Oil & Gas Industry

The oil and gas industry is indisputably one of the most important industries in the world, which generates a huge amount of revenue globally each year. Oil and gas resources are crucial to the global economy as well as our life. Everything in our daily life is greatly impacted by the oil and gas industry, such as transportation, electricity, manufacturing, and more.

The oil and gas industry can generally be divided into three segments: upstream, midstream, and downstream. Let’s dive into these segments in detail.

Upstream

Upstream is the exploration and production (E&P) of oil and gas raw materials. First, E&P companies search for oil fields or natural gas fields. Then, drill those fields to extract the raw materials. The upstream segment is technologically intensive and time-consuming and features high investment capital and high risks.

Midstream

Midstream includes transportation, storage, and processing of oil and gas raw materials. Once the crude oil and natural gas are extracted, they need to be transported to refineries to process. There are several transportation ways, covering pipelines, shipping, trucking, etc. The midstream segment features low capital risk and high regulation.

Downstream

Downstream means the refining and marketing of oil and gas. Once the oil and gas raw materials are refined and converted into general commodities like gasoline, jet fuel, diesel oil, asphalt, gas, etc, they are ready to be sold to end users.

Oil and Gas Drilling

As mentioned above, the exploration and production (E&P) of oil and gas raw materials is called upstream. Oil and gas drilling rigs are the equipment used in the E&P. They are used to extract crude oil and natural gas from the earth and consist of many complex components, such as a drill mast, dill pipe, drill bit, mud pump, top drive, etc. For some of the components, especially the drill bit, the service life is of vital importance. Since the drill bit is directly contacting with the earth, it is easily worn out. Thus, for E&P companies, extending tool life is their top priority.

Tungsten Carbide Hardfacing

Tungsten carbide hardfacing is a technique often used in the oil and gas industry to increase the wear resistance of components by adding a layer of tungsten carbide. Tungsten carbide can be used on most components made from steel, such as stainless steel, cast steel, carbon steel, and forged steel.

KoneCarbide has been dedicated to the manufacturing of tungsten carbide hardfacing for many years. We supply top and consistent quality tungsten carbide hardfacing materials, including tungsten carbide hardfacing welding rods, tungsten carbide grits, gauge protection, and more.

PDC cutters/inserts

Apart from durability, drilling efficiency also plays a decisive role in the E&P. Higher rate of penetration means lower costs. Nowadays, the most commonly applied cutter for oil and gas drilling is called a polycrystalline diamond (PCD) compact bit, or a PDC bit, which is inserted with many PDC cutters/inserts. A PDC cutter/insert is a combination of a tungsten carbide substrate and a layer of PCD. The PCD layer is coated on the tungsten carbide substrate to improve its efficiency and service life. PDC cutters/inserts are arranged on the bit in a staggered pattern.

KoneCarbide offers both tungsten carbide substrates and PDC cutters/inserts. Various sizes and shapes are available.

Carbide Bushings & Carbide Seal Rings

Other wear parts are also indispensable for oil and gas drilling, such as carbide bushings and carbide seal rings. Carbide bushings or carbide sleeves are used to position and protect the rotating shafts. Carbide seal rings, or tungsten carbide seals are mechanical seals applied in pumps, compressors, and agitators. Both are made from tungsten carbide and are wear and corrosion resistant.

KoneCarbide offers full series of carbide drill bushings and carbide seals for equipment in the oil and gas industry.

As an experienced ISO-certified supplier and manufacturer in the oil and gas industry, we completely understand our customers’ requirements. Therefore, we are willing to keep enhancing our technology, product quality, as well as service to help our customers maximize production and minimize costs.