ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS: ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

Introduction
Most oil reservoirs are of the volumetric type where the driving mechanism is the expansion
of solution gas when reservoir pressure declines because of fluid production. Oil reservoirs will
eventually not be able to produce fluids at economical rates unless natural driving mechanisms
(e.g., aquifer and/or gas cap) or pressure maintenance mechanisms (e.g., water flooding or gas
injection) are present to maintain reservoir energy. The only way to obtain a high production
rate of a well is to increase production pressure drawdown by reducing the bottom-hole pressure
with artificial lift methods.

Approximately 50% of wells worldwide need artificial lift systems. The commonly used
artificial lift methods include the following:

• Sucker rod pumping;

• Gas lift Electrical submersible pumping;
• Hydraulic piston pumping;
• Hydraulic jet pumping;
• Plunger lift;
• Progressing cavity pumping.

Each method has applications for which it is the optimum installation. Proper selection of
an artificial lift method for a given production system (reservoir and fluid properties,
wellbore configuration, and surface facility restraints) requires a thorough understanding of
the system. Economics analysis is always performed. The chapters in this part provide
production engineers with fundamentals of electric submersible pump, as well as an
introduction to other artificial lift systems.

I- COMPONENTS AND OPERATING MECHANISM

A-Downhole Equipment
The downhole components are suspended from the production tubing above the well’s
perforations and we can mention among others:

1. Centrifugal pump
The ESP is a multistage centrifugal pump. A cross section of a typical
design is shown in figure I-1-1.

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ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS: ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

figure I-1-1, the inside of a centrifugal pump.

The shaft is connected to the seal-chamber section and motor. It transmits the rotary motion
from the motor to the impellers of the pump stage. The shaft and impellers are keyed, and the
key transmits the torque load to the impeller.

The stages of the pump are the components that impart a pressure rise to the fluid. A stage is
made up of a rotating impeller and a stationary diffuser.

Figure I-1-2 , Shaft with the rotating impellers attached

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ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS: ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

The stages are stacked in series to incrementally increase the pressure to that calculated for
the desired flow rate. Figure I-2 shows the flow path. The fluid flows into the impeller eye area
and energy, in form of velocity, is imparted to it as it is centrifuged radially outward impeller
passageway. Once it exits the impeller, the fluid makes a turn and enters the diffuser
passageway. As it passes through this passageway, the fluid is diffused, or the velocity is
converted to a pressure. It then repeats the process upon entering the next impeller and diffuser
set. This process continues until the fluid passes through all stages, and the design discharge
pressure is reached. This pressure increase is often referred to as the total developed head (TDH)
of the pump.

figure I-1-3, mixed flow stage

Taking into consideration the choice of flow rate and the type of fluid flow with which the
ESP pump works, there are two types of stages, figure I-1 figure I-3, a radial stage whose fluid
enters the dawn and the diffuser with current lines parallel to the shaft and exit with
perpendicular lines to at the same axis, this is often called “pancake” or "mushroom" for
flattening, and for the second type these are mixed flow stages where the fluid output of diffuser
with an angle less than 90 ° relative to the axis of rotation. This allows the passage of a flow
more important than the radial design and also it is not much sensitive to the effect of solid
particles and gas.

The mixed flow design handles larger flow rates than the radial and is not that vulnerable to
free gas and particles.

An essential factor that must be taken into consideration when controlling the range
operational flow is the axial force relative to the blades, the differential pressure and the
hydrodynamic force exerted on both sides of each blade in the floor a force towards the axial
direction. The main feature for both models of stages this is the method by which they carry
their axial thrust produced, generally, the vanes can be fixed or floating. The vanes are
immobilized on the rotation shaft. The axial forces of the different blades are thus transmitted
to the shaft and neutralized by a rotary stop located in the protective. This method of

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ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS: ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

construction is only valid if the required discharge height at the pump is not too high does not
exceed 6000ft, and pump diameter does not more than 6 inches. The floating blades are not
immobilized on the tree. The axial forces are neutralized by pads located between the diffuser
and the wheel.

