Automated Pipe Handling Catwalk for Drilling Rigs

The Jingtao Powered Catwalk replaces manual and hydraulic pipe handling on drilling and workover rigs with a fully electric, remote-controlled tubular delivery system. It lifts casing, drill pipe, and tubing from the pipe rack to the rig floor — eliminating the most hazardous manual task on the rig while enabling single-operator pipe handling.

With a track record extending to 8,882 meters — Asia’s deepest onshore well — This system handles the full range of tubulars: from 2-3/8″ tubing to 20″ casing, in single, double, or triple joint configurations. The electric actuation eliminates hydraulic oil leaks, cold-weather viscosity problems, and the maintenance burden of HPU-driven systems.

How Electric Catwalk Technology Transforms Rig Floor Safety

Traditional pipe handling on land rigs involves 3–4 crew members manually rolling pipe from the rack to the catwalk, using winch lines and physical force — a procedure responsible for a disproportionate share of rig-floor injuries. Hydraulic catwalks improved the situation but introduced their own problems: HPU noise, hydraulic hose failures, cold-weather sluggishness, and oil spill contamination.

The Jingtao Powered Catwalk uses electric servo-driven lifting arms and a VFD-controlled pipe carriage. The operator stands at a safe distance with a wireless remote control, commanding the catwalk to: (1) lift pipe from the rack, (2) transport it along the catwalk track to the rig floor elevation, and (3) present it to the rig floor crew at the correct angle. All movements are speed-programmable and include soft-start/soft-stop to prevent pipe impact damage.

The system operates on rig power (380V/480V 3-phase), requires no separate HPU, and runs at full performance from -30°C to +55°C — no cold-start waiting, no viscosity modifiers.

Key Technical Specifications

• Pipe Capacity: 2-3/8″ – 20″ OD tubulars (tubing, drill pipe, casing)
• Pipe Length: Range 1, 2, and 3 (up to 14m / 46 ft joint lengths)
• Lifting Capacity: 5,000 kg (single joint max weight)
• Catwalk Length: 15m standard (extendable to 18m for deep rigs)
• Lifting Height: 1.5m – 8.5m (adapts to rig floor elevation)
• Cycle Time: ≤45 seconds per pipe (rack to rig floor)
• Control: Wireless remote control (100m range), manual backup pendant
• Power Supply: 380V/480V 3-phase 50/60Hz, 22 kW peak
• Operation Temperature: -30°C to +55°C
• Safety Systems: Emergency stop (4 locations), anti-drop mechanical lock, laser pipe-presence detection, overload sensor with auto-stop
• Mobility: Skid-mounted or trailer-mounted configuration
• Deepest Well Deployed: 8,882m (Asia record, Tarim Basin, 2023)
• Operator Requirement: 1 operator (vs. 3–4 manual, 2 hydraulic)

Competitive Comparison

Pipe handling capacities per API 7K and DS-1 standards. Load ratings independently verified by third-party structural analysis. Deployment testimonials available from drilling contractors in Middle East and Africa operations.

Field-Proven Applications

• Deep Drilling Rigs (6,000m+): Handles Range 3 drill pipe and heavy-wall casing for ultra-deep wells. The 8,882m Tarim Basin deployment proves structural integrity under maximum load conditions.
• Workover Rigs: Compact skid-mounted configuration fits constrained well pad layouts. Single-operator control frees 2 crew members for concurrent rig-floor tasks — reducing workover duration by 15–20%.
• Cluster Well Pads: Trailer-mounted option enables rapid relocation between adjacent wells. Setup time under 30 minutes after trailer positioning.
• Harsh Environment Operations: Full-rated performance in -30°C Xinjiang winters and +55°C Middle Eastern summers. All electrical enclosures rated IP65, all structural steel hot-dip galvanized.
• H2S Service Areas: Available with explosion-proof motor certification (Ex d IIB T4) for H2S-bearing well sites. Remote operation keeps personnel outside the hazard zone.

Why Choose Jingtao Energy

• Record-Breaking Proven: Successfully deployed at 8,882m — Asia’s deepest onshore well. The system has handled over 500,000 pipe joints across 120+ deployed units.
• Complete Turnkey Package: Delivered as a factory-assembled and tested system: catwalk structure, electric actuators, VFD control panel, wireless remote, safety systems, and operator training. Plug into rig power and start handling pipe.
• Rig Integration Experience: Compatible with all major Chinese drilling rig models (ZJ30 through ZJ90) and international rigs (National Oilwell Varco, Bentec). Custom adapter interfaces available.
• After-Sales Support: 24/7 technical hotline, remote diagnostics via 4G-enabled controller, and spare parts stocked in Dongying, Xinjiang, and Dubai warehouses.

📋 Make your rig safer and your tripping faster — with one operator.

Tell us your rig model, pipe sizes, and pad layout. We’ll provide a catwalk configuration drawing, cycle-time estimate, and integration plan — within 48 hours.

Request Catwalk Specification Speak to a Rig Equipment Specialist

Explore Related Solutions

• JT-2 Wall-Climbing Robot — Automated Tank Inspection
• Anti-Clogging Twilled Weave Screen — Sand Control Completions
• Blog: Intelligent Drilling Equipment at 8,882m — Asia Record
• Blog: Motor Selection for Hostile Well Environments
• View All Case Studies — Drilling & Workover Deployments