Snubbing device
Technical Specifications – Hydraulic Snubbing Unit Product Line
The following specifications represent industry‑standard hydraulic snubbing unit models. Custom configurations are available.
HRS Series Hydraulic Snubbing Unit Specifications
| Model | HRS 150 | HRS 225 | HRS 340 | HRS 460 | HRS 600 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max. pulling capacity | 150,000 lbs | 225,000 lbs | 340,000 lbs | 460,000 lbs | 600,000 lbs |
| Max. snubbing capacity | 66,000 lbs | 120,000 lbs | 188,000 lbs | 220,000 lbs | 260,000 lbs |
| Horsepower | 230 HP | 305 HP | 305 HP | 280 HP | 380 HP |
| Tubing size range | 1 – 2-⅞″ | 1 – 5-½″ | 1 – 7-⅝″ | 1 – 8-⅝″ | 1 – 8-⅝″ |
| Standard rotary torque | 5,000 ft·lbs | 5,000 ft·lbs | 10,000 ft·lbs | 10,000 ft·lbs | 20,000 ft·lbs |
| Standard stroke | 10 ft | 10 ft | 10 ft | 10 ft | 14 ft |
SOFE 225‑Ton Stand‑Alone Hydraulic Snubbing Unit Specifications (Sinopec Technology)
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Maximum lifting load | 2,250 kN (225 tons) |
| Maximum snubbing force | 1,100 kN (110 tons) |
| Dynamic seal operating pressure | 70 MPa (10,150 psi) |
| Maximum turning torque | 30 kN·m |
| Slip open/close cycles (field proven) | 155,000+ cycles |
| API compliance | API Spec 7K |
| Patents awarded | 16 patents, 2 software copyrights, 1 industry standard |
TT150K Rigless Snubbing Unit Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Max. lifting force | 142,000 lb (64.5 tons) |
| Max. snubbing force | 85,000 lb (38.6 tons) |
| Stroke length | 138″ (3.5 m) |
| Bore size | 7‑1/16″ (180 mm) |
| Pipe size range | 1″ – 5‑½″ (25.4 – 139.7 mm) |
| Power Rotary torque | 3,300 ft·lb |
| Rotary speed | 100 rpm max |
| BOP pressure rating | 5,000 psi (35 MPa) |
| Compliance | Enform IRP 15 regulations |
| Configuration | Stand‑alone OR rig assist |
Snubbing Device Product Types – From Stand‑Alone to Helicopter‑Transportable
Sinopec Oilfield Equipment Corporation (SOFE) designs and manufactures a complete range of hydraulic snubbing and hydraulic workover solutions:
1. Stand‑Alone Hydraulic Snubbing Unit
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Fully self-contained hydraulic workover system
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No conventional rig support required
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Available with 225‑ton capacity (SOFE 225‑ton model)
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Ideal for remote locations and deep shale gas fields
2. Rig Assist Snubbing Unit
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Designed to work in conjunction with conventional workover or drilling rigs
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Faster rig‑up and rig‑down times
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Lower capital cost than stand‑alone units
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Can be used as both stand‑alone and rig assist (TT150K model)
3. Truck‑Mounted Continuous Pumping & Circulating Unit
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Deployed alongside snubbing units for underbalanced operations
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Max displacement: 1,876 L/min
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Max working pressure: 99.7 MPa
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Friction‑reducing technology with precision ±0.5%
4. Helicopter‑Transportable Models
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HRS 150 and HRS 225 units available in heli‑transportable configurations
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For remote operations with limited road access
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Lightweight, compact design
5. Hydraulic Workover (HWO) Units
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For dead well operations using hydraulic rig technology
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Same core system design, configured for conventional pulling/lifting
6. Custom Snubbing Packages
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Built to customer specifications
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Available with full line of auxiliary components: work windows up to 600,000 lb capacity, high‑pressure circulating swivels up to 15,000 psi operating pressure, skid‑mounted mud pump packages
Snubbing Device Applications – Live Well Intervention, Underbalanced Drilling, P&A
Live Well Intervention (Snubbing Mode)
The primary application for snubbing devices is live well intervention without well killing. Operations include:
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Fishing parted coiled tubing in live, high‑pressure wells (proven in offshore Vietnam)
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Running and pulling completion equipment under pressure
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Drilling and milling with heavier bottomhole assemblies (BHA)
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Scale and paraffin removal from production tubing
As one industry source notes: "Hydraulic workover unit (HWO)—or snubbing unit—is designed for live well operations. Instead of a drawworks, HWOs use hydraulic jacks to push or pull pipe against wellbore pressure.”
