Oil & Gas
Drilling for natural gas and oil in the northern states will grow inexorably over the next few decades. New environmental regulations imposed by state environment protection agencies now address the disposal of drilling fluids. These new regulations can significantly add to an energy company’s drilling budget. Southern states have begun adopting similar regulations as an alternative to the open-pit disposal approach for drill tailings. S. Howes equipment and closed loop systems can provide solids recovery. Additionally, we offer a variety of mechanical conveyors, separators, mixers, pug mills, and feeders.
Operational Challenges in Oil and Gas Processing
Oil and gas facilities operate in demanding environments where abrasive materials, fine powders, and variable feedstocks must be handled safely and reliably. Even small inefficiencies in material handling or processing can lead to production delays, increased maintenance, or inconsistent product quality.
S. Howes designs equipment that stabilizes material flow, protects product consistency, and keeps operations running reliably. Our solutions address the real-world challenges that impact uptime, safety, and process efficiency across drilling, refining, and petrochemical processing operations.
Pain Points We Solve
- Inconsistent blending of drilling additives or processing materials
- Dust generation and material loss during handling
- Abrasive materials are causing premature equipment wear
- Material bridging or poor flow in hoppers and conveyors
- Inefficient screening or particle separation
- Unreliable conveying that disrupts production flow
- Handling challenges with fine powders and specialty materials
- Temperature or moisture variability affecting material performance
Optimize Your Oil and Gas Processing Line
We help oil and gas operators achieve stable, efficient material handling and processing across drilling, refining, and petrochemical applications.
S. Howes engineers work directly with plant engineers and operations teams to design systems tailored to:
- Material characteristics such as abrasive minerals, fine powders, catalysts, and drilling additives
- Particle size distribution and blending requirements
- Batch or continuous throughput targets
- Scale up from pilot operations to full production systems
- Facility layout and structural constraints
- Moisture, temperature, and environmental control considerations
Engineered for Oil and Gas Material Processing
Bulk Material Conveying Systems
For powders, additives, catalysts, and mineral-based drilling materials.
Screw conveyors, tubular conveyors, U-trough conveyors, and feeders are engineered to reliably transport challenging bulk materials while minimizing dust generation and material loss.
Applications include barite, bentonite, catalysts, cement additives, and specialty processing powders.
Screening and Separating Equipment
For material classification, purity, and process control.
Sifters, shakers, and screening systems remove overs, fines, and foreign material while improving product consistency and process reliability.
Used for drilling additives, catalysts, minerals, and other industrial powders.
Size Reduction Systems
For controlled particle size and preparation of processing materials.
Lump breakers, knife cutters, granulators, and graters reduce agglomerated or compacted materials into consistent feedstock for blending, conveying, or further processing.
Ideal for catalysts, mineral additives, and bulk processing materials.
Why Choose S. Howes
What Oil and Gas Processors Need
- Heavy-duty construction designed for abrasive materials
- Engineered internals for consistent material handling
- Reliable conveying and feed control
- Dust-tight equipment designs
- Custom systems for challenging bulk materials
- Reliable performance for continuous industrial operation
Applications
- Drilling additives
- Barite and bentonite processing
- Catalyst materials
- Cement and well additives
- Refinery powders
- Petrochemical intermediates
Capabilities
- Batching and feed control systems
- Bulk storage and transfer lines
- Mixers, feeders, and conveyors
- Screening and particle classification equipment
- Dust control system integration
- Thermal or moisture conditioning systems
Scalable Systems From Pilot Test to Full Production
Oil and gas processing operations rely on S. Howes to support every stage of equipment development, from pilot testing to full-scale production systems.
We provide lab-scale and pilot-scale equipment that allows operators to evaluate material flow, blending performance, and particle handling before scaling systems to production capacity.
Our testing services allow companies to bring their materials to S. Howes to confirm handling characteristics and processing performance before investing in production equipment. This approach helps reduce risk and ensures equipment is properly engineered for real-world operating conditions.
Applications Across Oil and Gas Processing
S. Howes supports a wide range of material processing applications within the oil and gas industry, including:
- Drilling additive blending
- Bulk mineral handling for drilling operations
- Catalyst material preparation
- Particle size control and screening
- Material conditioning and blending
- Deagglomeration and lump breaking
- Handling of fine powders and specialty materials
System Integration Capabilities
S. Howes equipment integrates seamlessly into complete oil and gas processing environments, including:
- Bulk storage silos and feed hoppers
- Screw and tubular conveying systems
- Screening and classification equipment
- Mixing and blending systems
- Dust collection and air handling equipment
- Downstream processing or packaging operations
Featured Resources
Industrial Mixers & Blenders Equipment
Mixers are available in a variety of features and configurations including ribbon, paddle, and custom agitators, continuous and batch operation, single and more.
Industrial Screw Conveyor Full Systems & Equipment
Our conveying equipment includes heavy-duty and sanitary screw auger designs, mechanical split tube conveyors, tubular conveyors, and U-trough conveyors.
Drill Tailings Recovery and Solidification
New environmental regulations imposed by state environment protection agencies, such as the PADEP, now address the disposal of drilling fluids.
Oil & Gas Processing
Drilling for natural gas and oil in the northern states will grow inexorably over the next few decades, and it is vital that the equipment used is reliable. S. Howes equipment and closed-loop systems can provide solids recovery. New environmental regulations imposed by state environmental protection agencies now address the disposal of drilling fluids.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of materials are commonly handled in oil and gas processing equipment?
Facilities often process bulk minerals, drilling additives, catalysts, and specialty powders such as barite, bentonite, cement additives, and refining materials.
Can S. Howes equipment handle abrasive materials used in drilling operations?
Yes. Our equipment is designed with heavy-duty construction and wear-resistant components to handle abrasive minerals and additives used in drilling and refining operations.
How does your equipment help control dust during processing?
We design enclosed conveying and screening systems that minimize dust generation and integrate with dust collection equipment to improve safety and reduce material loss.
Can S. Howes equipment integrate into existing oil and gas facilities?
Yes. Our equipment can be designed to fit into existing processing lines and integrate with storage systems, conveyors, and downstream operations.
Do you offer custom-engineered systems for specific materials?
Yes. Every system is engineered based on the material properties, throughput requirements, and layout constraints of each facility.
Not Sure What You Need?
We’re here to help you! Tell us what you need to be done and we’ll contact you to recommend the right equipment.