To maintain the optimum flow path alignment between the vanes and its diffusers,
these axial forces are minimum, and this is checked if the flow of the pump corresponding to
the maximum yield. They grow as we move away from this flow (in one direction or the
other), hence the interest not to deviate too much from the yield optimum for the longevity of
the material.
Minimum Flow Maximum Flow
6
Head
Head
in
Feet 5 Severe Up-thrust
Down-thrust
4

Diffuse r
3
Operating
Range
2

1
Impelle r
0
0 1000 200 3000 400 500 6000

Flow, Barrels per day (BPD)

Figure I-1-4, ESP operating range

2- Seal Chamber section

The component located below the lowest pump section and directly above the motor, in a
standard ESP configuration, is the seal chamber section. It is basically a set of protection
chambers connected in series or in some special cases in parallel. This component has several
functions that are critical to the operation and run life of the ESP system, and the motor in
particular.

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ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS: ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

• It protects the motor oil from beeing

contamination by the wellbore fluid.
• It allows for pressure equalization between the
interior of the motor and the wellbore.
• It also absorbs the axial thrust produced by the
pump and dissipates the heat that the thrust
bearing generates.

Figure I-2-1 shows a mechanical seal which is generally located at the top
of each protection chamber and is used to prevent well fluid from migrating
down the drive shaft.

3- The Submersible Motor

The ESP motor is a two-pole, three-phase, squirrel cage, induction design. A two-pole design
means that it runs at 3600 rpm at 60 Hz power or roughly 3500 rpm actual operating speed. It
operates on three-phase power at voltages as low as 230 and as high as 5000. Generally, the
length and diameter determine the motors HP rating. Because the motor does not have a power
cable running along its length, it can be manufactured in diameters slightly larger than the
pumps and seal chamber sections and still fit in the same casing bores

Figure I-3-1

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ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS: ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

4- The power cable

The ESP power cable transmits the required surface power to the ESP motor. It is a specially
constructed three-phase power cable designed specifically for downhole well environments.
The cable design must be small in diameter, protect from mechanical abuse, and impervious to
physical and electrical deterioration because of aggressive well environments. They can be
manufactured in either round or flat configurations (Figure I-4-1 and Figure I-4-2). The round
design is the best conductor, but the flat design is often used beneath the ESP packer and along
the pump and seal section because of the small space between ESP and casing.

1=Armour, 2=Jacket, 3=Basic insulation, 4=Physical filler,

5=Conductor

Figure I-4-1, round design

1=Armour, 2=Braid, 3=Barrier layer, 4=Jacket,

5=Conductor/insulation gas block, 6=Conductor Figure I-4-2,
flat design

5- Check Valve , Drain Valve

Other protective devices are located above the pump discharge: The check valve that
closes on shut down of the unit and prevents back spinning and the drain valve that allows for
pulling the ESP without a wet tubing string.

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6-Protector
The Protector is located between the pump and the motor. The Protector is a key element in
providing efficient trouble free operation and extended longevity to the entire ESP system; the
primary functions of the Protector are:
• To act as physical barrier between the well fluid and the motor oil under all conditions.
• To carry the (residual) hydraulic downthrust generated by the centrifugal pumping action as
well as the weight and thrust generated by the rotating element of the ESP.
• To equalize the pressure inside the motor to the pressure conditions in the well bore.
• To maintain a minimum pressure differential across the seals. Specially designed mechanical
seals exclude well bore fluid from entering the motor.
• To provide a flexible chamber (Viton bags) that allows the motor oil to expand and contract
as a function of changing well and motor temperatures during installation, motor start-up and
shut down. The specially designed labyrinth and a check valve allows movement of the
expanding motor oil into the well bore and blocks the entry of well bore fluid during the
contraction of the motor oil. The CAI standard protector configuration consists of a labyrinth
section and a bladder section. This configuration combines ample volume to allow for sufficient
thermal expansion with extensive protection against well fluid entering the motor and thrust
bearing cavities

B-Surface Equipment:

1- Transformer

The transformer is a device that transforms the voltage of an electrical system. For example a
transformer that converts 7200 volts to 480 volts. This is accomplished by two sets of coils
wrapped around an iron core in the transformer. In this case the transformation ratio is
7200/480. Transformers are rated in KVA capacity. This depends on the voltage and the current
the transformer can handle.