Underbalanced Drilling & Completions
Snubbing units are commonly used in underbalanced drilling operations to maintain live well conditions while installing final well production equipment. A comparison of two common underbalanced methods found snubbing (hydraulic workover) and coiled tubing each have distinct advantages depending on wellbore conditions and intervention requirements.
Plug & Abandonment (P&A)
Snubbing units allow handling of live wells, without killing them, offering a safe and effective method for sealing and isolating end‑of‑life wells. They are increasingly used in complex completions and high‑pressure environments where conventional rigs or coiled tubing units face drawbacks. Snubbing units can be equipped to handle HPHT conditions for deep well abandonment.
Well Control Recovery Efforts
Snubbing units are used effectively during and after well control operations, providing distinct advantages compared to coiled tubing in certain scenarios. The ability to apply both push and pull forces under pressure makes them uniquely suited for well control recovery.
Hydraulic Workover (Dead Well Operations)
When there is no surface pressure (dead wells), the same hydraulic unit performs hydraulic workover (HWO) operations—pulling tubing, milling packers, running completion strings—with the speed and safety of hydraulic jacks.
Offshore Snubbing Operations
Hydraulic snubbing units are deployed on offshore platforms for live well interventions, including fishing operations in high‑pressure wells where conventional rigs cannot safely operate without killing the well. A documented case study describes a successful snubbing application for fishing parted coiled tubing in a live high‑pressure well offshore Vietnam.
Remote & Helicopter‑Transportable Operations
For drilling programs in remote or roadless locations, heli‑transportable snubbing units (HRS 150, HRS 225) can be flown in and assembled on site—providing live well intervention capability where conventional rigs cannot go.
Why Choose SJ Petro / Sinopec Oilfield Equipment for Hydraulic Snubbing Units?
Backed by Sinopec – Industry Leader
SJ PETROLEUM MACHINERY Co., Ltd. is a wholly‑owned subsidiary of Sinopec Oilfield Equipment Corporation (SOFE), which ranks among China's Top 500 manufacturers. This provides financial stability, consistent quality, and long‑term after‑sales support that independent manufacturers cannot match. Sinopec Oilfield Equipment Corporation engages in the research, development, manufacture, and service of oil and gas equipment in China and internationally, offering drilling rigs, cementing units, fracturing units, workover equipment, coiled tubing units, snubbing units, drill bits and tools, and downhole tools.
API Spec 7K Compliant – Drilling & Well Servicing Equipment
Our hydraulic snubbing units are designed and manufactured in accordance with API Spec 7K – Drilling and Well Servicing Equipment, covering general principles and requirements for design, manufacturing, testing, and documentation. Complete certification documentation—material test reports, NDT inspection records, pressure test certificates, and certificates of conformance—is included with every shipment.
Independently Developed Core Snubbing Technology – 16 Patents
SOFE has independently developed three key technologies for hydraulic snubbing units, awarded 16 patents, 2 software copyrights, and 1 industry standard. These cover automatically loaded tubulars, snubbing operation well controlling and lifting PLC, and highly efficient mixing technology.
Proven in Extreme Conditions – 12 Wells, 155,000 Slip Cycles
SOFE's 225‑ton‑rated hydraulic snubbing unit has operated in the Fuling shale gas field (deep shale, high pressure, challenging conditions), running in 12 wells with slip open/close cycles reaching 155,000 times. The plug drilling and pumping unit has completed operations on 11 wells with over 1,100 hours of runtime.
