Design of Pusher-Arm Structure and Service Reliability Research for Oilfield Small Repair Well Operation Robot
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.6919/ICJE.202510_11(10).0015Keywords:
Minor Oilfield Workover; Pusher Arm; Structural Optimization; Finite Element Analysis; Electro-Mechanical-Hydraulic Coordination.Abstract
To address the issues of low efficiency in manual operation and high safety risks during the tripping operation of small workover tubing in oilfields, this study proposes a functionally integrated pusher arm structure. The lifting slide rail module enables precise Z-axis positioning, the two-stage rotating arm controls the horizontal trajectory, and the crank-slider hydraulic clamp performs adaptive grasping, achieving the fully automatic transportation of Ø73-339.7mm tubing from the catwalk to the wellhead. The study combines the theoretical mechanics model with finite element simulation to systematically verify the structural reliability of key components under a 1500N limit load. UG software is employed to build a three-dimensional model and optimize the sectional moment of inertia. ANSYS Workbench is utilized for static and transient dynamic analysis, and ADAMS-AMESim co-simulation is used to verify the dynamic performance. The results indicate that the 45-steel fixture has a maximum stress of 76.58 MPa (with a safety factor of 3.36), the Q235 rotating arm has a maximum stress of 36.78 MPa (with a safety factor of 4.2), and the positioning accuracy can reach ±5 mm. After integrating the system into a 40-ton workover rig, the manual intervention at the wellhead is reduced by 82%, and the time for tripping a single tubing is shortened from 4.5 minutes to 2.1 minutes, which provides key technical support for the automation of oilfield workover operations.
Downloads
References
[1] Li, Q, Zhao,H.J. (2018) Design and implementation of an oilfield wellhead operation robot system. Equipment Manufacturing Technology, 11: 14–17.
[2] Smith, J., Williams, R., & Davis, K. (2018) Automation trends in oilfield workover operations:Challenges and opportunities.Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 165: 432–445.
[3] Johnson, A., & Lee, S. (2020) Structural reliability analysis of robotic arms for large-diameter tubing handling in oil wells.IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 67(3): 2105–2114.
[4] Brown, P., Miller, T., & Clark, L.(2019) Safety assessment of manual vs automated workover operations in North American oil fields. Journal of Safety Research, 72: 89–101.
[5] Geng,Y.G. Gu,Q.F. Sun, L.H, et al. (2015) Development of a remote–controlled pipe string tripping device for minor workover operations. China Petroleum Machinery, 43(10): 96–101.
[6] Bai,Y.T.(2016) Structural design and analysis of a double-pipe vertical–standing automatic minor workover rig. China University of Petroleum.(East China).
[7] Ma, S.X.(2020) Development and application of an automatic tubing lifting device for minor workover operations. Oil Production Engineering, 4: 55–58+82.
[8] Qi,Y.G, He,J.P, Xie,M.H. (2006) Analysis of factors affecting the efficiency of minor oilfield workover operations. Oil Field Equipment, 4: 84–86.
[9] Sun,H, Chen, Z.M. (2000) Theory of machines and mechanisms. Higher Education Press, Beijing.
[10] Yi,W.J, Luo,Q, He, K.(2014) Current status and development of finite element analysis for petroleum machinery. Science & Technology Vision.
[11] Song,Y, Guan, F. (2020) Current situation and prospect of automation technology for minor workover operations. Chemical Engineering & Equipment, 6: 40–42.
[12] Xu,W.Q.(2010) Current status and development trends of mechatronics technology. Silicon Valley, 4: 21.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 International Core Journal of Engineering

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.