KVA = KV * A
KV = Voltage in Kilovolts A= Current in Amperes

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ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS: ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

2- Motors Controller

The electrical Surface Equipment is an essential part of a complete Electric Submersible

Pumping System.

Switchboards Switchboards are normally used for fixed speed ESP applications. A large
variety of options exist to meet the specific requirements of each application.

Motor Controls the Motor Controller monitors and provides information such as motor load,
power supply, down hole sensor data. The controller also protects the motor against unsafe
operation and start-ups. SCADA connections allow operation and control from remote
control centers.

Variable Speed Drives Variable Speed Drives (VSD) allow for variable speed operation of the
ESP unit. State-of-the-art technology will be applied to reduce the damaging effect of system
inherent harmonics on insulation and mechanical components. Harmonic filters are commonly
used to reduce this effect.

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ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS: ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

Variable Frequency Generator the VFG generates a pure sine wave output with no harmonics
across its full variable speed and variable power range. The VFG features additional production
and high electrical efficiency combined with an extended run life of ESP systems.

C- Gas Separator
In wells with high Gas to Liquid Ratio (GLR) the free gas has to be separated from the
liquid to prevent the ESP system from cycling, cavitation and gas locking which would reduce
production and the run life of the ESP system. The gas handling parameters of each well and
ESP combination are affected by a large number of variables such as specific speed of pump
stage design (axial, mixed or radial flow), fluid properties, well geometry and completion
details etc. Two principal separator designs are commonly used either separate or in
combination or as tandem setups for severe gas handling requirements:

• Reverse Flow Separator (moderate separation efficiency)

• Rotary Gas Separator (high separation efficiency)

In the Reverse Flow Separator, the entering well fluid is forced to change direction;
the lighter free gas continues to rise and vents to the annulus, the heavier liquid stream turns in
a downward direction and is then lead to the first pump stage. In contrast, the Rotary Gas
Separator (RGS) uses centrifugal force to separate the gas and liquid streams. The mixture of
gas and liquid enters through the intake screen (1) into the inducer section (2). The inducer
increases the pressure of the liquid stream and moves the mixture through the guide vanes (3)
into the centrifugal rotor chamber (4) where the heavier liquid stream is forced to the outer area
of the chamber whereas the lighter gas stream concentrates in the centre of the chamber.
Through the separation chamber (5) the liquid stream is directed towards the pump intake stage
and the gas stream is vented into the annulus. Radial bearings (6) and an oversized shaft provide
dynamic stability to the Separator.

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ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS: ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

II. DESIGN AND SIZING

1-Basic Data

The first step in an ESP design is to collect and verify the reliability of all data that will be used
in the design. The following is a listing of the data required.

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ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS: ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

Well Data: Casing size and weight, Tubing size, type and thread, Perforated or open hole,
Pump setting depth (measured and vertical), Deviation survey
Production Data: Wellhead casing pressure, Wellhead tubing pressure, Present production
rate, Production fluid level/Pump intake pressure, Static fluid level/ Static Bottom hole
pressure, Datum point, Bottom-hole temperature, Desired production rate, Gas-oil ration, Water
cut
Well Fluid Conditions: Specific gravity of water, Oil API or specific gravity, Specific gravity
of gas, Bubble-point pressure of gas, Viscosity of oil, PVT data.
Power Sources: Available primary voltage, Frequency, Power source capabilities
Possible Problems: Sand, Deposition, Corrosion, Paraffin, Emulsion, Gas, temperature.

2- Well production capacity

The Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR) or the Productivity Index (PI) of the well
depending on the pressure regime should be integrated with the Vertical Lift Performance
(VLP) Curve to determine the productive capacity of the well which
would be used in the ESP design.