Complete Range – From Stand‑Alone to Helicopter‑Transportable
Sinopec Oilfield Equipment Corporation provides a comprehensive line of snubbing units: stand‑alone 225‑ton units for deep wells, rig assist models for conventional workover integration, truck‑mounted continuous pumping and circulating units, and heli‑transportable HRS 150/225 units for remote operations. Custom packages are available with full auxiliary components.
One‑Stop Oilfield Equipment Supply – Rigs + Snubbing + Downhole Tools
When you choose SJ Petro, you are not limited to snubbing units alone. We manufacture the complete well construction ecosystem: drilling rigs (ZJ series), workover rigs (XJ series), cementing and fracturing equipment, coiled tubing units, high‑pressure fluid control products, Kingdream downhole tools (PDC bits, roller cone bits, downhole motors, drilling jars), and API 5CT/5DP OCTG pipe. One manufacturer, one quality standard, one warranty, one service contact.
Global Export Track Record
Sinopec Oilfield Equipment Corporation has exported equipment to over 30 countries, with SOFE's snubbing technology recognized as a leading solution in China's shale gas industry. Our export team provides complete documentation for international procurement and customs clearance. Third‑party inspection (BV, SGS, DNV, ABS) is welcome at any stage of manufacturing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the difference between snubbing and hydraulic workover (HWO)?
A: Snubbing refers to hydraulic unit operations on live wells where surface pressure can push the pipe out of the hole. Until the pipe weight overcomes the upward expulsion force, the pipe must be mechanically held down. Hydraulic workover (HWO) refers to operations on dead wells using hydraulic rigs, where conventional pulling forces are applied. The same unit can perform both functions depending on well pressure conditions.
Q2: What is the maximum snubbing capacity of SOFE snubbing units?
A: Sinopec Oilfield Equipment's 225‑ton‑rated stand‑alone hydraulic snubbing unit achieves maximum snubbing force of 1,100 kN (110 tons) and maximum lifting load of 2,250 kN (225 tons). The unit operates at dynamic seal pressure up to 70 MPa (10,150 psi).
Q3: Can your snubbing unit operate without a conventional workover rig?
A: Yes. Our stand‑alone snubbing units are fully self‑contained and do not require conventional rig support for operations. The hydraulic jack type is the most widely used and can operate with or without a conventional drilling/workover rig.
Q4: What applications are snubbing units best suited for?
A: Snubbing units are ideal for live well intervention without well killing, underbalanced drilling and completions, plug and abandonment (P&A) of high‑pressure wells, fishing operations in live wells, well control recovery efforts, milling and drilling in live wells, and hydraulic workover (dead well operations).
Q5: Are your snubbing units API certified?
A: Yes. Our snubbing units are designed and manufactured in accordance with API Spec 7K – Drilling and Well Servicing Equipment, which provides general principles and specifies requirements for design, manufacture, and testing of new drilling and well‑servicing equipment and replacement primary load‑carrying components.
Q6: What is the typical lead time for a hydraulic snubbing unit order?
A: Lead time depends on unit size and customisation level:
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Standard HRS 150–460 units: 6–8 months
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Custom snubbing packages with auxiliary components: 8–10 months
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Heli‑transportable units: 10–12 months
Expedite options may be available for emergency requirements—contact our sales team for current availability.
Q7: Do you offer helicopter‑transportable snubbing units for remote operations?
A: Yes. The HRS 150 and HRS 225 units are available in helicopter‑transportable configurations for remote locations with limited road access, featuring lightweight, compact design for air transport.
Q8: What after‑sales support do you provide for snubbing units?
A: We provide on‑site installation supervision and commissioning, crew training for snubbing unit operation (snub mode, HWO mode, PLC control), 24/7 remote technical support via secure VPN, long‑term spare parts supply (hydraulic cylinders, slips, BOP components, control system modules), and extended warranty options (up to 5 years for core components).
Q9: What is the temperature range for snubbing unit operation?
A: Standard units operate from -20°C to +50°C. For Arctic drilling campaigns (Siberia, Northern Canada), we offer low‑temperature configurations with cold‑hardened seals, low‑pour‑point hydraulic fluids, and heated control enclosures. For desert operations (Sahara, Middle East), high‑efficiency cooling systems are available.
