Electric motors to drive oil pumps

The largest electric motors and pumps ever built for oil pipe-line pumping service are being installed by the Texas Pipe Line Company, Houston, Tex., for an expansion of the 515-mile, New Mexico to Oklahoma crude oil line. Eight 3,000-horsepower 1,780-rpm induction motors and seven similar 1,250-horsepower units will add 100,000 barrels of oil per day to the pumping capacity of the pipe-line system. These motors use pressure-lubricated bearings, and are fully enclosed for ventilation from a filtered fresh air source to minimize fire hazard. Despite their great horsepower, the motors will be started across-the-line at full voltage, and they are designed for specially low starting current to minimize the disturbance to the power systems.