3- Fluid volume calculator

The accurate calculation of fluid volumes and type at the pump intake is very important in pump
design. The presence and volume of free gas at the pump intake must be taken into
consideration. The presence of free gas may considerably decrease the required discharge
pressure, hence there may be a need to use a gas separator at the pump intake to achieve
maximum system efficiency. Ideally, if the gas remains in solution, the pump behaves normally,
however as gas to liquid ratio increases beyond the critical value of between 10-15%, the pump
efficiency decreases and lower pump head is produced.

Total volume of fluid

𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐺𝑂𝑅×𝐵𝑂𝑃𝐷
➢ 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐺𝑎𝑧 = = 𝑀𝐶𝐹
1000

𝑅𝑠×𝐵𝑂𝑃𝐷
➢ 𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐺𝑎𝑠 = = 𝑀𝐶𝐹
1000

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ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS: ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

➢ 𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝐺𝑎𝑠 = 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐺𝑎𝑠 − 𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐺𝑎𝑠

➢ 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑂𝑖𝑙 @ 𝑃𝑢𝑚𝑝 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒, 𝑉𝑜=𝐵𝑂𝑃𝐷∗𝐵𝑜

➢ 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑎𝑠 @ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑃𝑢𝑚𝑝 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒, 𝑉𝑔=𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑔𝑎𝑠 ∗𝐵𝑔 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓

➢ 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 @ 𝑃𝑢𝑚𝑝 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒, 𝑉𝑤=𝐵𝑊𝑃𝐷∗𝐵𝑤

➢ 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐹𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒, 𝑉𝑇=𝑉𝑔+𝑉𝑜+𝑉𝑤

➢ 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑔𝑎𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑚𝑒,

𝑉𝑔
% 𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝐺𝑎𝑠 =
𝑉𝑇

4- Total dynamic Head

Next, the total dynamic head (TDH) required to pump the desired capacity is determined.
The total dynamic head is the height in feet of fluid being pumped.
𝑇𝐷𝐻=𝑁𝑒𝑡 𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑡 𝑑𝑦𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑐 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑡+𝑇𝑢𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐹𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐿𝑜𝑠𝑠+𝑊𝑒𝑙𝑙ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒
𝑇𝐷𝐻=𝐻𝑑+𝐹𝑡+𝑃𝑑

Where,
𝐻𝑑=Vertical Distance in feet between the wellhead and estimated producing fluid level at the
expected capacity
𝐹𝑡=𝑇ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑢𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑓𝑡
𝑃𝑑=𝑇ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑝𝑖𝑝𝑒, 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠
𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑦.
𝐼𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑.

𝑷𝒔𝒊×𝟐.𝟑𝟏𝒇𝒕/𝑷𝒔𝒊 𝑷𝒔𝒊
𝑷𝒅 = or 𝑷𝒅 = 𝑷𝒔𝒊
𝑺𝒑é𝒄𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝟎.𝟒𝟑𝟑 ×𝑺𝒑é𝒄𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚
𝒇𝒕

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ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS: ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

Total Dynamic Head

5- Pump type Selective

Once the TDH has been calculated, its time to select a Pump. The pump type is selected from
the ESP Catalogue of the Service Company you are interested in buying the pump from. ESP
providers have tables that gives engineering information about pumps and also Pump
Performance Curves that shows how pump performs at given conditions when tested with
water. Tabulated Engineering data on pumps include (this may vary with companies);
•Suitable Casing Size for Pump
•Weight of Casing
•Stage Type (Radial or Mixed)

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•Best Efficiency Producing (BEP) rate

•Motor, Seal Section and Pump
•Operating Range (60 Hz or 50 Hz) depending on local voltage The Pump Performance Curve
is a plot of production volume per stage against;
•Pump Head
•Break Horsepower
•Efficiency It also shows the recommended operating range

•Larger diameter pumps and motor are less expensive and they operate at higher efficiencies.

•Select the highest efficient pump that will fit in the casing

•If the well’s production capacity is not accurately known, choose a pump with a steep
characteristic curve.
•If desired volume falls at a point where two pumps have approximately the same efficiency,
choose the pump type which requires the greater number of stages.

