Skid Mounted Cementing Equipment: When to Use It

Skid mounted cementing equipment is cementing equipment that's built on a skid — a steel frame — instead of a truck chassis. It's not mobile like a truck mounted unit, but it has its own advantages. Skid mounted cementing units are used in specific situations where a truck mounted unit doesn't make sense. Here's when to use skid mounted cementing equipment, and how to choose the right one.

When to Use Skid Mounted Cementing Equipment

Skid mounted cementing equipment is the right choice when:

- Offshore platforms: On offshore oil platforms, there's no room for a truck. Skid mounted units are designed to be lifted onto the platform by crane, and bolted down. They're the standard for offshore cementing operations.
- Permanent onshore installations: If you have a cementing station that stays in one place — like a base that serves a whole oil field — a skid mounted unit is perfect. You don't need to move it, so there's no need for a truck chassis.
- Remote locations: In very remote locations, you can fly skid mounted units in by helicopter, or drag them across rough terrain. They're smaller and lighter than truck mounted units, so they're easier to transport to remote sites.
- Big cementing jobs: For very big cementing jobs — like cementing a deep, large-diameter well — you need more pumping power than a truck mounted unit can provide. Skid mounted units can be bigger and more powerful, because they don't have the weight and size constraints of a truck chassis.

Advantages of Skid Mounted Cementing Equipment

Skid mounted cementing equipment has several advantages:

- More powerful: You can build bigger, more powerful units on a skid. No truck chassis weight limit.
- More flexible: You can configure the skid to fit your specific needs. Add more pumps, bigger tanks, whatever you need.
- Easier to maintain: Skid mounted units are lower to the ground, and they're easier to access for maintenance. You don't have to climb up on a truck.
- Better for permanent installations: If you're not moving the unit, a skid mounted unit is simpler and cheaper than a truck mounted one. No need for a truck chassis.

Disadvantages of Skid Mounted Cementing Equipment

Of course, there are disadvantages too:

- Not mobile: You can't drive it from well to well. If you need to move it, you have to load it on a truck or a trailer.
- More expensive to move: Moving a skid mounted unit is more work than moving a truck mounted one. You need a crane or a forklift to load it, and a truck to tow it.
- Not as versatile: Skid mounted units are good for specific situations, but they're not as versatile as truck mounted units. If you need a mobile unit that can go anywhere, a truck mounted unit is the better choice.

FAQ

Q: How much does a skid mounted cementing unit cost?
A: A skid mounted cementing unit costs $300,000 to $1.5 million, depending on the size and features. It's usually more expensive than a comparable truck mounted unit, because you're paying for the skid and the extra engineering. But for the right application, it's worth it.