The hydraulic control box, as a key equipment in oilfield drilling, is mainly used to regulate the on-off state of the throttle valve. Its core functions include:
1.Multi-parameter monitoring and display
The opening and closing status of the throttle valve is monitored in real time through the valve position opening degree gauge (with an accuracy of ±2%), and the vertical sleeve pressure display synchronously feeds back the pressure changes at the wellhead. The control box integrates modules such as air source pressure gauges and oil pressure gauges to ensure the comprehensive visualization of operation data.
2. Pneumatic-hydraulic linkage control mechanism
The equipment relies on the pneumatic control system of the drilling rig to provide a 0.35MPa air source to drive the hydraulic circuit. The action speed of the hydraulic throttle valve is adjusted through a three-position four-way manual valve to achieve a rapid response. Some new models have been upgraded to electro-hydraulic hybrid control, compatible with remote instructions and local manual operation.
3. Modular safety redundancy design
It is equipped with a relief valve (such as a set value of 5MPa) and a pressure relief valve. When the system pressure is abnormal, the protection mechanism will be automatically activated to prevent the equipment from overloading. The design of the oil tank and filter can reduce the failure rate caused by hydraulic oil contamination.
Technical comparison between hydraulic and electric control panels
- Difference in driving methods: Hydraulic panels rely on external air sources or hydraulic systems for energy supply, while electric panels use explosion-proof motors to directly drive gear pumps, offering stronger energy independence.
- Environmental adaptability: Electric panels avoid the problem of freezing at low temperatures through digital sensors, while hydraulic panels need to enhance the stability of the air source in extreme air pressure environments.
- Maintenance cost: Due to the large number of pneumatic components in the hydraulic panel, the air source pipeline needs to be cleaned regularly. The motor and energy storage device of the electric box need to pay attention to the maintenance of sealing.
Typical application cases
Tests on a certain deep-sea drilling platform in 2025 showed that under high-pressure (70MPa) conditions, the hydraulic control box, in combination with a speed control valve, could reduce the response time of the throttle valve to within 15 seconds, improving efficiency by 50% compared to traditional models. Furthermore, its gas-hydraulic linkage design can still maintain basic operations through manual valves in power-off scenarios, making it the preferred choice for highly reliable operations.