•If gas is present in the produced fluid, a gas separator may be required to achieve efficient
operation.

•In wells with viscous fluids or emulsions, some pump corrections may be necessary to ensure
more efficient operation, hence, working with a service company personnel will be expedient.

In most cases there will be two or three pumps that meet the volume and diameter requirements.
A comparison of efficiencies, expected production changes and actual pump efficiencies are
used to select the optimum pump. Other considerations are;
•Availability of pump in customer inventory
•Delivery Equipment

6- Optimum Size of Components

a-Optimum Selection of Pump
From the Performance Curve of the selected pump type, determine the number of stages
required to produce the anticipated capacity based on the calculated dynamic head (TDH).
Note that the performance curves are single stage pump characteristic curves, hence the total
stages required is determined from;

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𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐷𝑦𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑐 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑠 𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑒𝑑 =
𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒

b. Housing Pressure Limit

Maximum housing pressure will occur at pump shut in, when the maximum lift per stage is
available. Worst case is when the pump is pumping against a closed valve.
𝑀𝐻𝑃=𝑆𝐼𝐻60∗𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑠∗𝑀𝑖𝑥𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡∗(𝐻𝑧/60 )2
𝑴𝑯𝑷: Maximum Housing Pressure
SIH: Shut-in head per stage @ 60Hz
. Stages: Number of pump stages
Hz: Operating Frequency.

c- Optimum selection of Motor

The optimum motor is selected by first determining the brake horsepower required per stage
by the pump. This value is also gotten from performance curve. Therefore, brake horsepower
(BHP) required to drive a pump is then calculated from;
𝐵𝐻𝑃=𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑠∗𝐵𝐻𝑃 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒∗𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦
d. Optimum Selection of the Seal Section
Refer to company catalogue for recommendations based on pump type and well environment.
e. Optimum Selection of Gas Separator
Refer to company catalogue for recommendations based on pump type and well environment.
Make the necessary adjustments in horsepower requirements and housing length.

Note: More power will be needed by the motor to drive an added gas separator, this must be
added on when selecting the motor, if a gas separator would be needed in the pump.

7- Electrical Cable

Electric cable to be used is selected based on the evaluation of the following parameters:
a-Cable Size
Cable size is dependent on voltage drop, amperage and available space between casing and
collars. Company catalogues have to be consulted for these values. However, its is

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ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS: ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

recommended that the voltage drop should be less than 30 volts/1000 ft or less than 15% of
motor nameplate voltage. This is to ensure that adequate voltage is available to operate the
motor downhole.
b- Cable Type
This is based primarily on the fluid conditions, bottom-hole temperature and annular space
limitations. Use flat cable for limited space installations.

c-Example Electrical Cable Specification

• 1 inch=25.40 miiimeters
• 1 pound per foot= 1.488 Kilograms per meter
• All finished dimensions are nominal, 0.040’’ tolerance.
• Weigth is +8% tolerance
• Materials and spécifations are subject to change without notice
• Stranded conductor will be supplied on request.
• Flat cable construction has 0.020 ‘’ thickness, galvanised steel armor

8-Accessories and Other Equipment

a-Downhole Accessories
Cable Bands, Cable guard Swaged Nipple Check Valve Drain Valve
b. Motor Controllers
c. Transformers
The type of transformer selected depends on the size of the primary power system and the
required secondary voltage.
d. Wellhead and Accessories

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Select wellhead on the basis of casing size, tubing size, maximum recommended load, surface
pressure and maximum setting depth.
e. Surface Cable
f-Service Equipment
like cable reels, shipping cases etc.
g-Optional Equipment
•Bottom-hole pressure sensing device- For continuous measurement of bottom hole
pressure
•Automatic Well Monitoring - This can be used for remote monitoring of wells.
9-Variable Speed Submersible Pumping (VSSP)

The ESP system can be modified to include an Electrospeed variable frequency controller so
that it operates over a much broader range of capacity, head and efficiency. The speed of an
ESP motor is proportional to its frequency of the electrical power supply. Thus by adjusting the
frequency, the speed can be adjusted, this is the purpose of the variable speed system.

