Intelligent ESP Control - Utilizing Edge for an Autonomous Super-Loop

Electric Submersible Systems in the oil and gas industry have long relied on PLC control loops as well as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) technology for monitoring and control. However, as the digital landscape continues to evolve, artificial lift systems must adapt to more dynamic and autonomous operations. Leveraging cloud-native edge computing, microservices, and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT); the game has changed. This abstract/presentation will showcase real wells with common issues; multiple shutdowns, gas locking, high motor temperature shutdowns; all causing downtime and lost production.

Edge offers the potential to enhance the real-time responsiveness and optimization of these systems. This paper discusses the transition from traditional SCADA systems to edge computing-driven architectures in ESP applications; highlighting the capabilities, challenges, and future potential of this technological shift. Welcome to the ESP Super-Loop, where wells autonomously switch modes like set frequency, PID, Gas Purge, Pump Intake Pressure Mode, Current Limit; all when the well needs it most; without human intervention.

Birch Resources has proven field studies on multiple wells in different environments of the Permian Basin. We will highlight current limitations of ESP controllers, the issue of having to understand the magnitude of controllers in the marketplace, and how Edge super loops have solved many of these challenges. Increased uptime, increased production, and more efficient optimization and field staff is always the goal, and this technology is setting the standard of all three.