Triplex drilling mud pumps · Liner size vs flow and pressure, rated power and speed, fluid-end modules, drive and monitoring
A drilling mud pump is a high-pressure reciprocating pump, such as a triplex piston pump, that circulates drilling fluid in oil and gas drilling. Ask three things first: the input power and rated stroke speed, the liner sizes that give the flow and pressure your well needs, and the fluid-end, drive and monitoring arrangement.
Triplex piston mud pumps for oil, gas and deep water-well drilling, with liners, pistons, valves and drives. Plunger pumps for well service, HDD unitised pump packages and pulsation dampeners on their own are outside this page.
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01
NOV's 12-P-160 triplex mud pump is rated at 1,600 input horsepower (1,193 kW) at 120 strokes per minute with a 12 in (304.8 mm) stroke, and NOV notes that multiple liner sizes let pressure and volume suit circulation in deep drilling. Its performance chart at rated speed lists 4.5 in liners at 297 gpm and up to 7,500 psi, 5 in at 367 gpm and 6,720 psi, 6 in at 529 gpm and 4,670 psi, 6.5 in at 621 gpm and 3,980 psi, 7 in at 720 gpm and 3,430 psi, and 7.25 in at 772 gpm and 3,200 psi; both 5,000 and 7,500 psi fluid ends are offered. [1]
Editorial calculation: a triplex's flow per minute is 3 × (π/4 × liner bore²) × stroke × speed; for the 7.25 in liner, 3 × 41.28 in² × 12 in × 120 ÷ 231 in³/gal ≈ 772 gpm, matching NOV's figure at full volumetric efficiency. Hydraulic power = psi × gpm ÷ 1,714 gives about 1,440 hhp for every liner from 5 in to 7.25 in (and about 1,300 hhp for 4.5 in at 7,500 psi), roughly 90% of the 1,600 hp input. [1]
Give the supplier the required flow rates and pressures over the well program, available prime mover (AC motor, diesel) and power, fluid type and density, rig layout and skid limits, fluid-end pressure rating, liner sizes wanted, and the monitoring and certification required.
02
NOV's 12-P-160 has a fabricated steel frame, pressurised lubrication and drive options on either or both sides; its fluid end uses forged two-piece interchangeable modules (standard modules shot-peened, premium modules autofrettaged for fatigue and stress-corrosion resistance), screw-type valve covers, two-piece piston rods that allow piston removal without disturbing the liner, and a spray system cooling and lubricating pistons and liners. Fluid cylinders are hydrostatically tested to 10,000 psi, with API Mod. 7 valve pots, a 10 in suction and 6 in API 10,000 psi discharge connection, and a complete weight of 54,700 lb (24,810 kg) less sheave. [1]
Drive and monitoring options include belt drive, an AC cage induction motor with ATEX/IECEx classification, a quiet blower of about 82 dBA and condition monitoring that trends power-end vibration and temperature and records strokes and pressure. NOV marks the sheet for reference only. [1]
Among suppliers linked to this page, Qingzhou Petroleum Machinery lists F-series triplex mud pumps from 500 to 2,200 hp with forged steel cylinders interchangeable with API parts. [2]
A rig specification filed with a government environmental review shows how pumps are packaged on site. Appendix C (drill rig specifications) of the Parsons Pond oil exploration Environmental Preview Report, published by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, lists two Gardner Denver PZ-11 triplex mud pumps rated at 1,600 hp maximum and 110 strokes per minute, supplied with 127, 140, 152 and 165 mm liners, each powered by a Caterpillar 3512 engine rated 1,500 hp at 1,800 rpm. Each pump skid is listed at 55,793 kg (124,000 lb) and 13.3 × 3.76 × 3.69 m, and the pumps draw from two mud tanks of 84 m³ and 74 m³ gross volume (73.3 and 68 m³ active). [3]
Editorial calculation: a 1,500 hp engine on a 1,600 hp pump caps input at about 94% of the pump rating (1,500 ÷ 1,600) before drive losses, so the liner chosen must keep pressure × flow within the engine as well as the pump; and a 55.8 t pump skid is more than twice the 24,810 kg NOV lists for its bare 12-P-160, since the skid carries engine, drive and frame. [3] [1]
03
The suppliers linked to this page list drilling mud pumps; their cards link to the pages reviewed.
Ask any supplier for rated input power, stroke and speed, the liner table of flow and maximum pressure at rated speed, fluid-end material and pressure rating, valve pot size, drive type, lubrication, weight and dimensions, spare-parts kit, and API or other certification.