This system offers potential for boosting production, reducing downtime, and increasing profit.
Also, it can be used to extend the range of a submersible pump.

Also, if the production capacity of a well is not precisely known an variable speed controller
can be selected for an estimated range of and adjusted for the desired production level once
more data is available.

III. Operating practice

the pressure in a reservoir declines from depletion the producing capacity of the wells will
decline. The decline is caused by both a decrease in the reservoir's ability to supply fluid to the
wellbore, and, in some cases, and increase in the pressure required to lift the fluids to the
surface. That is, both inflow and outflow, conditions may change.

[Date] 17
ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS: ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

Figure 3-1: IPR et VLP before electric submersible pumping

Electrical Submersible Pumps (ESP’s) are a versatile form of artificial lift with pumps ranging
from 150 to 60000bfpd in operation. These pumps are made up of dynamic pump stages or
centrifugal pump stages. The electrical motor connects directly to the centrifugal pump in an
ESP. This means that the electrical motor shaft connects directly to the pump shaft. Thus, the
pump rotates at the same speed as the electrical motor.

Unlike positive displacement pumps, centrifugal pumps do not displace a fixed amount of fluid
but create a relatively constant amount of pressure increase to the flow system. The output flow
rate depends on the backpressure. The pressure increase is usually expressed as pumping head,
the equivalent height (h) of freshwater that the pressure differential can support is given by

𝛥𝑃
h=
0.433

h = pumping head, ft
𝛥𝑃 = pressure differential, psi

[Date] 18
ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS: ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

As the volumetric output increases, the pumping head of a centrifugal pump decreases and
power slightly increases. However, there exist an optional range of flow rate where the pump
efficiency is maximal.

Figure 3-2: ESP efficiency

Certain operating variables can severely limit ESP applications, including the following:

• Free gas in oil

• Temperature at depth
• Viscosity of oil
• Sand content fluid
• Paraffin content of fluid

The downhole information can be used to provide a better perspective of ESP operation and
performance. Only 2% of ESPs in the world have downhole sensor and even those with the
Data often neglect to use it to control the pumps. Detail real time information concerning the
pump pressures and temperature the system is experiencing downhole can be used to protect,
control and optimize the operation of the ESP.

[Date] 19
ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS: ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

Figure3-3: IPR and VLP after electric submersible pumping

IV. ADVANTAGE AND DESADVANTAGE OF ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE

PUMP

A-Advantage

➢ Can lift extremly high volumes. 20.000 B/D (19078 m3/d) in shallow wells with large
casing;
➢ Currently lifting ± 120.000. B/D (19068 m3/d) from water supply wells in middle east
with 600-hp (448-KW) units 720-hp (537-KW) under development;
➢ Unobtrusive in urbain locations;
➢ Simple to operate;
➢ Eazy to install downhole pressure sensor for telemetering pressure to surface via cable;
➢ Cicoked hole present no problem;
➢ Applicable offshore;
➢ Corrosion and scale treatment easy to perform;
➢ Availability in different size;
➢ Lifting cost for high volumes generally very low.

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ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS: ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

B-Desadvantages

➢ Not applicable to multiple compilations;

➢ Only applicable with electric power;
➢ High voltages (1.000V) are necessary;
➢ Impractical in shallow, low-volume wells;
➢ Expensive to change equipment to match declining well capability;
➢ Cable causes problems in handling tubulars;
➢ Cables deteriorate in high temparatures;
➢ System is depth limited, 10.000 ft (3048 m), due to cable cost and inability to install
enough power downhole (depends on casing size);
➢ Gas and solids production are troublesome;
➢ Not easly analyzable unless good engineering knowhow;
➢ Lack of production rate flexibility;
➢ Casing size limitation;
➢ Cannot be set below fluid entry without a shroud to route fluid by the motor. Shroud
also allows corrosion inhibitor to protect outside of motor;
➢ More downtime when problems are encountered due to entire unit being downhole.

