Automatic Pipe Handling System / Drill String Conveyor

Technical Specifications – Automatic Pipe Handling System (Drill String Conveyor)

Parameter	Standard System	Heavy‑Duty System	Arctic / Desert Option
Pipe diameter range	2-⅜″ – 9-⅝″	2-⅜″ – 13-⅜″	Same as standard/heavy
Pipe length (singles)	9–12 m (30–40 ft)	9–12 m	Same
Pipe length (stands)	18–19 m (doubles) optional	18–27 m (doubles/triples)	Same
Conveying speed (upward)	0.5–1.0 m/s (adjustable)	0.5–1.2 m/s	Same (cold‑rated components)
Cycle time (single to well center)	30–45 seconds	35–50 seconds	35–55 seconds (cold start)
Hydraulic pressure	16–21 MPa (2,300–3,000 psi)	16–21 MPa	16–21 MPa (low‑temp fluid)
Control method	Remote wired pedestal / wireless pendant	Remote wired pedestal / wireless pendant	Heated console / cold‑rated pendant
Interlock integration	PLC (Modbus TCP / PROFINET / EtherNet‑IP)	PLC (same)	Same
Power requirement	30–45 kW hydraulic power unit	45–60 kW HPU	HPU with heated reservoir
Rack capacity (singles per side)	30–40	40–50	Same
System weight	12–18 tonnes	18–25 tonnes	+1–2 tonnes (heating/cooling)
API compliance	API 4F / 7K (structures & equipment)	API 4F / 7K	API 4F / 7K
Operating temp (standard)	-20°C to +50°C	-20°C to +50°C	N/A
Arctic temp rating	N/A	N/A	-45°C to +50°C
Desert temp rating	N/A	N/A	-20°C to +55°C

Product Types – Automatic Pipe Handling Configurations

1. Standard Drill String Conveyor (Single Ramp)

• One conveyor trough, one pipe indexing rack

• Pipe diameter range: 2-⅜″ – 9-⅝″

• For land drilling rigs (ZJ40–ZJ70) and workover rigs (XJ550–XJ750)

• Cycle time: 30–45 seconds per single

2. Heavy‑Duty Dual‑Rack System (Double Sided)

• Two indexing racks (left and right) feeding a single conveyor trough

• Allows separate storage of drill pipe and casing

• Pipe diameter range: 2-⅜″ – 13-⅜″

• For deep drilling rigs (ZJ70–ZJ90) and offshore platforms

• Cycle time: 35–50 seconds

3. Stand Conveyor (For Doubles or Triples)

• Extended trough length (18–27 metres) to handle pre‑made stands

• Requires taller mast clearance for stand transfer

• For high‑efficiency drilling programs where stands are made offline

• Cycle time per stand: 45–60 seconds

4. Arctic‑Rated Pipe Handling System

• Low‑temperature hydraulic seals and fluids (-45°C)

• Heated control console and valve enclosures

• Impact‑tested steel for structural components

• Field‑proven on Rosneft drilling campaigns in Siberia

5. Desert‑Rated Pipe Handling System

• High‑capacity oil coolers for +55°C ambient

• Sand‑proof seals on all cylinders and joints

• UV‑resistant paint and cable coatings

• Heavy‑duty air filtration for hydraulic tank breathers

6. Retrofit Kit (for Existing Rigs)

• Bolt‑on catwalk and hydraulic power unit

• Compatible with most rig makes (NOV, Honghua, Lanzhou LS, SJ Petro)

• On‑site installation by SJ Petro engineers

Application Fields – Where Automatic Pipe Handling Systems Deliver ROI

Land Drilling Rigs (ZJ Series)

Tripping drill pipe is the most frequent operation on any drilling rig. A manual catwalk requires 3–4 crew members to roll singles, position them, and feed the V‑door. With an automatic pipe handling system, one operator controls everything from a remote station. The remaining crew stays clear of the catwalk, and tripping becomes faster and safer.

Typical ROI: 6–12 months based on reduced crew cost and lower injury rates.

Workover and Well Servicing (XJ Series)

Workover rigs trip tubing repeatedly across multiple wells. The cumulative manual handling at the catwalk is a major source of fatigue and ergonomic injury. A compact automatic pipe handling system on a workover rig reduces crew from 5 to 2–3 personnel and speeds up each tubing run.

Offshore Platform Drilling

Space on an offshore platform is limited, and the catwalk area is often congested. Automatic pipe handling systems keep personnel off the catwalk, reduce the number of workers in the red zone, and can be controlled from the driller's cabin – a significant safety advantage in a high‑daily‑rate environment.

Arctic and Permafrost Drilling

In extreme cold, manual pipe handling becomes hazardous – gloves reduce dexterity, metal surfaces are dangerously cold, and snow/ice create slipping hazards. Arctic‑rated automatic pipe handling systems allow the crew to operate from a heated control station while the machine handles the pipe. Proven on Rosneft operations at -45°C.

