fully automatic snubbing workover rig

Technical Specifications

The table below covers our standard SJ‑SNB series. Custom configurations — including larger tubular ranges, higher pressure ratings, and specialized features — are available to match your specific project requirements.

Applications

The fully automatic snubbing workover rig is purpose‑built for a wide range of live‑well and pressurized well interventions:

1. Live Well Workover

The primary application. Run tubing in and out of a well under pressure without killing it — which means the well keeps producing during the intervention. No formation damage from kill fluids, no lost production days.

2. Underbalanced Drilling

Snubbing equipment is essential for underbalanced drilling operations, where downhole pressure exceeds hydrostatic head. Our rig provides the downward force needed to push the drill string against wellbore pressure at each connection.

3. Milling and Fishing Operations Under Pressure

With the integrated rotary table, you can mill bridges, fish stuck tools, or grind scale without killing the well. The skid‑mounted snubbing unit can achieve drill‑grinding operations while maintaining full pressure control.

4. Well Cleanout Under Pressure

Purge tubing, flush debris, and cleanse wellbores while keeping the well online. This is particularly valuable in aging fields where production declines are already a concern — every day offline costs money.

5. Installing Downhole Tools Under Pressure

Run packers, plugs, chokes, gas lift valves, and other completion equipment without killing the well. The precise control of our automatic system ensures delicate downhole tools aren’t damaged by rough handling.

6. Blowout Control and Re‑Entry Work

In emergency situations, our snubbing rig can be deployed for blowout control, well re‑entry, and pressure control operations. The fail‑safe BOP stack and redundant systems give you confidence when the situation is critical.

7. Land and Offshore Operation

Our skid‑mounted design is compact enough for platform and jack‑up operations, while the containerized power pack simplifies logistics. For remote locations, we offer heli‑transportable configurations.

8. Old Oilfield Cluster Wells and Accident Recovery

The truck‑mounted and skid‑mounted configurations are ideal for cluster wells and mature oilfields where frequent interventions are required. Efficient transportation and rapid installation mean you can move quickly between wells in the same field.

Product Series & Models

Our fully automatic snubbing workover rig line covers a broad range of force capacities and applications:

Special variants include:

• Truck‑mounted snubbing unit — for rapid mobilization between wells in mature fields

• Heli‑transportable — for remote or mountainous locations with limited road access

• Offshore containerized — DNV 2.7‑3 and ABS certified for platform operations

• OEM / Private‑label — we’ll manufacture to your specifications and brand standards

Why Choose SJ Petroleum Machinery?

You’ve got choices in the snubbing equipment market. Here’s why drilling contractors, well service companies, and national oil companies consistently come back to SJ:

Built by Sinopec — Not a Trader

SJ Petroleum Machinery is a wholly owned manufacturing subsidiary of Sinopec, one of the world’s largest integrated energy companies. That means our snubbing rigs are designed, tested, and built in the same facilities that supply Sinopec’s own drilling and workover fleet. You’re not dealing with a middleman or a repackager — you’re buying direct from a Sinopec‑owned manufacturer.

80+ Years of Petroleum Machinery Heritage

We started building drilling equipment in 1941 — that’s over eight decades of continuous innovation, field feedback, and engineering refinement. We’ve manufactured more than 200 product models across 12 series, and our equipment has been deployed in virtually every oil‑producing region on earth.

Full API Compliance and Global Certifications

Our fully automatic snubbing workover rigs are designed and manufactured in accordance with API 6A, API 16A, API 16D, NACE, and IRP15 standards. We also hold ISO 9001 and HSE certifications. For offshore and international projects, we can provide DNV, ABS, Lloyd’s Register, CE, and ATEX documentation.

Advanced Automation — 70% Fewer Crew Members

Conventional snubbing requires a crew of 4–5 people. Our fully automatic system can be operated by 2–3 people — one driller at the control console and one wellhead operator. That’s not just a cost saving — it’s a safety improvement by reducing the number of people in the red zone.

Full Traceability and Documentation

Every SJ snubbing rig ships with complete documentation:

• Raw material mill certificates (heat‑number traceable)

• Full NDT reports (ultrasonic, magnetic particle, visual inspection)

• Pressure test certificates (1.5× working pressure)

• Function test report

• API compliance certificates

Global Spare Parts and Field Support

We maintain regional spare parts inventory for all critical components — hydraulic seals, slip assemblies, BOP parts, PLC modules, and hydraulic pumps. Spare parts ship within 48 hours from our nearest regional warehouse. Remote technical support is available 24/7 via video call.

Custom Engineering for Your Specific Wells

No two well programs are the same. Our engineering team works directly with your technical staff to customize snubbing rig configurations — whether that means different tubular ranges, higher pressure ratings, specialized control logic, or integration with your existing fleet.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What exactly is a snubbing workover rig, and how is it different from a conventional workover rig?

A snubbing workover rig (also called a hydraulic workover unit or HWO) is designed to run tubing in and out of a well while the well is under pressure — without killing it. A conventional workover rig requires you to kill the well (pump heavy fluid down to suppress pressure) before you can work, which damages the formation and interrupts production. The snubbing unit uses hydraulic jacks and slips to push the pipe into the well against well pressure and hold it back when coming out.

Q2: What does "fully automatic” mean in your snubbing rig?

It means the entire well intervention sequence is controlled by a PLC with automated interlocking. The rig sequences slip engagement, jack stroking, BOP operation, and rotary functions. The operator simply monitors the system and initiates commands — the rig handles the precise timing. Conventional snubbing units require manual coordination of up to five operators; our fully automatic system can be operated by one or two people.

Q3: What tubular sizes can your snubbing rig handle?

Our SJ‑SNB‑240K handles 1″ through 5‑1/2″ tubing. The SJ‑SNB‑400K handles 2‑3/8″ through 8‑5/8″. Larger units (600K+ series) can handle up to 10‑3/4″ casing. Custom configurations are available.

Q4: What pressure rating do your BOPs have?

All our BOP stacks are rated at 5,000 psi (35 MPa) working pressure as standard, fully NACE compliant for sour service. Higher pressure ratings (10,000 psi / 69 MPa) are available on request.

Q5: Can you integrate the snubbing rig with my existing well control equipment?

Yes. Our snubbing rig is designed to interface with most standard industry BOP stacks, strippers, and wellhead equipment. If you have specific compatibility requirements, send us your equipment specifications and we’ll verify or customize the interface.

Q6: What’s your typical lead time for a fully automatic snubbing workover rig?

Standard models (120K, 240K) typically ship within 120–180 days from order confirmation. The 400K and 600K series require approximately 180–240 days. Expedited delivery is available for urgent projects. Custom and OEM configurations may require additional lead time — contact us for specific timing.

Q7: Do you offer training for operators?

Yes. We provide comprehensive training packages for your crews, including classroom instruction, control system simulation, and hands‑on field training at our facility or on your well site. We can also provide remote training via video link for ongoing support.

Q8: What certifications do you offer for international projects?

Standard certifications include API 6A, API 16A, API 16D, NACE, ISO 9001, and HSE. For offshore projects, we can provide DNV 2.7‑3, ABS, Lloyd’s Register, CE, and ATEX certifications. Specify your project location and requirements, and we’ll supply the documentation you need.

Q9: How does your snubbing rig perform in extreme environments?

We’ve deployed SJ snubbing units in desert environments (Middle East, North Africa), offshore platforms (South China Sea, Southeast Asia), arctic regions (Russia, Canada), and high‑altitude operations. Low‑temperature versions with cold‑rated seals and hydraulics are available for arctic and sub‑zero operations.

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