To power a Crude Oil Extractor, you must build a Large Power Generator, connect them with a Power Pylon, and assign a Level 4 Electricity Pal like Orserk or Azurmane to keep it running.
The Crude Oil Extractor in Palworld is an endgame structure that demands a massive amount of energy to function. If you try hooking it up to a standard Power Generator, the machine will simply flicker off or refuse to start.
Community testing puts the extractor’s power draw at roughly 6000 power, which completely overwhelms early-game infrastructure. A normal Power Generator has a tiny storage capacity and only allows one Pal to work at a time, meaning the extractor rapidly drains the battery. Even chaining five standard generators together reportedly fails to keep a single extractor online.
To actually keep the sludge pumping, you need to commit to the endgame power grid: a Large Power Generator, a Power Pylon to bridge the connection, and high-tier Electricity Pals working around the clock.
Unlocking and placing the Crude Oil Extractor
| Component | Unlock Requirements | Key Materials |
|---|---|---|
| Crude Oil Extractor | Level 50 (Ancient Technology, 2 Points) | 250 Pal Metal Ingots, 50 Circuit Boards |
| Large Power Generator | Level 50 (Ancient Technology, 2 Points) | Pal Metal Ingots, Electric Organs (reportedly 200) |
Before you worry about power, you need the extractor itself. Both the extractor and the Large Power Generator unlock at player level 50 via the Ancient Technology tree, costing 2 Technology Points each to learn. Once unlocked, you must place the extractor directly on a dark sludge oil deposit, which are primarily found on Sakurajima Island. Positioning your base on or right next to one of these crude oil patches is mandatory.
Gathering these materials requires a fully operational endgame base. Pal Metal Ingots are smelted from Ore and Paldium at an Electric Furnace, which you unlock at level 44. Electric Organs can be farmed from specific Pals, but if you are running low, you can buy them in bulk from merchants at the small settlements scattered across the map.
Best Pals for powering the extractor
Because the extractor drains power so aggressively, the Pal you assign to the generator matters just as much as the generator itself. You need Pals with Level 4 Electricity Work Suitability to generate enough power flow to keep the machine running. Orserk and Azurmane are the top choices here. Azurmane only spawns in a specific region of the map; if you fly there and different Pals spawn, fly away past the rocks and return to force a new spawn wave.
For overnight uptime, Dazzi Noct is highly recommended because of its nocturnal nature. If your daytime Pal stops working to eat or sleep, a Dazzi Noct can keep the generator spinning through the night. Sources disagree slightly on the exact minimum threshold—some claim a Level 3 Pal is sufficient, while community testing emphasizes Level 4 Pals to prevent intermittent outages.
To assign a Pal to the generator, interact with the Pal Management Box at your base, select your Electricity Pal, and assign it to the Large Power Generator. The Pal will then automatically walk over and begin generating power.
How to unlock and build the Large Power Generator
STEP 1/3
Unlock the Large Power Generator
Reach level 50 and spend 2 Ancient Technology Points to unlock the Large Power Generator alongside the Crude Oil Extractor.
STEP 2/3
Gather Pal Metal and Electric Organs
Smelt Pal Metal Ingots at a level 44 Electric Furnace and purchase Electric Organs from small settlement merchants.
STEP 3/3
Place the generator and assign a Pal
Build the Large Power Generator near the extractor, ensuring a Level 4 Electricity Pal is assigned to maintain the strong power flow.
Video help
Common mistakes and preventing overnight power failures
Even with the right generator, a few oversights will bring your oil production to a halt. The most frequent mistake is forgetting the Power Pylon. If you place a generator nearby but do not build a pylon between them, the blue electricity line will never link the structures, and the extractor will show no power.
Always place a Power Pylon between your Large Power Generator and the Crude Oil Extractor, or the blue power line will never connect and the machine will stay dead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I power the extractor with normal Power Generators?
No. Standard Power Generators have a tiny storage capacity and only allow one Pal to work at a time. Even chaining five of them together reportedly cannot meet the extractor’s roughly 6000 power draw, resulting in a machine that flickers off or never starts.
How many Electric Pals do I need to keep it running?
Sources are contested. Some players report that one Level 4 Electricity Pal on a Large Power Generator is enough for a single extractor. Others claim you need three Level 4 Pals per extractor, especially if you are sharing power with other machines on the same grid.
Why does my extractor keep turning off at night?
Your assigned Pal is likely stopping to eat or sleep, leaving the generator unstaffed. Because the extractor drains power so fast, the battery empties immediately. Assign a nocturnal Pal like Dazzi Noct to the generator, or build Accumulators to store excess daytime power for the night.
What do I do with Crude Oil once it is extracted?
Crude Oil is smelted into Plasteel at an Electric Furnace, which is a core component for endgame weapons and armor. If you have a surplus, you can also buy or sell it from merchants for 100 gold or 10 gold respectively.
