Crude Oil Booster Pump – 60Hz Performance Test For North Sea Oil & Gas Client

Industry – Oil & Gas

A Crude Oil Booster Medivane Split Case pump was suffering operational issues where it was installed offshore. The pump was removed by the operator and returned to the OEM for overhaul.

We were contacted by the pump OEM to test the performance of the unit post refurbishment ahead of its return to a North Sea Oil Field installation within a 2 week window.

Inside this timescale the unit was installed & Laser Aligned in Pump Group’s test facility, commissioned ahead of testing, operated during a 4 hour Customer Witnessed Test Session to confirm performance at the site operating conditions. The test circuit was artificially heated and maintained to 50°C for the duration of the test. We also utilised our positive pressure system to provide an additional 0.5 bar pressure to the suction tank, and our installed duplex filter system allowed us to carry out the extended duration test whilst keeping the filters clear.

In addition to the pump performance test report, a mechanical report was prepared which included the bearing temperatures recorded throughout the duration of the test, and once the pump temperatures had stabilised, condition monitoring readings were taken using Pruftechnik Vibscanner equipment and a detailed vibration analysis report was issued.

The test was only made possible by the support of Pump Group’s manufacturing and fabrications teams, allowing in-house modifications to critical components during the installation and setup.

Following testing the unit was returned to the North Sea installation and has been successfully installed and is in now in operation.

Working to such a critical deadline Pump Group was able to rely on strong working relationships with key suppliers to source parts required for testing from across the UK and Europe, with a coupling being sourced from John Crane in Czech Republic, couriered to Pump Group in Trafford  and machined, all within 48 hours, to allow testing to be completed on schedule.

Further to the successful completion of this testing for the Pump OEM, Pump Group have just received confirmation of more orders for Performance Testing in the coming weeks.

For more information on our Performance Test Cell, or to discuss how our test facilities can be of use to you, please contact our Test Manager James Pendleton-Briers on 0161 864 4678 or via jamespb@pumpgroup.co.uk.