V. OTHER ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS

A- Plunger Lift
Plunger lift systems are applicable to high gas–liquid ratio wells. They are very inexpensive
installations. Plunger automatically keeps tubing clean of paraffin and scale. But they are good
for low-rate wells normally less than 200 B/D. Listiak (2006) presents a thorough discussion of
this technology.
Figure A-1- illustrates a plunger lift system. Plunger lift uses a free piston that travels up and
down in the well’s tubing string. It minimizes liquid fallback and uses the well’s energy more
efficiently than in slug or bubble flow. The purpose of plunger lift is like that of other artificial
lift methods: to remove liquids from the wellbore so that the well can be produced at the lowest
bottom-hole pressures. Whether in a gas well, oil well, or gas lift well, the mechanics of a
plunger lift system are the same. The plunger, a length of steel, is dropped down the tubing to
the bottom of the well and allowed to travel back to the surface. It provides a piston-like
interface between liquids and gas in the wellbore and prevents liquid fallback. By providing a

[Date] 21
ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS: ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

‘‘seal’’ between the liquid and gas, a well’s own energy can be used to efficiently lift liquids
out of the wellbore. A plunger changes the rules for liquid removal. However, in a well without
a plunger, gas velocity must be high to remove liquids. With a plunger, gas velocity can be very
low. Unloading relies much more on the well’s ability to store enough gas pressure to lift the
plunger and a liquid slug to surface, and less on critical flow rates. Plunger operation consists
of shut-in and flow periods. The flow period is further divided into an unloading period and
flow after plunger arrival. Lengths of these periods will vary depending on the application,
producing capability of the well, and pressures. A plunger cycle start with the shut-in period
that allows the plunger to drop from the surface to the bottom of the well. At the same time, the
well builds gas pressure stored either in the casing, in the fracture, or in the near wellbore region
of the reservoir. The well must be shut in long enough to build reservoir pressure that will
provide energy to lift both the plunger and the liquid slug to the surface against line pressure
and friction.

Figure A-1 : A sketch of a plunger lift system (courtesy Ferguson Beauregard)

[Date] 22
ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS: ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

B- Hydraulic Pump

1- Hydraulic Piston Pumpin

The use of sucker rod pumps is not feasible in deep or highly deviated wells because
of the weight orlarge amoun tof friction of the rods. A positive-displacement pump that can
be used in these applications is the hydraulic piston pump. A hydraulic piston pump consists of
an engine with a reciprocating piston driven by a power fluid connected
by a short shaft to a piston in the pump end. The pump acts much like a rod pump, except
that hydraulic pumps are usually double acting, meaning that fluid is being displaced from
the pump on both the up and the down strokes. The high-pressure power fluid is injected
down a tubing string from the surface and is either returned to the surface through another
string of tubing or is commingled with the produced fluid in the production string. Either
water or oil may be used as the power fluid.

2- Jet Pumps

A jet pump is a dynamic-displacement pump that differs dramatically from a centrifugal

pump in the manner in which it increases the pressure of the pumped fluid. A schematic
of a jet pump is shown in Fig.2-1 A power fluid is accelerated througfi a nozzle and
then mixed with the produced fluid in the throat of the pump. As the fluids mix, some of
the momentum of the power fluid is transferred to the produced fluid; in the diffuser, some
of the kinetic energy of the mixed stream is converted to static pressure. A schematic of a
typical downhole jet pump is presented in fig.2-2

[Date] 23
ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS: ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

Fig.2-1 Schematic of a jet pump. (From Brown, 19806

Jet pumps offer the advantage of having no moving parts, so

dirty or gassy fluids can be produced without the wear that will
result in positive-displacement pumps. They can also be used
at any depth. Drawbacks to jet pumps are their low efficiency
(generally in the 20-30% range) and the need for high suction
pressure to prevent cavitation in the pump. Jet pump
installations are designed u h g characteristic charts in a manner
analogous to the design of centrifugal pumps. In addition,
careful calculation of the pump depth needed

