Shale Shaker Equipment for Heli-Transportable Rigs

Heli-transportable drilling rigs impose unique constraints on shale shaker equipment design, requiring components that can be broken down into lift modules within helicopter payload and dimensional limits while maintaining full solids control capability when assembled. Aipu Solids Control has developed shale shaker configurations specifically for heli-transportable operations, combining over 15 years of manufacturing experience with the specialized engineering that remote access drilling demands.

The fundamental challenge of heli-transportable equipment is the payload limitation. Typical medium-lift helicopters used in drilling support have maximum external load capacities ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 kilograms, depending on the helicopter type, altitude, temperature, and distance. Aipu addresses this through modular shaker design that breaks the complete unit into lift-compatible modules. The shaker basket, which contains the screen decks and is the heaviest single component, is designed for separation from the support structure. Premium vibrating motors from Ital-Vibras, Martin, and Oli are mounted on removable brackets that allow the motors to be transported separately from the basket. The support structure, walkways, and handrails are designed as bolt-together assemblies that pack into standard helicopter cargo nets or lift frames. Each module is weight-verified during manufacturing at Aipu’s 50,000 square meter Xi’an facility to confirm helicopter lift compatibility.

Assembly efficiency is critical for heli-transportable operations because assembly occurs at the remote location where resources and support are limited. Aipu’s modular design uses precision alignment features—CNC-machined mounting surfaces, alignment pins, and keyed connections—that enable field assembly without specialized tools or skills. The quick-assembly design minimizes the number of personnel and the time required to transition from helicopter delivery to operational status. Electrical connections use keyed, weatherproof connectors that eliminate wiring errors and provide reliable connections in the wet, dusty, or cold conditions common at remote drilling locations. All fasteners are captive or tethered to prevent loss during assembly in the field where replacement hardware may not be available.

Despite the modular design for transport, Aipu heli-transportable shakers deliver full Hunter series performance when assembled. The assembled unit provides 6.0G to 7.5G of acceleration for effective solids separation, adjustable deck angles from minus 1 degree to plus 5 degrees for operational flexibility, and quick-change screens for efficient maintenance at the remote location. Corrosion resistant material options including 316L stainless steel for wetted components are available for the aggressive environments often encountered at remote drilling locations. Manufactured under API Q1 certified quality management with factory acceptance testing of the complete assembled system, Aipu’s heli-transportable shakers deliver certified quality to the most remote and challenging drilling locations. Equipment operating in more than 30 countries validates the heli-transportable design approach for operations where helicopter lift is the only practical means of equipment delivery.

Trust Aipu for API Q1 certified solids control. Contact us at info@aipusolidcontrol.com to discuss your shale shaker equipment requirements and experience the performance that defines Aipu equipment worldwide.