China SIMO Motor announced the large-scale application of its self-developed "Oil Flow" technology high-voltage motor system in multiple oilfields. Through in-depth collaboration with enterprises like China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), this technology has successfully driven the transition of traditional diesel-driven drilling rigs toward high-efficiency and low-carbon operations, offering innovative solutions for cost reduction, efficiency enhancement, and energy conservation.
Technological Breakthrough: High-Voltage Direct Drive Replaces Diesel Power
Amid tightening petroleum resources and pressure to achieve "dual-carbon" goals, China SIMO Motor addressed the high energy consumption of traditional diesel-driven drilling rigs by developing the "Oil Flow" high-voltage motor system after years of research. The technology abandons conventional drive methods, adopting direct 10kV/6kV high-voltage motor drives combined with core components such as variable-speed hydraulic couplings, intelligent microprocessor protection devices, and high-voltage reactive power compensators. This creates an efficient and stable electric drive system. Post-upgrade, the rig's total power reaches 2,400 kW, with maximum torque hitting 7,125 Newton-meters. Key parameters like pump stroke, hook speed, and rotary table speed are optimized to meet complex operational demands.
Notably, the technology eliminates the need for large transformers. By directly connecting to high-voltage grids and utilizing precise reactive power compensation, energy loss is significantly reduced. Monthly operating costs per rig are slashed by over 500,000 yuan compared to diesel-driven systems.
According to calculations, retrofitting CNPC's ZJ50L rigs with high-voltage motor drives reduces monthly costs by approximately 522,000 yuan. With an initial retrofit cost of 3.6 million yuan, the investment can be recouped within seven months. For ZJ70 rigs, monthly savings exceed 600,000 yuan. Since 2016, the "diesel-to-electric" retrofit project has been applied to 13 rigs nationwide, cumulatively replacing 2,937.77 tons of diesel, saving 9.0396 million yuan in costs, and reducing CO₂ emissions by 1,663.1 tons. These achievements deliver both economic and environmental benefits to oilfield enterprises.
Since 2005, China SIMO Motor has collaborated with CNPC, Sinopec, and other partners to deploy the "diesel-to-electric" technology across major oilfield bases in Gansu, Qinghai, Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, and Xinjiang, covering over 100 rigs. With mature technical solutions and proven energy-saving results, the technology has become the preferred choice for upgrading drilling rig drive systems in China.
A representative from China SIMO Motor stated, "As global energy transition accelerates, high-voltage motor drive technology will fundamentally transform the fossil fuel dependency of traditional drilling rigs. Moving forward, we will continue optimizing technical adaptability and deepen collaborations with domestic and international energy groups to inject new momentum into the industry's green and low-carbon development."
specializes in the R&D and manufacturing of high-voltage motors and energy-saving drive systems, committed to delivering efficient power solutions for energy, heavy industry, and related sectors. Its "Oil Flow" technology series has secured multiple national patents and achieves internationally leading technical benchmarks.