Snubbing unit

Workover & Intervention

A snubbing unit is a specialized hydraulic rig used to run tubing into or out of a well that is under pressure (live well). Unlike conventional rigs that rely on pipe weight to push into the well, snubbing units have hydraulic cylinders that can force ('snub') the pipe in against the upward force of the wellbore pressure.

Snubbing is used for high-pressure interventions where killing the well with heavy fluid is not desirable (to avoid formation damage). The unit sits on top of the BOP stack and uses slip bowls to grip and move the pipe.