Artificial Lift

The thermal behavior of Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) systems deployed in unconventional wells is poorly characterized, particularly when exposed to elevated gas volume fractions and transient flow regimes. Traditional point temperature measurements provide limited spatial resolution and do not capture how gas interference influences heat distribution along pump stages, seal sections, and...

Electric Submersible Pumps (ESPs) face significant performance challenges when free gas enters the system, and bubbles obstruct fluid flow through the pump impellers–a phenomenon known as gas locking, which can induce premature failure. This complication is amplified during gas slug events, which are inevitable in unconventional reservoirs common to the Permian Basin. This paper presents...

This study analyzes a comprehensive dataset of mid-to-late life Electric Submersible Pump (ESP) designs deployed in Delaware Basin wells to identify the most effective configurations for high Gas Volume Fraction (GVF) environments. Downhole GVFs are normalized across wells, and ESP designs are categorized by pump stage count, gas-handling pump type, gas separator configuration, and casing size...

Electric Submersible Pumps (ESPs) are commonly known in the Artificial Lift Systems for high flowrates capabilities; however, it’s been limited on tight casing application due to not only HP constrains, but also for presenting restriction in terms of chemical treatment all the way down to the bottom of the equipment and reliability concern on tandem motor applications. Recently an operating...

Electric Submersible Pumps (ESPs) remain one of the most widely deployed artificial lift technologies for maximizing production from Permian wells. Operating companies often find themselves installing ESPs between multiple producing zones or even below the perforated intervals for several reasons, including the goal of maximizing production by setting the pump as deep as possible and increasing...

Oil wells utilizing Electric Submersible Pump (ESP) systems require substantial electrical power for continuous operation leading to large operation electrical expenses and inefficiencies in traditional induction motor (IM) setups. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of integrating Permanent Magnet Motors (PMMs) into ESP configurations to achieve superior power densities and operational...

This paper presents the Gas Release System Bypass, the latest advancement in gas regulation and separation technologies for Electric Submersible Pump systems operating in high-GLR and gas-slugging environments. The GRSB enhances conventional gas-handling methods by integrating the principles of gas regulation, pressurization, centrifugal dispersion, and controlled gas venting through a dedicated...

The Oxy Texas Delaware North Business Unit (TXDN) experiences frequent premature failures from severe downhole corrosion due to reservoir conditions and chemical undertreatment in wells with 1yr operating life. Typical damage occurs on undertreated annular gas lift wells near cap-string clamps/bands. Turbulent flow occurs on these components from high velocity flowrates, stripping chemical...

As the global oil industry increasingly relies on unconventional and marginal assets, operators face a complex array of production challenges. These include high viscosity fluids, significant solid content, gas interference, and the need for deployment in deviated wellbores. Traditional lift methods, such as beam pumping and conventional rotary electric submersible pumps (ESPs), often reach their...

The Appalachian Basin, specifically the Marcellus and Utica shales, are known for their initial low water-to-gas ratios and appealing high gas rates.  This, however, leaves operators with establishing phase of life flow paths as the well declines.  Installing production tubing too early leaves the asset producing at a constrained rate due to frictional losses downhole.  These constraints have been...