Desert Drilling (Sahara, Arabian Desert, Central Asia)

High temperatures cause hydraulic fluid to thin and seals to degrade. Desert‑rated systems incorporate high‑capacity coolers, sand‑proof seals, and UV‑resistant components to maintain reliability at +55°C ambient. Delivered to Libya and other Sahara region operators.

Automated Drill Floor Integration

For fully automated drilling rigs (iron roughneck + floor manipulator + monkey board robot), the automatic pipe handling system is the final piece of the puzzle. The catwalk feeds singles to the manipulator, which hands off to the elevator, which lifts to the top drive – all without manual intervention. One‑button tripping from the driller's cabin.

Why Choose SJ Petro for Automatic Pipe Handling Systems?

Backed by Sinopec – China Top 500 Manufacturer

SJ Petro is a wholly‑owned subsidiary of Sinopec Oilfield Equipment Corporation, a state‑owned enterprise with over 50 years of drilling equipment manufacturing experience. We design our pipe handling systems specifically for our ZJ series drilling rigs and XJ series workover rigs – not generic products adapted to unknown platforms.

API 4F & 7K Compliant – Full Documentation

Our automatic pipe handling systems are designed and manufactured to API 4F (structures) and API 7K (drilling equipment) standards. We provide complete certification documentation: material test reports, NDT inspection records, hydraulic test certificates, and certificates of conformance.

Integrated Control – Works with Your Rig's PLC

Our systems communicate via Modbus TCP, PROFINET, or EtherNet‑IP, making them compatible with most rig control systems. For SJ Petro rigs, the catwalk integrates seamlessly into the existing HMI – no new control box, no additional training.

Arctic & Desert Engineering – Proven in Extreme Environments

SJ Petro has delivered low‑temperature drilling rigs to Rosneft (Siberia) and desert rigs to Libya (Sahara). Our pipe handling systems share the same environmental engineering: impact‑tested steel, cold‑hardened seals, heated enclosures for Arctic; high‑capacity coolers, sand‑proof seals for desert.

Global Export Track Record – 30+ Countries

SJ Petro equipment operates in over 30 countries, including Russia, Kazakhstan, the United States, Canada, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Our export team provides complete documentation, customs clearance, and on‑site commissioning support.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between an automatic pipe handling system and a power catwalk?

A: The terms are often used interchangeably. A power catwalk specifically refers to the inclined conveyor trough that lifts singles from ground level to the rig floor. An automatic pipe handling system includes the power catwalk plus the indexing rack (pipe storage), pusher arms, and integrated control system. SJ Petro supplies the complete system – not just the catwalk.

Q2: Can your pipe handling system handle stands (doubles or triples) or just singles?

A: Our standard systems are designed for singles (9–12 metres). For operations that pre‑make stands offline, we offer an extended stand conveyor with a longer trough (18–27 metres) that handles doubles or triples. Specify your stand length when ordering.

Q3: How fast is the conveying cycle?

A: For a single pipe from the rack to the well center, cycle time is typically 30–45 seconds depending on pipe diameter and ramp angle. The system is adjustable via PLC to match the pace of the iron roughneck and elevator.

Q4: Does the system integrate with my existing iron roughneck and elevator?

A: Yes. Our control system includes interlocks that communicate with iron roughneck position sensors and elevator latch sensors. We use standard industrial protocols (Modbus TCP, PROFINET, EtherNet‑IP) to exchange signals. For retrofit projects, we can adapt to your existing equipment.

Q5: What pipe diameters can the system handle?

A: The standard system handles 2-⅜″ to 9-⅝″ (drill pipe and casing). The heavy‑duty version handles up to 13-⅜″ casing. Drill collars up to 9-½″ are also accommodated. No changeover tooling required – adjustable guide rollers and wear plates adapt automatically.

Q6: Can the system be used for both feeding pipe to the rig and returning pipe to the rack?

A: Yes. The conveyor is reversible. When tripping out of the hole, pipe is lowered from the rig floor, conveyed back down the ramp, and deposited onto the indexing rack by the reversing skate.

Q7: What is the power requirement for the hydraulic power unit?

A: Standard systems require a 30–45 kW hydraulic power unit (HPU). Heavy‑duty systems require 45–60 kW. We can supply the HPU as part of the package or integrate with your existing rig hydraulic system (if capacity is sufficient).

Q8: Do you offer Arctic‑rated pipe handling systems?

A: Yes. Our Arctic‑rated systems are designed for continuous operation at -45°C, with low‑temperature hydraulic fluids, cold‑hardened seals, heated control enclosures, and water‑free pneumatics. These have been delivered to Rosneft projects in Siberia and are field‑proven.

Q9: Can I retrofit an automatic pipe handling system to an existing rig not built by SJ Petro?

A: Yes. We offer retrofit kits that include the catwalk, hydraulic power unit, control console, and mounting brackets. A site survey is required to confirm rig floor and substructure dimensions. Lead time for retrofit: 6–8 months from survey completion.