Controlling Gas Slugs in ESP Using A New Downhole Gas Regulator: Case Studies

摘要

Improving ESP performance has become one of the main challenges in gassy wells.Different methods and new technologies have been developed but most of them have high economic value.A new system has been created to prevent large amounts of gas flowing directly into the pump intake through the breaking of the gas slugs and the resolubilization(dispersion)of the free gas into the production liquid.The system contains an isolation section which allows to break gas slugs and pressurize that section forcing the gas to go in solution to be produced afterwards.The concept of the new technology is to manage the Rs(Gas in solution)with pressure,additionally the technology includes a vortex effect creator which will improve the gas dispersion iton the liquid associated and will separate the sand production.The ESP's Downhole Regulator was designed based on each well conditions to maximize its efficiency.This paper summarizes the design and application of the new Vortex Regulator in more than 50 gassy wells completed in the Wolfcamp A,Wolfcamp B,Lower Spraberry,and Jo Mill C in the Permian basin.The performance evaluation was carried out by a constant monitoring of the sensor parameters through a certain period.During the evaluation period the ESPs in most of the wells were operating under stable conditions with minor shutdowns,no significant increases in the motor current,motor temperature,and vibration were observed.