WEG, in partnership with Lufkin, has developed a Direct Drive solution for mechanical pumping equipment intended for the Vaca Muerta region in Neuquén, Argentina, a major hub for investment in oil and natural gas production.

Direct Drive eliminates pulleys and belts

In conventional pumpjack systems, the motor’s motion is transmitted to the gearbox via pulleys and belts, component parts subject to wearing, replacement, and adjustment throughout operation.

In the configuration developed for Lufkin, the W23 PumpJack uses a permanent magnet synchronous motor coupled directly to the gearbox shaft, eliminating these intermediate mechanical components.

The Direct Drive architecture simplifies the drive assembly and reduces the number of maintenance-prone points, while also allowing the pump speed to be controlled via a variable frequency drive. The technical comparison of the application also highlights the elimination of belt and pulley replacements found in the traditional configuration.

W23 PumpJack: Motor Designed for Oil Pumping

The W23 PumpJack is a permanent magnet motor designed to drive individual oil pumping equipment.

Its hollow-shaft construction allows for direct installation on the pump’s gearbox shaft, facilitating a compact configuration well-suited to the Direct Drive concept. Drive and control are provided by a variable frequency drive.

In the configuration designed for pumpjack applications, the series features:

• Three-Phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor;
• Operating speeds of 200 rpm;
• TENV cooling;
• Versions for safe areas and Zone 2, Group IIA, T3 hazardous areas;
• PT100 sensors in the winding coils and rolling bearings;

Intelligent monitoring via WEGscan, allowing for continuous tracking of parameters such as vibration, temperature, speed, and operating hours, with diagnostic features that contribute to the early detection of anomalies and more efficient maintenance.

These features make it suitable for applications requiring high torque at low speeds, a condition typical of mechanical pumping systems.

Efficiency and Control for Oil Production Pumps

In addition to mechanical simplification, the use of permanent magnet motors offers gains in the drive’s performance.

In the technical comparison presented for this application, the W23 PumpJack achieves 95% efficiency, compared to 88.5% for the NEMA D induction motor used as a reference in the traditional system.

A single motor can generate annual savings of up to USD 38,000.00, based on energy costs in Argentina.

The use of a frequency inverter also allows for speed control of the pumping system without the need for mechanical adjustments to pulleys or belts, providing greater flexibility to adapt the equipment’s operation to well conditions.

Technology for New Equipment and Pumpjack Retrofits

The application in Vaca Muerta expands WEG’s presence in permanent magnet motors for pumpjack-type oil extraction systems.

In addition to equipping new pumping units, the Direct Drive architecture offers potential for retrofitting existing systems, replacing traditional assemblies with a direct-drive solution that provides a higher level of control.

By combining a permanent magnet motor, Direct Drive system, frequency inverter control, and engineering support, WEG offers an alternative for operations seeking to increase efficiency, simplify maintenance, and improve lhe availability of oil pumping systems.

Are you looking to increase the efficiency of your pumpjack systems or evaluate retrofit alternatives for your operation?

Discover WEG’s solutions for oil pumping drives and speak with our experts.