavengers
- Production additives
Controlled-volume metering pumps are used where dosing accuracy and repeatability are critical. Reciprocating piston, plunger or diaphragm pumps may be required for high-pressure injection duties. AxFlow can also supply engineered chemical injection pump skids.
Produced Water
Produced water can contain oil, dissolved gases, treatment chemicals, sand and other suspended solids. Pump selection must consider temperature, pressure, abrasiveness, gas content, available NPSH and the required level of shear.
Depending on the process, suitable technologies can include API centrifugal pumps, sealless pumps, vertical pumps and positive displacement pumps.
Closed Drains, Slops and Recovered Oil
Closed-drain and slops systems may receive hydrocarbons, water, chemicals, solids and fluids with widely varying viscosity.
Suitable solutions can include:
- AODD pumps for portable or intermittent transfer
- Vertical pumps for tank-mounted duties
- Rotary lobe or eccentric disc pumps for viscous, low-shear transfer
- API centrifugal pumps for larger continuous duties
- Positive displacement pumps for variable-viscosity fluids
The selected pump must tolerate the expected fluid variation rather than being sized around a single ideal operating condition. AxFlow already supports closed-drain, recovered-oil and general offshore transfer duties with both centrifugal and positive displacement technologies.
Seawater, Cooling and Heating Systems
Oil and gas facilities use pumps for seawater lift, cooling water, heating circuits, HVAC services and process heat-transfer systems.
Depending on the required flow, head, installation and material specification, solutions can include vertical turbine pumps, submersible pumps, API centrifugal pumps, magnetic drive pumps and general-purpose water pumps.
Fuel Transfer, Loading and Unloading
Fuel oils, diesel, lubricants and other refined products require dependable transfer during storage, loading and unloading.
Vane, gear and other positive displacement pumps can provide strong suction performance and consistent delivery for these applications. AODD pumps are also useful for temporary, mobile or intermittent transfer duties.
Pump Technologies for Oil and Gas
API 610 Centrifugal Pumps
API 610 pumps are centrifugal pumps designed for demanding petroleum, petrochemical and natural gas industry services. They are commonly specified for continuous process duties requiring high reliability, controlled hydraulic performance and robust construction.
Available configurations include overhung, between-bearings, multistage and vertical suspended pumps.
API 685 Sealless Pumps
API 685 pumps use a sealless centrifugal design, typically magnetic drive or canned motor, to provide enhanced containment of hazardous, volatile or environmentally sensitive liquids.
They may be selected where eliminating the dynamic mechanical shaft seal can reduce leakage risk and fugitive emissions.
API 676 Rotary Positive Displacement Pumps
API 676 pumps are rotary positive displacement pumps suited to applications involving viscous hydrocarbons, lubricating oils, fuel oils and other liquids requiring controlled, repeatable flow.
Depending on the duty, suitable technologies can include gear, screw, vane and other rotary positive displacement designs. API identifies Standard 676 specifically for rotary positive displacement pumps.
API 675 Metering Pumps
API 675 controlled-volume pumps are used for accurate chemical dosing and injection. They are particularly suited to duties where repeatable flow adjustment and dosing performance are required.
API 674 Reciprocating Pumps
API 674 reciprocating positive displacement pumps are used for demanding high-pressure services such as chemical injection, water injection, pressure testing and other duties requiring high discharge pressure.
General-Purpose Offshore Pumps
Not every oil and gas duty requires a full API pump. AxFlow also supplies general-purpose technologies for utilities, temporary transfer, drainage and maintenance applications, including:
- Air-operated double diaphragm pumps
- Rotary vane pumps
- Gear pumps
- Rotary lobe pumps
- Eccentric disc pumps
- Vertical and submersible pumps
- Magnetic drive pumps
- Metering pumps
The correct design depends on the fluid, duty, operating environment and project specification.
How to Choose an Oil and Gas Pump
Selecting an oil and gas pump requires more than matching a flow rate and discharge pressure. The complete process conditions must be considered.
Fluid Properties
Confirm the liquid’s:
- Composition
- Viscosity at operating temperature
- Density and specific gravity
- Vapour pressure
- Corrosiveness
- Lubricity
- Solids and sand content
- Entrained or dissolved gas
- Toxicity and flammability
The fluid data should reflect actual start-up, normal and upset conditions.
Flow, Pressure and Operating Range
Define the required flow, differential head or discharge pressure and expected operating range. Pumps selected too far from their intended duty point may suffer reduced efficiency, instability, excessive vibration or accelerated wear.
Suction Conditions and NPSH
Available NPSH is particularly important when pumping volatile hydrocarbons, hot liquids or fluids close to their boiling point. Suction pressure, temperature, vapour pressure, line losses and gas entrainment must all be evaluated to reduce cavitation and loss-of-prime risks.
Viscosity and Temperature
Viscosity can change significantly with temperature. A hydrocarbon that flows readily during normal operation may become much harder to pump during a cold start.
Positive displacement pumps are often better suited to high-viscosity duties, while centrifugal pumps are generally more effective for continuous transfer of lower-viscosity fluids.
Sealing and Containment
Mechanical seal arrangement, seal support systems and sealless pump options should be assessed according to the fluid hazard, operating pressure and site requirements.
Magnetic drive or canned motor pumps may be appropriate where containment is a priority and the fluid is suitable for the internal bearing and circulation arrangement.
Materials of Construction
Pump casing, impeller, rotor, shaft, seals and elastomers must be compatible with the process fluid and operating environment. Offshore and sour-service applications may require specialist stainless steels, duplex or super duplex materials and project-specific corrosion requirements.
Hazardous-Area Requirements
Oil and gas pumps must be suitable for the site’s hazardous-area classification, gas group, temperature class and operating zone. In Great Britain, electrical and mechanical equipment intended for potentially explosive atmospheres falls within the relevant explosive-atmosphere equipment regulations.
Standards, Testing and Documentation
Project requirements may include:
- API 610, 674, 675, 676 or 685
- Inspection and test plans
- Material certification
- Hydrostatic and performance testing
- Vibration testing
- Welding documentation
- Data books and traceability
- Hazardous-area certification
- Client-specific specifications
AxFlow considers testing and documentation requirements from the start of an oil and gas project, helping ensure the selected equipment meets both the technical duty and project deliverables.
Tailored Solutions for Oil and Gas
Collaborating closely with oil and gas industry leaders, AxFlow offers tailored fluid handling solutions. Our expertise guarantees equipment designed to meet stringent safety standards, optimizing operations, enhancing efficiency, and ensuring compliance in fluid handling processes.
Partner with AxFlow to elevate your oil and gas operations. Our fluid handling solutions promise precision, reliability, and compliance with the industry's highest standards. Connect with us today to revolutionize your fluid handling for unparalleled success in the oil and gas sector.