[Date] 24
ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS: ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

Conclusion
Any production well is drilled for the purpose of conveying hydrocarbons from reservoir to
the surface. Most oil wells require an artificial lift at some point in their lives, and many gas
wells take advantage of artificial dissipation to remove liquids from the formation so that gas
can flow more quickly. Artificial is a method used to lower the downhole pressure (BHP) on
the formation in order to obtain a higher production rate from the well. This can be done with
a positive displacement bottom pump, such as a beam pump or a progressive cavity pump
(PCP), to reduce the pressure that flows to the inlet of the pump. This can also be done with a
bottom centrifugal pump, which could be part of an electric submersible pump (ESP) system.
It is possible to obtain an elevation of the gas in which the density of the fluid in the tubing is
lowered and an expanding gas that helps lift the fluids. Artificial lift can be used to generate a
flow from a well in which there is no flow or to increase the flow of a well to produce at a
higher rate. Many high-volume wells are equipped with electric submersible pumps (ESP) to
lift the liquid and decrease the flowing bottom hole pressure. A submersible pump is a
multistage centrifugal pump that is driven by an electric motor located in the well below the
pump. Electric power is supplied by means of a cable from the surface.

References
• Brown, K. E.: The Technology 01 Artificial Liji Methods, Vol. 2, PennWell Pub Co.,
Tulsa, Okla.,1980.
• 2. Gibbs S. 0.: "Predieting the Behavior of electric submersible Pumping Systems,"
lPT, July,1963.
• 3. Gas Liji, Book 6 of the Vocational Training Series, American Petroleum Institute,
Dalias, Texas, 1984
• abercrombie, b. Plunger lift. In: The Technology of Artificial Lift Methods
(Brown, K.E., ed.), Vol. 2b. Tulsa: PennWell Publishing Co., 1980, pp. 483–518.
• beeson, c.m., knox, d.g., and stoddard, j.h. Plunger lift correlation equations and
nomographs.
• Presented at AIME Petroleum Branch Annual meeting, 2–5 October 1955, New
Orleans, Louisiana. Paper 501-G. brown, k.e. The Technology of Artificial Lift
Methods, Vol. 2b. Tulsa: PennWell Publishing Co., 1980.

[Date] 25
ARTIFICIAL LIFT METHODS: ELECTRIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMP

Annexes

Parameter Gas Lift Plunger Rod Lift PCP ESP Hyd Jet Hyd Piston

Max Depth 18000 ft 19000 ft 16000 ft 8600 ft 15000 ft 20000 ft 17000 ft

5486 m 5791 m 4878 m 2621m 4572m 6100 m 5182 m
Max Volume 75000 bpd 200 bpd 6000 pbd 5000 bpd 60000 bpd 35000 bpd 8000 bpd
12000 M3/D 32 M3/D 950 M3/D 790 M3/D 9500 M3/D 5560 M3/D 1270 M3/D
Max Temp 450°F 550°F 550°F 250°F 482°F 550°F 550°F
232°C 288°C 288°C 121°C 250°C 288°C 288°C
Corrosion Good to Excellent Excellent Good to Fair Good Excellent Good
Handling Excellent
Gas Excellent Excellent Fair to Good Good Fair Good Fair
Handling
Solids Good Fair Fair to Good Excellent Sand<40ppm Good Fair
Handling
Fluid Gravity >15° >15° >8° 8°<API<40° Viscosity ≥6° >8°
(°API) <400 cp
Servicing Wireline or Wellhead Workover or Wireline or Wireline or Hydraulic or Hydraulic or
Workover rig catcher or pulling rig workover rig workover rig wireline wireline
Wireline
Prime Mover Compressor Well natural Gas or Gas or Electric Gas or Gas or
energy electric electric electric electric
Offshore Excellent N/A Limited Limited Excellent Excellent Good
System 10% to 30% N/A 45% to 60% 50% to 75% 35% to 60% 10% to 30% 45% to 55%
Efficiency

[Date] 26