04
HMH's datasheet for its Wirth TPK 1600 land mud pumps lists four 1,600 hp triplex versions for normal-duty mud circulation, accredited to API-7K, with maximum discharge flow of 826 gpm (187 m³/h) and maximum operating pressure of 7,500 psi (517 bar) or 5,000 psi (345 bar) depending on version. The versions differ in main motor (single or double AC, or double DC, all forced ventilated) and in rear-mounted gear, belt or chain drive. [4]
Editorial calculation: the heaviest and lightest versions differ by 83,776 − 75,620 = 8,156 lb, and the footprint length by 292 − 242 = 50 in, so the motor and drive arrangement changes skid, crane and transport planning. The sheet's own conversions do not all agree (83,776 lb is about 38,000 kg, not 38,500 kg; 133 in is about 3,378 mm, not 3,880 mm), and it states that data is subject to confirmation by the manufacturer, so ask for the weighed and measured values of the version offered. [4]
| TPK 1600 version and drive | Dry weight | Length × width × height |
|---|---|---|
| AC-RG-1M: single AC, gear drive | 75,620 lb (34,300 kg) | 260 × 133 × 131 in |
| AC-RB: double AC, belt or chain, dual sided | 83,776 lb (sheet gives 38,500 kg) | 242 × 120 × 113 in |
| AC-RB-1M: single AC, belt, single sided | 76,060 lb (34,500 kg) | 292 × 118 × 127 in |
| DC-RC: double DC, chain, dual sided | 82,012 lb (37,200 kg) | 292 × 118 × 149 in |
Ask for weight and dimensions of the exact motor, drive and skid arrangement quoted, and the pressure rating of its fluid end.
05
This is a functional reference built from the sources cited; it is not one maker's specification.
| Part | Role | Fix in the order |
|---|---|---|
| Power end (frame, crankshaft, gears) | Convert rotation to stroke. [1] | Power; gear ratio; lubrication. |
| Fluid-end modules | Contain pressure. [1] | Rating; forged; treatment. |
| Liners and pistons | Set displacement. [1] | Sizes; materials. |
| Valves and seats | Control suction and discharge. [1] | API valve size. |
| Piston rod and clamps | Drive pistons; fast change. [1] | Rod type. |
| Liner spray system | Cool and lubricate liners. [1] | Spray pump. |
| Drive and motor | Supply power. [1] | Belt, gear; motor. |
06
A mud pump quotation needs values for your well program. The table explains each field, gives published values where a reviewed source states them, and says what to obtain from the supplier.
| Field | What it means and published values | Ask the supplier for |
|---|---|---|
| Rated Flow Rate (L/s) | e.g. 297–772 gpm by liner at 120 spm. [1] | Liner flow table. |
| Maximum Discharge Pressure (MPa) | e.g. 3,200–7,500 psi by liner. [1] | Pressure by liner. |
| Stroke Length (mm) | e.g. 12 in (304.8 mm). [1] | Stroke. |
| Stroke Rate (min⁻¹) | e.g. 120 spm rated. [1] | Rated speed. |
| Input Power (kW) | e.g. 1,600 hp (1,193 kW). [1] | Rating. |
| Valve Seat Diameter (mm) | Valve pot, e.g. API Mod. 7. [1] | Valve size. |
| Piston Diameter (mm) | Liner bore, e.g. 4.5–7.25 in; 127–165 mm liners on one rig. [1] [3] | Liner range. |
| Fluid End Material | Forged modules. [1] | Material; treatment. |
| Operating Temperature (°C) | Motor rated −40 to 45/55 °C. [1] | Range. |
| Weight (kg) | e.g. 24,810 kg less sheave; 55,793 kg as an engine-driven skid. [1] [3] | Mass. |
07
Paste it into your enquiry below or into an email to a maker, then replace every bracket.
Hydraulics: [flow and pressure by hole section] Pump: [power; stroke; speed] Liners: [sizes; fluid-end rating] Drive: [AC motor; diesel; belt or gear] Rig: [skid size; weight; layout] Options: [monitoring; certification; spares]
These companies list drilling mud pumps.
Lists F-series triplex drilling mud pumps from 500 to 2,200 hp and mud pump parts.
Product scope checked 2026-10-11
Lists drilling mud pump units, electric, diesel and hydraulic mud pumps and spares.
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Lists drilling mud pumps with oilfield equipment.
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Explore company information and manufacturing capabilities, then discuss the scope of your project with a relevant supplier.
Smaller liners give higher pressure and lower flow: on NOV's 12-P-160, 4.5 in liners give 297 gpm at up to 7,500 psi and 7.25 in liners 772 gpm at 3,200 psi. [1]
For a triplex: 3 × liner area × stroke × strokes per minute; NOV's 7.25 in liner figure of 772 gpm at 120 spm matches this swept volume. [1]
NOV hydrotests the 12-P-160's fluid cylinders to 10,000 psi. [1]
One rig specification filed with Newfoundland and Labrador lists two 1,600 hp Gardner Denver PZ-11 pumps, each powered by a Caterpillar 3512 rated 1,500 hp at 1,800 rpm. [3]
HMH's Wirth TPK 1600 datasheet lists dry weights from 75,620 lb (34,300 kg) to 83,776 lb, depending on motor and drive arrangement. [4]
Sources checked 2026-10-12. NOV makes drilling mud pumps and publishes technical sheets; Qingzhou Petroleum Machinery is a supplier linked to this page.
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